BUNYIP MAYHEM TOUR - AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2015

Wow! This is the latest release now with the printer and due to be out in September.
The story set in rural Victoria near Ararat features young Billy who is a student at a little country school.  He discovers more than he could possibly dream of when researching the history of his family farm while shearing is in progress.
Into the mix comes Levi, an urban aboriginal boy with attitude. With the help of his grandfather and Billy Levi learns how to fit into a country school. 
This story has been flagged as a "reconciliation classic" by Koori educator Sue Barclay of the Palawa people.
This chapter book for advanced readers will really get you thinking about whether bunyips did exist.
Helen Leach has again performed her artistic magic bringing the characters to life with her black and white drawings.
The book also touches on the early settlement of the area in the 1830s and brings the past firmly into the present through the links of the Koori people with white settlers.
WILBERFORCE THE WOMBAT
And there's more - now meet Wilberforce  - a rather short-sighted wombat with attitude!

This slap stick character was introduced to me by my Uncle Tot who managed to pitch his tent over a wombat trail when camping in the high country with my cousins.
A wombat bounced off his tent several times before Uncle Tot finally got the message and moved his tent.
So Wilberforce was born and went on to create mayhem as he made his way to a grassy paddock to enjoy a feed with his wombat mates.
Before this story headed to the printer children in country schools enjoyed hearing of his mishaps and gave Wilber the 'thumbs up' with much laughter.
This is number 3 in the "Tiny Ant" series of stories perfect for the pre-school to year one children.
Helen had quite a challenge to illustrate Wilberforce stumbling his way through the book.  Here are some gems for you to enjoy and a photo of Helen's daughter Jenny wearing the glasses Wilber was kindly given to help him out. Classic!

I leave Wonboyn Lake for Victoria on the 24th of August with my first school at Newmerella on the 25th, then Thorpdale on the 26th, a book signing at Bunyip Newsagency on the 27th and the Bunyip Primary School in the afternoon.  On Saturday the 29th I'm at Valley Books with Joan and Geoff then Verney Special School in Shepparton on September 1st, Katandra West combined with Invergordon Primaries on the 2nd then Numurkah Newsagency with Andrea on Saturday the 5th, Eaglehawk Post Office with Adina on the 9th, Red Rock Books in Horsham with Marion on the 11th, and the Gifted Wombat in Stawell with Raie on the 12th.  The books are launched at THE ARARAT VISITORS CENTRE  on Monday the 14th at 4-5pm by the wonderful Ararat Mayor Paul Hooper.  This promises to be quite an event with a mini exhibition of Helen's illustrations as well.  Come along and get your book signed and inscribed!

I will also be at Ararat Primary on the 14th, then Moyston Primary on the 15th, Trawalla on the 16th, Slades Newsagency with Chris on the 17th, Blanes Newsagency in Colac on the 18th, Cobden Newsagency on the 19th and my last event is at Kates Castle in Maryborough for a children's activity day from 11am - 3pm.  Along the way l will stock up all my stores and catch up with plenty of Little Ant fans - many are waiting for this chapter book and wondering what next year will bring.

 

Watch this space for some special pictures taken while on tour!

 

 

On the road again!

 

These beautiful well behaved dogs waited patiently while their owner had some books signed - and there is the Little Ant van full of books on the road again!
You will see us in NSW and QLD in the next three weeks as we stock up the stores with books for winter reading.
Bogan Gate Public School again signed me up for a two day session and boy do l have a program for them!
We will be exploring a few as yet unpublished books as well as the latest stories just launched a month ago.  I always read the new stories to students for their comments and advice before going to print - it is an insightful and often enlightening process. 
This time around l have prepared a mural for them to work on - Helen will be amazed at my audacity - we are looking at the bush in a new way following animal tracks, picking up feathers and checking out nests.  Principal Rosemary Earl has her students studying the egg to chicken process so l took it a yard or so further with Emily Emu Chick and how to find animals and birds in the bush by looking at tracks and traces.
And if you're wondering about the mural - well The Bunyip in Fiery Creek is due out in September so we're looking at aboriginal legends and then taking that to a major art work.
Narromine Public School will be my next stop and the special needs students will be working on a special project about everything Narromine - think Glen McGrath, think gliding, think citrus fruit and flowers  - oh and Melissa Gainsford-Taylor as well.  
St Josephs Primary in Maitland will have a story telling session on behalf of McDonalds books run by the gentlemanly John who looks after all the schools in his area.
We are also touching our toe into Queensland and signing books at The Book Tree in Toowoomba at 12 noon through to 1pm on Tuesday June 16th, where Anne has set up a very special and rather exclusive book shop.
While we travel up the centre of NSW then down the coast we will be stocking up our stores with new books and adding some new outlets to our list.  If we have missed you just give us a call on 0466 284 096.
Helen is hard at it working on Wilberforce the Wombat - a new first reader about a bumbling short sighted wombat to be released with The Bunyip in Fiery Creek - a chapter book for more advanced readers in September.   Here are some of her delightful illustrations to wet your appetite.
See you on the road!

