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Grab a cuppa, have a read
I share tips and thoughts on copywriting, communications and campaigns worth learning from, community and how we connect, and my book and travel love. From time to time I raise my head from the trenches of motherhood to write about that too.
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 storytellers...
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...
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...
Hitch your reading wagon onto the Clunes Booktown Festival
There's a certain scent in the air when you approach Clunes each March ... it's the smell of books, beautiful books. And the sound? The air is filled with the soft riffle of pages, the gasps, laughs, and tissue sniffling as storytellers share, and the exclamation...
2023 Book of the year winners
A most special honour. Jetty Jumping has been awarded the 2023 Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year (5-8yrs) for contributions to language & literacy development.That’s all Hannah Sommerville and I can ask for, that together we created a valued book that...
I’m a May Gibbs Fellow
It’s an honour to share that I have been awarded a 2024 May Gibbs Childrens Literature Trust Fellowship. The May Gibbs Children's Literature Trust promotes the creation of contemporary Australian children’s literature in the belief that children’s books, written and...
An author’s guide to surviving and thriving in Children’s Book Week
Children's Book Week is upon us! It's more than just costumes, it's a time of literacy connection, bringing books into a front row seat and inspiring young readers with writing, reading and author connections. In August every year authors and illustrators across...
2023 Children’s Book Week Costume inspo
On the countdown for 2023 Children's Book Week and stuck for ideas? Children's Book Week costume crisis? Roll this way my friends ... I have some wheelie good suggestions for my picture book Sunday Skating, illustrated by Hannah Sommerville. All you'll need...
Jetty Jumping shortlisted for Australian Speech Pathologist awards
Last week during the release of our new book, Sunday Skating, Hannah Sommerville and I were thrilled to learn that our previous book, Jetty Jumping, was shortlisted for the Speech Pathology Australia 20th Annual Book of the Year awards. For two decades, this...
Read and Roll Road Trip for Sunday Skating
I am rolling right along with the release of Sunday Skating roll and visiting bookstores and libraries, and even skate centres for story times and signings. While there's quite a hefty list of wheelie fun visits with bookstores (34 and counting!) ... there are also...
Celebrate our new book Sunday Skating. Colour and win!
As Sunday Skating rolls right out into bookstores today, join us in celebrating this special milestone. Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing, Hannah Sommerville and I invite you to colour and win super skate prizes. All you need to do is download the colouring sheet,...
National Simultaneous Story Time
Sloth selfies and storytime We were the fittest bunch of storytime readers at Rosebud library that you ever did see! Thanks to all who joined us for Australian Library and Information Association National Simultaneous Story Time at Mornington Peninsula...
When the writing’s on the wall
When your local bookstore asks you to write a few words …. And then they put it on their wall!!! Thank you to Sorrento's Antipodes Bookshop & Gallery for such an honour
Sunday Skating is all set to launch
Rolling out a new book Get your skates on and come join the Book Launch fun as we roll out our brand new picture book, Sunday Skating. Illustrator Extraordinaire Hannah Sommerville and I have teamed up once again, along with our publishing crew at Hardie Grant...
Tuning into story secrets as a podcast guest
Podcasts are a super way to learn about authors' writing style, motivations, and blockages, and to take inspiration for your own writing life as well. They're also a great way to share the news when there's a new book out and learn what to watch out for in the...
Cover Girl moment
Senior Mag cover girl - better late then never! I am currently contemplating my new career as a cover girl at 53! Thanks, Go55s for the lovely chat … I loved reflecting on the picture book writing journey so far. And much thanks to the wonderful Sarah Halfpenny for...
The stories we shared at Sorrento Writers Festival
A swell time at Sorrento Writers Festival When book worlds comes to your patch of the coastline. A whole lot of fun is had. So many incredible authors unpacking country crime, kids books, memoir and writing journey’s, hijacked histories, short stories, poetry, writing...
Writer in the Window during Drift Festival
Between the lines - writing from a bookstore window "Hey! Come sit with me and share your story, I’ll whip it up into a microfiction tale. I’m the WRITER IN THE WINDOW at Antipodes Bookshop & Gallery during Drift Arts Festival There are so many super...
