The Perfect Christmas Present - Each the Same

Each the Same, written by Michelle Worthington and illustrated by Ann-Marie Finn, finalist in the 2013 USA Best Book Awards, is available for Christmas delivery at www.michelleworthington.com

Cuppa and a Catch up with Author Penny Reeve

Author Penny Reeve

When did you start writing?

Like many authors I loved writing as a child. I wrote my first ‘picture book’ when I was 7 years old. It was inspired by real life (as all good books are!) and called ‘Creepy Crawlys’. I then went on to write detailed stories at school, soppy poetry when I was a teen and kept a diary off and on the whole time. But I never really believed I could write for publication until I was in my early twenties and that’s when I began giving it a more serious try.

What is your favourite place and time to write?

I love writing at home, alone, at my old leather topped desk. I seem to get my best writing done around lunch-time which is very inconvenient as I’ll get hungry in the middle of the creative flow.

What writing groups do you belong to?

Over my writing life I’ve been a member of a number of formal and informal writing groups. I’m currently part of various online writing communities and love a good catch up, talking writing over a cuppa with one or two good writing buddies.

Why did you/do you want to become an author?

I initially started seeking publication because I couldn’t find the books I wanted to buy for my daughter at our local bookstore. Now I write because it is my ‘heart thing’. I think best when writing and enjoy stretching myself to communicate my ideas in print as best I can.

What are you currently reading?

I always find myself part way through a variety of books. The current pile includes Meredith Resce’s For All Time, Stephanie Evans Steggall’s Can I Call You Colin?, Jackie French’s Refuge and the latest SCBWI journal.

Who are your favorite authors?

The answer to this question seems to change according to whatever I’m reading or recovering from. Current favourites include: Rosanne Hawke, Penelope Wilcock and Shannon Hale.

What is your current project?
I’m working on another story with the characters from my 2013 picture book Wonderfully Madison.

Do you write with a visual image of the illustrations for your book?

Yes, I always imagine how the story will play out visually, but try to hold myself back from being too specific as I enjoy seeing what unique storytelling aspects the illustrator will contribute.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

All over the place! It might be a scene as I’m driving the kids to school, an overheard conversation, a piece of music, an experience from my life, or a story that I believe needs telling. There doesn’t seem to be one main source, stories are generally a culmination of various ‘inspirations’.

Do you/Would you do all the marketing of your books or do you/would you have someone supporting you in that role?

I’ve found the marketing role different for each publisher I work with. There seems to be a level that is generally expected and helpful for the author to do, and I am also quite careful about what I expect from myself. It’s great to have the support of the publisher too.

What do you want your legacy to be?
That I told true stories, ones that gave children wings and hope to grow, reach and change the world they live in. 

2013 USA Best Books Awards Finalist - Each the Same by Michelle Worthington

Each the Same is a finalist in the 2013 USA Best Book Awards for Picture Book: Hardcover
Available at http://www.michelleworthington.com

The Book Chook: Children's Book Review, Yellow Dress Day

The Book Chook: Children's Book Review, Yellow Dress Day: Children's Book Review, Yellow Dress Day by Susan Stephenson, www.thebookchook.com Celebrating Picture Books in Picture Book Month

Inside Story - Black Cat Books, Saturday 2nd November

Inside Story - You're Invited!

The Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators 

in conjunction with specialist bookshops 

launch across the world...

Where children’s authors and illustrators give insights into

the stories behind the creation of their books.

Meet & be entertained 

by Queensland and northern NSW's’s loved and acclaimed

children’s authors & illustrators

at

Black Cat Books

179 Latrobe St

Paddington

Brisbane

on

Saturday 2nd November 2013

at

10am

MC author Angela Sunde will host:

Pamela Rushby, Stephen Axelsen, Katherine Battersby, Julie Nickerson, Samantha Wheeler, Dimity Powell, Christina Bollenbach, Judy Paulson, Michelle Worthington, Candice Lemon-Scott, Christine Bongers, Jennifer Poulter, Peter Taylor 

and so much more… 

Balloons, book signings, cake, prizes 

and the chance to chat with authors & illustrators...

It's a mini festival! 

