Michael Jackson, Philip Pullman and the Kids and YA Literature Festival NSW Writers Centre

Celebrity is a curse, and absolute celebrity is something very few people
are evil enough to deserve.

from – Philip Pullman on Michael Jackson’s recent death 25th June 2009

I like being an author because I get the pleasure of readers engaging in my books, without the awful burden of FAME.

As the Director of the 4th Kids and Young Adult Literature Festival I talk to creators, share story and have a great time with some of the world’s and Australia’s most admired writers.

There are HUGELY famous authors speaking including Melina Marchetta, Garth Nix, Kate Forsyth. Garth has sold 4 million books worldwide. The gorgeous Deb Abela with her Max Remy Super Spy sold all over the world. So many special authors and illustrators are speaking but NO ONE has celebrity. How lucky are they?

They don’t have to change their faces or hide behind a mask or create a safe private world away from the crowds. Michael Jackson was astonishingly talented. He leaves behind a legacy of ground breaking music, dance, video images and the knowledge that celebrity can kill you.

The Kids and YA Literature Festival is on the 4th July and the craft day on the 5th July at the NSW Writers Centre Rozelle in the beautiful grounds of Callan Park, in Sydney. Come along and say hello if you’re around.    For bookings and programme log onto  www.nswwriterscentre.org.au

Celebrating books with Jon English, Susanne Gervay, publicist Louise Dear and the Book Worm

My Clever Friends from Bright Buttons to Moya Simons' Kids Detective Series to Room to Read

 

Ambassadors for Room to Read - authors Susanne Gervay, Libby Hathorn, Melina Marchetta

I AM JACK goes to Newcastle

What has:-

 David Miller’s art work for ‘Lofty’s Mission’ by Krista Bell;  Wallsend, Plattsburg, Eleebana,Carrington Public Schools; St Josephs Primary The Junction, Belmont Christian College, Our Lady of Loudes Tarro;  media reaching all over the region about I AM JACK   ….  in common?

Lofty’s Mission artwork by David Miller, written by Krista Bell

It’s the dynamic team at Newcastle Region Library. I was the guest of the Library.    What a fantastic experience speaking to hundreds of kids and teachers, to Carol Duncan on ABC radio who’s committed to NO to BULLYING in schools and supports the impact of I AM JACK as part of the anti-bullying strategy …. and more

Everyone is excitedly waiting for MONKEYBAA THEATRE’s adaptation of ‘I AM JACK’ to be performed in the Civic Theatre Newcastle for Literacy Week 2-4th September. www.monkeybaa.com.au

The enthusiastic kids of Wallsend Public School

Lofty's Mission - artwork by David Miller

Great Newcastle kids

Young Song Writers Reach into Life

Gilbert Whyte singer songwriter, acoustic, fingerpicking guitar style

Escaping into the Royal Hotel on a wet and windy night, we lucked in with the acoustic sounds of Gilbert Whyte’s guitar and lyrical ballards.  It’s worth listening to Gilbert’s myspace to hear songs that touch you, leaving you thinking about family,  relationships and your place in the world. 

www.myspace.com/gilbertwhyte

Gilbert Whyte and George Katralis new song writers

George Katralis was next, a song writer who’s different to Gilbert – more rocky. His songs about his dreams of being a Rock Star at 16; the mother stuck in a world without dreams; making it – were emtoional journeys. Watch out for his band VICTIMS OF SOUND.

You’ve got to be driven to be a creative artist. These are young guys on a hard but  amazing trip. I know because I’m a writer. My last book, I wrote with my daughter Tory. Here are her songs:-

I Wanna Be Found – www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zw0JRQVht3E

Psycho Dad – www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ess-R0dHtX8 

Tory songwriter and singer for 'That's Why I Wrote This Song'

Book Cover- That's Why I Wrote This Song

BUTTERFLIES – 'best seller' in Indonesia

  Butterflies has now been published by Gramedia in Indonesia in Bahasa.

Ria Radjahaba designed the Indonesian cover. It’s so different to the Australian cover, but  beautiful in its own way. It feels so S.E.Asian with its bright colours and its delicate shadow puppet feel.

I love it.

Butterflies has just won the New York Book Fair Award for Teenage Fiction 2009