♥I have finished my gigs for the year, having recently visited Bullsbrook College (thank you Australian Society of Authors!) and Mercedes, among others. From 2017, if you want me for WA gigs, please contact fabulous folks at The Literature Centre on 08 9430 6968 or info@thelitcentre.org.au . In the east, Booked Out are still the people to contact.

♥The last proofs for Before You Forget are in. This book was written in close consultation and collaboration with my daughter, and I am tremendously proud of it. Stay tuned for launch details. The blurb reads:

Year Twelve is not off to a good start for Amelia. Art is her world, but her art teacher hates everything she does; her best friend has stopped talking to her; her mother and father may as well be living in separate houses; and her father is slowly forgetting everything. Even Amelia.

At times funny, at times heartbreaking, this is an ultimately uplifting story about the delicate fabric of family and friendship, and the painful realisation that not everything can remain the same forever.

The dedication for Before You Forget

♥It is hard to comprehend recent world events: the hatefulness that has informed the result of the US election, the awful behaviour that has been rewarded, the destructive divisiveness. It is hard to try to meet hatred with love and tolerance, but it seems that it is incumbent on us to do that. Not that you shouldn’t name and speak out about appalling attitudes and actions, of course. But fear will make us smaller, and decent people need to be more decent in these trying times. And for those who seem consumed with resentment of their fellow citizens and humans, this is a timely reminder:

An important reminder: from Newman College library