August wrap-up

Like many children’s book creators, August was a crazy month for me. My school visits began in the last week of July and continued throughout August, and I admit I’m beginning to feel a wee bit tired! But there’s no time to rest just yet - I still have a handful of school visits this week, before flying to Albury next week for the Write Around the Murray Festival. Luckily, the enthusiasm of kids and school staff seem to energise me, so I know I’ll be fine.

In all, my visits this year have been fabulous. I’ve spoken to hundreds of kids, answered some brilliant and sometimes surprising questions, and had loads of fun helping to spark imaginations. I’ve met many terrific teachers, teacher-librarians and SSOs who have announced my visits with lovely signs and wall displays.

I’ve loved watching school libraries buzz with children during break times (libraries are so much more than just a place to borrow books!), and I’ve been gifted several stories written by children who were inspired by my presentation (Yay!).

I’ve also received some lovely feedback, including this from a teacher:

“…Tania’s visit was truly inspiring, engaging our students with her infectious enthusiasm and genuine passion for storytelling. Our students were captivated by her stories and left the session eager to write their own, inspired by Tania’s encouragement and practical tips…”

And this from a parent:

“…I’ve just picked up my son from school and he was telling me in detail all about your visit today and how interesting it was… you made a really great impression on him today and he got so much out of your session…”

And this sweet note from three students:

“…We enjoyed having you here for Book Week…thank you for making our day extra special. We hope you can come back and visit us again! 🩷”

I can’t express just how much I appreciate receiving feedback like this. It is one of the fuels that motivates me to keep working in this industry. So a big thank you to those who reached out.

However, there were also a couple of lows during my visits this year (three, if you include my anxiety around trying to find an untimed or non-permit car park in the surrounding streets of some schools 😂).

The first low was meeting a wonderful staff member who was employed part-time and ran the school library single-handedly. The ‘low’ part was that this person had a degree as a teacher-librarian but was paid to work as an SSO. This staff member was incredibly dedicated to their job and made no complaints, but I couldn’t help but feel sad that their skills were so undervalued. The result was a pared-back library space that was underutilised. The staff member had worked hard to make the space inviting but expressed regret that they didn’t have the time to hold dedicated storytime sessions with the youngest students, or create activities and opportunities for students to access during recess and lunch breaks.

Sadly, it appears that qualified teacher-librarians are becoming an endangered species in our schools. At a time when leaders express concern at the drop in reading rates and skill levels of children across Australia, there seems to be little impetus to make positive changes that will improve the issue. Thankfully, organisations such as the Australian Library and Information Association, the Australian Coalition for School Libraries, Australia Reads, and Students Need School Libraries have taken up the flag. Through initiatives such as media campaigns, Australian School Library Day, and informational resources, these organisations are trying to educate the wider community on the benefits of teacher-librarians and school libraries as a whole. I, for one, applaud and thank them. (Mind you, this is no slight against all of the fabulous SSOs that are working in libraries across the country. I see your hard work and dedication too. You guys rock too👏).

The second low came during one of my talks with a senior primary class. As is often the case with Year 5 and 6 students, the question of what the titular ‘Other Shadow’ actually is came up. For those of you not familiar with this book, The Other Shadow is my middle-grade novel about a boy navigating grief, parental neglect and the foster care system. The protagonist, Thomas, is followed home from the hospital by a disembodied shadow after the death of his father. Though initially a fun and playful entity, the shadow morphs into something dark and more challenging as the truth of Thomas’s life unfolds.

Children, naturally, are fascinated by the idea of the disembodied shadow and always have theories on what it might be. When I jokingly told the class they had to read the book if they wanted to know the answer, one child responded: “I’ll just look it up on ChatGPT.”

I’ll admit, my heart sank a little at this comment. Sure, ChatGPT will give you a sterile summary of what the Other Shadow is, but it doesn’t truly help you to understand why it exists. Resorting to easy shortcuts means you bypass the emotional journey that I worked so hard to create. The shadow in the story only truly makes sense when you understand the context it appears in.

But how do you explain to tweens that the magic of story lies in the journey, and not just the destination? Or that imagination is born from not knowing the answers immediately, but taking time to wonder what if? And how do you help them understand that possibility lives within imagination, and that this will one day be a tonic when life feels hard and they’re in need of resilience and hope?

Sadly, I suspect these kinds of comments will only become more commonplace in future. There’s an urgency today to know everything and have everything NOW. I understand that having all the answers at the press of a button is handy and has many benefits, but I fear it will also come at an intellectual and emotional cost. And unfortunately, the highest price will be paid by the same people who outsource their thinking and wonder to apps such as ChatGPT.

But the saddest part is that these people might never know the glorious feeling of being lost in a book and experiencing a life outside of their own. That’s something even ChatGPT can’t cheat.

Tan x

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My hills life

We’ve been having an extraordinary amount of rain this winter, and it’s played havoc with our plans to level the slope and add new garden beds to the rear garden now that the cubby house has been removed. But last week, we had a delivery of ten tons of dirt, and the hard job of shovelling it into a wheelbarrow and taking it down the hill to the back of the yard has begun. I think hubby underestimated just how long this was going to take (especially as the soil has been well soaked and is incredibly heavy!).

