A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of reading Kate Simpson's new picture book, Anzac Girl: The War Diaries Of Alice Ross-King. And if you follow any of my social media platforms, you'll know it was a real pleasure – I shared it everywhere! It's a very beautiful book,...
I am so very excited to share the beautiful cover of THE FIRE STAR (A Maven & Reeve Mystery), published by Penguin Books Australia on 1 September 2020. Step inside the castle. The mystery awaits . . . A maid with a plan. A squire with a secret. A missing...
Last year, I wrote my first-ever funny story for publication in Total Quack Up Again, an anthology of funny stories in support of Dymock's Children's Charities. Regular readers might remember this post about the experience. One of the editors of the anthology was...
I'm getting in early with my top 10s this year, mostly because I've decided to have a bit of an extended summer hiatus. This one is for anyone who's ever wondered how to be a writer. I worked out that I've written around 150,000 words in 2019 – and that's just the...
As a parent, it comes as no surprise to me that the most popular posts on my entire website by a country mile are these two: 21 tried-and-tested books for 13/14-year-old boys 15 more tried-and-tested books for 13/14-year-old boys (+ 13 expert choices) Books for teens...
For many years, my friend Allison Rushby has been a 'go-to' source for me for 'classic' children's stories. The woman has read everything, particularly if there's a green and pleasant English setting involved, and is the team member we turn to when a question about...
About 200 episodes of So You Want To Be A Writer podcast ago, I created this lovely little round-up of insightful interviews with Australian children's and YA authors. I have decided that it's high time for an update*. If you're hoping to be a published children's or...
Action. Adventure. History. Mystery. When you think of an A.L. Tait story, are these the kinds of words that come to mind? They are for me. Hilarious? Rib-cracking? Not so much. (Though Book Boy's review of the first draft of the first Mapmaker Chronicles manuscript...
I'm thrilled to announce that I've signed a contract with Penguin Random House Australia for a new novel. Frustratingly, that's as much information as I can give you right now! But I'm excited and can't wait to share more details as they come to hand. In other book...