I’m an Ardoch Writer in Resident
Student story telling and literacy love Super thrilled to share that I'm partnering with Ardoch as a schools-based 2023 Writer in Resident I go way back with them from my corporate communications days so it's lovely to connect again. Ardoch is a children’s education...
Teen Zine making workshop
The Zine people have spoken! I'm bringing back my popular TeenZine workshops for teens Come write and design your own zine with me. Thanks to Mornington Peninsula Shire for their Creative Economy Grant support, I'm hosting a free Teen zine-making workshop for...
Mulga Bill Writing Award winning short story
Australian short story win A little bit chuffed to share that I've been awarded 2nd prize in the Mulga Bill Writing Award coordinated by Eaglehawk Library. I've been a huge fan of the works produced from this award, and of course, its namesake Mulga Bill, who was the...
I’m an Author Penpal
Grade 5 Little Me is beside herself! Letters in the post form a real live author. The funny thing is that the author is me! I am super excited to be a part of the new Author Pen Pal program initiated by authors Kate Foster and Dee White. That means I'll be sharing...
There’s words in them thar hills of Mansfield
Mansfield Readers and Writers Festival The magic of the first ever Mansfield Readers & Writers was … well, I’m lost for words. Odd for a writer! But this inaugural celebration of stories in the high country was a literary event to savour. So many incredible...
Can you help me with my picture book writing?
The three big questions I am often asked are 'Do you have any writing tips?' or 'How can I get published?' or 'Could you please read my manuscript?" Can I help you? Yes, and no. I'm flattered that you've thought to ask me, especially when there are so many...
2023 Book Week bookings open
BOOK WEEK AND EDUCATION WEEK REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN Educators, Librarians, and Community and Event Programmers ... I still have a few author talks, workshops and story time spots left for 2023's Children's Book Council of Australia Book Week (19 - 25 August with...
Festive wishes and here’s cheers to 2022
Seas and Greetings ... that's a wrap on 2022 Whoa, what a year that just was! It's been quite an incredible ride. Returning to life after 2 years of rolling COVID lockdowns, supporting a VCE Yr 12 child, reassembling my business after pandemic interruptions ... and...
Writing life and helpful advice
How I make it work for me (and my community) "How do you do it all?' is a question I am often asked about my copywriting, author and community life. Well, I love being helpful and over the last year or so I have shared a few chats and insights into creating my...
Podcast chats
Talking books and writing on guest podcast chats The November dance card has been full with several podcast chats. I loved chatting about the secret to a good fish taco, and my writing process with Ken on Reading with a Chance of Tacos. I tackled the 'Why I write'...
Cutting the ribbon on the new Bentleigh library’s Story Time
I think I live here now! The new Bentleigh Glen Eira City Council - Libraries is all sorts of story-loving stunning! What an honour to be asked to be the first author to launch story time in their new space. A wonderful way to welcome back families and celebrate the...
Friends of Doveton Library short story award winners
Honoured to critique entries & present awards What a privilege to join young entrants tonight of the Friends of Doveton Library Casey Cardinia Libraries annual youth writing awards. I was moved and motivated by so many talented, insightful young writers in this...
Police Point Writer in Resident
I just pressed full stop on two weeks of writing in solitude "The only thing one can give an artist is leisure in which to work. To give an artist leisure is actually to take part in their creation.” - Ezra Pound Being awarded a two-week Mornington Peninsula Arts and...
Legacy writing tips and workshops
Stories we share, legacies we leave One of the most rewarding offerings of my consulting work is the Legacy and Milestone writing workshops I present through libraries, community centres, community associations and historical organisations. I help folks plan...
Novel writing time at Writers in Residency
2022 is the year to finish my novel Which is a good thing. Because I've been given two weeks of focussed, uninterrupted writing time! I'm thrilled to have been awarded the Mornington Peninsula Shire Mornington Peninsula Arts & Culture 2022/23 Artist in Residence...
