Tag Archives: middle grade

Things About Being a Children’s Author That Just Make Sense

From chocolate stashes to animal trivia, here’s what fuels the middle-grade magic. Being a children’s author is a little bit like living in a storybook yourself. It involves imagination, a dash of magic, and more notebooks than anyone really needs (but buys anyway). Whether you’re writing about owls, wild adventures, or mysterious forests, there areContinue reading “Things About Being a Children’s Author That Just Make Sense”

The book deal! My debut series announced

Ever since I was eight years old, I’ve dreamed of this moment. Now, after years of perseverance and plenty of detours and learnings, it’s happening—I’m going to be a published author! As announced in Books + Publishing, Riveted Press has acquired the worldwide rights to my three-book magical middle-grade series, titled The Feathers of Farwood.Continue reading “The book deal! My debut series announced”

Unlocking your creative potential: top reasons to go on a writing residency

For one productive (and very blissful!) week in October, I had the pleasure of staying at Varuna The Writers’ House in Katoomba, Blue Mountains. This was part of a Residency Callout Program for authors to work on their project of choice. I was in the company of some fantastic writers from right across Australia, allContinue reading “Unlocking your creative potential: top reasons to go on a writing residency”

What inspires my writing: mystery & magic for middle-grade readers

Emerging voices, new voices, fresh voices… What do these things actually mean when it comes to book writing? Many authors talk about honing their voice and finding their voice; making their story stand out from the various others on the shelf. In this instance, I’m talking about the author voice, not the character voice orContinue reading “What inspires my writing: mystery & magic for middle-grade readers”

School holidays at the library – programs, free activity packs, and story seat adventures

It’s that time again – school holidays! Not only do I write middle-grade books (and love reading them) but I have two primary school-aged children. Needless to say, school holiday programs at the library are the first thing on my list when I hear the dreaded: “I’m bored – there’s nothing to do!” (Yes, we’dContinue reading “School holidays at the library – programs, free activity packs, and story seat adventures”

Story Dogs: The paw-fect combo for building confident readers

It’s official. I’ve become a dog person. I don’t know exactly how or when, but I’ve gone from that child begging for a cat, to an adult having an exuberant Staffy and even fostering additional dogs. Not that I’m complaining. So, it only seemed fitting that this month we became involved in the Story DogsContinue reading “Story Dogs: The paw-fect combo for building confident readers”