However, hubby is nothing if not persistent, and the giant pile of dirt is slowly disappearing from our driveway (it had to be dumped in the top driveway as the truck couldn't back down the steep slope any further), and the outlines of new garden beds are beginning to take shape. Normally, I would help with shovelling soil, but I strictly told hubby NOT to arrange the delivery around book week, as shovelling dirt is the last thing I want to do after travelling and presenting at schools all day. Still, I might take pity on him this week and grab an extra shovel, if only to get our driveway back! 😁

Our Camellias are flowering later than usual this year, with only a handful currently in bloom. There are loads of buds on the remaining bushes, so I hope we’ll have a reasonable display in the next few weeks.

The blooming camellias signal that the end of winter is near. I’m quite looking forward to spring and sunshine this year. I’m already fantasising about cups of tea and warm slices of maple-banana cake at our little table in the lower garden (with hopefully completed garden beds). 😀🤞

Book highlight

Run by Sarah Armstrong (Hardie Grant, 2025)

Cas thought running away from home would solve all his problems. But he didn’t count on getting hopelessly lost in the tangled Australian bush. Alone and afraid, Cas has given up all hope of rescue when he stumbles upon a strange family hiding out in the wilderness. He can’t survive without their help. But when he discovers they’re also on the run - from something so big, they won’t even talk about it - he realises his problems are just beginning…

Twelve-year-old Cas flees into the bush to avoid visiting his estranged father, only to stumble into a secretive family hiding out in the middle of nowhere. He soon finds himself in a game of hide-and-seek where learning who to trust can mean the difference between life and death. Overlapping themes of trust, foster care, and family are cleverly woven throughout this text, and I think readers 9+ would enjoy this as a class novel or independent read.

NOTE: Run was a 2026 CBCA Honour Book winner and also won the CBCA Shadow Judging for Book of the Year for Younger Readers.

September events

Only a week to go until the Write Around the Murray festival in Albury where I’ll be presenting as part of the schools program! I have author talks and workshops for students available across the two days. For bookings, click HERE.

I’ll be running a storytime at the Lavington Library for littlies on the 9th of September from 10.30am - 11am, and will be at the Albury Library Museum later that evening from 6pm - 7pm, joining Lucinda Gifford and Eleanor Pearson to discuss picture book creation as part of the festival’s adult program. For more information and bookings, click HERE.

July wrap up

The school visit season has officially begun. I spent last week at Magill Primary School talking about stories and writing, and it was glorious. The children were fabulous; engaged and oh-so-much fun. We had a blast and I finished the week with a much needed boost of confidence after a difficult few months.

One of the recurring discussions I had with the children concerned books I loved as a child. Whenever I’m asked this question, three books immediately come to mind.

The Magic Faraway Tree, Casey the Utterly Impossible Horse, and The Ghost of Thomas Kempe were favourite books of mine as a child. They certainly defined the kind of writer I became and the themes I tend to lean on in my stories. Each of these books had specific elements that not only grabbed me then, but stayed with me for many years.

Enid Blyton’s The Magic Faraway Tree was pure escapism for me as a child (and I’m sure for many other children as well). How envious I was of those kids who discovered the giant tree with amazing worlds floating above it. Though stereotypes, names, and language have shifted significantly since these books were written - love her or hate her - you can’t deny that Enid Blyton had an incredible imagination. This book fostered my love for stories bursting with enchanted worlds and magical characters.

Casey, the Utterly Impossible Horse by Anita Feagles was the first book I read that solely revolved around a talking animal. I remember feeling surprised and delighted that Casey could talk (and I desperately wished I could meet a talking horse myself). The fact that Casey was naughty and behaved contrary to everything you’d expect a horse to do just added to my delight.

Penelope Lively’s award-winning book, The Ghost of Thomas Kempe still lives vividly in my mind. Not only was it my introduction to the supernatural, it also had one moment that literally made me gasp. The protagonist of the story, a boy called James, discovers a diary written in 1856 which details the troubles the titular poltergeist caused for a young boy called Arnold. As James reads the diary, he begins to feel a strong bond with Arnold (as did I). Later in the story, James discovers a portrait of an elderly man, from 1910 and realises that the man in the painting is Arnold. I remember this scene blowing my mind! It had never occurred to me that people in old paintings and photos were once children too! A sense and understanding of history came crashing down on me that day.

A few years ago, I realised I’d incorporated many of these elements into my Jinny and Cooper series. These stories revolve around a naughty, talking guinea pig and include magical characters such as witches, genies, fairies, bogles, and brownies. In the first book, My Teacher’s Big Bad Secret, Jinny and Tyrone come across an old photograph in a book and discover their teacher is in the photo, and she hasn’t changed in over a hundred years! It seems I’d subconsciously paid tribute to the books that captivated me as a child.

I wish the Jinny and Cooper books had sold better. I would have loved to continue the series. I enjoyed writing these characters so much. It’s been ten years since the series came out. Although I must admit, I read them now with slight embarrassment as my writing was a bit simplistic at the time, they are still great stories that children love.

As the series didn’t sell as well as the publisher had hoped, it ended after four books. This was largely my fault as I didn’t have much experience at ‘authoring’ back then and had little no idea about promotion. I was a completely unknown author who’d never done a school visit before, and didn’t have the financial resources to self-fund a book tour. Furthermore, I had a young child at home who needed me, and the timing just wasn’t ideal. If I’d only known then what I know now… sigh.

Perhaps one day, if these stories ever officially go out of print, I might get to revisit them with another publisher and try again. Who knows what the future will bring, right?

