Featured News
Beyond Carousel and other new things
The launch of Brendan Ritchie‘s Beyond Carousel (Fremantle Press) was a reminder of the warmth of the writing community in Perth, aside from a great launch of a novel that, if it is anything as good as its prequel, will be a cult hit. Norman and Jan Jorgensen, James...
Go for 2 & 5 in gorgeous Geraldton
I should rephrase the above to something like, ‘gorgeous Geraldton in which I picked up gruesome germs’, given that I am just recovering from the same nearly two weeks later. But it was gorgeous nevertheless, from the bubbling enthusiasm of the kids to the generosity...
Spectacular Singapore
I have just returned from steamy, spectacular Singapore, full of gratitude, wonder and chilli tofu. I was the final writer in an exchange between Singapore and Western Australia, featuring folk who contributed to Near and Dear, a collection of short stories edited by...
Forgetting Foster by Dianne Touchell
On Monday night, at Boffins in Perth, I was honoured to launch Dianne Touchell’s latest novel, Forgetting Foster (Allen & Unwin). It was a special event fitting for such a special book. Here is an excerpt from the launch speech, in case you haven’t already...
Asian Festival of Children’s Content – it’s a wrap
The book creators’ part of the AFCC is over for another year. I have heard about Japanese picture books, the state of children’s literature in Ireland and Africa, content controversies in the Philippines, Singapore and the States, why you should never post your book...
Day One, Asian Festival of Children’s Content
How I love this festival. In one day, I’ve heard Calef Brown talk about the development of his warm and witty illustrative style, and show us why nonsense books (‘Pure folly that makes sense’) are so enduringly delightful. I’ve heard Cynthia Leitich Smith talk about...
Before takeoff
I am writing talks, packing bags and preparing my chili palate ahead of my departure to Singapore and the Asian Festival of Children’s Content next week (thanks to writingwa, the Department of Culture and the Arts and SCBWI West). I will be narrating for duelling...
Marvellous May
Everyone is talking about diversity in children’s books, it seems. The Asian Festival of Children’s Content is an annual event that more than talks about diversity – it is an opportunity for children’s content creators from all over the world to meet and find out what...
Busselton bliss
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...
The Flyaway Girls: what Paula thinks
As a jiggly-bottomed girl who can’t do a cartwheel, reviewing a novel that focuses on competitive gymnastics drew some trepidation and perhaps a wobble around my middle. But the The Flyaway Girls is a well paced story for young girls aged between ten and fourteen. I...