Rebecca James is an Australian kitchen saleswoman. Just a few weeks ago Rebecca was broke, but dreamed of having her first novel published. The recession had taken its toll on the kitchen business she set up with her life and business partner, Hilary Hudson. Forced closure meant they were at the end of their tether and desperate to be achieving success in some way.
She had a growing collection of rejection letters from every agent in Australia and a few in America. Still, unsolicited, she sent off her manuscript earlier this summer to a British literary agent, Conville & Walsh where it was summarily placed in a slush pile and was miraculously dug out by Jo Unwin, who spotted Ms. James’s talent. Having recently joined the agency to build a teenage and children’s list, she took the time to look at the slush pile. After just 30 pages of James’ “Beautiful Malice,” she was gripped by what she termed, a brilliantly plotted page-turner. A feeding frenzy among publishers ensued guaranteeing her a large multi book deal, with her debut novel being translated into at least 30 languages.
Set in Sydney, her book, “Beautiful Malice,” tells the story of an unsettling friendship between the solitary Katherine, who has lost her sister to a brutal murder, and Alice, a glamorous party girl whose character becomes as chilling as she is charming. With its gritty themes, the book is expected to appeal to teenagers and adults, achieving success across a broad spectrum of readers. One publisher even compared “Beautiful Malice” to Stephenie Meyer’s successful Twilight series — without the vampires but with the sex.
In a success story reminiscent of Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, Ms. James is a mother and first-time author who is achieving success as a successful entrepreneur and gone from nothing to becoming a millionaire relatively overnight. Royalties will be paid over four years, but while deciding how to spend her money, she has made her first purchase — two puppies.
Mothers are finding it increasingly difficult to balance their business interests and family responsibility. Even if the woman in question is the breadwinner in the family, society seems to question her credentials as a mum, especially if she is achieving success.
Most countries are struggling with the effects of the global recession and unemployment rates in the industrialized world are expected to hit their highest levels since the Second World War, but Australia’s economy is in far better shape than the rest of the world.
