This is a place where children’s books, young adult books and adult books can all thrive together. My content should appeal to book industry people, bibliophiles and writers.
Where to begin:
My monthly posts — Nutshells — are always free to read. They’re a round-up of what I’ve published that month plus anything interesting with a literary angle that’s caught my eye: commentary, links, and a dash of the personal. You’ll find them here.
All posts are categorised under headings at the top of my page:
Podcast
Writers on Writing
Children’s Books
Industry Talk
The Nutshells
Writers on Reading
Subscription philosophy:
Most readers can’t justify $50 a year or $5 a month for every individual Substack we’re interested in. Substack is the one who sets the fees (they take a percentage of it, as does Stripe, the payment processing software) so here are the options I can personally give you:
Have a 7-day free trial
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I appreciate every reader. Likes, comments and shares are an enormous boost, too.
Paid subscribers — For $5 / month, or $50 / year, you have full access to my subscriber-only posts about writing and publishing (one a week), occasional podcast, the full archive, and the freedom to post comments and ask me anything.
Founding members — You will have full access to everything and in addition to my posts you can take advantage of a zoom call or email exchange to discuss any aspect of your own writing, any time that works for you.
Messing about with books
Writer: I’m the author of three young adult novels, a junior fiction duology, one work of narrative non-fiction, a few picture books, two middle-grade novels and two further co-written middle-grade novels. Find out more on my website.
Editor: I started my career as an in-house children’s book editor and I’ve maintained that ever since as a freelancer. The structural edit is my speciality.
Bookseller: I was a children’s book buyer at Readings, where I also worked in the marketing department and ushered in their children’s book prize.
Reader: I worked for literary agent Sheila Drummond as her children’s book specialist.
Bibliothecary: I’ve worked in two school libraries in recent years.
Agitator: I like starting things and agitating for the recognition that children’s literature deserves . . . Fundraisers like Authors for Fireys; children’s prizes like the new Victorian Premier’s Literary award for children’s literature; social media support like @LoveOzMG (now run on Twitter and Instagram by a new team).
Stay up-to-date
Every new edition of the newsletter goes directly to your inbox. I think you’ll enjoy this subscription if:
1. You are a cross-border reader like me.
As a child I enjoyed children’s and adult literature and as an adult I’ve maintained that cross-border craving. I think people like us count for a great many readers and I’d like to make a space where I can discuss that type of reading life.
2. You are frustrated by the way that children’s literature is belittled or ignored.
Expect to read some thoughts both sensible and occasionally unhinged in that regard depending on what’s got on my nerves and how much deep breathing I’ve done that day. We all need to have a little yell sometimes.
3. You enjoy seeing the patterns, traditions and innovations of children’s literature.
Children’s books are my speciality so the content will lean that way in terms of longer pieces, with a particular focus on the Australian market.
4. You are a writer at any stage of your career.
I’m not really sure what stage I’m at except that there’s a decent pile of novels with my name on the spine. It’s been a messy sort of career but perhaps those are the ones that teach you the most. I’ll share some of my insights here.
Be part of a community of people who share your interests.
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