Book Launch, SCBWI Event and the Williamtown Child Care Centre Open Day

Gosh, is this really my first blog post for 2017? I can't believe how time flies. March already!

So much has been happening at my end that I've neglected my blog. Let's catch you up.

Book Launch

Firstly, Lara and I went to the launch of Deb Kelly's new book, 'Ruby Wishfingers: Hide-and-Seek', the third in the Ruby Wishfingers series in January. Deb's launch attracted lots of Ruby fans to this Newcastle Library event. Deb read from Book 1 so not to give too much of the third book away. Then the kids enjoyed yummy treats and craft activities. Congratulations, Deb!

SCBWI Event 

(Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators)

I attended 'The Art of Picture Books' event at The Hughenden, in Sydney in January. We had the privilege of meeting and listening to Scholiastic publisher, Clare Hallifax and illustrator, Nina Rycroft. What an inspirational pair of ladies!

I was very lucky to secure a manuscript assessment with Clare as part of this event. She offered great advice and feedback on one of my favourite stories. Watch this space.

Photo of my friend, Carly and I

Williamtown Child Care Centre Open Day

Kirrili Lonergan and I spent a very hot Saturday (I think is was nearly 45 degrees) in February helping the Williamtown Child Care Centre launch it's new location off the RAAF base and into Raymond Terrace. We had lots of fun entertaining children, reading stories and drawing.

  

Phew! More updates coming. I'm renovating at the moment so things are a little chaotic here. Hope your 2017 started well.

A Very Literary School Holidays

As I reflect on our school holiday activities, I've realised it was full of book fun (in and round my daughter breaking her arm on the first day and having two temporary casts and a full cast fitted! Yes, two temporary casts - she broke the first one). 

I find school holidays restrict my creative writing time, but the kids and I spent the time experiencing books together instead. It's funny how it happened without any real planning. 

Exhibition Launch

My daughter and I attended the exhibition launch, 'Desert Lake: The Story of Kati Thanda - Lake Eyre' at Newcastle Library on Friday, 8th April (the eve of her breaking her arm). It's based on the picture book of the same name authored by Pamela Freeman and illustrated by Liz Anelli. Even though I was emerged in this exhibition during the Newcastle Writers Festival the week before, it was lovely to attend its official launch. Liz spoke beautifully about her experience illustrating it. I love going to these events as it turns into a lovely social outing too.

Recycled Aliens at Mayfield Library

I booked the kids into a craft session called, 'Recycled Aliens' at Mayfield Library on Tuesday, 12th April. My kids and a school friend used recycled materials to build aliens. They were encouraged to make up a name for their new characters and where they came from. It was a very creative adventure while it poured rain outside.

Rooftop Teddy Bears Picnic at Westfield Kotara

During the first week of the school holidays, Anthony Wood and I were special guests at the Teddy Bears Picnic hosted by Westfield Kotara. We read our book as the kids shared Tiny Teddies and drank Apple Juice with their teddies. The kids then had fun decorating biscuits and completing teddy bear craft. Paulette, the huge Build-A-Bear mascot also dropped by for a visit and photos. So much fun! I attended 3 picnics and was very lucky to strike sunshine every time. Poor Anthony! 2 of his 3 picnics were in the rain but the kids and teddies didn't mind. 

Cambodia

Friends of mine led by the amazing Kim Wilson went to Cambodia to visit schools and villages to donate food, clothes, shoes, school supplies and other essential items. They had fundraised in Australia months beforehand and then bought the supplies in the local communities. I slipped a few copies of 'Dandelions' in her bag. She so generously sent photos of her giving three schools our book. Wish I could have been there. What an amazing trip they had. A beautiful group of guardian angels.

The Jungle Book

The kids and I went to see The Jungle Book movie. OMG! What an experience. Viewing this movie on the big screen was amazing. Highly recommended!

