It’s April and that’s when my new book hits the shops. Which is exciting and scary. (Scary for me, not anyone who reads it!) The book is called Sugar Sugar and it’s something very different for me. It’s my first book for a young adult audience. It’s also not set in ancient times. It is, [...]
I recently received my author copies of the Japanese edition of Dragon Moon. The Japanese covers for the Dragonkeeper series are all lovely. You can see the Dragon Moon cover here. There are also black and white drawings inside the books—some at the beginning, and a small drawing at the beginning of each chapter, each [...]
I just got a certificate in the post telling me that Garden of the Purple Dragon won the 2009 KROC Award for Best Fiction for Older Readers, which is terrific. (The KROCs are the Children’s Choice Awards in the Northern Territory). So thanks to all those readers who voted for the book, and I’m sorry [...]
On Tuesday I went up to Sydney for two award ceremonies. The first was the KOALA Awards (the NSW children’s choice awards) which were held at the Parramatta Town Hall. I’m very pleased to say that Garden of the Purple Dragon won the award for older readers! Honour books were Give Peas a Chance by [...]
I’m pleased to tell you that my picture book The Night We Made the Flag: A Eureka Story, illustrated by Sebastian Ciaffaglione, has been shortlisted for the 2009 NSW Premier’s Young People’s History Prize. The judges said it was “very powerful” and that it highlights the importance of women in Australian history, which is very pleasing. [...]
Next Saturday I will be at the Angus & Robertson bookshop in Melbourne as part of the Kids’ Fun Day to celebrate the launch of the new Angus & Robertson Kids’ Top 50 list. I’ll be doing a reading and signing books. If any one has books they’d like me to sign or if you [...]
Tomorrow I am off to Brisbane, where I am speaking at the Brisbane Writers Festival, word play 2009 for young readers, writers and illustrators. I have three sessions speaking to students in the flesh and one online session. I’m looking forward to it. I hope to see some of my Queensland-based readers there.
My Ramose series, set in ancient Egypt, is being released in a new format in Australia. The first book in the series and the second book are together in a new edition called The Valley of the Tombs. Here is the new cover. I think it looks terrific. Next year the second volume will be [...]
I’m pleased to announce that the UK edition of Dragon Dawn will be released on 4 June. Here is the UK cover. Pretty cool isn’t it? Just to remind you, Dragon Dawn is a prequel to the Dragon Keeper Trilogy. It is set 100 years before Dragon Keeper when Danzi was younger and more sprightly, [...]
Yesterday we had a photo shoot in the lounge room. My daughter Lili and I both needed new author shots. When authors get invited to speak at festivals etc, the organisers usually like you to send them a photo for their brochure. You have to have a reasonably recent photo, otherwise when you arrive they [...]
black snake Blood Brothers china climate change cooking dragon companion dragonkeeper trilogy dragons events Fromelles history inspiration jerilderie letter overseas editions pets ramose reading short stories sugar sugar the games the night we made the flag writing writing process writing process special series
BibliOdyssey
Fabulous blog of historical illustrations
Centre for Youth Literature: Writer in Residence Blog
A different writer blogs each month
Lili Wilkinson
My daughter’s blog
Andrew’s Black Dog Blog
My publisher’s blog
Yarra Climate Action Now
My local climate action group (of which I am a member)
Earthsign
The thoughtful and informed climate change blog of a fellow YCAN member
