Anne Freeman is a fiction writer, copywriter, social media content creator and publicist. From her little teak desk on Wurundjeri land in Melbourne, Anne writes contemporary fiction about women who are stuck in life and the extraordinary ways they shake themselves loose. They’re always engaging and sometimes funny with reluctant adventures, sexy escapades and friendships that uplift.
Anne’s novels and short stories have been recognised in many literary competitions including the prestigious Romance Writers of Australia Valerie Parv Award and the Hawkeye Publishing Manuscript Development Prize and the Grindstone Literary International Novel Prize.
Her hobbies include referring to herself in third person and making her family guffaw. Oh, and wine. She likes wine.
What inspired you to be a writer?
Like many of us, my writing aspirations stemmed from a deep love for books and reading. I’ve always been smitten with words and delight in stringing the right ones together to create something evocative.
What prompted you to write 'Me That You See'?
Me That You See is set against the backdrop of the online sex industry. When I was in my early twenties, I worked as a promotional model. Essentially, I was monetising my youth and attractiveness. The modern world has brought with it a profession I find fascinating—camming. Camming is when a cam model is requested to perform certain activities, often sexual, in front of a webcam for paying clients who tune in online. I wanted to utilise my experience of being a "hired body", so to speak, and bring it into the modern setting of camming. I’m also fascinated by the notion of people lying to themselves. Rather than owning her choices, my protagonist, Lexi, chooses to hide them which, of course, leads to all sorts of drama!
Do you have any more books in the pipeline?
I am currently chipping away at a third novel. I’m using a dual timeline to contrast my protagonist’s experience of first love, epic parties and endless possibilities in her twenties with a suburban family life under threat in her forties. It demonstrates how the decisions of our youth can cause ripples for decades and explores themes of chronic illness, lost identity, sextortion and second chances.
What is your professional background?
I have had so many lives! I was an award-winning milliner, promotional model, wanderluster, television extra, accessories designer, vintage market organiser, sales and marketing maven and creator of human life.
I’ve been able to combine my writing skills with my sales and marketing background to pivot into copywriting and social media marketing.
Any advice you’d like to give aspiring writers?
My main advice is don’t be afraid to try. Find the volume knob on your imposter syndrome, turn that sucker down and have a go at writing. The writing itself becomes your apprenticeship. It’s how you hone your craft. Also, find your tribe. Bookish pals are a different breed of friend. Shout out your writing aspirations on social media or at writerly meet ups. Then, support and be supported. Read insatiably and be inspired by the work of others. Then, find your voice.
Who/what inspires you?
I’m inspired by the women I know, by the supportive friendships we cultivate in minutes or over decades. Women supporting women is a recurrent theme in my work and if you could meet my friends you would see why.
What are your hobbies, interests and favourite books?
My hobbies include ugly crying into my husband’s t-shirt while watching emotionally manipulative television shows, remaining at a restaurant with my friends so long that the wait staff start putting their coats on, and singing American jazz tunes with my children in the bathroom where the acoustics are good.
How can readers contact you?
Instagram: @annefreemanwrites
Website: https://www.annefreeman.com.au/subscribe Visit my website and sign up for my monthly newsletter where I share subscriber exclusives and free downloads.
Contact via: Hawkeye Contact Page
Dream on! [Take 5 Magazine Issue 34, Take 5 Magazine
On The Convo Couch with Anne Freeman, Writes4women Podcast
A fictional journey to self-actualisation, The Australian Jewish News
Anne Freeman’s debut novel ‘Returning to Adelaide’ is a love letter to her Greek heritage, The Greek Herald
Debut novel a love letter to Greek heritage, Neos Kosmos