DC Comic Marvels at Powerhouse Museum

We visited 'The Art of the Brick: DC Comics' exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum on Wednesday, 20th April. Batman, Superman, The Joker and more were on display as large scale figurines. So much fun! If you have a fan of Lego or DC Comic Marvels, I highly recommend a visit.

During our Sydney visit, my monkeys visited Kinokiniya Book Shop with Alan and sent me this photo while I was out shopping for shoes.

Ruby Wishfingers

On Thursday, 21st April, we attended story and craft time at MacLean's Booksellers to celebrate Deb Kelly's new chapter book, 'Ruby Wishfingers'. MacLean's and Deb entertained the kids with bookmark craft, cupcakes and readings from the story. 

Writing Group

I facilitate the Hunter Writers Centre Children's Writing Group and our April meeting fell in the holidays on Thursday, 21st April. As a lot of us are preparing manuscripts for the upcoming CYA Conference Writing Competition (which is closing next week), we madly critiqued competition entries - I think 15 of them. Busy!

Buy Me a Monkey

On Friday, 22nd April, we attended the picture book launch of 'Buy Me A Monkey' written by local author Cherelle Flemming at Swansea Library.

Cherelle read her book and sang lots of monkey songs while playing her ukulele. A very talented lady.

New manuscript

Oh, and in the middle of this fun, I managed to write a brand new manuscript. I can't say too much but I have sent it off to my publisher. Cross your fingers and eye brows (ok, not your eyebrows) that this one is a winner!

I'm going into lockdown as soon as Term 2 starts. I'll pop my head up to attend the 'Meet the Publishers' Conference in Melbourne in May and the CBCA National Conference in Sydney also in May. I have a chapter book calling me I must write ...

Hope you enjoyed your school holidays too!

The Newcastle Writers Festival Kids Program - Day 2 - Primary School Groups

The Newcastle Writers Festival Kids Program entertained and inspired over 800 children today. It helps when you have amazing presenters, kids, teachers, parents, library staff and volunteers making the show come together so beautifully.

So here I am, with a pair of heavy eyelids, sipping a cup of tea busting to tell you all about it. Please ignore any typos. I'm just glad this post is ready before midnight!

Samantha Turnbull entertained the kids while talking about her wonderful book series, The Anti-Princess Club. You may have seen her on our local NBN news earlier tonight.

Deb Kelly hosted two amazing workshops on how to write Haiku Poetry. She will be launching her new book, Ruby Wishfingers on Saturday.

Tony Flowers wowed his audiences with his amazing talent and funny stories in his 'Text To Pen' sessions. Congratulations on the release of your new picture book titled, Hello, Tony. Due for release 1st April.

Stig Wemyss (audio book voice for Andy Griffith's books and the Aussie Bites books) had his audiences in stitches during his STIG LIVE shows. Even our volunteers were highly entertained!

Michael Gerard Bauer told stories of how Eric Vale and Derek Dale came to life during his 'Dog Tales and Epic Fails' sessions. He showed lots of photos including ones of his son. His son actually illustrated these series.

Paul Russell challenged and inspired upcoming young authors in his writing workshops titled, 'Sense-ational Writing'. You could hear a pin drop during these. I was very close to ruffling some feathers in there at one point. They were just too studious!

I had the privilege of entertaining some youngsters today too. We had a long and interesting chat about how picture books are made. The accompanying adults were just as mesmerised by the process. I was very excited to debut my new Keynote skills including controlling the presentation from my iPad! If you have any idea about what I just said, you should be impressed. Getting technology to work the way you planned is always a challenge when presenting. I couldn't get the wifi to work but I managed to cope. I was just happy to successfully connect my Apple MAC to an adaptor and then to a projector by myself and make it work! Oh, and I got to wear my new, fancy shoes. They're not black!

Well, that's it for now. I'm looking forward to what tomorrow brings and sharing the day with Renee Price, Lisa Shanahan, Serena Geddes, Judith Rossell, Lynn Jenkins and Kirrili Lonergan. Tony Flowers and Samantha Turnbull get to come back and have some workshop fun, too.

See you here tomorrow night.