It’s been a big year for the So You Want To Be A Writer podcast team! Not only have we screamed past the ONE MILLION download mark (you’ll find my …
Writing tips for kids: 3 short videos
As part of my plan for be An Organised Writer this year, I’m working through all of the content I have across various platforms and making sure that I bring …
Industry Insider: Pitching your manuscript overseas
Kristyn M. Levis and I have been connected via blogging and social media for a very long time. Kristyn is based in Australia, where she is the co-owner of a …
Small island voices: 10+ books for kids by Tasmanian authors
Kate Gordon grew up in a small town by the sea in Tasmania. The author of six books for children, from picture books to YA, with a slew of others …
[news] So You Want To Be A Writer: The EVENT
So here’s a thing… Valerie Khoo and I are taking the So You Want To Be A Writer show to Vivid Sydney! I know! An EVENT! We would LOVE for you …
My 15 favourite podcast interviews from one million downloads
Last week, So You Want To Be A Writer, the podcast that I co-host with the wonderful Valerie Khoo from the Australian Writers’ Centre, ticked over a new milestone: one …
Meet me at the Whitsunday Voices Youth Literature Festival
The presenters for the 2019 Whitsunday Voices Youth Literature Festival have been announced, and I’m thrilled to be one of them. Taking place this year from 17-19 July, the festival …
Industry Insider: Exploring dark themes in YA fiction
Regular readers of this blog will know that I run an irregular series called Industry Insider, in which professionals offer their insights into some of the big questions about writing, …
Want to write for children or YA? Don’t miss this pop-up podcast
As the So You Want To Be A Writer podcast nears its 270th episode (and it’s one millionth download – stand by!), it has become an incredibly deep and rich …
Industry Insider: Writing crime thrillers for adults and teens
Two of the best things about Twitter are the people you get to know on the platform and the things you get to learn on the platform. Those two things …
Celebrating my 10th anniversary: 10 favourite posts from 10 years of blogging
Ten years ago I started a blog. In the decade that followed my first terrible post (which disappeared in a blog clean-up some years ago), I have written hundreds and …
NEWS: That time I received an Australia Day Award
Last night, I was honoured (also, astonished) to receive an Australia Day Award for Outstanding Contribution to Arts and Culture at the 2019 Shoalhaven City Council ceremony. Thank you to …
How to choose (or write) a story for beginner readers
It’s that time of year in Australia, as the last days of the school holidays wind down and our thoughts turn to A4-sized exercise books, glue sticks and shiny new …
The Book Of Secrets + The Book Of Answers out now in the US!
Welcome to 2019! I hope you’ve had a fantastic and very restful holiday break. I’ve spent a few weeks away from my blog and everything that goes with it, and …
My top 10 posts for writers (2018 edition)
I can’t believe it’s that time of the year again! I’m taking a break from the online world for a few weeks at the end of this week, so I …
100+ gift book ideas for kids of all ages
Today the very last of my 2018 book lists was published by Vanessa over at Style & Shenanigans, so it seems a very good time to collate them all in …
Event: Kids’ Day Out 2019
Even as the year winds down, it’s time to look ahead to 2019! I’m pleased to announce that I’ll once again be taking part in the Kids’ Day Out at …
Your Kid’s Next Read: recommended reading lists for kids 10+, 12+, 14+ (2018 edition)
In 2016, I started a Facebook group called Your Kid’s Next Read with everyone’s favourite teacher-librarian/blogger Megan Daley from Children’s Books Daily. Our idea was to bring together a community …
Come and say hello at Wollongong Writers’ Festival
I’m gearing up for my last official public appearance of the year and I hope you’ll come along to cheer me on! I’m part of the children’s program for Wollongong …
5 picture book picks for Christmas gifts
One of the best things about being an author with a blog is that you can call in the experts when you need to do so. Take Christmas for instance. …