 

 

 
 
Two new "Tiny Ant" books - Snug Cove Sam and Bob the Bakery Cat are now ready for release.
I pick them up from Shepparton Printing Service on the 2nd of March then they will be in the Victorian outlets from the 3rd onwards.
Some schools again booked a day of writing, illustration and story performance - Noorat and Strathmerton Primary Schools.
You can catch up with me at book signings right through March - the first at Valley Books in Shepparton on Saturday the 7th  - then Gifted Wombat in Stawell on Saturday the 14th, Blanes Newsagency in Colac during the afternoon on Friday 20th and Malacoota Newsagency on Saturday the 28th.  Come along and have a personal inscription for your friends and family in my books.

The launch for these two little first readers is at the Eden Killer Whale Museum on Saturday April the 11th - during the school holidays with a full day of fun for families.  We have a cupcake competition for all ages with cake stalls in the morning to honour Bob the hungry Bakery Cat then lots of colouring sheets for the kids to enjoy, readings of the books and some theatre with the kids acting out stories.  Come along and buy some baked goods as proceeds will go to Look Good Feel Better - a local cancer charity.

ABC open has been busy with my blogs and has also published some of my photography.  Just google ABC Open Susie Sarah and read lots of Wonboyn stories and some written for their topics as well.

If you're wondering how the Bunyip in Fiery Creek is faring, it will be in the shops in September giving me a chapter book for older and more advanced readers. I will also have another collection of short stories - All Creatures Short and Tall - out as well.  This one features our cats, dogs, horses and even some chooks.  A must for animal lovers.

I turn 60 this year - much to my amazement and have decided that four books this year will pretty well be a first for me - I have also had some of my poetry published in a collection of Eden poets.  That one will be out next month as well.  This photo with my mate a wild King Parrot has been wowing the locals in Eden - Check out "Soundings" the newsletter on the Eden Killer Whale Museum for info on Australia's Biggest Beanie.  We plan to knit this monster beanie and place it on the lighthouse.  I have been busy writing articles and writing and editing the newsletter.
I hope to see you while out and about with these two new editions - oh and by the way Emily Emu Chick is being reprinted as well so book sales are going strong!

 