An inaugural international SCBWI event, 

Inside Story will be launched simultaneously around the world, 

including The Children’s Bookshop Beecroft in Sydney,

 and The LittleBookroom in Melbourne. 

Join in the fun of this FREE event at a city near you!

Brisbane - RSVP: (07) 3367 8777

EMAIL: info@blackcatbooks.com.au

Cuppa and a Catch Up with Guest Author, Aleesah Darlison

Aleesah Darlison

When did you start writing?

I’d always loved books and reading, ever since I was a small child, but I started writing my own short stories and poems when I was about sixteen. Unfortunately, I didn’t pursue a writing career properly at that time but left it until about six years ago when I decided: this is it, it’s make or break. Thankfully, things turned out well!

What is your favourite place and time to write?

I don’t really play favourites on place or time. I write whenever and where ever I can fit it into my busy schedule. I usually work directly onto my laptop, which is obviously portable, and so if I make a mistake I can press delete and quickly correct those errors or rework a particular piece of text. If I can’t take my laptop, I take good old paper and pen with me. In an ideal world, I would spend most of my time in my study dreaming up stories and writing all day, every day.

What writing groups do you belong to?

I used to run two writing/critiquing groups at the NSW Writer’s Centre, but I just couldn’t commit the time anymore. Now I belong to networking and author-illustrator groups such as SCBWI and the CBCA. Any time my work needs to be critiqued now, that usually comes from my agent or editor.

Why did you/do you want to become an author?

It was just an urge inside me, something always telling me that I wanted to be an author, to share stories and have my name on books.

What are you currently reading?

Lots of picture books to my 5 year old daughter! I usually only ever read children’s books because they’re fun and what I love reading most.

Who are your favorite authors?

Kate Forsyth, Belinda Murrell, Libby Gleeson, Margaret Wild.

What is your current project?

Besides editing my new fantasy series for Walker Books called ‘Ash Rover’ (part 1 = Ash Rover: Keeper of the Phoenix) and preparing promotions for my new picture book with Wombat Books called ‘Little Meerkat’, I’m working on a new chapter book series for boys, a few picture book ideas for various publishers AND trying to find time to plan an adventure series for older readers. There’s always a few things on the boil…

Do you write with a visual image of the illustrations for your book?

I usually do write with characters and scenery swirling in my mind while I imagine the story unfolding as I type it onto the computer. Sometimes I have firm ideas of what a setting will look like and I will try to find drawings or photographs online that I can print out and tape up all around me in my study. But sometimes, it is simply the words, the text, the story, pouring out of me so that I have to type as quickly as I can to keep up with the words. That’s on a good day, mind you, when the story is flowing well!

If you could bring a fictional character to life, who would it be?

I think it would have to be one of the unicorns from my Unicorn Riders series, possibly Estrella, because she is so magical and beautiful. Wouldn’t it be amazing to see a real, live unicorn?! I know quite a few of my young readers who would like to see a unicorn too!

Where do you get your inspiration from?

Ideas are all around us, you just have to look and start collecting them ready to use in your next story. People I meet, places I go, stories and articles I read – ideas are everywhere.

Do you/Would you do all the marketing of your books or do you/would you have someone supporting you in that role?

My publishers provide a lot of marketing support to me, however, I firmly believe (and have learned from experience) that an author needs to get out there and promote their books too.

What do you want your legacy to be?

A collection of well-loved stories that have enriched and empowered people’s lives.

Find out more about the amazing Aleesah Darlison at http://aleesahdarlison.com/

Craft and Afternoon Tea Fundraiser: Rett Syndrome 21st September 2013

Auction for Ava Fundraising Afternoon Tea and Craft fair is on this Saturday from 1 till 4

All proceeds from the entry fee of $10 will go to Ava Larder who was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome 3 years ago

Last year, we raised over $2000 for the International Rett Syndrome Foundation

Proceeds from the sale of Yellow Dress Day, written for Ava, go directly to IRSF
Go to http://www.michelleworthington.com to buy your copy and support this worthwhile cause.

There will be free facepainting and storytelling, tea and coffee and delightful nibbles.
Come and join us at the Redland Special School Hall on Panorama Drive, Thornlands
Everyone welcome