Flirty Eyes is the third story in my short story collection, The Cuckoo's Song. This was inspired by my real life and my older sister, who is from my mother's first marriage, who visited during school holidays. One summer when I was 13 I got to experience what it was like to have a cool older sibling that would expose you to a more adult world. This story was previously published in 2005 Best Australian Short Stories, Black Inc. Flirty Eyes deals with the themes of family, sexuality, coming of age.
https://www.amrapajalic.com/cuckoos-song.html

Pishukin Press presents Alma’s Loyalty, an own voices, young adult novel that is the second in the Sassy Saints Series. 

Alma’s perfect family is fractured when her father finds out he has a long-lost daughter from his first marriage. When his overtures are rebuffed, it’s up to Alma to bring her new-found sister, Sabiha, into the family fold. 

Now available in ebook, paperback, hardcover, dyslexic font, large print, and audiobook that are performance narrated and narrated by AI. 

To learn more go to
https://www.amrapajalic.com/almas_loyalty.html

Sassy Saints is a six book series following the lives of six sassy teens coming of age in St Albans, as they navigate their sexual and cultural identity, and search for belonging. To learn more go to this link:
https://www.amrapajalic.com/sassy_saints_series.html

As you might know I'm a teacher and am on long service leave for 10 weeks and getting to experience life as a full time writer for a few months. This week has been quite an exciting one and I want to share what I’m doing so that firstly, people have some insight into what it is to be a full time author and small press owner, and secondly, to have a record for posterity about this small window of time when all I have to do is focus on writing-related life.

Emailed libraries in Australia to let them know my book Sabiha’s Dilemma was available in all formats. Shared my beautiful new catalogue for Pishukin Press. 

Processed library orders with distributor James Bennett.

Designed and submitted my advertisement for the Small Press Network catalogue.

Wrote, submitted and had published an article on ArtsHub within 24 hours responding to Roald Dahl book updates.

I developed the questions and invited participants for my next ArtsHub article about female entrepreneurs. I know two of them, and the third is someone I am cold-calling, which is nerve wracking.

I signed a contract for the anthology that I will have a memoir piece published in. Details to follow when this is publicly announced. 

I finished uploading my eligible books for Publisher Lending Rights, books available in libraries. The due date is 31 March so get onto that.

I confirmed my participation in a penpal project devised by Kate Foster and Dee White connecting authors/illustrators to primary schools.

I booked an advertisement in the IBPA library blast to young adult author public librarians in the US.

I listened to male narrator auditions for my first dual narration audiobook, The Climb, and am hoping to find a narrator who will be Jesse’s voice in the third book of my Sassy Saints Series titled Jesse’s Triumph. So excited.

Got an update from my narrator, the fabulous Nina Nikolic, that she has finished chapter 9 of Alma’s Loyalty audiobook so can’t wait to hear that.

​Finished my last memoir writing workshop at Caroline Springs with some beautiful participants. Photos below.

Prepared a publisher contract for an author I am going to be publish. Some of you will know who this mystery writer is, but I’ll announce publicly in a little while.

Updated my published articles on Copyright Australia.

Drafted a proposal for an online course with some authors I'm excited to work with. So keep your fingers crossed.

My short story Siege was previously published in the 2009 Best Australian Stories and reviewed: 

'A powerful and moving story of family dissolution and the suffering, deprivation and terror of war.' Australian Book Review
'Amra Pajalić’s Bosnian Diary is a masterpiece of broken elegy.' Bulletin Review

This story was inspired by the real life Sarajevo Romeo and Juliet, who were a Bosnian and Serb that attempted to escape the siege. I used my husband's family as a resource as they were survivors of the Sarajevo siege and their letters provided details of what it as like to live day to day.

The Cuckoo’s Song, YA short story collection, by Amra Pajalic is now available in ebook, paperback, hardcover, dyslexic font, large print, and audiobook narrated by AI.

To learn more go to
https://www.amrapajalic.com/cuckoos-song.html

From award-winning, young adult author Amra Pajalic comes a friends to lovers, YA stand-alone romance novella​

Zephyra thinks of Noah as a brother. Noah thinks Zephyra is the one. When they are completing a one week bike marathon their friendship hits some unexpected speed bumps. Will their friendship turn into something more or will they crash?

The Climb, a YA romance novella, by Amra Pajalic is now available in ebook, paperback, hardcover, dyslexic font, large print, and audiobook narrated by AI.

To learn more go to
https://www.amrapajalic.com/the-climb.html

Award-winning author Amra Pajalić showcases her gritty, poignant and sometimes bruising voice in this eclectic short story book of previously published and prize-winning stories. Featuring powerful and moving stories of family dissolution, deprivation of war, tenderness of family and the heart-rending experiences of mental illness. Thriller stories with a twist of vindictiveness and retribution, and love stories that make the heart sing, this collection will delight and entertain.

The Cuckoo’s Song, YA short story collection, by Amra Pajalic is now available in ebook, paperback, hardcover, dyslexic font, large print, and audiobook narrated by AI.

To learn more go to
https://www.amrapajalic.com/cuckoos-song.html