A new collection of short stories & bush poems
Tell Me
a Story
A chocolate box of entertaining short stories — an eclectic mix of off-beat, imaginative, amusing and inspiring tales about nature, love, travel, corruption and the occasional murder, along with a swagful of light-hearted bush poems recalling adventures and misadventures of life on the road.
By Jan Barrie · Charcoal illustrations by West Australian artist Tim Pearson · Photos by Global Gypsies Tours
a Story
Short stories & bush poems from the deserts of Australia to the savannahs of Africa
Cover reveal coming soon
About the book
Thought-provoking, sometimes funny, often worthy of a tissue or two
This colourful collection of eighteen mini-stories and twelve bush yarns skips off the page as it transports you around the world — thought-provoking, sometimes funny, and often worthy of a tissue or two.
Tell Me a Story is the ideal companion for discerning readers with limited time, a sense of humour, insomnia, a plane to catch or a self-confessed short attention span.
It will also bring back a heap of happy memories for loyal Global Gypsies clients. Enjoy!
Where the stories take you
- The deserts of Australia
- The savannahs of Africa
- London
- Los Angeles
- India
- The Arctic
…with the occasional murder along the way.
A sneak preview
A peek inside the swag
Just a few of the short stories waiting between the covers.
Tree-Climbing Hippos of Zambia
The Scarlet Feather
Ghosts on the Canning
Fifty Different Words for Snow
Cotton Tail
The Nannup Tiger
Belly Laugh
…plus eleven more mini-stories, and a dozen light-hearted bush yarns recalling life on the road.
About the author
Fifty countries, a suitcase full of subject matter & a unique trans-Atlantic voice
Jan Barrie was born in London and grew up in the USA. Formerly a professional scribe, award-winning tour operator, travel writer, PR manager, co-founder and director of Global Gypsies Tours — and one-time playboy bunny — she has visited over fifty countries and now lives in Scarborough, Western Australia, with her long-time partner, Jeremy Perks.
Jan and Jeremy met in Nairobi, Kenya, while working in advertising and PR. Tired of the corporate world, they quit their jobs and spent two years exploring East Africa in an old Land Cruiser as photo-journalists, writing for numerous newspapers and magazines. They later moved to Perth and established Global Gypsies, an award-winning tour and training company that for over twenty-five years led self-drive 4x4 tag-along tours into the Australian outback and escorted expeditions to Africa, Antarctica, Asia, India and South America.
They are now enjoying life as jubilados — joyful retirees who still love travel, adventure and the great outdoors. Many of Jan's yarns, while fictional, are inspired by real people, events and experiences from her years on the road. You might even recognise some of them!
Tell Me a Story is her second book, having co-authored How to Be an Award-Winning Tour Guide with Jeremy in 2015.
Advance reviews
What early readers are saying
Advance copies are with early readers now — reviews coming soon.
Get your copy
Yes! I want to order a copy
Tell Me a Story will be released as a paperback and an eBook, with an RRP of around $20–25.
Kindle edition
Read it on your Kindle, phone or tablet — the perfect fit for that plane to catch. Available from Amazon.
Buy link coming soonFrom the publisher
The paperback, posted to your door anywhere in Australia, direct from the publisher's website.
Buy link coming soonCollect from Jan
Live in the Perth area? Arrange to buy a copy direct from Jan and collect it in person — with a hello thrown in for free.
Email JanAn audio-book may follow down the track — check back, or ask Jan nicely when you collect your copy.