Kaz Delaney Biography

I was born to write. I had to. I couldn't do anything else! Try as I might I could not find a job application form with sections to tick if you
                                a) cook well and
                                b) tell a great joke and
                                c) throw a great party.

Of course maybe it was because I wanted all three on the same application form that I failed miserably at finding 'my' perfect career.

But even if I had found such an animal - there would have been more problems to surmount. That would be due to a serious genetic problem that has made my life a living misery. Or I should say - it’s made the lives of those around me a living misery. This affliction? Clumsiness. Yep - I'm clumsy. And with no twelve step plan available that means I am a walking disaster for anyone within three feet of me. Of course that also means public kitchens are off limits. So no cooking…

And Stand-Up was out because I'd probably fall off the stage. So no professional joke telling…

And after being carted away from one party in an ambulance - I figured I should quit before it was a body bag. So, no professional party throwing.

To prove my vision wasn't totally narrow, I did try a few other things along the way. Like nursing… Okay - you're thinking bed pans and syringes in the hands of this clumsy madwoman? And you’re freaking out, right? Well hang on a minute. I am a very compassionate person, so, as big a stretch as it is - it did seem like a good idea at the time. And like most things in my life - I found that it took no time at all for the spotlight to be firmly on me. And as usual for all the wrong reasons. Like the first time I met the head of the nursing staff. She just nodded and smiled at everyone else - a bit like the Queen Mother. Not with me. She stopped and looked closely at my name tag, her mouth all tight as she peered down her long nose. "Oh yes. You're the hysterical one,"

To prove I'm not a total failure, I did learn a lot during that time. Like that if the visiting specialist surgeon asks you, the junior nurse, for an E.N.T tray - do not, no matter how badly the man mumbles into his beard, I repeat DO NOT run off and fix him a tea tray complete with doyley and tiny frosted cookies.

Why? Because he's probably asking for the Ear Nose and Throat Tray. And that doesn't usually come with a side serve of frosted cookies.

You can see my dilemma. There was nothing else for it. It had to be writing. Which was just as well considering this was what I loved most! Books!

Ultimately, it was a good choice; the world at large was generally safer this way. But it also meant I had to make it work. And so all my studies from that point revolved around writing and learning to do it as well as I could. By the way - school is still in for me because I don't think I'll ever learn all there is to learn about writing - but hey - I'm giving it a good try.

It's been twelve years since that momentous decision, and yes, I've achieved many personal milestones along the way. Trouble is - every time I cross the bar - I lift it higher on myself. I guess some would call that self-defeating. I call it self-challenging.

My first break came when Pan Macmillan was putting together an anthology of romantic stories and decided to leave a space open for an unknown. I - under the guise of my other persona, Kerri Lane - won the spot.

Okay - I figured. This was a good sign! So I doggedly plugged on. I've been incredibly fortunate in that I was able to follow this with 29 more sales, many of these commissioned by my early publishers and which cross the lines from picture books to adult romance. Nothing like variety!

2003 was a breakout year for me. Books 28 and 29 have had me Happy Dancing Down Under. The reason? The acceptance of a two book contract with Dorchester for its new YA Romance line – SMOOCH. The first of these two books, My Life as a Snow Bunny, was one of the first four launch titles and was released in December 2003.

The second entitled Princesses Don't Sweat was released in June 04.

It was also the year I was taken on by my wonderful agent Michelle Grajkowski of the 3 Seas Literary Agency.

It was also the year RWAust awarded me Honorary Membership for service to the association. You can see why I look back on that year and smile…

But writing per se isn’t my entire life. Way before any of this happened, a really cute guy crossed my path and I, (being quick off the mark where cute guys are concerned) snagged him and bedazzled him into marrying me before he realized that my clumsiness can be near fatal. Rob is my best friend and partner. We made four beautiful children - all of whom I'm relieved to say, missed the clumsy gene… And we're gonna grow old together. And hopefully be cared for by the seven little men who have totally stolen our hearts…

And much to the chagrin of victims of my special grace who would rather see me permanently chained to my desk, I do step out into the world. I have been, until recently, a creative writing tutor for Charles Sturt University’s Enrichment Studies Program. I did that for eight years and loved it. I got to travel a lot and talk to people all over the country about writing. I figure as long as there’s a podium between them and me – they’re safe. My fear is a podium falling off the stage – with me behind it…

I'm also a tutor for the Australian college of Journalism where I teach writing subjects via correspondence

And I ghost write. This supplemented my writer’s income for many years, and with 20 plus non fiction books behind me now - for people from all areas of business and public endeavor - these days I can pretty well choose topics as they appeal to me.

What else have I done? I am a former National Vice President of Romance Writer’s of Australia (3 years), a regular speaker on both writing topics and as an RWAust advocate. And I judge a lot of writing competitions - it's kinda my way of giving back.

I'm also the current co-ordinator of my writer's critique group Valley Girls. (See photos) I am the luckiest author alive as these gals are the absolute best and I credit a lot of my success to their diligence and dedication. They credit their brilliance to Rob's great coffee…

I live, love and write at breathtaking Lake Macquarie, on the beautiful Central Coast of NSW, Australia. Yes, Australia. Land of plenty. Home of such mouthwatering wonders as the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru, Heath Ledger, Russell Crowe and… Hugh My life is blessed.

	Crazy isn't ALWAYS a bad thing!

