As this blog approaches its 11th birthday, I can see a certain pattern in my posts. Each year at around this time, in response to reader enquiries, I write a 'how to achieve your writing goals this year'. I particularly liked this one, which is now five years old but...
My top 10 favourite podcast interviews 2020
If you follow this blog regularly, you'll know that one of my favourite things about doing the So You Want To Be A Writer podcast, beyond getting to chat to my co-host Valerie Khoo every week, is the author interviews that we feature each week. There's a lot to be...
Words and pictures – how to write a children’s book
Children's book author and illustrator Peter Carnavas puts big issues into books for little people. The four titles in his Little Treasures collection cover love, family, the environment and self-worth. Sarah must carry her heavy heart around with her. Jessica tries...
My top 10 posts for readers 2020
It comes as no surprise to me that book lists make up the top 10 of my top blog posts for readers for 2020. And even less of a surprise that books for the tricky 13/14-year-old age group dominates the search terms that bring people to my blog over and over again. It's...
My top posts for writers 2020
Each year I create a round-up of my most popular writing posts, and it's always fascinating to see what's resonated with readers of this blog. My top writing posts 2020 (stay tuned for a readers' post later this week) features a couple of evergreen favourites that...
MASSIVE BOOK GIVEAWAY: #YKNR12DaysOfBookmas
The Your Kid's Next Read 12 Days Of Bookmas book giveaway kicks off today! Every day from 1-12 December 2020 we'll be posting a new GIVEAWAY in the Your Kid's Next Read Facebook group, with a fresh chance to WIN some amazing book pack prizes thanks to Australia's...
10 writing tips you can start using today
There are a lot of writing tips washing about on the internet, in books, at conferences, in bars. Some of them are helpful writing tips, some not so much. In my role as co-host of the So You Want To Be A Writer podcast, I not only give out helpful writing tips, I also...
NEWS: Two online events for your calendar
A couple of online A. L. Tait events for your calendar! Fantasy, Adventure and Mystery in Children's Literature Firstly, join me on THURSDAY 29th October 2020 at 6.30pm (AEDST) for a terrific Zoom panel event for Where The Wild Things Are Bookshop in Brisbane. ...
100+ books for tweens full of mystery, history and adventure
As part of the launch of The Fire Star last month, I've been very busy putting together booklists for readers of all ages. But, mostly, books for tweens. Mystery books for tweens. Adventure books for tweens. Fantasy books for tweens. You name it, I've rounded them up....