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Grab a cuppa, have a read
I share tips and thoughts on writing books, and readings good ones too. You’ll find author updates and trumpet tooting stuff here too. Past news and blogs share copywriting, communications and campaigns worth learning from, community and how we connect, my travel love and random life reflections. It’s kind of like my soap box speeches and journal scribbles are catching up for a cuppa too!
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Dogs with Jobs publication day
You may think you know a helpful dog ... but wait till you meet these helpful hounds and dogs with jobs. For my first foray into non-fiction writing for children, illustrator Julia Murray and I have teamed up to create a fur-fact filled picture book, Dogs with...
Castle Crashing publication day
Summer stories bring with saltwater, suncream and sandcastles Which is why Hannah Sommerville and I are thrilled to be back with a brand new picture book, Castle Crashing. You may recognise our characters from Jetty Jumping and Sunday Skating. They're back again...
Wag your tail with me to launch my new Dogs with Jobs book
I can’t wait to celebrate heroic hounds with friends in Frankston City Libraries Come join us on Wed 5 November 2025 at 10:30am for all the tail wagging fun as I celebrate the library launch of Dogs with Jobs, illustrated by Julia Murray (published by Hardie Grant...
Cover reveal: Audrey Skips
Melbourne's beloved Skipping Girl turns 90 in 2026, and she deserves a picture book party to celebrate. AUDREY SKIPS is a reimagined trubute to a treasured icon of Melbourne, the Skipping Girl, otherwise known as Little Audrey. Bright and shiny Audrey...
New book news
It's not every day you sign 5 picture book contracts. Today, I'm celebrating some super news! I've got 5 new picture books coming readers way with Hardie Grant Children's Publishing. There'll be more news to share soon on the incredible illustrators I'll be working...
Cover reveal: Castle Crashing
Australia - as we hunker down for winter, may our cover reveal have you dreaming of summer by the beach! CASTLE CRASHING brings our favourite summer crew of kids back together with a new story celebrating friendship, frustration, forgiveness and...
I’m Victoria’s inaugural Library ambassador
Victoria’s inaugural Public Libraries ambassador reporting for duty! It’s an absolute honour to share and celebrate the vital value of libraries for our state. On May 19th, 2025, the Minister for Local Government, Hon Nick Staikos MP, officially announced me as the...
Story sharing at the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival, UAE
International festival fun Sharjah Children's Reading Festival In May 2025, I accepted an invitation by the Sharjah Book Authority to attend the 16th annual Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival. This is part of an ongoing commitment to making books accessible and...
Cover reveal: Dogs with Jobs
Dogs with Jobs cover reveal Wag your tails for new book news! Julia Murray and Andrea Rowe are thrilled to share the cover of our first non-fiction picture book together, Dogs with Jobs. For hundreds of years, dogs with jobs have helped humanity and the...
Amid the Sand Dunes receives a 2025 CBCA Notable
Well, I can honestly say, the thrill of stickering your book never gets old! The CBCA Notables are a long-listing for the Book of the year. As we celebrate 80 years of our beloved Children's Book Council of Australia this year, it’s an absolute thrill to...
Jetty Jumping reaches a record sales milestone
Dear readers, and booksellers, and educators, and librarians thank you! Thank you!!! Over 30,000 copies of our book have been sold. That's is absolutely incredible. I remember when I was happy to learn of my FIRST reprint!! Hannah Sommerville and I are...
Proud to be a Big Summer Read ambassador
This library kid is thrilled to have grown up to become a library ambassador. The Big Summer Read is here, and I am super-dooper chuffed to be one of its 12 ambassadors. This free program challenges kids to read all summer long, running from December 1 to...
Amid the Sand Dunes officially launched for little readers
Amid the Sand Dunes is launched for little reader story times and book love Illustrator Hannah Sommerville and I whooshed, whizzed, cooeed & rolled through our AMID THE SAND DUNES storytime launch with a bunch of beaut kids - and we were joined by the first...
Amid the Sand Dunes book launch
We are all set for a sandy story time this summer this a brand new book! Come come join the Book Launch fun for our brand new picture book, Amid the Sand Dunes. Illustrator Extraordinaire Hannah Sommerville and I have teamed up once again, along with our...
Proud to be a Books in Homes Role Model
Not every family has access to books. Not every home can afford to purchase new stories for young readers. That's why Books In Homes is such a valued foundation for Australia, and I am delighted to be a supporting them. Books in Homes® is a charitable...
Proud to be a Readings Books affiliate author
There are bookstores ... and then there are book selling institutions that feel like home. Readings has always been one of those places for me. A bookstore that genuinely adores books, and has reader's experiences front of mind. A bookstore that champions...
Hannah Sommerville and Andrea Rowe together at Bendigo Writers Festival
Bendigo - we're headed your way! Hannah Sommerville and I are hitting the road together and headed to a festival. For the FIRST time ever! We can't wait to be a part of the fabulous Creative Kids fun at Bendigo Writers Festival this August as Hannah...
In the news, and up for chats
Interviews, podcasts, brain picks and natters There's nothing better than getting back behind the microphone (I did start out in radio after all) and sharing why picture books resonate, what techniques I apply as a write, and tips for others venturing into...
Amid the Sand Dunes cover reveal
AMID THE SAND DUNES cover reveal So very excited to share the vibrant cover of our new board book AMID THE SAND DUNES We’re back! And this time we’re wandering the sand dunes. Hannah Sommerville and I are thrilled to share the cover of our next picture book...
Send your kids packing (to writers camp with me!)
If you've got children in your life who love to create stories, and are keen to explore creative processes, then I'd love to help them. Send them packing to Portsea Children's Camp in the September school holidays for two fun-filled days with like-minded new...
In the Rockpool swims into Bologna Children’s Book Fair
I'm never going to get to represent Australia in the Olympics, but this feels pretty close to it for me (minus the tracksuits and excessive sweating!) Hannah Sommerville and I are thrilled to share that In the Rockpool has been selected as the hero book for the...