Location: Australia
Member Since: Jan. 21, 2016

2 readers have added this author as a 'Favorite Author'.

Sign in to subscribe to email alerts for Arlo Mercia

Arlo Mercia

Biography

I am Australian and currently live on the island of Tasmania. I have worked in a range of jobs including as an artist, running a small business selling tea, and in education. Currently I am a senior teacher at the local high-school. I love travelling because then I can indulge my passion for infra-red landscape photography – you can see some of my photos in the background of my author’s website.
Writing fantasy novels is the perfect complement to my love of painting, and you can find my artwork both in the books and on my website. I began writing novels about twenty years ago with ‘Margot’s Men’, and now I focus on the fantasy series ‘The Lygons of Fraith’ which is about a race of beautiful reptilian cats called lygons, their cheeky companions the geflars, many colourful dragons, and a few humans . . .

Smashwords Interview

When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
My other great passion is infra-red landscape photography. I love the way the images can be processed to look like high-contrast, unusual black and white photos. There is something ethereal about the lightness of foliage and the depth of the sky - and it is exciting because you can never quite predict how an image will turn out. You will see some of my favourites as the background images on my website. I admire photographers who get up before dawn to capture the amazing light as the sun rises - but I'm not a good early riser. Infra-red works best on a warm day, followed by coffee - very civilised.
And . . . I am also a senior teacher at the local high school, where I manage the careers education program and teach Maths and English.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
I really want my characters to get out into the world so that people can enjoy them. The story often seems to take on a life of its own and when I wake in the morning there is a strong urge to write the next bit. Sometimes I have to stop and ask myself 'What happens now?' or work out the logistics of a scene, but usually the next part of the plot is sitting there asking to be told. Sometimes characters take on a surprising life of their own and speak with a strong voice. I also love doing the artwork, which makes a break from writing sometimes. It is another way of bringing the characters to life, and I hope, adds something to the whole experience.
Read more of this interview.

Where to find Arlo Mercia online

Website: http://www.arlomercia.com
Twitter: @arlo_mercia
Facebook: Facebook profile

Books

Doctor God by
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 117,830. Language: English. Published: June 13, 2016. Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » General, Fiction » Romance » General
A routine test for brain tumour erupts into a crisis and a young man’s life is at stake. Max Godfrey, Director of Harbings Institute is called upon to solve the mystery, only to find he might have been the cause. Both his career and new love are at stake if the past is revealed. What was the secret behind the drug trial he worked on? Was the fire that killed the doctor an accident - or murder?
Margot's Men by
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 102,530. Language: English. Published: June 13, 2016. Categories: Fiction » Romance » General, Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
Margot lives alone in Sydney making hats and keeping the secret of her past, until Claudia moves into the flat upstairs and threatens to destroy everything that Margot cares about. Will the young, determined Claudia steal Margot’s dream? Or will Margot discover that a shattered life may yet bring unexpected gifts? This is a haunting tale of what may be lost and found when the past is unresolved.

Arlo Mercia's tag cloud

chance at romance    medical mystery    mystery    romance    science thriller    secrets    seeking love    suspense   

Smashwords book reviews by Arlo Mercia

  • Fallout Princess on March 11, 2018

    I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. There were gaps of many months when I didn't have time to read it, but it never lost its hold on me and I always wanted to get back to it. The plot is really interesting, the characters are well drawn, the dialogue flows believably and I love the use of colour (well - I of course I would!). There are several deftly handled plot twists, lots of excitement and the resolution is unexpected and very satisfying. J.L Thurston writes well and I look forward to reading more of her work.