Dear Readers

I won’t lie, when I clicked jackladd.org into existence, I was excited.

Not only had I created an online home for Oscar, but now I could connect and interact with you. Like a leather boy in Berlin or a twink-chaser at Mardi Gras the possibilities were endless.

However, when I sent Oscar, Part 1 to Nifty.org, I kept my expectations realistic. I told myself, self, with all the superb, saucy minds out there, it’s going to take more than one story to get interests piquing.

Apparently not.

I’ll clarify that by saying the biggest THANK YOU to everyone who’s popped in.

Whether you found me from Nifty or stumbled across the site on Google, I’m amazed by the level of curiosity from across the globe. And I’m not even exaggerating.

I’m talking the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, New Zealand, China, Norway, Slovenia, Costa Rica, Finland, South Africa, Philippines, Brazil, Argentina, Guyana and more.

I hoped Oscar would be a popular so-and-so but this is something else.

To my first group of followers and those who have taken the time to email, I also say an extra special thank you.

It brightens my day when Gmail pings to say someone new wants to learn about Oscar’s adventures. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to receive messages of encouragement literally overnight.

You have made me more determined than ever to share my stories (next instalment coming soon!)

Until then, I’ll finish by telling you about the cockatoo sitting up there on the roof.

I took that photo from an apartment rooftop during my first week in Sydney. I had a drink in my hand, the city stretching all around me, and all of a sudden, he flapped down onto the wall no more than two metres away.

Sitting perfectly still he let me take out my phone and hold it up, but just as I thumbed the screen, he flicked up his head feathers and posed.

Then, as quickly as he arrived, he disappeared into the twilit sky and the infinite possibilities under it.

I’ve always wondered where his journey took him, and I had a pretty good idea back then. Now,  I know. Somewhere very exciting indeed.

Yours sincerely,

Jack

PS: To anyone who hasn’t, but would like to get in touch, please feel free to email me at jackladd89@gmail.com. I’m not precious about my work, so lay it on me: questions, critiques, advice, you name it.

Or, if there’s anything you’d like to see Oscar get up to, while I can’t guarantee he’s done everything, I can personally assure you he’s been a very busy boy.

PSS: Find my full length novels on Amazon US here, Amazon UK here or Amazon Australia here.