National Bookshop Day

Saturday 13th August was National Bookshop Day and I was glad to visit Harry Hartog's amazing bookshop at Bondi Junction, there to spend a happy half hour. But I also want to acknowledge  and send greetings to all those wonderful bookshops, especially those who specialize in children's books who help to keep Australian children's literature alive. Here's what I found!

amid a maze of shelves and a plethora of books.

Beautiful Beecroft Children's Bookshop and a Host of Beautiful Librarians

I made it to Paul MacDonald's amazing bookshop at Beecroft for a talk to about 30 enthusiastic librarians about my latest picturebooks, A Soldier and Incredibilia and other things besides

(there were extenuating circumstances). Like so many other writers and illustrators I am so grateful for Paul's support and that of teachers and librarians who go such a long way to promote Australian kids' lit to the extent of giving up part of their holiday to hear about books and the story behind the books! It was a lovely morning.

Vale Gillian Mears

Gillian leaves a rich legacy of Australian literature for generations to come and it makes me sad to think such a modest and talented person has gone at 51 years of age.

Australia Council India Tour with Gillian Mears & David Malouf

Some Personal Reflections. The Mint Lawn was my astonishing introduction to Gillian's writing and I invited her to contribute immediately to a YA collection of short stories The Blue Dress (Heinemann 1991) I was compiling, to which she contributed her memorable story My Mother was Married on Morning Glory Blue.

A few years later I was privileged to be part of an Australia Council tour to India with both David Malouf and Gillian that took us whirling though several cities and for the three writers concerned to many universities and bookshops to talk to our books which were published by Penguin India.

It was memorable to spend three weeks with such writers and I remember particularly Gillian luring me away one night from a reception as she was so keen to see an Indian circus and there just happened to be nearby. She continued to delight with such books as the The Grass Sisters and more recently the powerful Foal's Bread in 2011, shortlisted for the Miles Franklin. We kept up a disparate correspondence but I am only sorry I could not attend her 50th birthday last year.

Vale Gillian.

Launch of INCREDIBILIA, Sydney University

Last week, we were privileged to hear two passionate speakers in Professor Robyn Ewing who launched Incredibilia (Little Hare, 2016), Faculty of Education building, and the ingenious artist Gaye Chapman who illustrated my text.  Both talked to the importance of nurturing imagination

 being creative- and what I loved - there was an invitation to adults as well as children to do so. The audience of some 50 people  included my three grandkids who inspired the text, my publisher Margrete Lamond and her staff in designer and production who brought the text to fruition and devotees of children's literature, as well as the ever reliable Paul Macdonald (The Children's Bookshop)and plenty of books!  A happy night but where was Susanne Gervay as not one photograph was taken!

A Video Conference and a Dog Show welcome my latest Picturebook, A Soldier, a Dog and a Boy.

The illustrator Phil Lesnie has created wonderful artwork for A Soldier a Dog and a Boy (Hachette) which was shown off to great advantage during the Newcastle Writers' Festival in April with the Dog Show/launch  held on the stairs of Newcastle Regional Library, the road closed off for stalls and bookmobile and a crowd gathered. Even the dogs listened as I did a reading from a giant book! In June that book will travel  to Ribbonwood Library in the Illawarra area for another launch and then later a talk at the local CBCA dinner.

Australian Poets Presented by Libby Hathorn...with The State Library of NSW

State Library Treasures

It's been a privilege to work with Pauline Fitzgerald sifting through some amazing poetry archives in the State Library of NSW, that revealed such manuscript discoveries as the actual hand written poems such as "My Country"; reams of photographs, paintings, sketches, letters, cards and telegrams of many poets; as well as such gruesome finds as the death mask of Henry Lawson.

This was in preparation of creating short videos highlighting the lives beginning with such memorable poets as Dorothea Mackellar, CJ Dennis and Henry Lawson.

I will be presenting these poets and items from the inspiring collection, as well as reading some of their muscular and resonating poetry to camera. These will be available during 2016.

Henry Lawson - Death Mask

Dorothea's Original Manuscript for My Country (Core of My Heart)

Viva Australian Poetry and Poets!

It has been a pleasure to celebrate Australian poets as well as discussing my latest novel "Eventual Poppy Day" on community radio - Eastside 89.7.

In discussion with Margaux Dombkins on her arts program, poets old and new such as Judith Wright, Dame Mary Gilmore, Banjo Paterson, Dorothea Mackellar were featured.

I look forward to further such discussions in 2016, honouring poets both past and present.

Judith Wright

Banjo Paterson

Canberra Sojourn, Lu Rees Archives & CBCA Dinner

On Tuesday 27th October I had lunch with the redoubtable Dr. Belle Alderman and her devoted volunteer staff at the University of Canberra. This is the home of an incredible collection of notable Australian authors and illustrators which was established in the 1970's by Lu Rees, and has been ably led by Belle Alderman. It was inspiring talking to her.

