September 2009
In what was officially the best birthday ever, I got the call from my agent on September 17th to say that my picture book had sold! Squish Rabbit has been picked up by Viking (an imprint of Penguin, US) in a two book deal. Excuse me while I go pop some champagne...
September 2009
This weekend I attended the CYA Writer's and Illustrator's conference and Squish Rabbit and I were lucky enough to take out first place in the picture book illustration competition. The conference was not only informative but an awful lot of fun, and I plan to blog all about it as soon as I recover from all the socialising that comes with the week of the Brisbane Writer's Festival...
August 2009
I've just been informed that two entries I submitted in this year's Children's and Young Adult Conference illustration competition have short listed. They're now being sent to the final judge, editor Paul Collins from Ford Street Publishing. The results will be announced in a few weeks time at the conference. Wish me luck!
August 2009
An article of mine has been accepted for publication in the Queensland Writer's Centre Magazine. I wrote it about my experiences in completing the mentorship I was awarded by the Australian Society of Authors, focusing on the experience of receiving professional feedback on my work.
July 2009
This month I was invited to speak at Mackay's Whitsunday Voices youth literature festival. Other writers and illustrators involved in the festival included John Marsden, Emily Rodda, Michael Gerard Bauer, Sally Rippin and Matt Ottley. If you'd like to know more, you can read about it on my blog: day 1 and day 2
June 2009
I'm thrilled to announce that I have just signed with Sophie Hamley from the Cameron Creswell Agency. Sophie is an absolute delight, with many years experience working within the publishing industry, and I'm really looking forward to working with her.
May 2009
For the third year running the Bundaberg WriteFest ran a competition where aspiring authors could submit a project with the chance of being chosen by an agent or editor. I was lucky enough to be chosen by both, and got to meet with Sophie Hamley from the Cameron Creswell Agency, and Kristina Schulz from the University of Queensland Press. I also got to attend the festival - if you'd like to read more about the day you can visit my blog.
April 2009
The Australian Children's Book Council is creating a series of gift cards, with all profits going towards victims of the Victorian bushfires and Queensland floods. An illustration of mine was chosen for the project, and will feature alongside artwork from illustrators such as Matt Ottley, Jacqui Grantford and Susy Boyer.
March 2009
This month my short story, Haunted, was published in The School Magazine (Touchdown, No. 2). It's a scary story about a young boy whose world starts unraveling when he finds himself being stalked by a ghost. It was beautifully illustrated by Peter Sheehan, whose work constantly amazes me. He perfectly captured the mood of the piece, with evocative images of the Australian bush (the setting for the story).
February 2009
Teachers 4 Teachers have just released their latest educational resource, called Reading Box Red, which features two of my stories. The stories are aimed at a middle primary school readership, and each card within the box has a story on one side and activities / questions on the other. They have been illustrated by various artists.
January 2009
Happy New Year! In celebration of another year of writing and illustrating, I have created a new blog where I'll be discussing all things creative. Come visit me at the well read rabbit
November 2008
The Ipswich Festival of Children's Literature writing competition results have been announced, and I was awarded runner-up in the Junior Novel section. Lindsay Knight, the final judge, had this to say about my story:
~ This heartfelt story has an engaging opening paragraph that signals we are in for something deep and real, which turns out to be spot on. There's instant awareness, connection and understanding. The style is always engaging and the sentiment uplifting and satisfying, never cloying or obvious.
September 2008
This month my short story 'April Fool' was published in The School Magazine (Orbit Vol.9 2008). It's quite a silly little story, about a boy who lives inside a piano. It was beautifully illustrated by Andrew Joyner, who does much work for the magazine and has illustrated many children's books.
September 2008
This month a story of mine has been shortlisted in the 'Ipswich Festival of Children's Literature' writing competition, run by Brisbane's dedicated teachers and librarians. It is a junior novel titled 'After the Storm' and is about a young boy whose perspective changes after meeting a homeless girl. All shortlisted entries now get sent to Linsay Knight, the head of children's literature at Random House, who will choose the winner. Results are announced end of November. Wish me luck!
