This week in The Loft: Author Jan Selbourne!

Joining me today in The Loft is author Jan Selbourne. Jan generally writes historical fiction, but recently teamed up with USA Today bestselling science fiction author Eileen Tromel to write an alternate history, sweet romance called "The Moon Crossing." The winner of the Coffee Pot Book Club Historical Fiction Silver Medal, Jan began writing after many years in the dusty world of ledgers and accounting, working in Victoria, Queensland and the United Kingdom. She later indulged her love of history by shifting course to work as the secretary of a large New South Wales historical society. The mother of two adult children, Jan now lives in Maitland, New South Wales with her loveable dog.

Author Jan Selbourne

S:  Good morning, Jan. Thanks for joining me in The Loft!

If you had to do it all over again, would you still write books?

J:  Definitely. I’ve wanted to write since I was a kid, but something else always came first. Career, marriage, children, work. Writing books is incredibly satisfying, and nice comments and wonderful reviews make it all worthwhile.

S:  What's the best or worst thing that has ever happened to you as a writer?

J:  Writing books has been a fantastic journey. I thought holding my first published book, "Perilous Love," was the best thing ever, then I met some fantastic supportive authors who’ve helped me enormously. The best thing that happened to me and my book "Lies of Gold," was winning the Coffee Pot Book Club Book of the Year Silver Medal for Historical Romance. That really was the icing on the cake.

S:  You are so lucky to have had so many positive experiences.

Besides historical romance and fiction, what other genres do you enjoy writing?

J:  History is my favorite genre because there is a wealth of material to work with. Every era is unique because of the colorful people who made their mark. Caesar and Cleopatra, Robin Hood, Henry VIII and his six wives, Mozart, Napoleon Bonaparte, George Washington, Hitler regrettably--all good fodder for a book. However, I enjoyed writing a contemporary short story set in outback Australia--the Cowboy Desire anthology, and Eileen Troemel pulled me into the future with "The Moon Crossing."

S:  What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

J:  If we are in an unhappy situation, like a job we hate, a toxic relationship, or bad company, we have choices. We can leave the job or the relationship or so-called friends. Of course, there’ll be difficulties and obstacles, but we can do it. If we remain in the job or relationship, it’s our choice so don’t complain later.

S:  Exactly. You can choose to be happy or you can choose to be miserable. 

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

J:  My two daughters who are now adults and my best friends.

S:  What do you want inscribed on your tombstone? How do you want to be remembered?

J:  Each time I hear that question, I think of a tombstone at the gold mining town, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. “Stop man as you pass by. As you are now so was I. As I am now so you will be, so stop man and pray for me.”  Sort of says it all, doesn’t it?  But I don’t want that on my tombstone, perhaps my name and mum and nana.  I’d like to be remembered as a mum and nana and dedicated animal lover.

S:  What inspired "The Moon Crossing?"

J:  Eileen Troemel, the wonderful sci-fi author. When she asked me to co-author "The Moon Crossing," my reaction was, "Why me?  I write historical fiction." She dangled a few ideas in front of me, I was intrigued, and before I knew it, I was throwing ideas back at her. It was a new experience and I learned a lot about the moon.

Here’s the blurb--

USA Today Bestselling Author Eileen Troemel and Coffee Pot Book Club Historical Fiction Silver Medal author Jan Selbourne present an alternate history, sweet romance of life after the Moon Landing in 1969. 

In 2030, World Correction Center - the Earth's most secure prison - is a miserable place to land. Since it's on the moon, it's inescapable. It contains the worst criminals Earth has ever seen. So why are the brilliant minds across the globe being sent to this black hole of the justice system. When renowned archaeologist Micky Cooper is charged with embezzling, his sister Susan knows it's a set up.  It's up to her to prove his innocence. Susan thinks she might be paranoid but she swears she's being followed and should she trust the nice man whose cousin has disappeared as well? Was it a chance meeting or is he against her too? Teaming up with Greg Tanner, a man equally resolved to prove the innocence of his cousin, Samantha Tanner - a word leading linguist - Susan and Greg seek clues wherever they can find them, but they're barely keeping one step ahead of those who want them to stop.  They begin to unravel the web of lies, fraud and cover up. Just when they start to put pieces together, Susan and Greg are forced to run for their lives.  With a nudge from Samantha they find someone to help. Is this woman an ally? Or simply part of a greater conspiracy to hide the truth? What exactly is on the moon and why are the Earth's greatest minds being sent there to serve time?

S:  Wow. That's a spellbinding story! Where can readers buy "The Moon Landing?"

J:  It's available at--

Amazon:  Amazon.com: The Moon Crossing eBook : Troemel, Eileen, Selbourne, Jan: Kindle Store

Book Funnel:  https://books.bookfunnel.com/comingsoon-sep/7zyf50v78e

S:  Jan, thanks for joining me today and good luck with your new book! If you'd like to learn more about Jan and her books, please visit--

Website:  https://nomadauthors.com/JanSelbourne/index.html

Blog:  http://nomadauthors.com/blog

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/JanSelbourne

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/jan.selbourne

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14661584.Jan_Selbourne?from_search=true

Amazon Author Page:  https://www.amazon.com/Jan-Selbourne/e/B0184OSZ6E/

Newsletter:  https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/h8t2y6

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-selbourne-2817b6140