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.

 

Some Good Reviews for Women's Work!

We came upon some pleasing reviews for the book and the Poetica broadcast and thought we'd share the links with you. We are thinking Women's Work would make a gorgeous gift for Mother's Day.
The Australian Click Here
Overland literary journal Click Here
Cordite Poetry Review Click Here