Tan x

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My hills life

We’re in the thick of winter now, where mornings bring frosted up windows and fog is almost a constant companion. The camelias are beginning to bud, as are the daffodils, and the lemon tree is providing enough fruit to keep cosy pots of lemon-ginger tea on rotation.

The chooks don’t enjoy winter much, so I’ve layered their roost with a deep pile of straw for extra warmth. On really icy mornings, I add hot oats and grated cheese to their breakfast. They are free range and like to congregate under the fig tree in the mornings for what I’m sure is important chook business. Even though their secret meeting place is currently leafless, they still come here every morning (though I’ve been at the receiving end of some serious side-eye recently - as though it’s my fault their usually sheltered spot is bare!).

We’ve also had a small family of magpies take up residence in our yard (much to the annoyance of the territorial raven), and I now wake up most mornings to the warbles of hungry birds hoping for a treat. I quickly learned that if I leave my back door open, one of the magpies will let herself into the house (I found her on standing on my freshly folded laundry last week!).

I know most people aren’t a fan of winter, but it’s one of my favourite seasons. There’s something comforting in being able to snuggle down with a warm rug and a book while fog rolls around the cottage and rain provides a soothing soundtrack.

I find as I’m getting older, I’m learning to move with the seasons more. I change the way I eat, sleep and move depending on the season, and I’ve found a soothing kind of peace in accepting the changing weather patterns.

Next month, I’ll start planting the flowers and vegetables for spring and I look forward to getting my hands back into the soil again. Let’s hope the chickens don’t dig everything out like they did last year!

Book highlight

Kid by Peter Carnavas (UQP, 2026)

This is the story of a small goat called Kid. Ever since his parents chased away a fox and never returned, Kid has stayed with Audrey and the hen in the chook yard. Audrey tells him stories of his mum and dad’s daring and bravery. She says they live on the nearby mountain, and Kid longs to leave the farm to find them.

And then, one day, he discovers he is big enough to jump the fence…

Will a wild adventure up the mountain help Kid find where he belongs?

Peter Carnavas is a master at writing gentle books for kids, and I thoroughly enjoyed this story. With themes of bravery and family, coupled with Carnavas’s whimsical illustrations, Kid is a book that will delight children aged 6+. It would make a lovely read-aloud story for families or the classroom.

August events

August is Bookweek month and I’m lucky to be visiting many schools around Adelaide this year. Talking to kids about books and stories is one of my favourite things to do. My Bookweek bookings tend to fill up quickly, so if you’re a South Australian teacher or librarian interested in booking me for Bookweek in 2027, please contact my lovely booking agent, Becky Lucas HERE.

Also, a reminder that on the 9th and 10th of September I’ll be attending the Write Around the Murray festival in Albury as part of their schools program. I have author talks and workshops for students available across the two days. For bookings, click HERE.

I’ll also be at the Albury Library Museum on the evening of September 9th, joining Lucinda Gifford and Eleanor Pearson. We will be discussing picture book creation as part of the festival’s adult program. For more information and bookings, click HERE.

June wrap up

June was a family-focussed month for me. I spent much of it taking family members to and from appointments. I also managed to steal away for a week with my daughter. We headed for the beach, where we were blessed with gorgeous scenery and glorious weather.

I had planned to dedicate some of my time away to writing a new story that has been knocking around in my brain, but once we'd arrived, I quickly realised that what I actually needed was a break. The computer remained closed and, instead, I spent the days walking, watching K-dramas (I've become quite addicted to these), cooking, and reading. I also did a lot of journaling and self-reflection.

After the highs of the past couple of years (awards, positive reviews, travel, festivals, and grants), this year been a bit of a let-down so far. I’ve not signed any new contracts (though I’ve had an offer), and I have no books coming out this year. I’ve been stuck in a rut and feeling left behind. I’d had so much success over the past couple of years - wasn’t it supposed to be easier now? Weren’t doors supposed to remain open to me? It feels embarrassingly shallow to say that, but I don’t think I’m the first person to have had these thoughts (particularly in an industry that seems to be changing rapidly).

Through my journaling and self-reflection journey, one thing became painfully clear: I’ve been using the validation of others to define my self-worth as an author.

Wanting external validation isn’t, in itself, a bad thing. I’d even argue that it’s a normal part of the human condition, and I think, for those of us who are creators, it’s also an important part of the creative process. Writing is a solitary activity. You spend months (or years!) with ideas and characters before sharing them with others. You write on blind faith, often with little confirmation that you’re even heading in the right direction. So when someone validates your work, (whether it be a publisher saying yes to your latest manuscript, receiving a favourable review, your book winning an award, or a child telling you they loved your story), it doesn’t just feel nice; it encourages you to keep writing.

The trouble is when you base all of your worth as a creative on the validation of others, it leaves you feeling lost when that validation disappears.

External validation is particularly intermittent in the publishing industry. You get the highs of the contract, validation throughout the editing process, and then the joy of celebrating a new book baby with your community. You may receive nice reviews or, if you’re lucky, a message from someone who enjoyed your story. But a month or two later, the primary marketing support and accolades are over, and the industry has moved on to the next wave of new releases. Then the search for validation begins again. If you don’t already have another book scheduled for release, you can be left in a funk.

One thing I’ve noticed is that the voice in my head becomes an a**hole when I don’t have a contract or a book coming out. It starts telling me that maybe I should give up. Maybe my time in the sun is done. What’s the point? it says. It’s because you’re just not that popular / talented / important.