I had fun after lunch signing some of my own books as well as inspecting new and old additions to the collection.

CBCA Canberra

I also enjoyed giving a presentation to the CBCA members on my ANZAC novel Eventual Poppy Day (an ANZAC in the family PowerPoint) and giving preview glimpses of Phil Lesnie's astonishing artwork for my 2016 picture storybook A Soldier, A Dog and A Boy. This was over dinner at the Hellenic Club where I was lucky enough to catch up with members of my family, who share my love of literature.

Pozieres Commemoration Service, Woollahra July 26th

I was really happy to be part of the 99th Commemoration Service at St Columba's with Rev Brian Jago presiding. Lt Gen Caligari, First Battalion Association, RSL representatives and representative from the French Consulate and Woollahra Council took part. I read from a chapter set at Pozieres from my novel, Eventual Poppy Day. As usual, the Scots College Pipe and Drum Band stopped traffic and performed so well as did the bugler for the echoing Last Post tribute. Next year 2016 will be the 100th year commemoration of the terrible battle that took so many British and Anzac lives in and around that small village in France. I have a book being published in March 2016 by Hachette, A Soldier, a Dog and a Boy- a curious and not entirely sad story from that same place, same era.

Rough from A Soldier, a Dog and a Boy (art by Phil Lesnie)

Randwick Historical Society Address

Last Sunday 18th July saw a crowd of history buffs gathered at the Bowen Library, Maroubra, for their monthly meeting. I was lucky enough to be able to present my Powerpoint, An Anzac in the Family, an explanation of the process of writing my historical Anzac novel, Eventual Poppy Day. What made it extra special was the presence of four women (will not say old girls) from my year at Sydney Girls High; and then an exploration of the Society's room at the Bowen, where I'll be doing some research for my next novel set in part in the Randwick area circa 1880's.

Writer-in-Residence, St Catherine's Waverley

I began my weekly one day writer-in-residence this week at St Catherine's in the Junior School. It was a pleasant experience to be welcomed so warmly by the Principal, Sara Guy, and assisted so ably by the librarian, Lizzy Martin.
Thus far I've talked to responsive Year 3 girls and taken two poetry master classes with equally responsive Year 5 girls.
I've been allocated a room  and time worked into the schedule for my own works, both novel and picture book in the making.
I'm looking forward to meeting more girls and their teachers in the coming 5 weeks.

Another Great PETAA Gig, Parramatta

At PETAA's conference day, Developing Creative and Confident Writers, I was really pleased to be asked to give the closing plenary I called Literature, Libraries and Love to an audience of 200 teachers. Whilst I spoke of poetry, my Anzac novel Eventual Poppy Day and showed some roughs of my upcoming picture book for the 2016 Somme commemoration, A Soldier, A Dog and a Boy, and also asked the teacher audience whilst honouring the 2015 CBCA short-list not to forget the Notables. I must admit a not-so-hidden agenda for my notable, 2015 picture book with Ritva Voutila, Outside. I arrived early and was lucky enough to sit in on Catherine Oehlman's (below) fabulous poetry workshop. I look forward to further contact with this teacher after my own heart, with poetry.

A River of Poetry with Eastside Radio

Based on my collection, The ABC Book of Australian Poetry: A treasury of poems for young people (Harper Collins,with its gorgeous illustrations by Cassandra Allen), Margaux Dombkins is featuring my poetry series Australian Poetry, Old and New as part of her regular arts program. This features a poet a month with a background of life and times and a reading of a few selected poems. Poets include Henry Lawson, Dorothea Mackellar, Dame Mary Gilmore, Henry Kendall, Judith Wright and more. Our first session was Monday 8^th June and streamed on Eastside FM Website.

PETAA Conference and State Library of NSW Professional Development Day

It was a pleasure to connect with PETAA folk and to give the closing plenary (below) at the Grace Hotel Friday 29th May on Literature, Libraries and Love. From Poetry to Historical Novels, to enthusiastic teachers.

As it happens, in the morning of the same day at the State Library of NSW Professional Day, I spoke of Eventual Poppy Day and my upcoming picture storybook set at the Somme, A Soldier, A Dog and A Boy, showing some of Phil Lesnie's amazing artwork. 

ADELAIDE WRITERS' WEEK 2015

A wonderful week in Adelaide for me, comprised a rich brew of writers, both Australian and international; the discovery of Cate Kennedy's amazing Oz poetry; chats with some of the famous writers; a visit to give talks at Seymour, a gorgeous college for gals ; dinner with the Mary Gibbs Trust lot; and performing in the Red Tent on  Saturday 28th February and Sunday 1st March to families re new picture books; and an hour long interview on Monday 2nd March by Sandy Vershoor on West Stage on poetry and mostly my new Anzac novel of the gorgeous cover,  Eventual Poppy Day.   

