The UTS Writers’ Salon, a periodical event which sees writers discussing and reading from their work, ran again in March with special guest Jane O’Connell.
Jane was promoting her novel Cold Against the Glass, “an unexpected tale of love and hope” which focuses on two people connecting over the search for the parents of an unidentified baby.
Her first novel, Jane spoke at length about the genesis of the piece, which she began work on while completing her Masters at UTS, and the value of the mentorship of her staff and classmates. With a background in journalism and a long career in the media, Jane’s ability to research was evident when she detailed the hours spent in museums of medical pathology and in discussion with medical professionals, nurses and midwives to accurately tell the story of Florence, an artist and forager seeking to uncover the origin of a human specimen.
Jane’s sense of determination and grit were also clear when she discussed her experience in self-publishing. Though she originally sought to release Cold Against the Glass through a publishing house, Jane eventually decided to self-publish, a choice she encouraged more writers to consider as a move of self-empowerment. Jane sees this as similar to the effort of indie bands, artists and filmmakers.
Jane’s career in the media has seen her work across television, print and digital media, and she continues to write and edit through her content company, Backbeach Productions. Prior to her debut novel, she has co-written and edited a number of non-fiction publications, and edited a short story anthology. As well as working with the Children’s Book Council of Australia, the Sydney Story Factory, and currently holding the position of Association Editor at the Gold Coast Writers’ Association.
Cold Against the Glass was published in October 2022, and can be found here.