So during my journaling sessions, I decided to use that powerful staple of every author’s toolbox: the ‘What if?’ questions.

What if the a**hole voice in my head is wrong?

What if my best work / my peak is still to come?

What if this is simply part of the growth phase as a creator, just like the ‘imposter’ phase or the ‘self-doubt’ phase?

Over the week, I came to two fundamental realisations:

1. If my motivation to write depends entirely on someone else’s approval, then the lack of validation has the power to stop me writing altogether.

2. Perhaps one of the challenges of a creative life is learning to hold faith during the times when external validation is not available.

Life is one big learning journey, isn’t it? I’m grateful when I have opportunities for growth, even though they may feel painful at the time. I’m also grateful that I have the capacity for self-reflection and change (if only the same could be said for some of our world leaders!). The best part, though, is that every experience gives me fuel for more stories.

That being said, I must sign off now…because I have some writing to do.

Tan x

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Book highlight

The Keeper of the Octopus by Neridah McMullin (Walker Books, 2025)

This book has been on my list for some time as I’m a huge fan of Neridah McMullin’s previous book, Evie and Rhino. I hoped this story would have the same magical charm and I was not disappointed.

Since her father sailed away, Uncle Isaac is the only family Pippy has left. Together they spend their days fishing off the coast, until one day Pippy is knocked into the sea and rescued by a gentle, giant creature…

This story beautifully blends magic-realism and folklore with current-world concerns such as the impact of overfishing on our oceans. Pippy is grieving the loss of her mother and the abandonment of her father, whilst also protecting her great Uncle Isaac, who has become increasingly forgetful. When she discovers that she’s the next keeper of the octopus, Pippy is given the additional task of caring for a giant octopus called Octavia, who protects the local fisherman and maintains the marine ecosystem in the bays around Pippy’s village.

This story would be perfect for children aged 8+

July events

There are no public events scheduled for July, however booking have now opened for workshops that I’ll be presenting as part of the Once Upon a Festival program in October (bookings for author talks will be opening soon).

I have two workshops scheduled including an in-depth story arc workshop for students in grades 5 - 8 (in which students will come up with their own completed story arc), and a fun story creation workshop for students in grades 3 - 4 (in which students will learn the basics of simple story arcs and an easy hack for coming up with story ideas of their own).

The program and bookings can be found here: OUAF

May wrap up

I have a confession. Last week, I came the closest I’ve ever been to walking away from writing.

I had a story out on submission, that I believed had a fair chance at snaffling a contract. It’s a good story. A strong and well written story. The concept is very well plotted and hilarious. The characters and timing are great. I’m not being a braggart, by the way – this is the feedback the publisher gave me in the rejection email I received. They explained that despite all of the positives, they were just a little too hesitant to take the book on, as the market is so tough right now.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t crushed. This book would have been perfect with this particular publisher. I despaired - if only they could have more faith in the story and in me as a creator. I wished they could see that my platform is growing. I’ve worked hard to raise my profile over the past couple of years. I’ve travelled interstate, made many new contacts, and I believe I have a better understanding of how to market my books. I now know what works and what doesn’t. But unfortunately, what I can’t give them (and what they’d undoubtably want) is a guarantee that this series will be a runaway blockbuster. It’s what all publishers want, right?

It was by sheer luck that I was away on a writer’s retreat when I received this rejection. I think the outcome may have been different had I not been surrounded by the most amazing group of women. I really do believe I may have just walked away once and for all. I was truly done. But these gorgeous, encouraging women all put their hearts around me and buoyed me through the storm of self-doubt. They plied me with hugs and tea and words of wisdom. But most importantly, they gave me a safe place to feel vulnerable, because each of them understood. And that is the beauty of being in a writer’s group.

Our little group, that we fondly refer to as The Clubbers has been meeting for thirteen years now. We catch up once a month for morning tea and a chat. We also go on a writer’s retreat once a year, where we escape the doldrums of our daily life to talk books, eat too much cheese and chocolate, and participate in mini workshops. This year was our 9^th annual retreat. We stayed in a lovely house at Port Elliot, only metres from the beach and a spectacular coastline walk.

When our writing group goes on retreat, we usually try to structure our days to make the most of our creative time. We run mini workshops, dissect picture books, and give feedback on each other’s work. We’re fortunate that each of us has unique strengths that we can bring to discussions:

• I’m an ideas person – the one who can brainstorm multiple story paths and create emotional scenarios.

• Janeen Brian is the wordsmith – she can write the most stunning, evocative language without any effort at all, (something I desperately wish I could do). Also, she is a poet extraordinaire.

• Katrina Germein is a master of story arcs and beats. I’m endlessly amazed at her ability to dissect a story and pinpoint what works, what doesn’t and why, (seriously, every bookish conversation with Katrina is like a master class in writing).

• Amanda Graham, who is also a fabulous illustrator, has an incredible gift for expanding our world beyond words. Thanks to her, I now understand the importance of colour, of white space, and how movement and structure carry your eye across a page. I can recognise emotional tone in illustrations and why some books grab you immediately, while others take time to warm to.

I always return home creatively filled after our writer’s retreat. It’s amazing how quickly inspiration hits when you step away from your everyday routine. A conversation over a cup of tea sparks a new book idea, or a quick critique session untangles a story problem that’s been muddling around in your brain for months. Many of the stories I’ve written are thanks to these getaways. When you’re surrounded by the right people, magic can happen.