August 2008
I just got a letter today to say that The School Magazine has accepted another short story of mine. 'Haunted' is a spine tingling ghost story with an unexpected twist (however the title provides readers with a subtle hint). I'm in awe of seeing my stories appear next to the likes of Sophie Mason, Janeen Brian and Ursula Dubosarsky!
July 2008
The ASA has released information on the 20 winning applicants of this year's mentorship program. Being a 'Battersby', my profile is right up the top! It's always intriguing to see the projects and people that have been awarded mentorships. There is such a wide variety of interesting and wonderfully talented people. To have a browse, click on the image to the right.
July 2008
I am really excited to announce that Kate Forsyth will be mentoring me over the next year, in developing the mid-grade fantasy novel I was awarded an ASA mentorship for. She is one of Australia's most highly regarded writers of fantasy for young people, her most recent series being 'The Chain of Charms', which took out this years' Aurealis Awards for best children's long fiction. She is an author I have admired since my adolescence, and is the kind of mentor I only dreamed of getting. I look forward to getting started!
July 2008
This month my short story 'Flight of the Sparrow' was published in The School Magazine (Orbit Vol.6 2008). It was beautifully illustrated by Kim Gamble, who is most famous for his illustration of the long running Tashi series. Because the magazines are primarily used within schools, they are accompanied by teaching notes that discuss the themes of each story, which can be viewed by clicking on the image to the right.
June 2008
I was interviewed as 'Illustrator of the Week' in Pass It On, the weekly children's writers and illustrators bulletin, which is run by the delightful Jackie Hosking. If you would like to read the transcript, just click on the image to the left.
May 2008
I received a wonderful phone call last night from the Australian Society of Authors to say that I'm one of the successful applicants in their mentorship program. Each year they offer the opportunity for 20 writers to be mentored for one year by an industry professional. Last year they had over 500 entries. I'm humbled and excited and terrified. I've been told it goes to press in early June, so when I hear more I will post the details.
May 2008
Another of my stories has been accepted by the delightful School Magazine. 'April Fool' is a humorous first person account of a prankster's misadventures.
Owing to the title, I have a feeling my story may not be coming out until April next year! But you never know...
February 2008
I have had two stories accepted for 'Teachers 4 Teachers' new educational product. They create innovative resources for schools, and have developed two very popular reading boxes for different primary age groups. My stories will be used in the latest product they are developing for students in grades 4 and 5.
'Flying Colours' is a fantasy, about a young girl within a winged tribe who is training to become a healer. 'The Space Creature' is a humorous sci-fi story about a deck hand who must track down a dangerous creature aboard his ship.
January 2008
I am excited to announce that The School Magazine, Australia's leading literary magazine for students, has accepted one of my stories. It is a short story aimed at slightly older readers, about a young girl coming to terms with the loss of a pet. It should be coming out later this year.
I have always loved this beautifully presented magazine, and am honored to soon be a part of it.
August 2007
'Chicken Soup for the Child's Soul' has been released. My story, Throwing Stones, can be found in the chapter 'Looking on the Bright Side'. At the beginning of my story they have printed a beautiful saying from Lao Tzu: Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
The book is described as character building stories for 5 to 8 year olds, that show children how to make good choices and respect the needs and feelings of others.
January 2007
A non-fiction short story of mine titled Throwing Stones has been accepted for the publication: Chicken Soup for the Child's Soul. It is due to be released in August this year.
December 2006
The SCWBI Bulletin has purchased two further images of mine for publication. Again, they are some small ink sketches I created, one of a rabbit playing a game with his toy, and another of a round bellied bear apologizing to a bee :)
April 2006
Three images of mine will be published in future publications of the international SCBWI Bulletin. They are small black and white ink sketches I completed for a picture book I am currently working on about a silly rabbit.