By Jessica Micallef
Sunbury mum Karen Bleakley has written her first erotic novel Behind Closed Doors. Bleakley chats with Jessica Micallef about the novel and the potential to the book becoming a movie.
What is your connection to the Sunbury and Macedon Ranges?
I am a local to Sunbury, I attended Sunbury Secondary College. My mother, Marisa, is a bit of a local celebrity. My mum is known for her customer service in the town, being a big part of local businesses, including Fergusson Plarre and Jolly Miller.
What are you passionate about?
I’ve always been incredibly creative, no matter what I’ve done in my life. I’ve always thought outside the box and done things differently, including my book’s marketing. I’m passionate to drive the success of my first novel straight in to the hands of a movie producer. My novel will be a movie, the next big thing on everyone’s lips. Besides the book, I’m very passionate about my family and want to share any success with them.
Tell me about your new book Behind Closed Doors.
It has a Sex and The City vibe, a little Real Housewives drama and a lot more sex than 50 Shades of Grey. It’s based on four women in their 40s. We learn about their different levels of friendship, their differences in personality, morals. As in life, when we face hurdles, or temptations, we lean on those closest to us and during these times some of us can fall apart. We see how each friendship copes when facades start to crumble and revelations come to light. I also wanted to empower women, sexually. Sex has been such a taboo topic for such a long time, yet everyone is doing it. These women are strong women who know how to ask for what they want and know how to get what they need.
What inspired you to write a novel?
I have been writing since I was about six or seven-years-old. I started with a love for poetry. I found it both fascinating and a challenge to find words to rhyme, yet still make sense in the written format. As I got older, people would ask me to write speeches for their weddings, poems to their husbands-to-be. I have always loved public speaking so I’ve never shielded away from reading my work to large groups of people. I knew I would always write a novel, but it had to be the right timing.
How has the book been received?
I honestly pinch myself with the success thus far. I cannot believe what I have achieved on my own. It began less than three months ago when I heard David Hughes talk about his bookclub, on Fox FM with his co-host, Kate Langbroek. Kate mentioned that Hughesy chose books that didn’t interest her – to me that was a sign. I simply sent him a copy and asked him to tell me what he thinks. I received a call three days later from his producer, and I was interviewed that night. I was incredibly pleased and completely satisfied with that one segment. I was invited in to … sign a number of copies. I knew I had to take this opportunity and run with it, so I’ve just asked them if they will host my official book launch. I receive emails and messages every other day, from readers, all telling me what a page-turner the book is.
A US movie producer has requested a copy of the novel – how did that all come about?
I just happened to be having coffee, when a lady comes in. It was Anastasia from the show Gogglebox. When I told her about the book she asked if she could play a part in the movie. Twenty minutes later, she was on the phone to an Aussie producer, who lives in the US, pitching him the storyline of my book.
What are your hopes for the novel now that it’s been publicised?
There has to be a sequel, there are too many unanswered questions. I have also developed a game for lovers, just a little light-hearted way to spice it up. A book, the sequel, the game and of course the movie. I plan to trump the whole 50 Shades of Grey phenomenon, and I’m already 10 steps ahead.
More information: www.thebcdsociety.com.au
