At last, I'm pleased to announce the publication of my latest book, THE SAND PEOPLE, a collection of magical realism and other stories. I'm writing under the pen name  J A  CROOME now, so  remember to  FOLLOW J A CROOME on Goodreads  for updates on new book releases. Here's a teaser of what some of the stories in THE SAND PEOPLE are about:

If you enjoyed the teaser, rush out and buy your copy of THE SAND PEOPLE on  Take-a Lot (South Africa)  or on  AMAZON (International)

Writing the short stories in THE SAND PEOPLE was both challenging and rewarding. Between nearly two years of major eye surgery, crushing self-doubt about my writing, and learning to live without my beloved Beric, reaching for every word was a struggle I could not have won without the generous support of several key people.

At nearly ninety years old, my mother, Dawn Heinemann, took over allpractical housekeeping duties when I disappeared into my cave to wrestle withmy writing demons. Her fierce spirit of independence gave me the gift offreedom to write, while the example she set and her unconditional mother’slove gave me the inner strength to complete this book.

Myfamily and all my friends (old and new) enrich my life enormously, as does thatcat extraordinaire, Mighty Mr Mittens, the sweetest, bravest familiar anywriter can ask for.

I amincredibly grateful for the presence of Dr Joanne Pautz,  Jess van Herwijnen, Chris Hajec, and GaryChapman in my life. Joanne’s unfaltering friendship and support; Chris’s unconditionalacceptance and understanding; Jess’s uncanny ability and willingness to providewise guidance whenever needed; and the lengthy debates with Gary on everythingfrom philosophy to fishing make me happy and emphasise the importance of humanconnection in the necessarily introverted life of a writer.

Noacknowledgement is complete without honouring my ancestors and loved ones inspirit, in particular, my late father, Isaac Benjamin Heinemann, a giftedclairvoyant and dowser, and my late husband, Dr. Beric Croome, whose brilliantintellect and deep spirituality made him unique. Always remembered, always atmy side.

Mycherished writing friends for over twenty years, Leonie Anderson, JanetChamberlain, Debs Valentyne, and Liesel van Wyk, have, once again, improved mywork with their editing skills and insightful comments. 

Whilethe creative expression of all stories in this anthology is mine, I must thankmy brother-in-law Ian Cockerill for his technical advice in “Where the WindTalks.” Any error of fact is due to my creative interpretation of his extensivemining knowledge.

I amalso grateful to Wendy Bow of Apple Pie Graphics for the beautiful cover design and to Dave Henderson and his team at My eBook (South Africa) for their technicalexpertise. 

JudyAnn Croome (2024)

Johannesburg South Africa