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.

 

MEET RUBY ROSE MY LITTLEST READER!

Shelly and Roly Parsons from Karratha have just had a new addition to their family and have been reading to Ruby Rose every night.  She can't wait to listen to "The Big Green Tractor."  Shelly, a very talented and enthusiastic lady is almost mid way through a degree and is a talented illustrator. 

 

NEWS FLASH!

On May 24th I raced up to Batemans Bay to collect an award in the PerfEx Literary Awards 2013.

This year their subject was "Memoirs" -- quite a challenge for me, though l have been busy writing short stories for a book to be released next year.  With encouragement from Felicity at Hooked on Books in Batemans Bay l started writing my entry while signing "Emily Emu Chick" last year.

 

While in Victoria launching "The Big Green Tractor," an email informed me l had been shortlisted for an award.  There had been 77 entries from all along the South Coast.  Many were historians so the quality of entries was extremely high.  When we returned home a phone call from the organisers suggested l bring a cheer squad to the awards ceremony.

 

To my excitement l had taken out third prize with my entry "Gift of a Girl," a story about my mother. Lucky me - l came home with an award certificate and a huge box of newly released books from Hooked on Books and Harper Collins. Great reading material for winter!  The judge of the final round was a senior fiction editor from Harper Collins.  Her comments have given me great encouragement for my adult short story writing.

 

 

The photo above was taken at the ceremony with Master of Ceremonies Ian Campbell from ABC Bega.  It is the first time Ian has seen me lost for words.

 

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

Look out Northern N.S.W we are heading your way!  After a day at Bemboka Primary on Monday the 17th we will be travelling on to stock up stores with The Big Green Tractor.  For those who love to come to book signings, l will be at The Book Connection in Dubbo on Friday 21st of June from 10.30 - 1pm. 

The day before l will be reading and telling stories to the children at Little Learners Pre-School.  I sent on colouring sheets relating to each book to give them some art work to start on and Sheryl tells me they are reading my stories to the children already.

 

This time we are again extending Little Ant territory by poking our toes into Queensland. 

 

ABC OPEN BLOGS

For all my readers of ABC OPEN blogs - I am again sending in a "blog a month" - my latest is about a trip to Norfolk Island.  Vanessa at ABC OPEN Bega keeps me on the go with plenty of encouragement.  Thanks to her advice and my excellent editor Robbie of Wonboyn Lake, my writing has tightened up - the above award is certainly testimony to their help.  Anyone who longs to be published needs to get into the ABC OPEN blogs as great writing exercises and a great way to build a following and writing reputation.  I will be publishing the blogs in my short stories book.

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Web Site up and Running

 

A time for reflection in Quambatook when l visited the area with my new book The Big Green Tractor joining tractor lovers at the well known Tractor Pull.
I was delighted to catch up with lots of caring friends l hadn't seen for around 13 years.  See ABC OPEN soon for another revealing blog.  Quambatook ladies hold onto your hats!

Check out the new website on -
http://www.susiesarahlittleantbooks.com many thanks to Mark Ames again for his kind support and great work in getting me sorted out.  Now all those who prefer shopping on the web can order books.

Helen my illustrator is gearing up for the workshops we will be presenting at Jumping Puddles children's literature festival and has been as usual painting up a storm at MOCO Gallery in Halls Gap through the school holidays.  She will be ready to start work on our next book Jumping Jack Jones very soon.