Standing on the deck of the ’Ellinis’, 21-year-old Jan waves a tearful goodbye to her mum, her home in Sydney, and all she has known of the world.
So begins a journey of self-discovery as Jan courageously spreads her wings and forges a new life for herself on the other side of the globe. She’s young, optimistic, and ready to tackle life head-on-blissfully unaware of the twists and turns her path will take.
An unabating appetite for adventure compels Jan to travel across Europe and England. Despite negotiating sticky situations, including narrow escapes from lecherous lift-givers, she is awestruck by the architectural and cultural wonders she encounters.
Two broken marriages and a battle with breast cancer are among the many challenges that push her to the brink of despair, forcing her to draw on all her talents, resourcefulness, and inner strength.
Does she have what it takes to claw her way back to physical and emotional health, while supporting and protecting her two precious children? Will she ever find lasting happiness? Or will it all be too much? Dive in to find out.
Be prepared for a rollercoaster ride that will leave you breathless.
About the author
A resident up to the age of ten in Sydney Street, Jan’s family, the Forsyths, were some of the first settlers in Willoughby, owning the tannery on Eastern Valley Way.
She started writing her debut memoir after a visit to the annual Literary Festival, in Dubai in 2014, where she met many international authors. This experience opened her eyes to the world of writing.
She met her friend, Anjum Malik, screenwriter, poet and senior lecturer at Manchester University, at the Festival, who encouraged her to delve into the art of creative writing. Upon her return, she attended several writing courses with Jo Kadlecek, author and lecturer in creative writing in Boston and New York, before moving to Australia. Her guidance and mentorship set Jan on this exciting pathway. After attending numerous writing courses and workshops, she published ‘A Grip on Reality’ in January 2023.
Jan's passion for the written word has led her down a pathway of self-discovery, challenging her perspectives on life and discovering a new world of writer friends and colleagues.
Join author Jan Wood in conversation with Stephen Knox.
There will be copies of the book on sale on the day.
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