STOP the Bully by Karen Tyrrell – Blog Tour

I first met Karen Tyrrell during her book launch for Bailey Beats the Blah at my local library. Soon after I was thrilled to meet Karen again at Write Links, the Brisbane Children’s Writers group. I soon realized that here is a powerhouse in children’s writing when it comes to stories with a mental health […]

Brisbane Write Links, Creating Kids’ Books- My Superheroes.

Me, Sam Sochacka and Rebecca Sheraton holding Caylie Jeffery’s book. It is about time I wrote a blog post in honor of my local writer’s group, Write Links.The group started a little more than a year ago as a collaboration between Book Links and our local SCBWI after they identified a need for a writing […]

 Bedtime Stories for Busy Mothers – Review and Interview with Caylie Jeffery

Today I have the pleasure of reviewing Bedtime Stories for Busy Mothers and interviewing the author, Caylie Jeffery. ReviewI identify more than a little with ‘being one of those mothers, the harassed looking ones that never carry enough band-aids, as Caylie describes herself in the introduction and it can be quite cathartic recognising yourself in […]

Tania McCartney’s 52 Week Illustration Challenge and ‘Creating the Image’.

© Yvonne Mes Tania McCartney started the 52-Week Illustration challenge this year to reconnect with art. She asked people to join her and  close to a 1000 people have signed up to participate. ”Professional or no, there is something truly wonderful about creating works of art. They don’t have to be complicated or even mind […]

Interview with Tracey Lennon – Author of The True Book of Gnomes

Tracey Lennon Meet Tracey Lennon: Brisbane writer, illustrator and visual artist.Late last year Tracey latest children’s book, The True Book of Gnomes, was launched at Avid Reader in Brisbane. I was proud to be there supporting this local and talented author/ illustrator.ReviewThe True Book of Gnomes  is written for young independent readers from 7 years […]

Romancing The Stars  – Speed dating Aussie Authors & Illustrators in Brisbane

The view from the Bulimba SS Hall. 21 Children’s authors and illustrators, on a beautiful but balmy Brisbane evening, had three minutes each to talk about their latest books and upcoming releases. This amazing event was organized by Book Links Inc. the never tiring Jenny Stubs and her hardworking team. Click here for more information […]

Interview with Sylvia Liu, Winner of Lee & Low’s New Voices Award

Who knew I was doing a series! This post marks the last in a series of three posts featuring the most amazing critique partners a children’s writer could have! Today I am featuring Sylvia Liu, writer, illustrator and winner of the Lee & Low New Voices Award 2013.I was lucky enough to meet up with […]

Interview with Kidlit411 founder Elaine Kiely Kearns

Artwork by Sylvia Liu If you are a children’s writer or illustrator, Kidlit411.com is one of the best resources on the web and it is totally free! Kidlit411.com was launched recently and I had the pleasure of interviewing the founder of the site, Elaine Kiely Kearns. Luckily she was able to snatch away a few […]

Poetry Friday – Renee LaTulippe Launches The Lyrical Language Lab

Here is my first ever post as part of Poetry Friday. A few short weeks ago I never thought I would be able to write any poetry, or least not something I’d show without severe embarrassment. Last year I was totally tongue and brain tied in a workshop by the lovely Meredith Costain. During her […]

Productive Procrastination for Writers

Most of us procrastinate. We need to be working towards this or that goal or project, instead we do something else. We procrastinate. My writing group meets online, in a Facebook group, yep, Facebook, the ultimate procrastination seducer. Procrastination often comes up as a topic. To make us feel better about our procrastination habits we […]