The Bush is Blooming

It's ages since I've added to this blog which is amazing as I've been contributing heaps to ABC Open with new blogs and photos.
The photo of this bower was taken a week ago not far from the Wonboyn Cabins and park - just a few feet off the roadside.
Check out all the blue bits and pieces this industrious bird has collected - I noticed that the bower birds have been pinching blue pegs from the clotheslines too! Some have added yellow flowers to give a nice mosaic of colour.
A few weeks ago we were in Tassie - I saw 5 schools and now have books in shops around the state. The response was amazing and l look forward to going back next year with 4 new books.                           
The bush here is blooming like crazy. We have had some heavy rains - sometimes 3 inches at a time - followed by lots of sunshine so the flowers have been spectacular.
The birds respond accordingly with many raising an extra clutch of eggs and baby birds are calling in for a free feed daily.
This year l have been trying to record the flowers and note that my photographic skills are in need of an update. 
On the writing front l decided to up the pace a little and produce four books for release next year.
Helen is either shocked or delighted - I'm not sure which as yet.
She is illustrating two - tiny ant - books now. Snug Cove Sam - a story about a little dog who goes out fishing and barks at all and sundry is almost completed and then she will start on Bob the Bakery Cat next. I met this lovely cat in Tassie at the Longford Bakery and he seemed just right for a story.
Both these books will be A5 format.
Happily the chapter book for children is now completed and is at the editing stage so The Bunyip in Fiery Creek will be released around September next year with All Creatures Short and Tall - a collection of stories about dogs, cats, horses, snakes, a pig -----------
So tomorrow the 3rd of December we head off into Gippsland for 3 book signings - the first at Collins in Bairnsdale with Caroline then we are at Atrium Books in Morwell with Ray and staff all day and finally on Saturday we catch up with Liz and Trevor at Collins Sale. If you are in the area drop in and say Hi!
Brian is hoping to catch a gummy shark on the 90 mile beach and I'm keen to get some photos and perhaps write a few more stories for the book while we're away.
It's pretty full on here at Wonboyn with the park filling up with visitors and keen fishermen. Robbie and Bucky are looking forward to time with their grandkids soon too.
The launch for the two little books will be in Eden at the Killer Whale Museum on April the 11th so mark that down in your calendars.

Launch of two new titles!

Tomorrow I head off to pick up my new books - Jumping Jack Jones and How to Wash YourUndies. In celebration of writing a collection of short stories with a rural theme I have had Helen design a "Chook Lit" logo and thought you might enjoy meeting a local Wonboyn chook - that is the one with white feathers not the one in orange - and I don't mean the tractor!
Such fun I will have travelling solo - NOT I miss husband Brian already and I haven't left here yet! Please don't road rage the "Travelling Ant Book Van" as I may be a bit slow at times as I find my way about.

Shepparton Printing Service have again done a marvellous job with the printing and I will also pick up another edition of Playing Possum as well - its second reprint!
This trip I will be a guest author at the following schools in celebration of the Premiers literacy program in Victoria - starting with Laharum and Dunkeld Primarys in the Grampians, St. Patricks in Camperdown and Simpson Primary in the Warrnambool area, Lorne P12 and Apollo P12 on the shipwreck coast and Beaufort Primary and the four Woady Yallock schools - Ross Creek, Snake Valley, Scarsdale and Smythesdale all in the Ballarat area. Hi to all the students - sharpen your pencils and get ready for some fun and laughter.

There will be a stack of book signings so if you live in Numurkah  22nd March Numurkah Newsagency , MOCO Gallery Halls Gap 10th April, Horsham Red Rock Books 11th April, Stawell Gifted Wombat 12th April, Lorne Waitogo 19th April, Colac Blanes Newsagency 26th April or are going to Book Town in Clunes 3rd and 4th May say Hi and check out my stand of books. My illustrator Helen will be with me where possible and is looking forward to Book Town on the first weekend in May with We're All About Books - we are their guest author and illustrator.

Dan Glover from ABC Horsham has kindly offered to launch both books on Wednesday 9th of April at MOCO Gallery at 6pm. If you would like to join us give Monique a ring 03 53564664 and join us - Helen and I are also hosting our two day workshop there on the 14th and 15th of April so again ring Monique for details and bookings. Helen will be teaching all of us how to work in pastel while I will be giving a step by step guide to publishing your writing project no matter how large or small - family histories a speciality and little family books to celebrate special occassions right through to your first novel. In the afternoon we will be writing a simple 500 word blog then publishing it on ABC Open - so then everyone can say they are published authors!

Give me a wave as I sail by and drop in on any of the above events to catch up and see the latest of our work. This little ant is now working on the next children's book and collection of short stories with Helen doing a sterling job of bringing them to life with her vibrant illustrations. See you soon and watch ABC Open for Chook Lit blogs or any of my latest postings on their website.

  
 
 
 

There's nowhere like home - and this photo pretty well sums it up.

 Wonboyn Lake is in an extremely beautiful part of this country.
  The estuary feeds into Disaster Bay at Baycliff - a rocky promontory providing a platform for rock-fishing and whale watching. 

