2 Sisters: 2 Fantasy Books: 1 Fabulous L...

Jampacked, with champagne flowing, the launch of Kate Forsyth’s ‘The Wildkin’s Curse’ and Belinda Murrell’s ‘The Ruby Talison’ was a celebration of sisters, their joint love of fantasy, family, friends, fans.                                                                                                                 Their brother – another talented author, who writes business books – launched his...

May Gibbs Fellowship and Writers’ ...

The May Gibbs Fellowship Trust -  www.maygibbs.org.au       The May Gibbs Fellowship is open again for applications for residencies in Canberra, Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane. Writers gathered for morning tea at The Hughenden to share their news and celebrate Felicity Pulman’s May Gibbs Trust Fellowship. She’s going soon to do the fellowship in Adelaide. She’s got a book to write for the Fellowship,  as well as do lots of writing talks in Adelaide. Other News: Vashti Farrer has really cute new book out with Scholastic; Laurine is writing...

ANZAC DAY 25th April 2010...

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn; At the going down of the sun and in the morning. We will remember them. Lest we forget. Thankyou to our friends Lt Colonel Greg and Pam McCauley who invited my husband and I to celebrate Anzac Day on the outskirts of Sydney at Campbelltown. The Dawn service was moving as the bugler played ‘The Last Post’ and we did remember those who had fallen in war for Australia and New Zealand. There were so many schools from the district who placed wreaths at the...

e-Lit: takes authors from the City to th...

E-Lit is at the cutting edge of education taking teachers, literature and literacy across NSW and Australia. In a pilot programme authors Laurine Croasdale, Jeni Mawter, Jacqueline Harvey, Susanne Gervay, Sue Walker, Aleesah Darlinson and illustrators Nina Rycroft and Serena Geddes (coming to the next session) were thrown into tele conferencing interacting with kids in schools online through Smart Boards and tele conferencing. It was like being on TV with kids jumping into the set and being part of it. It was fun. E-lit is working with the Education department aiming to...

Dinner with Talented New Author Lucy Chr...

Sydney is warm, lovely as autumn arrives and we’re enjoying an outdoor pizza with authors and book lovers. Melina Marchetta rushed in after launching Peter Skrzynecki’s new book. It’s always wonderful to see the talented Melina. Her YA novel ‘The Piper’s Son’ is getting rave reviews and is taking Australia by storm. Yeah to Melina. Lucy Christopher is in town to celebrate her short listing for the Children’s Book Council Awards. Lucy’s YA novel STOLEN  is spear-heading a pacey new young adult genre. STOLEN by Lucy...

Dr Shelley Phillips, Professor Elizab...

Shelley Phillips was my psychology lecturer at the University of  New South Wales & encouraged me to write books that reach young people. Professor of Literature, Elizabeth Webby published my first short story in Southerly, the literary journal of Sydney University. Dr Hilarie Lindsay was my first writing mentor as President of the Fellowship of Australian Writers These remarkable women are pioneers in Australian literature and also became my friends. Dr Shelley Phillips wrote the significant feminist book, ‘Beyond the myths – mother-daughter...

Walk for Relay for Life Cancer Council A...

The Relay for Life by the Cancer Council in your State is fun with music, bands, games, tents and the relayers -you, me and  US. The teams are 10 to 15. Collect your t-shirts and set up your tent. Someone from the team keeps walking in the relay – so it’s a continual for 24 hours. There are the survivors and carers who walk. We celebrate those who came through the journey of cancer. We also celebrate those who have touched our lives and had cancer.  I think of my Dad. There are relays all over Australia – to find out your one log onto their...

Australia’s Les Murray AO – ...

Thousands of fans lined up in Beijing to speak to Les Murray, Australia’s foremost living poet, according to Jim Alexander Director of CAL who opened the literary breakfast. CAL is funding Les Murray as the UTS Writer-In-Residence. Lucky UTS students. Professor John Dale Head of Creative Practices at UTS organised this lovely event at the Queen Victorian tea rooms. Les read from his works in between some witty quips and sincere statements. His story about his autistic son’s observations of his life was moving. His son said that ‘I’ve got to get...

Monkey Baa Theatre’s FOX is sensat...

A powerful experience in love, friendship, betrayal in a feat of dancing, music, story that will take you into deep places challenging how you live. FOX is sensational on so many levels:- - the brilliant Monkey Baa Theatre production team of Eva Di Cesare, Sandra Eldridge & Tim McGarry - Siren Theatre’s Director Kate Gaul who brings power and raw emotion onto the stage - the music by gifted composer Daryl Wallis creating an opera of our time  - young powerful actors who give all in a play of exquisite movement and story  - David Buckley DOG - Jay Gallagher...

All Good News...

All good news - with everyone working on new books, marketing and zooming ahead. William Kostakis, the Boomerang Books brand manager is promoting kids’ books. He’s working on a new CBC website and his second young adult novel, following the successful LOTHING LOLA published by Pan MacMillan. Deborah Abela’s beautiful book THE REMARKABLE SECRET OF AURELIE BONHOFFEN  received a Notable Award from the CBCA and has found a home in the USA.  Alessah Darlison has 5 new books coming and was in Short & Scary, the Black Dog Books anthology. Dawn Hort is...