DEB JORDAN “Join a writing group, whether it’s in real life or online.”
Kelly’s Writerly Q&A May 2025 Author Interview is with Deb Jordan, a bi-lingual, global nomad resting in Perth, WA. Deb is also a pianist, primary school teacher, and women’s suspense fiction author whom I met online during Holly Craig’s first Rewrite Your Novel course in 2022.
After twenty years abroad spent evading kidnap attempts in Peru, serenading African presidents, escaping a marriage trade in Ghana, and circling jungle volcanoes in Costa Rica, Deb now enjoys writing in cafes and running the most wholesome Write Club catch-ups.
The River Whispers is her debut novel, and it’s about two friends, one tragic accident, and one secret!
Kelly: Hi, Deb. Thanks for taking the time to answer some writerly questions. Congratulations on the publication of your debut novel, The River Whispers. What’s it about?
Deb: Hi, Kelly and thanks so much for inviting me. You were the first person to reach out to me to do something as an actual author, so it is something I will always remember and appreciate. The River Whispers is a story about loss, friendship and redemption. With a smidge of humour thrown in as well. I love the tagline that my publisher came up with: Two best friends. One tragic accident. One deadly secret.
Sasha’s life was perfect – until the car crash that destroyed her career as a concert pianist and her friendship with Abby, the one who was driving. Consumed by grief and blame, Sasha cut Abby out of her life. But when Abby’s body is found floating in a river and a newborn baby is abandoned nearby, Sasha is thrust into a deadly mystery she can’t ignore.
As Detective Sam Tierny – Sasha’s ex – unravels the case, dark secrets emerge: Abby was running from an abusive ex, a man willing to kill to keep her silent. Ignoring Abby’s desperate calls for help, Sasha never knew how much danger her friend was in – until now.
With a killer closing in, Sasha must confront her guilt and risk everything to uncover the truth.
Kelly: I’m honoured to have been your first interview. Your book reads like a symphony. I would compare it to the way Holly Craig writes - amazing! What inspired you to write this story?
Deb: I don’t know if it was any one thing, to be honest. There are a few factors that inspired this story.
I’ve always written, and I used to set myself goals along the lines of writing 1500 words about something that had happened throughout my day, trying to turn it into something worthy of being told as a story. Living in places like Peru and Ghana, I was never short of material that included a few out-of-the-ordinary elements.
Lurking in the back of my mind, though, was the need to write a full-length novel and wondering if I was capable of doing so. I knew I could write 1500 words and amuse a few friends and family members with it, but was I brave enough to attempt more than that?
Basically, it came down to telling myself to ‘suck it up and give it a go.’
Music and playing the piano have been the backbone of my life, so it made sense to include some element of music.
There is also the often-heard advice of writing what you know. I had always thought my future was with piano performance. But just before I finished high school, I broke my hand. Nothing as serious as a car accident. I hit a boy who was annoying me. Okay, I swung around to see who was disturbing me whilst I was reading, and he thrust his elbow up thinking I was about to hit him. Which I wasn’t, for the record. But the result was a broken hand, followed by a year of rehab.
I was forced to rethink my future and what I wanted to do.
That seed made me wonder about what someone would do when their world is completely obliterated and how they would act. Sasha is extremely flawed. She’s broken, bitter and resentful. I didn’t want to hide that.
Kelly: Your music knowledge shines through. I’m so glad you also play the computer keys now and produced this story! How long did it take you to write The River Whispers?
Deb: It probably took me about 8 months to write, which also included a few rounds of edits. To be honest, though, I wrote an earlier version of it about two years prior. I don’t want to call that one a draft, as it was a completely different story. The only thing I kept from it were the characters’ names and the prologue. I’m a sucker for a good prologue!
Kelly: I love that it has come from an earlier story that stuck with you and found its form. What does your typical day of writing look like?
Deb: It varies, depending on what I have going on at the time. Anyone who has taken a peek at my Instagram account will know that I love a good café. I find early mornings at a café are most productive because they are at their least busy. And it fits in well with the school day, if I happen to be teaching.
If I had to describe my writing day, I would call it nomadic. I like moving around and find it better to change up my locations. Even if it is from making a nest on my bed to making a nest on the couch. I pop in my noise-cancelling earbuds and disappear into whatever scene I happen to be writing.
Kelly: I wish I could write in cafes. Your Instagram posts are so cool! And I remember you recommending noise-cancelling earphones. I need to get some. Let’s go back to when it all became real; how did you get your publishing yes from Bloodhound Books?
Deb: Oh my gosh. That was one of the most surreal moments, and it gets no less magical each time I think about it. I had only just started dipping my toe into the querying-pool and had sent out submissions to 2 agents and 3 or 4 publishers. Bloodhound caught my eye through an Instagram post while I was waiting to board a flight from LA (where I had been hanging out with fellow Write Clubber, Georgia Cabelle!) to St Louis. The flight was delayed, and the Instagram post said that Bloodhound was open to submissions. The process seemed very streamlined, and I had everything I needed to submit in my carry-on luggage. I also loved the sound of a UK-based publisher with a global reach because of Holly Craig and her experiences.
Anyway, two weeks later, I was back in Australia and about to go to bed. I don’t normally check my email then, but for some reason, that night I did. I saw an unfamiliar name with the title, ‘Offer of Contract.’ Even then, my first thought was that it was spam. Something sales-pitchy, etc. Nevertheless, I clicked on it.
And then shrieked and no doubt woke the neighbours within a ten-block radius.
