Last week, thanks to Beth and her crew at Dymocks Busselton, seven(ish) writers and illustrators descended on Mary MacKillop College (also in Busselton) for a new festival called Seven Rooms, Seven Stories. The day and everything surrounding it was an unadulterated delight, from rocking up in a 1960 Chevy to our willing and able helpers to the fab food and coffee to the cracking sessions with keen kids. I have to say, I don’t think I’ve ever had such responsive and enthusiastic audiences – especially from my last session, attended by 60 ten year old girls who were just brimming with warmth, stories and acting talent. (It also didn’t hurt our discussion of The Flyaway Girls that most of them were gymnasts!)

We stayed at Beds by the Bay, a B&B (this could start getting very alliterative) which held the visiting crew in comfort and style. Beth (of the festival) and Mike (of the Chevy) couldn’t have done more to make us feel welcome.

There may also have been ABBA and dancing, but that would be telling.

The next day we fronted up with replenishing juices and more coffee to sign books for the enthusiastic kids and bemused passersby who wondered what was going on.

Thank you to Beth and the team for a brilliant day, and let’s hope the one off becomes a Busselton tradition.