Front Beach, Back Beach: Shoreline Stories
Story sharing with young voices of the Peninsula I'm so thrilled to have received a Mornington Peninsula Shire Creative Community Grant to deliver Front Beach, Back Beach: Shoreline Stories in 2022. This will be an exciting youth focussed program supporting young...
What’s with the creaky joints?
What's with the creaky joints? I'm not always thrilled to be one of the 6.8 million Australians to have a musculoskeletal condition. But I have learnt to adjust my life like so many to accommodate the burdens of muscle, bone and joint health conditions. Otherwise...
Memory Lane brings the finest care in final days
A treasured new Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia initiative was launched this week during Palliative Care Week. Memory Lane is a new initiative of the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia, transporting Victorians living in palliative care to...
Write, read, sign books, repeat
Write, read, sign books, repeat Well, hey there Summer, you sure did sizzle with oodles of author readings and signings. I'm now falling into Autumn with another reprint of Jetty Jumping hitting bookstores. Here's a glimpse of some of the fun we've had so far:...
On the couch chat
On the couch, having a chat I caught up with Janet McNeill of McNeill Real Estate recently to chat about what it means to live on the Mornington Peninsula and lift the hood on my career and writing journey. This was a lovely chance to reflect on how I help...
Wellness Pavilion milestone launch
An exciting milestone for mental health, resilience and support for Southern Peninsula youth and families It was my honour to help evolve the vision, strategic communications, copywriting, community consultation and engagement and media management for the Wellness...
I spy book shelfies
Sightings of my book in the wild There’s something awfully thrilling about being sent ‘shelfies’ of your book across the land. I'm having such fun playing Spotto with Jetty Jumping. It's quite the competitive sport! From the editor of Crinkling News (and fellow...
World Book Day reading
This is my kindergarten book reading grin I adored reading to the Tootgarook PreSchool kids. What a way to mark WORLD BOOK DAY this week. After I’d finished sharing Jetty Jumping, a gorgeous boy in the front row who’d followed every word with wide, wondrous eyes,...
Book launch joy
Book launch joy The pandemic and recent 3rd Victorian Lockdown took a load of moments from us, but not the joy of reading. And today, not the joy of gathering to welcome a book into the world. A Lockdown Liberty Book Launch has a mighty fine ring to it and in two...
Nomination for Citizen of the Year
I'm just happy connecting community I feel like I need to wheel out a small bugle player and pass the hors d’oeuvres around for this news: Today I received a Letter under Council Seal from Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, acknowledging that I was one of the many...
Book release day
It's book release day Hurrah! Huzzah! My debut children's picture book JETTY JUMPING has just launched into the world. It’s due to start bobbing about on bookshelves in stores across the land from today. Here’s to spying it in young readers hands and families reliving...
Hal Porter Short Story winner
Hal Porter Short Story Competition winner I am really very honoured to have been announced as the winner of the coveted Hal Porter Short Story Competition. To be awarded this recognition, which has been running for 28 years, is something that truly humbles me....
Coronatude: Chats with strong folks doing good things: Meet Georgie Stayches
Coronatude is a mindset COVID has impacted the world and inspired reflections and actions that show the goodness of folks. During Stage 4 lockdown restriction across Victoria, we've witnessed the resilience, connectivity and inspiration of many. I know so many...
Victorian Writer published story
The Pandemic Playbook Member's and supporters of Writer's Victoria will be familiar with the seasonal writing magazine The Victorian Writer. ‘The Victorian Writer’ magazine is a valuable resource for Writers Victoria members and aspiring writers across Australia. as...
Coronatude: Chats with strong folks doing good things: Meet Claire Monique Taylor
Coronatude is a mindset COVID has impacted the world and inspired reflections and actions that show the goodness of folks. During Stage 4 lockdown restriction across Victoria, we've witnessed the resilience, connectivity and inspiration of many. I know so many...
Coronatude: Chats with strong folks doing good things: Meet Noe Harsel
Coronatude is a mindset COVID has impacted the world and inspired reflections and actions that show the goodness of folks. During Stage 4 lockdown restriction across Victoria, we've witnessed the resilience, connectivity and inspiration of many. I know so many...