My husband was asleep downstairs with COVID. But he clattered out of the room, calling out to enquire if I had been attacked by wombats. (Because that is always a possibility, right?!) Once I had assured him I was safe from wombats, I was able to tell him what had happened. With a decent degree of hyperventilating to accompany it.
Despite the late hour, I immediately texted my kids and then Holly because I knew they would be the ones who would appreciate exactly what it all meant.
Kelly: This just shows how important it is to seize the opportunities that come our way. What a fantastic yes story, you’ve painted a strong visual in my mind. So funny!
Kelly: There’s nothing like celebrating a publishing win, but I believe it’s even more important to talk about what came before; can you share a rejection story?
Deb: Despite knowing very, very little about the whole writing and publishing industry, I knew that rejections were part and parcel of the whole process. Naively, I thought that once I had written a first draft, you sent it off and then an editor would see the potential and work reassuringly alongside you, moulding and coaxing your masterpiece into publishable shape. I’m blaming what I did next, on being in a two-week hotel isolation during COVID and therefore not having anyone around me to talk me out of the foolishness.
Yes. I sent off a first draft to Fremantle Press. I’m cringing now as I write this!
However, the wonderful Rachel Hansen emailed me back with the most beautiful rejection letter I could ever imagine. She said that my work had caused much discussion around the other editors, but ultimately, I needed to learn more about the craft of writing, and had I thought about finding a writing group?
She then offered to meet with me and chat about my work, giving me so many amazing tips and things to work on. Honestly, if it hadn’t been for Rachel’s rejection, I may still be out there, blithely sending out first drafts!
So, it is thanks to her and her encouraging rejection that I embarked on the path I’m now on.
Kelly: Another example of how simply submitting, even too soon, can lead to great things. Let’s talk about The Write Club. How have Holly Craig’s writing courses helped you get published?
Deb: Haha – I love how this question segues perfectly from my last answer. It was because of Rachel that I found Holly Craig and the incredible community of The Write Club.
Holly’s call to aspiring writers wanting to learn more about the craft and business of writing ticked all the boxes that I needed to work on.
And rather than working on the manuscript I submitted to Fremantle Press, I decided to start something completely new and use it to put into practice everything that Holly was teaching us. Whether it was avoiding cliches, employing imagery to enhance mood and atmosphere, poetic voices or embracing our own unique writing styles, Holly managed to infuse not just me, but many others, with so much motivation and inspiration that we couldn’t wait to get those words down.
Meeting so many other incredible writers and connecting with people all around Australia and even other countries, all because of The Write Club, has been nothing short of remarkable.
It was then not just Holly’s encouragement, but that of people like you, Kelly, that helped keep me motivated and accountable. Your Write-Till-Christmas and Edit-Till-Easter groups are such a beautiful way to check in and feel connected, which is so important when you’re locked in your own head for a lot of the writing process.
The writing community is just so incredibly generous and supportive, isn’t it? Sharing not just time, but knowledge, research, resources, and so much more is barely scratching the surface of what you get from such a group.
Armed with everything I’d learnt from Holly, I was able to write The River Whispers.
Kelly: The Write Club is the best writing group I’ve ever been in. I’m so glad we all met, and I look forward to continuing to write with everyone. What’s your top tip for aspiring authors?
Deb: I love hearing other authors answer this question. Whether it’s to keep writing, form a writing routine, listen to podcasts, or attend workshops – it’s all valuable.
But my all-time top tip is to ‘find your tribe.’
Writing can be isolating and can lead to a lack of motivation and inspiration. That’s why it is so important to connect with people who get what you’re going through and can relate to it all; the challenges, the wins along the way – everything!
Join a writing group, whether it’s in real life or online.
You will meet people who will become not just writing buddies, but true friends.
Kelly: Great advice! What are you currently reading and loving?
Deb: I’m one of those annoying people who have multiple books on the go. What I read depends on the mood I’m in. And I try to have each one be a different genre.
For historical fiction, I’m loving The Paris Bookseller by Kerri Maher. With it being centred around the actual bookshop, Shakespeare and Company, what’s not to love?
I brought Last Shot by Emma Pignatiello (also a Perth debut author!) across to St Louis with me and devoured it on the flight.
And I’ve just started Butter by Asako Yuzuki. I initially picked it up because of the Japanese characters on the front, but quickly fell in love with the story. Plus, I wanted to see what all the hype was about. I can totally see it!
Kelly: They all sound fantastic! So, what can we expect from you next?
Deb: I’ve completed my second book and will be sending it to Bloodhound in August. Like The River Whispers, it’s a women’s suspense novel, and there is another thread of music going through it. This time, with a violin. I’ve set this one on the East Coast, beginning in Sydney and then moving to the Blue Mountains. My publisher said that readers throughout the UK and USA love iconic Australian settings. And I absolutely love using settings to convey tone and atmosphere. It’s one of my all-time favourite things about the whole writing process!
There isn’t a lot of actual writing going on at the moment with launching The River Whispers, but when I have some moments, I have got my third book underway, which is set along the Queensland coast with a strong focus on the Great Barrier Reef – all very tropical and full of intrigue
Kelly: Fun fact: I used to play the violin. I look forward to hearing more about your second novel. But for now, I hope you enjoy your debut publication. The River Whispers is such a brilliant debut, I have no doubt you have a big career as an author ahead of you. Thanks so much for your time.
Check out my review of The River Whispers here.
Follow Deb on Instagram
