A Gentle Cover Reveal

Every book has its own journey, and sometimes the hardest part isn’t the writing—it’s deciding what the book should look like on the outside.

When I first shared early ideas for this cover in a Facebook group, I was hoping for constructive feedback. Instead, what I received was… well, not very helpful. It reminded me that not every space is built for gentle, thoughtful conversation. I walked away feeling a little bruised, but also clearer about what I didn’t want: a process full of noise and second-guessing.

That’s when Paul stepped in. Paul is my new support worker, and as it turns out, also a talented graphic designer. He offered to sit down with me—not just to “fix” a cover, but to listen.

And then it clicked. One of my artworks held exactly the sense of wonder and softness I’d been searching for. Paul helped me shape it into a professional, striking cover—without losing the quirks and warmth that make it mine.

I’m so excited to finally share it with you. This cover feels like the perfect doorway into the world inside the book: curious, hopeful, and just a little whimsical.

This journey reminded me of something important: sometimes the most creative breakthroughs come from collaboration, kindness, and a willingness to keep looking until it feels right.

Artist statement for Broad Shorts

Broad Shorts brings together stories written over four years, united by one theme: endings. I wanted to understand how closure can arrive gently, suddenly, or not at all. Some pieces, like Sebastian’s Sabotage, began during NaNoWriMo 2021 and took years to finish. Others, like Terrarist and What Was Lost, made their way into competitions. A few Skorts appeared in Spill the Beans challenges, while Digital Air was commissioned by Laura Miers Jewellery. One Last Adventure, my most recent piece, emerged after completing a Year of the Novel course where I examined my strengths and weaknesses as a writer.

This collection isn’t a straight timeline but a map of my growth as a storyteller learning when to hold on and when to let go. Each story experiments with tone and form, but all return to the same question: what does it mean to reach an ending?

The cover reflects this theme. It combines an abstract portrait of the back of Patchy, my dingo cross, with the Southern Cross constellation’s pointer stars — Alpha and Beta Centauri — symbols of both closure and direction. Like the stories themselves, it hints that every ending also points somewhere new.

Assisted by ChatGPT.