Congratulations to illustrator Suzanne Houghton on the publication of Life in a Hollow Written by David Gullan a hardback non fiction picture book for 5-9 year olds published by CSIRO PUBLISHING 1 April 2023 Explore life in a tree hollow in the Australian bush and meet the native creatures who come to call a hollow a home. You’ll be surprised just how many choose to move in! Book LaunchSaturday April 8th Collins Booksellers Wagga Wagga ..read more

Congratulations to author Allayne Webster on the publication of Selfie a paperback young adult novel for ages 11 plus, published by Text Publishing 4 April 2023 Tully can’t believe her luck. Dene is famous. She has thousands of followers online and hundreds of sponsorship deals. Being best friends with Dene Walker is a dream come true. Selfie is a very real exploration of social media. A great book for today’s world ..read more

Create-and-Critique-a-Palooza with two stars of publishing presenting on 12th March Reported by Amanda Lieber, SCBWI Australia East   Sarah Davis: Portfolio Pit Stop What is a portfolio? It includes 12-18 images. Start with a ‘bang’ and end with a ‘bang’.  Don’t included everything in your portfolio. Select the best images, especially those that show character development, emotions, your range. However, don’t include things you hate drawing. If you hate illustrating cars, then there should be no cars in the portfolio. Develop fresh portfolio ideas by looking at historical context; ‘s ..read more

Congratulations to author Lian Tanner on the upcoming publication of Spellhound: A Dragons of Hallow book A paperback junior fiction for 7-11 year olds published by Allen & Unwin . To be released on 4th of April 2023. What do a minch-wiggin, a child Queen, and an enormous magical pup have in common? They need to find the dragon that has turned their worlds upside-down … even if it means revealing all they want to keep hidden. Book Launch 10.30 am Saturday April 22 at the State Library of Tasmania, Murray St, Hobart. Can’t wait to read it ..read more

Congratulations to author/illustrator Kelly Gilbert Koschel on the publication of Wicks and Wonders and the Wacky Wizard a hardback picture book for 6-8 year olds published by Tellwell in January 2023. Click here for book details. Wicks the Witch and Wonders the cat are unhappy with their noisy neighbour, Wicks plays a prank conjuring pixies from her cauldron then secretly sends them to her neighbour's castle where they unleash mayhem upon the Wacky Wizard. This book is a tale of learning respect, the importance of talking to each other, and, most of all, forgiveness. For book launch, check th ..read more

Congratulations to author M J Gibbs on the publication in March 2023 of The Waiting Room of Weathervane Vet A paperback junior fiction for 7-10 year olds published by M J Gibbs with co creators Mac Hewitt and Ellen Giannikos Lenny Watts has a passion for animals and making friends, but he must face his emotions, a cranky uncle Jack whom he lives with on Pigeon Farm and a mystery to solve. Magical animal powers will delight readers 7-10. The Waiting Room of Weathervane Vet has themes of friendship, compassion and loyalty. Book Launch - Who is the local veterinarian in your area? Celebrate a new ..read more

Congratulations to author Maria Monte and illustrator Zoe Saunders Finalist in The Wishing Shelf Award 2022 - Ellery's Magic Bicycle Published in 2022, Ellery's Magic Bicycle is a hardback picture book for 6-8 year olds published by Bonny Books The UK-based awards program is run by authors and allows indie authors to have their stories read and judged by children and teachers. They choose finalists and winners by rating each book on editing, theme, style, cover and illustrations. Click here to see the awards page and here, to read Marie Monte’s blog about the award. Fantastic to be receive rec ..read more

Congratulations to author Sarah Wallace on the publication of Emma's Freckles illustrated by Lesley McGee Emma’s Freckles is a hardback picture book for 4-8 year olds published on the 8 March 2023 by Little Pink Dog Books. Inspired by mythology and full of freckles, this magical story of self-acceptance will capture children’s hearts with twinkling stars, a shimmering island and wonderful tale of connection to the stories of ancestors.   Sydney Launch: To be launched by Susanne Gervay on Saturday 18 March, 2pm, Better Read than Dead, Newtown Bookings here. Canberra Launch: To be launched ..read more

Congratulations to author and illustrator Vicki Brenkovich/Hill for the publication of My Little Sister is Happy a paperback picture book for 3-6 year olds published by Ultimate World Publishing May 2022. Contact Vicki here for sales information. Aimed at 3-6 year olds with themes of inclusion and acceptance, it’s a story of sibling love and a little sister who, like the unicorns appearing throughout the book, is ordinary and extraordinary in equal measure. Joint book launch at BAM Arts Inc, located at 1 Rosella Street, Frankston on 1 April 2023 at 5pm for a 5.30pm start. Free tickets via link ..read more

Congratulations to author Kristin Darell on the publication of Football Fever 3: Next Level a paperback junior fiction for 7-11 year olds published in March by Penguin Random House (Puffin) The Under 11s Merridale Fever are testing their skills against the most talented young footballers in Australia! The whole team has been selected for a high potential training camp. Can they take it to the next level when it counts? 'Next Level' is the third book in an action-packed junior fiction series in partnership with Football Australia. Featuring Commbank Matildas and Subway Socceroos stars Lydia Wil ..read more