Nadgee nature reserve, the most pristine bushland reserve in NSW, contains a wonderful array of native wildlife and wildflowers.  There is always something rather unique happening right here - often in the pittosporum in front of the bus windscreen.  Today l met an Eastern Bristle bird doing it's best to pull a reluctant worm from the ground - this rare and endangered bird is quite happy to wander around the caravan park.  We also have a healthy population of Antechinus scurrying about.

I have been on the go visiting schools in Gippsland recently and am happy to report that the literacy standard of these students is very high.  A few weeks ago l was at Darnum Primary for their Writers Café - a yearly event.  The whole school was abuzz with books and illustrations on every table and covering the walls of each classroom - each student had been busy writing and illustrating.  Maffra Primary, Malacoota and Cann River P12 schools were also stand outs.

 I am happy that "Jumping Jack Jones", my latest children's book, is heading for the printer soon.  Closely on its heels will be "How To Wash Your Undies" - a collection of short stories for adults.  The stories have a country theme and many follow our travels over the last few years.
Helen Leach has again excelled herself with a great cover and some fun black and white sketches to introduce each story.

 


Thanks to some great work with her red biro, Robbie, once again has whipped both books into shape with some skilful editing.  I'm sure many who read the short stories will identify with the locations and frozen moments in time.

I have included "Gift Of a Girl" - the story l won a third prize for in the PerfEx Literary competition.  With a push from Felicity at Hooked On Books in Batemans Bay l submitted the story while doing a book signing at her store.   I think she deserves a big chunk of this award. 

She also suggested l get stuck into a collection of short stories.  ABC OPEN editor Vanessa Milton added her voice of encouragement and has written me a beautiful foreword.

Check out the latest blogs on ABC OPEN Susie Sarah - you may be a amazed to find there are stories in there 500 words section and also some about living at Wonboyn. I have managed to keep up with the month-by-month topics. They make fantastic writing exercises.
                                                    
We also had a blow in visitor - meet "Pigeon Pie" - who got a little lost when flying home to Taree from Malacoota.  He has since headed home and we hope arrived safely.  Helen also experienced a visit from a racing pigeon.  They named him "Walter Pigeon"!

This weekend we head off to Lakes Entrance for a book signing at Just Books on Friday the 6th then a stand in the rotunda across the road on Saturday and Sunday to encourage writers and talk about migrant history - my grandfather bought his family out from Holland in the early 1950's so l have lots to share - l hope l get to meet lots of visitors and locals at the Seafarers Festival.

If you are in Malacoota on Saturday 14th between 8am and 2pm l will be signing my books at the local Newsagency.

Thunder is rumbling around the hills.  The rain-drops reinforce the yellow-tailed black cockie's early morning weather report along with the ants long range forecast - they were building up levee banks around the front doors to their nests days ago.   I guess the fishing is now over for the day.

 

Jumping Puddles and Booktown events

HELEN AND I HEADLINERS AT JUMPING PUDDLES CHILDREN'S LITERATURE FESTIVAL

                                                                                                                             

 

Here's Helen bringing out the inner artist in children of the Corangamite Shire at the Jumping Puddles two day event at Noorat - the birthplace of Alan Marshall.  I hope this brings back memories of his book "I Can Jump Puddles," I read it as a child and again before heading to the area.  Using the title as a prompt for rhymes it was a simple step for over 600 students to compose rhymes, perform and rap them in front of fellow students and even skip rope while rhyming - who says children can't multi-task?

 

 

The following weekend my excellent roadie Brian, and l were at Clunes for the Book-town weekend as guest author for We're All About Books in Fraser Street Clunes.  The above photo was taken near my book signing table - the theme for children at the library was Alice In Wonderland - and the Mad Hatter proved to be a terrific minstrel and pied piper of his Deck of Cards.

To the excitement of Pamela we sold 100 of our books at her shop.  We have an invitation to again do book-signings next year.  Thankyou Pamela - happy to accept.

 

Clunes is the town my Dutch grandparents settled in after migrating in the 1950's from Holland.  It was a great town to introduce their family to Australian ways.  As a result my uncles and aunts are more Aussie than the average local.  Going back to the town was quite nostalgic for me and flushed out locals who knew my family well and were happy to pass on stories.  I enjoyed holidays in Clunes with my grandparents and will be writing a short story about visiting Clunes for my latest book.