It was the success of Jennifer Bacia’s first novel, Shadows of Power, published in 1988, that opened the doors for contemporary Australian popular fiction writing.  

Through a chance meeting with author Colleen McCullough, Jennifer met her literary agent who sold her partially finished manuscript for a record-breaking advance. As an unknown, first-time writer, she saw her dreams come true when Shadows of Power became a runaway best seller.  It was a Bookclub Choice and a lead title in the UK, the movie rights were sold, Cosmopolitan magazine published an extract and the novel was bought by leading foreign publishers.  

Since then, Jennifer has completed 8 novels, two of which have been optioned for films.  As well, she has written two works of non-fiction, and numerous short stories for Australia’s leading magazines.  She has also had her own newspaper and magazine columns.  Her 1997 guide, Creating Popular Fiction : How to Write Novels that Sell, has become the ‘bible’ of would-be Australian writers. 

In 1992, Jennifer was one of ten writers invited to attend a course sponsored by the Queensland government and run by the Australian Film, Television and Radio School.  As a result, she has since written the mini-series script for her first novel, Shadows of Power. 

She has lived in Rome, London and L.A. and travelled widely in former  eastern Europe as well as Asia.  After completing her Bachelor of Arts degree from Queensland University, she worked in the fields of education, welfare and corporate management and sees adaptability as one of her greatest strengths.   

The turning point in her life was the death of the father she adored  when she was only 19.  From then on Jennifer lived her life with the certain knowledge that time was too precious to waste. Raised by a mother who, at 16 years of age, had inherited and run a large family business, Jennifer had a bold and inspiring role model. It is little wonder that her novels feature the strengths and courage of women.

Jennifer married in 1995 and lives with her husband and dog in a waterside home on Queensland's Gold Coast. 

Given her adventurous life this best-selling novelist has an abundance of experience that not only adds credibility to her work but also makes her a fascinating guest speaker. 

Her surname is Italian in origin.  It means ‘to kiss’! and is pronounced to rhyme with ‘catcher’.

Jennifer is represented in Australia by leading author agent, Selwa Anthony.