So if you aren’t yet a part of a dedicated writer’s group, I highly encourage you to go and find one. A great place to start is the SCBWI Online Critique Groups for Writers and Illustrators. Alternatively, you can check out your local SCBWI or CBCA chapter, or link in with your local writers centre.

Not only will you be creatively inspired, you’ll also reap the benefit of having fantastic friends who’ll celebrate your wins enthusiastically and support you through the disappointments. And if you’re really lucky like me, they’ll also remind you why you started writing in the first place, believe in you when your confidence falters, and help keep you moving forward when you’re ready to give up on your dreams.

Tan x

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Book highlight

Don’t Let Them Leave by Mike Lucas (Penguin, 2026)

One island. One house. One curse.
Ghosts aren’t real and houses can’t come to life. Charlotte knows these facts to be true.
Yet when Charlotte and her siblings are orphaned and sent to live with their grandmother on remote Black Island, she begins to realise that only one thing is certain: they shouldn’t be there.
But will they ever be able to leave?

This YA novel had me hooked, and I flew through it in just a couple of days. It has the right balance of spooky and suspense, and kept me guessing how on earth everything was going to resolve. If you enjoy ghost stories that are eerie and engaging, this is definitely a book worth picking up.

June events

There are currently no public events booked for June, however bookings are now open for appearances and workshops that I’ll be presenting in Albury, NSW in September as part of the Write Around the Murray schools program. See HERE for more information and bookings.

April wrap-up

In April, I was fortunate to be invited to Welcoming the Babies hosted by the Honourable Amanda Rishworth MP. It was a joy meeting new families and chatting about the many benefits of reading to babies. It also brought back many fond memories of my time as a new mother and reading to my daughter. The cherry on the top was that each family who attended went home with a signed copy of The Bug Book (thanks to Raising Literacy Australia). It’s such a special thought knowing so many little ones will be curling up with this story at the start of their reading journey.

The rest of April whizzed by in a blur of family events and editing. I managed to send a couple of books out on submission and finished another edit of a book that will hopefully be coming out next year.

Now that the days are getting shorter and the temperature cooler, I’m finding myself craving moments of cosiness. I’ve been taking long walks, drinking loads of creamy hot chocolate and doing a lot of reading.

I frequently pause and think how blessed I am to have the life I have and to live in a place where I don’t need to worry about bombs falling on my head. I have easy access to food, water and medical facilities. My loved ones are safe. I have freedom of speech and body. All in all, I have little to complain about.

I’m also aware that my past few newsletters have emphasised the challenges of being a children’s author, so for this month’s newsletter, I’m taking a different route. This newsletter is dedicated to gratitude and cosiness.

These are three things that are delighting me at the moment.

1. Autumn colours

I feel so lucky to live in the Adelaide Hills, where I have the most spectacular views on my doorstep. I could ramble lyrically about the golden hue of the vineyards and the way the light makes my neighbourhood a riot of gorgeous autumnal colour - but it’s probably easier to just show you.

2. Good books

When the evenings are cool, there’s nothing better than snuggling under a warm rug with a glass of spiced apple cider and a good book. These are just a few of the terrific books I’ve read recently.

Oh Brother by Georgina Chadderton (2026) - Written and illustrated by a talented creator who is herself autistic, this graphic novel captures the challenges and joys of growing up with a nonverbal, autistic brother. A great read.

The Sugarcane Kids and the Mystery at Angel Bay by Charlie Archbold (2026) - This is the third instalment in the fun adventures of The Sugarcane Kids. The children investigate a mystery involving a missing groper and uncover a plan by questionable developers who are trying to develop their home.

Belle & Bea’s Beautiful New Home by Kristin Martin and Bianca Richardson (2026) - For those who love picture books that balance natural science and story, this one does it well. Easter Bilby is taking Belle and Bea to their new home, but it's barren and unwelcoming. That is, until the other animals pitch in to create something beautiful.

Girls Like by Katrina Germein and Deb Hudson (2026) - This picture book is a joyous celebration of girls in all their diverse, divine, gloriousness. Written in gorgeous, short verses and beautifully illustrated. Here’s hoping a Boys Like book is to follow!

Somewhere You Can Dream by Janeen Brian and Hilary Jean Tapper (2026) - Another stunning picture book written in flawless, lyrical rhyme. The beautiful illustrations complement the book perfectly, and kids will love imagining their own favourite spaces.

The Prime Minister Problem by Brenton Cullen (2026) - A heartwarming debut novel, this story follows a lonely boy who writes to the PM after his grandmother has to move away. Heartfelt, with a warm, satisfying ending.

Equal Rights by Terry Pratchett (1987) - This book is a blast from the past, but my hubby is a devoted Pratchett fan and has been encouraging me to dip my toes into The Discworld for years. I’m sure glad I did! The story revolves around a young girl named Esk, who is accidentally bestowed Wizard Magic in a world where only men can be wizards. From the very first pages, I found myself giggling, thanks in no small part to Granny Weatherwax (a witch who is, without a doubt, one of the best characters ever put to page).

3. Podcasts I’m loving

I listen to a lot of podcasts - when I’m walking, when I’m cleaning, and even when I’m in the bath! Here are a few that I am currently enjoying.

After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds and the Paranormal - If you’re a history buff like me, you’ll love this humorous dive into the strange and dark corners of history and folklore.

