Last day to enter the Get Your Rant On or Colouring Competition (You’ll have to scan your entry).

AND now is the time for YOU to buy yourself a present! Are you a writer or illustrator for children and young adults?

Have you ever had that feeling that one day you want to write a book or illustrate one. Is there one imprisoned in your computer just waiting to be released? Dee White and I decided that Melbourne should have a conference for writers and illustrators of kids and young adult books and it’s happening!

Why not join in the fun of KidLitVic2016 Meet the Publishers? This one day conference is for beginners through to established writers and illustrators. You will get the opportunity to hear from Australia’s leading kids and young adult  publishers and literary agents. One-on-one consultations for 15 minutes (for extra cost) are also available.

So far Black Dog Books/Walker, Hachette, Hardie Grant, Harper Collins, Penguin, Scholastic, Scribble/Scribe, The Five Mile Press,  and a leading literary agent are attending.  May 7 2016. Any questions, let me know!

http://kidlitvic2016.wix.com/meetthepublishers

 

 

To celebrate the release of the first two books in the Pickle and Bree’s Guide to Good Deeds series, this is a competition for adults to win a set of The Decorating Disaster and The Birthday Party Cake!

The series has a subtle theme of social etiquette. This is your chance to have a manners rant! Send along your rant in the comments section, and two winning rants will be chosen. (But people that don’t win have to promise not to rant about that!

Mine is people who don’t cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze. It’s not hard. I was at the theatre the other night with the person behind me coughing into the back of my head throughout the performance. Without using a hand. Her little germs would have crawled around my neck and in my hair. My neck itched at the thought, and I couldn’t scratch it because (more…)

It’s a thrill to welcome the super talented author Di Bates who was awarded The Lady Cutler Prize for distinguished services to children’s Literature in 2008. She has published more than 100 books in many different genres, including picture books, chapter books and young adult. Here is the inspirational story of how her latest two non fiction books, AWESOME CATS and AWESOME DOGS were published. (more…)

In August I was lucky enough to visit the Portland Library and some schools in the area. This cold, little corner of south-west Victoria is bubbling with talent. I was reminded yet again how wonderful it is to meet your readers and it really does unjade one. Not sure if unjade is a word, actually fairly positive it isn’t, but it describes exactly how I felt. I left inspired and exhilarated.

The children were amazing – the stories that they came up with were unbelieveable.

One small girl asked me if anybody else in my family was a writer. When I replied that I was the first, she beamed. I really felt as if suddenly her horizons had broadened. We don’t have to be like the rest of our family and follow their paths.

Another girl asked me if I was famous. Before I could draw breath, a boy jumped in and said, “Don’t be so rude. Of course Alison’s famous.” Love kids! No reply necessary from me.

I also worked with an adult group, and if any of you are reading this, PLEASE finish your stories. There were so many wonderful picture books in the group. I found it inspiring to be amid such talent.

Thank you South Portland Primary School, All Saints Parish School and the Portland Library for having me!

 

 

 

 

Everywhere you look, read and listen seems to be full of information about the First World War. My grandfather fought in France, but he never talked much about it. All I knew was that it left him with a hatred of mud, a pair of army issued jodhpurs and lungs destroyed by mustard gas. But it was 100 years ago. Does it even matter now?

I was wondering about this and decided to ask Sally Murphy whose latest book 1915 has just been released. Thank you Sally for your thoughtful, fascinating piece.

 

 

Don’t Mention the War: Why Historical Fiction Matters (more…)

Today’s International Book Giving Day, which I think is a great idea so I carefully wrapped up a book.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And went in search of children. Around here the footpaths are full of parents and prams. But not today. We walked for ages in the scorching sun. But nobody.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Until finally the lovely Jenny and the gorgeous William appeared. I couldn’t have found anybody better to give a copy of The Littlest Bushranger. And I think they liked it too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

A huge welcome to another special writerly friend, the fabulous Angela Sunde, writer and illustrator extraordinaire.

Congratulations on the release of your latest chapter book, SNAP MAGIC!

Thanks so much, Alison! It’s wonderful to be here.

Why did you write this book? (more…)