 At Mary Wilson's place with May Gibbs Trust folk

 In the Green Room with Michel Faber and Kate Kennedy ( above)
 and being interviewed by Kate Vershoor  (below)

Marvelous Mudgee-Australia Day 2015

My Australia Day destination for 2015, guest of the Mid Western Regional Council was the beautiful town of Mudgee, surrounded by green paddocks and hills (yes green) and far blueish-green mountains.  The venue, centre of town, was Robertson Park where I read some of my picture books to babes and mothers and dads.  I loved being part of both the Australia Day Awards ceremony and the Citizenship ceremony always happy occasions. And cutting a very navy blue cake! At the end of my talk and a reading from my new Anzac novel Eventual Poppy Day which involved the Last Post being played, a man stepped out of the crowd  and unasked and unscripted  played the dying notes of the Last Post on his bugle. I have yet to find him and thank him! so unexpected and so moving a gesture.

A tour of the library next day demonstrated what can be done in a gracious old building, not to mention visiting a winery for a wonderful lunch. I will return! Especially to track down more of the life of the poet Henry Lawson who spent his formative years in this area.

Launch of Outside at NSW State Library, Literary Festival

On the 18th October about a hundred of us spent a great day at the NSW State Library for the SWW inaugural Literature Festival, Dare to be an Author. Blanche d'Apulget had her Lion Rampant launched and gave a great talk that encompassed much of the history of modern publishing and the advent of the e-book; this among others who debated and discussed and enlightened us. For me the highlight had to be the launch of my latest picturebook, Outside, with the gorgeous illustrations by Ritva Voularis. Julie Mundy-Taylor gave a launch speech like no other I've ever had in its sheer enthusiasm for the work (thankyou Julie) and the book sold out in the lunch hour!

Chats with former Prime Minister Bob Hawke (note I am clutching Blanche's new book and my own) as well as with Emeritus Professor Di Yerbury who announced the winner of the residency she provides in England for women writers, only added to an action packed day.

A Country Launch of A Baby for Loving at the Condoblin Born-to-Read 10 Year Anniversary Bash!

It was a wonderful show last month at Condoblin once again with mother and fathers and toddlers and babies in prams and grandparents and young schoolkids and teachers and interested townsfolk attending the tenth year celebration of the wonderful Born to Read program,organized by an amazing committee of committed people headed by the able Gail Heinrich once again . I cannot believe that it was ten years ago that I was part of the launch of this program that brings books and advice to the parents of new born babies and  for the first five years of their lives. What a town to read to children of the primary and pre-schools and address the gatherings at the local library and council, launching my new book A Baby for Loving with the gorgeous artwork of Tamsin Ainslie.
It's now had a city launch at Randwick Public School with a dramatization for K, 1 and 2 by Year 6 and helpers, a wonderful show directed by Ms Helen Ratata; and a country launch at Condoblin  to send it on its way.

Sydney Writers' Festival

What an exciting week for Sydney, so many talented writers in town. Among other things,  I attended the special HarperCollins dinner on Pier 2. I was lucky enough to meet Australian and international writers there, including the impressive Amy Tan of The Joy Luck Club fame. She was here promoting her latest novel The Valley of Amazement. Also during the week, I  had the pleasure of running a very full  workshop of gifted and talented young writers at the NSW State Library in all day sessions entitled, From Poetry to Story: it’s all in the imagination. A shame another whole year to go for such an inspiring even for Sydney once again!

The Kings School - Presenting An Anzac in the Family and the HSC ‘Discovery’ Theme

I had an enjoyable day at The Kings School on Tuesday 27^th May taking two sessions to two groups of Year 9 boys, presenting my PowerPoint, An Anzac in the Family, which is about the writing process of my novel, Eventual Poppy Day  (to be released by Harper Collins in March 2015).

I also addressed Year 11, with my PowerPoint presentation based on the theme of DISCOVERY by looking at three very different picture storybooks:- Outside (Little Hare) with illustrations by Ritva Voutila  (to be launched in October at State Library as part  of the inaugural SWW Writers’ Festival) as a child explores a garden and her five senses; A Boy Like Me: a story about peace (ABC Books/Harper Collins)with illustrations by Bruce Whatley, which treats the difficult concept of war and peace and a journey of self-discovery for a young boy; and finally Sangita’s Singing  with illustrations by Nepali artist Bandana Tulachan in which a 10 year old village child in Nepal begins her schooling in the large and bewildering city of Kathmandu, with its themes of alienation, bullying, self discovery and transformation for the child.

Judi Hirst, chief librarian arranged things perfectly and I was accompanied and well looked after by    Marita Thomson. The speakers at this Literary Festival were well supported by Paul MacDonald at the Children’s Bookshop, Beecroft.