	About Kaz			Home About Kaz Fun Stuff Books Kaz's Day News Kerri Lane Photos Links For Writers
	Meet Kaz Delaney...... if you dare..... or see Kaz in Quick Bytes I was born to write. I had to. I couldn't do anything else! Try as I might I could not find a job application form with sections to tick if you a) cook well and b) tell a great joke and c) throw a great party. Of course maybe it was because I wanted all three on the same application form that I failed miserably at finding 'my' perfect career. But even if I had found such an animal - there would have been more problems to surmount. That would be due to a serious genetic problem that has made my life a living misery. Or I should say - it’s made the lives of those around me a living misery. This affliction? Clumsiness. Yep - I'm clumsy. And with no twelve step plan available that means I am a walking disaster for anyone within three feet of me. Of course that also means public kitchens are off limits. So no cooking… And Stand-Up was out because I'd probably fall off the stage. So no professional joke telling… And after being carted away from one party in an ambulance - I figured I should quit before it was a body bag. So, no professional party throwing. To prove my vision wasn't totally narrow, I did try a few other things along the way. Like nursing… Okay - you're thinking bed pans and syringes in the hands of this clumsy madwoman? And you’re freaking out, right? Well hang on a minute. I am a very compassionate person, so, as big a stretch as it is - it did seem like a good idea at the time. And like most things in my life - I found that it took no time at all for the spotlight to be firmly on me. And as usual for all the wrong reasons. Like the first time I met the head of the nursing staff. She just nodded and smiled at everyone else - a bit like the Queen Mother. Not with me. She stopped and looked closely at my name tag, her mouth all tight as she peered down her long nose. "Oh yes. You're the hysterical one," To prove I'm not a total failure, I did learn a lot during that time. Like that if the visiting specialist surgeon asks you, the junior nurse, for an E.N.T tray - do not, no matter how badly the man mumbles into his beard, I repeat DO NOT run off and fix him a tea tray complete with doyley and tiny frosted cookies. If you do, you will probably get yelled at. Why? Because he's probably asking for the Ear Nose and Throat Tray. And that doesn't usually come with a side serve of frosted cookies. You can see my dilemma. There was nothing else for it. It had to be writing. Which was just as well considering this was what I loved most! Books! Ultimately, it was a good choice; the world at large was generally safer this way. But it also meant I had to make it work. And so all my studies from that point revolved around writing and learning to do it as well as I could. By the way - school is still in for me because I don't think I'll ever learn all there is to learn about writing - but hey - I'm giving it a good try. It's been twelve years since that momentous decision, and yes, I've achieved many personal milestones along the way. Trouble is - every time I cross the bar - I lift it higher on myself. I guess some would call that self-defeating. I call it self-challenging. My first break came when Pan Macmillan was putting together an anthology of romantic stories and decided to leave a space open for an unknown. I - under the guise of my other persona, Kerri Lane - won the spot. Okay - I figured. This was a good sign! So I doggedly plugged on. I've been incredibly fortunate in that I was able to follow this with 29 more sales, many of these commissioned by my early publishers and which cross the lines from picture books to adult romance. Nothing like variety! 2003 was a breakout year for me. Books 28 and 29 have had me Happy Dancing Down Under. The reason? The acceptance of a two book contract with Dorchester for its new YA Romance line – SMOOCH. The first of these two books, My Life as a Snow Bunny, was one of the first four launch titles and was released in December 2003. The second entitled Princesses Don't Sweat was released in June 04. It was also the year I was taken on by my wonderful agent Michelle Grajkowski of the 3 Seas Literary Agency. It was also the year RWAust awarded me Honorary Membership for service to the association. You can see why I look back on that year and smile… But writing per se isn’t my entire life. Way before any of this happened, a really cute guy crossed my path and I, (being quick off the mark where cute guys are concerned) snagged him and bedazzled him into marrying me before he realized that my clumsiness can be near fatal. Rob is my best friend and partner. We made four beautiful children - all of whom I'm relieved to say, missed the clumsy gene… And we're gonna grow old together. And hopefully be cared for by the seven little men who have totally stolen our hearts… And much to the chagrin of victims of my special grace who would rather see me permanently chained to my desk, I do step out into the world. I have been, until recently, a creative writing tutor for Charles Sturt University’s Enrichment Studies Program. I did that for eight years and loved it. I got to travel a lot and talk to people all over the country about writing. I figure as long as there’s a podium between them and me – they’re safe. My fear is a podium falling off the stage – with me behind it… I'm also a tutor for the Australian college of Journalism where I teach writing subjects via correspondence And I ghost write. This supplemented my writer’s income for many years, and with 20 plus non fiction books behind me now - for people from all areas of business and public endeavor - these days I can pretty well choose topics as they appeal to me. What else have I done? I am a former National Vice President of Romance Writer’s of Australia (3 years), a regular speaker on both writing topics and as an RWAust advocate. And I judge a lot of writing competitions - it's kinda my way of giving back. I'm also the current co-ordinator of my writer's critique group Valley Girls. (See photos) I am the luckiest author alive as these gals are the absolute best and I credit a lot of my success to their diligence and dedication. They credit their brilliance to Rob's great coffee… I live, love and write at breathtaking Lake Macquarie, on the beautiful Central Coast of NSW, Australia. Yes, Australia. Land of plenty. Home of such mouthwatering wonders as the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru, Heath Ledger, Russell Crowe and… Hugh My life is blessed.
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