Storykind - Hosted by Kelly Yang and Kate DiCamillo, this podcast offers bite-sized, informative peeks into the creators’ writing processes and journeys.

Lives Less Ordinary - This podcast tells stories of people whose life paths have been unconventional (to say the least!), and the courage, struggles and choices they’ve had to face.

Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown - Many people know Mayim Bialik from the TV sitcom The Big Bang Theory, but what most don’t know is that she holds a PhD in Neuroscience. This podcast is a mixed bag, exploring science, mental health, personal growth and new-age topics through candid conversations with experts.

Heavyweight - This fast became one of my favourite podcasts, and I’ve told everyone I know about it. Jonathan Goldstein helps people revisit unresolved moments from their past and find closure. Super funny, heartfelt, and at times heartbreaking - I couldn’t get enough of it.

My Dad Wrote a Porno - I started listening to this on the recommendation of a friend, and it is so funny. Imagine discovering that your dad wrote an unintentionally ridiculous, badly-written erotic novel. This is Jamie Morton’s predicament, and in this podcast, he reads the novel aloud to his friends (and us), leaving everyone in stitches.

I hope you enjoyed a glimpse into my cosy life this month. Here’s one last autumnal picture to finish. This is my favourite driveway entrance. Isn’t it magical?

Tan x

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May events

There are currently no public events booked for May as I’m taking some time out to dedicate to writing my next masterpiece! (I wish!) 🙃😉

March wrap up

March gave me some solid editing time, which I’m thrilled about as it means I finally have new work out on submission. I may have some good news coming too, but I can’t say much about it at the moment. Just know that I’m super excited!

I had a couple of fun events this month. I presented to roughly 360 kids in an online session with Inner West Council Libraries, where I got to share my stories, my process and my passion for writing. It was a blast and I loved seeing the excited, smiling faces of the children.

I was also fortunate enough to have been invited to the SLASA AGM, where I spoke on a panel with fellow participants Phil Cummins, Becky Lucas and Rachel Speck. We discussed the invisibility of kid-lit creators in the wider literary sphere, what difference winning awards makes (or doesn’t make) on a creator’s career, the CBCA judging process, and the importance of school visits (for both kid-lit creators and kids). There was also some lively discussion about the use of AI in the creative process, which was timely as it ties in nicely with the theme of today’s newsletter:

Does social media still serve a purpose when it is decided by algorithms and filled with AI-made content?

I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve never been one to jump on social media trends. I never had Myspace back in the day and only joined Facebook after publishing my first picture book in 2013 (and only at the suggestion of my agent). I joined Instagram and Twitter in 2014 (though I don’t use Twitter anymore as it doesn’t align with my values).

In those days, these platforms promised visibility and community. For a new children’s author who knew no one and nothing, it was a Godsend. I could connect with other authors, librarians, teachers, and bookshop owners. I had a voice outside of my limited bubble, and it was great. But now it often feels as though I’m shouting into a void. There’s been a shift, and the energy of social media has changed. And if media reports are to be believed, audiences are dwindling as well.

Apparently, Facebook is no longer considered the ‘go to’ platform to connect with others anymore. It appears that attention is more fragmented, especially in younger populations. Short-form videos such as Tik Tok, YouTube shorts and Instagram reels are now prefered. Private group chats have become more popular than public posts. And for younger generations, social media is less about connection and more about entertainment. If content doesn’t immediately reward them, they simply scroll on.

A few years ago, Instagram was considered the go-to platform for youth culture. Now it’s crowded with ads, brands, and annoying recommendations. (No, I’m not in the market for weird, purple anti-aging drinks and online will kits! Stop suggesting this to me! Sheesh! You hit your fifties and social media becomes convinced that you have one foot in the grave!).

And all of this is before we even talk about the algorithms that decide visibility.

Once upon a time, posting on social media meant your followers actually saw your post. Apparently now, even if you have thousands of followers, only a fraction of those followers may ever see what you share unless you pay to boost it.

For children’s authors and illustrators, this is especially painful. We aren’t selling impulse-buy items or discounted beauty products. We’re sharing stories, literacy, and imagination. Our audiences are already niche (in fact, we aren’t even connecting directly with our audience but more so with the adults in our audience’s lives). So when algorithms bury our posts in favour of viral trends or rage-driven content, it’s frustrating.

As authors, we are often told by publishers and agents:

• You need to build your platform.

• You must be visible.

• You have to engage regularly.

And I’ve tried all of this. I’ve posted behind-the-scenes photos, shared school visit photos, and created reels and trailers for my books. But increasingly, it feels like performance without an audience (based on engagement) and I’ve often found myself wondering: What’s the point?

Also, another change is also becoming impossible to ignore: the rise of AI-generated content. Social feeds are now saturated with AI-written posts, AI-generated art and videos, and automated engagement comments (no, I don’t want to pay to DM my post to your fake page!).

The volume is overwhelming and to be honest, it drives me crazy. I’m tired of all of the AI posts jumping into my feed, and frankly, I get annoyed when I see something that initially looks real, only to discover it’s all BS! It feels so pointless and any potential meaning that might have been there is eviscerated.

Those of us who labour over words and illustrations (or photos) find themselves competing with fake, algorithmically-optimised posts designed purely for engagement metrics. It feels disheartening because it’s become obvious that social media platforms rewards pretence over sincerity.

