Ford Street Publishers -dynamic small publisher

Ford Street go where large publishers ‘fear to tread’ like:-

-F2M  transgender YA novel by Hazel Edwards & transgender author Ryan Kennedy

- young adult picture book ‘The Star’ by Felicity Marshall

-the ‘green’ picture book ‘The Glasshouse’ by Paul Collins illustrated by Jo Thompson.  

I’m excited by Ford St publishing my ‘Ships in the Field’ - my first picture book.

‘Ships in the Field’ is a deeply personal story inspired by growing up from a post war refugee family. It’s funny, sad, warm dealing with loss, hope, finding a new home.

Award winning illustrator Anna Pignataro understands as we both are part of the immigrant experience.

I was moved by Anna’s beautiful illustrations & concepts in her storyboard, at our meeting in Melbourne with editors Niki Horin editor & Meredith Costain.

Thankyou Paul Collins and Medith Costain for the delicious ‘rustic’ dinner in the Victorian heritage garden home – loved the environmental water tanks, fragrant garden, porch & the Barbie dolls.

Never knew Meredith’s secret – she’s the secret author of the Barbie tales. See Barbies on the piano.

Fun at Lunch with Hazel Edwards & Hippo in beautiful Melbourne

I’m in Melbourne – great excuse to visit Hazel Edwards. I recognise her house because of the HIPPO at the front door.

Authors meeting is an excuse to talk – and we did heaps.

I shared news about my first picture book with the talented Anna Pignataro – Ships in the Field to be published by Ford Street Publishers in October 2010. I’m very excited about it.

I LOVE Melboure and did the tourist things with Bill and Tory. Visit Melbourne and have a great time.

Australian Publishers Association Kids Books Xmas Bash, Book Cottage Pinerolo and Community

Publishers, editors, authors, illustrators and lots of people involved in kids’ publishing celebrated Christmas and the New Year at the APA Kids Books Xmas bash at Allen & Unwin Sydney.

I’ve been going to this Christmas party for a decade and it’s been a changing feast.

The first time, I was one of the few authors there invited by the Australia publishing guru Margaret Hamilton. I remember meeting her and I stood in awe of her achievements. Now we’re friends. Margaret & Max Hamilton former publishers of Hamilton Books which is now part of Scholastic, have just opened PINEROLO, Children’s Book Cottage in the Blue Mountains which has some of the best of Australian illustrations on display. Check it out - www.pinerolo.com.au

Libby O’Donnell APA welcomed us. Most publishing houses were there, together with fabulous authors and illustrators including Julie Vivas, Kate Forsyth, William Kostakis,Sue Whiting, Tohby Riddle, Peter Carnavas, Ursula Dubosarsky … it’s community.

Wishing everyone a happy Christmas and New Year.

Life Matters with Richard Aedy ABC National Radio – Family & ‘Always Jack’

Who’s at the ABC Studios in Harris Street Sydney?

Yes, it’s a PLAY SCHOOL bonanza with Little Ted, Jemima, Big Ted and the famous Humpty Dumpty reading ‘Always Jack’. Come on into the ABC studios in Harris St Sydney and say hello to them.

I was visiting the ABC National Radio Studios for an interview for Life Matters with Richard Aedy and ‘Always Jack’. Listen out for the interview in early December.

The Cancer Council’s yellow daffodil is special on the back cover of ‘Always Jack’.

Sharing ‘Always Jack’ is about being a family. So when there’s a challenge like a Mum getting sick, it’s OK to talk, support each other, laugh & make Christmas a celebration.

LIVEWIRE a STARLIGHT INITIATIVE for young people & families

Love the Livewire kids. I was chatting with some kids online, on Friday. The kids are fantastic. Their thoughts  really moved me:-

My best friend said that life sucks sometimes, but it’s amazing other times. You’ve got to live the moment.

The friend has died, but she inspired so many kids and parents to celebrate everyday.

Livewire  is a free and safe online peer support program connecting socially isolated kids affected by a serious illness, chronic condition or disability. 

It’s for kids who have serious illness or where they have an ill brother or sister.

It’s for parents and carers of ill kids to connect, talk and support each other.

 I was invited as a guest author. We chatted about my books ‘Butterflies’ and ‘That’s Why I Wrote This Song’, my JACK books and about the kids. A lot of the kids said that they love reading.

Livewire.org.au is an initiative of the Starlight Children’s Foundation and is supported by Optus and initially funded by the Australian Government.

If you want to know more about Livewire email: member.services@livewire.org.au