All the news that’s fit to blog… again

I’m pretty sure there is a post in my archives called ‘All the news that’s fit to blog’, but sometimes you need to bring out the standards just to get the band to the end of the night. Or something.

It’s been a while since I’ve written an update on where I’ve been and what I’ve been up to, so I figured now is as good a time as any – particularly as The Mapmaker Chronicles: Breath Of The Dragon has just appeared in the Kids’ Reading Guide 2015 and I couldn’t be more excited.

If you’re not familiar with the guide, it’s a a list of books that’s hand-picked and reviewed by Australia’s leading independent booksellers, so my Mapmakers are keeping excellent company. You can read the full guide here or pick up a copy from your local bookseller.

Speaking of books, if you missed this post I wrote for the fabulous Nicole at Planning With Kids about funny books for girls, it’s worth a look – and read the comments for even more suggestions. I also cannot recommend Children’s Books Daily highly enough – she was recently voted Qld Teacher Librarian of the Year and you can see her passion for children’s literature in her wonderful blog.

Speaking of libraries (my segues are on fire today…), I’m thrilled that The Mapmaker Chronicles will be part of this year’s Summer Reading Club, which has a ‘Lost Worlds’ theme. Even more exciting (seriously, I need to calm down), I have contributed a ‘story starter’ for the ‘What Happens Next’ writing competition for kids, and will also be a judge – so keep an eye on the official website for all the details if you have a budding writer at your house.

In other news, the Lithuanian rights for the series have been acquired, and I’m very much looking forward to receiving Lithuanian editions for my bookshelf!

Meanwhile, with NaNoWriMo underway, I’ve begun writing … something, and I’m looking forward to seeing what it turns out to be!

Finally, I hope you like the quote from Breath Of The Dragon I’ve used to illustrate this post. It’s one of my favourites, and one that I think will resonate with anyone who’s ever picked up a backpack and headed off on an adventure.

Do you remember what it felt like to return home?