DONNA
FICTION/NON-FICTION BOOK WRITING
Donna Munro is the author of chick lit/romance The Zanzibar Moon. She is a freelance writer, most recently published in collaborative book ‘Having it all at Fifty Plus Innovation Edition’. She’s been published in national magazines such as The Australian Women’s Weekly, Woman’s Day and Take 5. She is a blogger, graphic artist, book marketer and office administrator for a pet accessories company (she loves animals), plus part-time helper in the family business Mirror Pool Cleaning. If she assists in clean pools she’s not all that helpful (dropped a full bag of salt on coping once) but can take great photos for social media. Selfies are not her strong point because her arms are too short.
Also known as Little Donna, she founded Umoja Writing Competition in 2014 to raise funds for Umoja Orphanage Kenya. She also adopted Tundani the baby elephant with The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust because elephants are the most majestic, thoughtful, adorable animals (other than dogs). She encourages others to do the same (and never buy ivory).
Though she is heading to the hump-side of fifty she keeps fit with Muay Thai fitness training which incorporates kick fit, boxing, boot camp and weight training. She believes eating well and training at least three days a week, not only preserves your health, but keeps you moving (yes even with arthritis) and keeps you thinking clearly.
Donna lives on the beautiful Queensland coast in Australia with her husband of 28 years, youngest son and the neurotic and adorable dog Mahli. She’s a mum to three sons, and nana to two adorable grandchildren. She’s been a regular volunteer (mainly touch football and Rugby League). She’s a Tarzan and elephant tragic, cares about health, fitness, happiness, motivation, writing, reading, family and the environment. One day she will get to Africa. You’ll often find her on a beach with her toes in the sand and a book in her hand. www.warmwittywords.com.au
Background:
Self-published author of The Zanzibar Moon – Warm Witty Publishing
Office Administrator, marketing, branding, social media – Pet Accessories Australia
Marketing publicist, writing press releases, newsletter writer and editor, blogger, networking sites coordinator - Zeus Publications.
Short term employed in food service industries (sales, admin, marketing) – Dymel and Streets
Typesetting, desktop publishing, graphic artist - Tweed Instant Innovative Print
Graphic artist, writer - self-employed (Munro Graphics).
Writing, editing, artwork & paste-up - Ellem Advertising Port Macquarie.
Graphic artist – Border Printing Tweed Heads, Snap Printing Port Macquarie, Jiff Print Noosa, The Western Australian Perth.
Other various casual or freelance jobs in printing, screen printing, graphic arts, compositing, aerobic instruction & writing.
Writing History
‘The Zanzibar Moon’ (Author and publisher) May 2017
Blog Writing http://www.warmwittywords.com.au Ongoing
‘Missed the boom in Baby Boomer’ featured chapter in book
‘Having it all at fifty plus innovative edition’ (France) Published 2017
‘Over 50’s you can start your own business’ blog post – BBB Feb 2017
Wordpress website blog – Sandra Rogers 2017
Ghostwriting – Family History - private client 2015
Website, blog, press releases and editing – Martin Knox 2011-2014
Blog and Facebook – Umoja Writing Competition – fundraising 2014-present
‘The Culture of Customer Service’ - Club Life magazine Nov 2011
Regular blog contributor – Inky Fresh Press 2011
Web Editor – volunteer - Currumbin Eagles Rugby League Club 2010-2016
Newsletters, blog, media and book releases - Zeus Publications 1999-2013
‘Dad Love’ – ebook – Smashwords (Donna Stafford-Munro) Aug 19, 2011
‘Your marketing needs to be specific’ – column – This Month mag 2010
‘My son blew his hand up’ – human interest – That’s Life Oct 2004
‘Saved by a mystery man’ – human interest – Take 5 Jan 13, 1999
‘Winning against the odds’ – real life – Australian Women’s Weekly Aug 1999
‘The Warm Hands of Fate’ – short story – Woman’s Day July 19, 1999
‘A Ghost Came to our Party’ – human interest – Take 5 September 1999
‘He peeled back my eyebrow’ – human interest – Take 5 Aug 12, 1998
‘I told my dad to kill himself’ – article – She magazine August 1998
Editor/Writer: Wax 'n' Wind (out of publication)
Also published in; Paws n Claws, Family Capers, Tracks, Dolphin Encounters, Manning Magic, Port Macquarie Express, Tweed Daily News, Burleigh Boomer, Port Macquarie High School newsletter & St Joseph’s Vocational College newsletter.
Manuscripts:
The Fire Within - romance
Bindi - general
Falling for Jackson - erotic
Under the Bali Hut - romance
The Zanzibar Moon (published) – adult/general/adventure romance/chicklit
Kendwa’s Secret (eight chapters – current)
Elephant Creek (three chapters – current)
Writing Qualifications & Awards:
TESOL (Global Leadership College)
Diploma of Writing (The Writing School)
Masterclasses, seminars and workshops (various)
Highly Commended - Short Story Open 'He Was there' (GC Writer's Assoc.)
Commended - Short Story Fiction 'Click Clack Love Shack' (GC Writers Assoc.)
Long Listed - Romance Writers of Australia
Was a long term member Queensland Writer's Association (prior - NSW Writer's Assoc.)
LOCATION: Queensland, Australia