I’d like to think that children’s authors are, by nature, hopeful people. We believe in stories, and children, and imagination, and the art of the craft. But social media doesn’t care about any of that. It rewards controversy, trends, rage-bating and high output over substance and originality. When posts flop, it’s easy to internalize that as failure. Maybe I’m not interesting enough. Maybe my books don’t matter. Maybe I’m invisible.

But maybe the actual truth is that we’re caught in a system that no longer functions the way it once did. Social media just isn’t as social anymore. And maybe the decline of traditional platforms actually clarifies something we’ve misunderstood; that is, social media is not the same as community.

For kid-lit creators, the most meaningful connections will still come from school visits, library events, bookshops and booksellers, newsletters, word-of-mouth recommendations, and networks. These spaces are smaller and take longer to build. Most importantly though, they aren’t governed by algorithms (and they’re human!). Unfortunately, they are also dependent on networking and finding people who will champion you. And as I’ve written about before, this isn’t always easy in the kid-lit industry.

I don’t think social media is going to disappear any time soon but their cultural dominance certainly seems to be fading. Newer generations no longer have loyalty to one platform, and the era of reaching an audience in the same way we once did, is pretty much over. But storytelling isn’t.

Children still need books. Parents still seek recommendations. Teachers still build classroom libraries. Librarians and booksellers still champion new voices. Stories predate algorithms and I really hope they’ll outlast them. AI may flood the feeds and algorithms may bury posts, but the magic of a child discovering a book is something that has never required a hashtag.

Tan x

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My hills life

Autumn has rolled around again, and that means foggy mornings, changing colours, and warm soups. I’ve also taken to making bread on an alarming scale, since discovering this easy no-knead bread recipe from Nagi at Recipe Tin Eats. Honestly, give it a try. There’s nothing as comforting as warm bread straight from the oven and a bowl of home-made soup.

Enjoy some cosy photos from home.

April events

I’m excited to be a guest speaker at the Welcoming the Babies Event, to be held at the Cove Civic Centre on Thursday, 9th April, 2026. The event is held by Amanda Rishworth MP, as a way to publicly celebrate new births in the community.

This free event includes:

• A formal ceremony, during which each baby is presented with a certificate

• A gift bag for each family

• Morning/afternoon tea

• Stalls and activities run by local organisations and services

There are two session times: 10.00am or 12.30am, and bookings are essential. Click the individual times or HERE for booking information.

Last year was a huge year for me. Aggie Flea Steals the Show! won a CBCA Honour Book award, The Other Shadow won a CBCA Notable Book award, and also had two other prestigious short listings. I was riding high and felt that I’d finally made it. I’d broken through that wall of obscurity and was finally seen. The path ahead looked promising.

Then came the blow.

An editor who was keen to work with me took my latest offering to acquisitions, only for it to be rejected by the number crunchers. Apparently, I was not popular enough for them to take a chance on me as a new author in their stable. They needed guarantees that my next book would be hugely successful, and though my sales have been strong, it wasn’t consistent enough for them to take that risk.

I’m what the industry might call a ‘mid-list’ children’s author. Not a debut, nor an established legend. My books sell respectably and they’ve been reprinted. They win awards and receive positive reviews. However, they haven’t sold spectacularly. They haven’t been snaffled up by the coveted American, UK or German markets. They haven’t hit that momentum that transforms a book from ‘good’ to ‘blockbuster.’ So, I find myself in the purgatory of publishing: too established to be new, too modest in sales to be safe.

Welcome to the mid-list curse.

It seems publishers love a good story, whether it be the dazzling debut or the overnight sensation. They gets particularly excited by the discovery of a fresh, new voice. For debut authors, no sales history means no ceiling and marketing departments can project any trajectory they like onto a clean slate. Every debut author has the potential to be the next big thing (and sometimes, through sheer force of will and budget, publishers make it so).

But after a few books, you’re no longer fresh potential. Instead, you become data. Your BookScan numbers are shown in meetings you’re not invited to. Your print runs are compared against expectations you had no idea about, and your foreign rights lists are studied and picked apart.

Awards are lovely, but sales are legible. And the publishing industry thrives on those numbers. When a large publisher considers acquiring a manuscript, they aren’t just asking: Is this good? They’re asking:

• Can this sell?

• Can this justify a marketing budget?

• Can this break out internationally?

• Can we persuade bookshops to stock this?

• Does this author have upward momentum? An established platform? Popularity?

If your previous book performed okay, that can often be harder than if it failed outright because a failed book can be reframed. Maybe it wasn’t the right time for that particular theme. Maybe it overlapped with a similar book’s release. A mid-list track record, however, is harder to spin. You become a known quantity and in a risk-averse market, that is not exciting to publishers. I understand it’s not personal - it’s simply a fact (though it feels very personal).

One of the lessons of my author journey has been discovering how little children’s book awards matter in the meetings where acquisition decisions are made. Awards bring prestige, validation, and a brief surge of visibility. But they don’t always sell books. They don’t guarantee bookshop orders, foreign rights deals, or even second print runs. And so, you can become an ‘award-winning author’ who still struggles to secure the next contract.

The hardest part of the mid-list curse isn’t financial, though. It’s existential.

If you were a debut author, you would be hopeful. If you were a million-dollar best-seller, you would be secure. But in the middle, you’re suspended in a rut. You’re considered good and respected but you’re not necessarily sought after.

Being in this rut has left me wondering: Should I reinvent myself? Maybe I should change genre? Perhaps I should write younger? Older? Funnier? Darker? Should I leave traditional publishing altogether?

