Why Me?
I’m JL Collins. You might know me from steamy, emotionally layered contemporary romance suspense set right in Australia—spanning Canberra politics, Sydney flats, international escapes, and the messy realities of desire, jealousy, secrecy, and long-term love. Books like The Night We Met, Ghost of Timor, Tampa Gold, Patagonian Affair, The Cryptic Liaison, and the latest The Other Woman dive deep into characters like Alison and Christian.
Even though I’m a proud Canberran writing in a genre that’s often seen as niche—especially as a man in a very female-dominated space—my work recently landed a feature interview in HerCanberra: “Five Minutes with JL Collins.” Published on 20 April 2026, it dives into my local roots, why Canberra’s “small town in a capital” vibe and political undercurrents make the perfect backdrop for honest, sex-positive romance, and how I handle writing female desire with respect and agency.
How did an indie author with a self-published series score a local lifestyle outlet interview without a massive platform or traditional PR machine? Simple: I followed a marketing playbook I found on Reedsy.
It sucks to be a journalist; Ergo, It’s nice to be you
HerCanberra is a sharp, local-focused site covering life in the capital: events, people, culture, and stories that resonate with Canberrans. Their writers and editors aren’t out chasing Pulitzer-level scoops every day—they’re hitting quotas, chasing clicks, and keeping reputation intact in a competitive digital space. Most media folks are overworked, scrolling Twitter/Reddit/small blogs for fresh, clickable content that won’t blow up in their face.
I didn’t blast them with a generic “please feature my book” pitch. Instead, I made their job easier by giving them a ready-made, low-risk story: “Local man writes unapologetically steamy, emotionally real romance set in Canberra—complete with politics, power dynamics, and sex-positive vibes in a buttoned-up town.”
That’s clickability (readers love local hooks; romance fans love the heat-with-heart angle) + social proof (I’m a local who hints at observable life details, and a series that authentically uses the city’s geography and rhythms—no generic settings here). No risk of reputation damage; it’s positive, relatable, and celebrates the city.
News is slow: You can fill the gaps
Timing helped—media cycles have quiet patches, and a fresh local author angle fills space nicely. But the real win was packaging my story so it practically wrote itself for them:
- Authentic hook: Growing up in North Belconnen, the “secrets” of Parliament House, young public servants flooding in annually—perfect for tension, intimacy, and drama in my books. The interview naturally explored how living here shapes the “exciting and emotional moments.”
- Unique angle: A male romance writer owning the challenges of the genre (being the only guy at a Sydney convention), while committing to consent, agency, and mutual pleasure. Sex in my stories isn’t gratuitous—it drives character growth and power dynamics. That’s sex-positive without apology, which stands out.
- Series backstory: Started from rediscovered old handwritten pages under the bed, evolving from a sour ending into a multi-book redemption arc spanning decades. Relatable “anyone can do this” inspiration plus film/history influences.
- Call to action: Links to the site, emphasis on Canberra readers embracing steamy-yet-layered stories.
I reached out with a concise, helpful pitch that highlighted these elements, offered myself for a quick “five minutes” chat, and provided easy assets (bio details, book blurbs, why it fits HerCanberra’s audience). No fluff, no hard sell—just a story that helps them hit clicks while looking good to their readers and bosses.
Result? They sat down with me, asked thoughtful questions, and produced a warm, engaging feature that positions the series locally and ties into broader themes readers care about. Help them survive the day by making their job easier, and they’ll love you for it.
Your turn
If you’re an “ordinary” author with an extraordinary book—whether it’s romance, memoir, non-fiction, or something wilder—don’t assume media is only for big shots. Local outlets like HerCanberra are gold for building momentum. Craft your pitch around what makes your story clickable and safe: local ties, unique perspective, emotional honesty, or timely hooks.
In my case, leaning into Canberra pride + sex-positive romance in a “serious” city created the perfect gap-filler. The files you see here show the depth: from student flat threesomes and PM office encounters to international affairs, guilt, redemption, and open relationships. It’s messy, human, and grounded in real places—exactly the kind of authentic material that translates into media interest.
JL
Other Authors of Interest this Week
Drowning her sorrows at the local bar after being laid off, Eris Matthews has reached the end of her rope. What else could go wrong now in her shitty life? Things take a turn for the worst when, after last call, she is chased by mysterious men in black.
He came home for summer break.
He didn’t expect the married woman next door to change everything.
18-year-old Richard returns to his quiet suburban neighborhood looking for a peaceful summer. Instead, he catches the attention of Angelina Pitt, the stunning wife next door who feels invisible in her perfect-looking marriage.
When she asks him to help her “work out,” their innocent sessions turn into something far more dangerous. Richard becomes the one person she can’t resist — and the one person she absolutely shouldn’t want.
Tom Ryan has it all—wealth, power, and a stunning young wife. But Anna, his twenty-three-year-old bombshell with sun-kissed skin and curves that drive men wild, has become a distant fantasy. Night after night, she shuts him out with headaches and cold indifference, her luscious body tantalizingly close yet utterly untouchable. Desperate and drowning in whiskey, Tom learns of a secret whispered only among broken men: the Temple of Ass, a hidden Colombian sanctuary where rituals transform ice queens into insatiable lovers.
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