At long last a reveal of the cover of my new verse novel due 2nd February 2021

 But who's counting...

It's been a big journey but the destination is so worth it- with input from great editors to rewrite, delete, reorganise and now the novel is back in the very original version of poems with titles.  A new format for a verse novel from me.  And a new setting- a high school, a new era 1969 and world shattering events.

Man on the moon and Australia's involvement with the Vietnam War.

I had mementos I'd kept from the 1960's... yes ancient I know.  This moon landing event has always fascinated me.  I was able to use some amazing facts that Lewis, Sharnie's cousin uses.

And on the Vietnam war front, first hand feedback and the privilege of having been young in the era of protest and our involvement.

So here is the cover.... drum roll... fireworks... Hurray!!!

Release day

Yah!  "leave Taking' was released on Monday 2nd of July, so Katrina Nannestad came and helped me celebrate with a mini afternoon tea.

Flowers, a gorgeous candle and heartfelt words on a card.  Great chatter and laughter.

The same day my article which the brilliant Jean at UQP scouted down for me, appeared on the Guardian site.  It was very difficult to write and share but provided a type of reason as to why I would chose the topic of grief for a children's book.

An emotional day, a happy day to see my book out in the wide world of bookshops and available to readers.

The release date is coming very, very soon

Leave Taking

I love UQP's back blurb where leave taking is defined as a noun and is the act of saying goodbye.

My book!  Yah!

What a journey to reach publication and beyond- I've already had a couple of reviews and the artwork by Peter Carnavas is delightful.  I will get to actually meet Peter next month when I travel to Brisbane and then onto Voices on the Coast to present workshops and a talk.

Our farming background provides wonderful rich material for the setting of 'Leave Taking'.

Little incidents that my children created are also woven into the fabric of farm life for Toby.

UQP are providing wonderful publicity opportunities so this little book can shine.

Of course it comes at an emotional cost.  The grief is palpable but then so is the hope and the celebration of moving on.

I sincerely hope it touches many hearts young and old.