Rugby World Cup and Young Authors' Day

New Zealand has gone all "rugbyfied" for a few weeks. The Rugby World Cup starts here today. We're looking forward to an explosive opening ceremony and an even more explosive opening match between Tonga and our very own All Blacks. I'll still be writing in between watching as many televised matches as possible. I'm not planning to attend any of the matches myself, but some of my family members have their tickets so that will add some extra excitement and drama to the occasion.

Tomorrow I am one of the authors presenting workshops at the Young Authors' Day in Hamilton. I'm looking forward to meeting the specially selected young authors from our city and hope my talks and workshops are well received.

More on that later...

Star Author

I'm very excited this month because I'm the Star Author for the libraries in Christchurch. What that means is that I have the opportunity to blog during the month of May on http://www.christchurchkids.wordpress.com/
At the moment I'm in a waiting phase with my writing - waiting for some replies back from publishers.
I am also having a week of organising systems so that I can co-ordinate the many and varied aspects of my life. A clone would help.

Calling all talented illustrators

I'm working on a children's picture book project at the moment. It's a series of five simple texts for children aged about 4 - 7 years of age. To make this project fly, I need to find some illustrators who are interested in working with me. If that's you, I'd love to send you some information. Let me know who you are...

Talk to me!

Here's your chance to talk to a real children's author. I am happy to answer questions from children and adults about the writing process. I will help whenever I can. I've had manuscripts accepted and rejected. I've been nominated for awards and not been nominated. I've had a range of children's literature published, from plays and poems to picture books and junior fiction. My book on how to write jokes was an award finalist. Love to hear from you.