Queenscliffe Literary Festival

Met so many wonderful children, teachers and other writers and illustrators at the schools’ day of the Queenscliffe Literary Festival. One of many favourite moments. I like to try to guess what pets people have. I ended up totally stumped and had to give up. The pets I didn’t guess? A dingo. A stick insect. An alpaca. A yabby. I should have remembered that I was in the country. This was such a special event to be part of and I found meeting the children really reminded me why I write. Thank you for having me!queeenscliff

Mother’s Day and hard to get books

For you Mum

 

A few of you have been asking where to get books. I’ve managed to track down some titles, including the elusive My first values series, Feelings and values series and Baby talk series.  Also I have some copies of For you, Mum, just in time for Mother’s Day. If you’re looking for a title, please let me know at alrey@msn.com.au and I may be able to help you out.

 

 

US releases

I am thrilled to learn that two of the Why I love series are being released this month through little bee books. I’ve always loved these books illustrated by the very talented Serena Geddes. Let’s hope that those of you in the US enjoy them too! http://littlebeebooks.com/

dad little beelittle bee

 

 

1915 Don’t mention the war

Everywhere you look, read and listen seems to be full of information about the First World War. My grandfather fought in France, but he never talked much about it. All I knew was that it left him with a hatred of mud, a pair of army issued jodhpurs and lungs destroyed by mustard gas. But it was 100 years ago. Does it even matter now?

Murphy, Sally

I was wondering about this and decided to ask Sally Murphy whose latest book 1915 has just been released. Thank you Sally for your thoughtful, fascinating piece.

 

 

Don’t Mention the War: Why Historical Fiction Matters (more…)

International Book Giving Day

Today’s International Book Giving Day, which I think is a great idea so I carefully wrapped up a book.

photo 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

And went in search of children. Around here the footpaths are full of parents and prams. But not today. We walked for ages in the scorching sun. But nobody.

photo 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Until finally the lovely Jenny and the gorgeous William appeared. I couldn’t have found anybody better to give a copy of The Littlest Bushranger. And I think they liked it too!

photo 3

 

Elizabeth Rose on Parade

 

One of the best things about writing is the people you meet and befriend along the journey. Today, I’m thrilled to  welcome writerly friend and all-round dynamo, Jaquelyn Muller!!! Jaq 71

When she isn’t doing booky stuff, Jaquelyn’s highly active imagination morphs into over ambitious Christmas decorations, that never quite look like the picture, grand plans for her small but rather barren vegetable garden, nerdy project ideas for her daughters’ homework and innovative cooking techniques for vegetarian food, (seriously mum, who puts lentils in bolognaise?).

 

What was your inspiration for ELIZABETH ROSE ON PARADE? (more…)

The Summoning of the One blog tour

Today Royce Bond, who has just released his latest book The Summoning of the One, visits the blog. He is a former star science teacher (he won the prestigious National B.H.P. /C.S.I.R.O. Science Teacher’s Award) who lives in Rockhampton, and after writing many science based books he’s decided to write young adult fantasy novels. Welcome Royce…. (more…)

A new friend for Marmalade US

Today, A new friend for Marmalade is being released in the US by Simon & Schuster

It’s weird, shivering here on a gloomy Melbourne day, to think Marmalade will be padding through all the summery states of the US. From an early breakfast of chocolate croissants with the wonderful publisher Poppy Grijalbo, the seed of an idea grew and grew until Marmalade emerged with a loud meow.

 

A New Friend For Marmalade US

The winners of the A new friend for Marmalade blog tour

DRUM ROLL!!

Here are the winners of the A New Friend for Marmalade Blog Tour

A huge thank you to the lovely Denise who judged the pet with the most personality and attitude, and also was the barrel girl. We are thrilled with the huge response to the competitions! There was an awful lot of cutting out of people’s name here this afternoon.

Winner of the pet with the most personality and attitude. Denise thought long and hard over this decision. It took her two cups of coffee and one slice of raspberry and coconut flourless cake to decide.

Mango

 

 

MANGO!

 

 

 

WINNER OF THE FREE PASS TO A CHILDREN’S EDITOR. (CB)

Helen Ross

WINNER OF THE FREE PASS TO A NON-FICTION COMMISSIONING EDITOR. (NF)

Jodie McAlister

WINNER OF A FREE ASSESSMENT OF CHAPTER ONE OF A CHAPTER BOOK BY THE FABULOUS MENTOR EXTRAORDINAIRE, DEE WHITE.

Ramona

WINNER OF A FREE PICTURE BOOK ASSESSMENT BY ALISON REYNOLDS (me)

Linsey

Barrel girl

 

Denise drawing the names out of the hat with her assistant.

 

 

Thank you to the fabulous team at The Five Mile Press for being so supportive of the blog tour. And a special thank you to the editors for joining in the fun and Juliet for everything that she does in her marketing and publicist role.

Thank you to the super talented Dee White for offering a free assessment of the first chapter of a chapter book. You are indeed a STAR!

Thank you to all the wonderful blog hosts for welcoming A New Friend for Marmalade to your blogs. I hope you had as much fun as I did! I feel privileged to be able to visit you, even if you do make me think  and wrack my poor brain with your questions.

Thank you to the fabulous Heath McKenzie!!!!!!!!

And THANK YOU to everybody who came along for the ride. I hope you’ve enjoyed the tour as much as I did.

And thank you to my mother and father, um, no just kidding. Time to finish.

The A NEW FRIEND FOR MARMALADE blog tour is over!