In 250 words or less, who are you? I have been an educator for 27 years and a writer since age 4. When I taught elementary students, it was difficult to find diverse literature for them. Thus, I’m passionate about creating stories in which all children can see themselves and feel valued and heard. I […]
Category: On Writing
About writing and the creative process
CBCA National Conference 2019
The other week I attended my first national CBCA conference. Not only was it attended by some of the children’s literary world royalty such as Leigh Hobbs, Morris Gleitzman, Susanne Gervay, Bruce Pascoe and so many more but there were librarians, teachers, authors, illustrators, publishers, agents and anyone who has a stake in Australian children’s […]
Sydney Writer Festival 2019
Wow! What a week! From lectures to conversations, to fire alarms and deluges of rain and much much more. This year’s theme ‘Lie to Me’ brought fascinating angles to light and raised as many questions as it answered. By last night I found myself agreeing with a fellow writer who confessed to being exhausted with […]
A Celebratory Star-Studded Afternoon with the CBCA
As its website states: ‘The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) is a not for profit, volunteer-run organisation which aims to engage the community with literature for young Australians. The CBCA presents annual awards to books of literary merit, for outstanding contribution to Australian children’s literature.’ For me and many other children’s book creators, CBCA […]
SCWBI Bi-Annual Conference
The other week I attended the bi-annual SCWBI conference here in Sydney. It was an action-packed few days of pre-conference launches, master classes, plenary sessions and networking with other creators. I heard famous authors speak, watched talented illustrators compete in a live auction ‘draw-off’ and witnessed the euphoria and tension during public pitching sessions. When […]
Writing The Forever Kid
The Forever Kid is an important picture book narrative that deals with the issues of grief and remembrance. I got the idea for this book when I was thinking about my uncle who I never met. He died when he was a teenager before I was born. My father often spoke about him and described […]
Bologna Children’s Book Fair 2018
Che Bella! As an new independent publisher I am always looking to develop my knowledge in the industry and to engage with others in the publishing to share and exchange ideas. So having my application to be part of the Australian Publishers Collectives at the 2018 Bologna Children’s Book Fair was a significant and exciting […]
Hooray It’s Children Book Week – Escape to EVERYWHERE!
Book – week 2017 – It’s here and we are all celebrating! We are so lucky that the Marvellous Children’s Book Council of Australia organise this wonderful week when schools, libraries, booksellers, authors, illustrators and children celebrate Australian children’s literature. Do check out what’s going on through the CBCA NSW website Or if you are further […]
Welcome to Verityville
Verityville, the little town with a big heart not too far from you! A place where people take each day as it comes, doing their job and helping others with a great attitude. Where is this place you may well ask and what is so special about getting on with life? Well to be truthful […]
Indenting Hearts – The Legacy of the Magic Pencil
I am sharing a couple of short videos with you from our Mrs T New Zealand book launch back in April this year. Watching the first one in particular I am once more brought to tears and struck with how very special the inspiration behind my book’s central character Mrs T actually is. To […]
Consumed by… Eastside Radio
It was great to get the opportunity yesterday to join the charming Christopher Zim at Eastside radio on his ‘Consumed by Soul’ programme and talk about books, writing and getting your message out there. Check out the link to hear the interview below – it’s about 7.3 minutes into the recording: my interview on ‘Consumed […]
Where Do Your Ideas Come From?
It is true that life is where writers get their inspiration and witnessing or experiencing something helps an author get into a storyline. Never the less writers all over the world have explored concepts and realities that are not theirs. How can this be? Can a character’s voice be believable if the creator of this has no first hand experience of their character’s context?