I don’t doubt that many careers stall not because of a lack of quality, but because of a lack of breakout velocity. There’s a point I suspect many creators hit where they consider stepping away - not because they don’t love writing, but because they’re tired of being measured against an invisible growth curve and coming up short.

I’ve started questioning whether it’s worth the emotional exposure and endless hard work. Is there a way forward that won’t leave me feeling depleted and lacking? I guess the real question is, what do you I next? Unfortunately, I don’t have the answer to that (if you do, please let me know!). But I have muddled over a few possibilities:

1. Reinvent my work. Try a new genre or change to something new.

2. Build direct relationships through newsletters, school networks and reader communities. Find my own audience instead of relying on publishers for exposure.

3. Try smaller publishers. Sometimes alignment is more important than scale.

4. Pseudonyms. This is a controversial option, but several authors have successfully used pseudonyms in the past to reinvent their brand and reset expectations.

5. Self publishing. Explore different ways to get my stories published (but if anyone reading this is considering this route, beware of vanity publishers, and be prepared to do the hard legwork of distribution).

6. Change nothing and continue to write the books I want to write and trust that the tide will turn one day (and that longevity creates its own form of success).

There’s a possibility, of course, that I’m overthinking my mid-list status and overlooking the most important question of all: Do I still believe my stories hold value for children?

(Because children don’t care about BookScan. They don’t care about foreign rights. And they certainly don’t care about a creator’s growth trajectory. What they do care about is how a book makes them feel, and unfortunately, this is not a metric the market or publishers track).

When I quieten my mind and return to this single question, the answer is loud and clear:

YES.

I do believe my stories have value. I believe they matter to children. And I believe I still have something meaningful to offer this industry.

Of course, my beliefs won’t lift the weight of the mid-list curse. It doesn’t guarantee the next contract. But it steadies me and encourages me to keep writing. It reminds me why I chose this path.

So, in the meantime, I’ll keep writing, submitting, and waiting for the next yes. Keep your fingers crossed for me! Here’s hoping that the middle is not the end of my story.

Tan x

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March events

I’m excited to have been invited to speak on a literary panel about a diverse range of current issues in kidlit on the 31st of March as a part of SLASA’s annual AGM. It promises to be an interesting conversation, and I look forward to chatting with many teachers, teacher-librarians and book sellers.

For more information and bookings, click 👉 SLASA.

January wrap up

Well, what a start to 2026 for the Australian Publishing Industry, hey? Between the allegations against Craig Silvey and the spectacular implosion of Adelaide Writer’s Week, I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who wished they could hit the redo button and start the year again.

There’s been a great deal of discussion surrounding both of these events, but the issue I want to address here sits slightly adjacent to the cancellation of Adelaide Writers’ Week. I’m not going to add to the rhetoric around the circumstances that led to the festival’s demise this year. By now, most of you will be familiar with what happened, and several writers have already documented the events and the subsequent fallout far more eloquently than I could. Instead, I want to focus on another issue that became unmistakably clear in the aftermath: the persistent invisibility of children’s book creators.

The cancellation of the Adelaide Writers’ Week festival was widely reported as a story about adult fiction and non‑fiction writers, with a small smattering of young adult writers included. News coverage focused on high‑profile withdrawals, long debates about free speech and solidarity, and calls for readers to buy affected authors’ books in support. Lists were printed online.

However, what I didn’t see included in media discussions were the authors and illustrators of junior and middle grade fiction who also pulled out of the festival in solidarity with Dr. Randa Abdel-Fattah, and who were also caught up in the fallout. That omission is frustratingly telling (not to mention exhausting).

Children’s writers and illustrators are frequently overlooked in literary culture, and this was no exception. When festivals fail or when controversy hits (unless it is a children’s author acting inappropriately), or when media attention turns to matters of literature, children’s creators seem to vanish from the conversation. Yet we are the ones who make readers. We build the very audience that everyone else relies on!

Almost every (if not, every) devoted adult reader started with a children’s book. Perhaps they listened to a picture book story read aloud on the lap of a parent, or they discovered a favourite junior fiction or mid grade novel in their school library. Through these experiences they learned that books are places of comfort, curiosity, adventure, and meaning.

Children’s authors and illustrators don’t just entertain - we lay the foundations of literacy, empathy and imagination. We are not optional extras to the literary ecosystem. We are its roots. And yet, when support, solidarity or literary value is discussed, children’s creators are somehow treated as peripheral. We’re nice to have. We’re perhaps viewed as educational. Maybe even cute. But we’re not considered essential.

Children’s authors and illustrators are routinely paid less than creators of adult fiction. Advances are smaller and event fees are lower. Travel is often unpaid or underpaid. We’re expected to do presentations, school visits and book events for free and to be grateful for the exposure, (not to mention, endlessly enthusiastic, because after all, ‘It’s for the kids’).

Yet when Adelaide Writers’ Week unravelled, the media rallied around adult authors and their books. Children’s creators were absent from the narrative, as if somehow their careers were less disrupted or their losses less real.

This oversight may be because, just over a month out from Adelaide Writers’ Week, the festival had still not published the names of participating children’s book creators on its website. But this also raises a question: Why not? If children’s programming is treated as an afterthought, then of course it becomes easier to overlook the creators involved when things go wrong. Then again, surely it can’t be too hard for media outlets to obtain a full list of programmed presenters for the festival, including those who create work for children.

To be clear: I’m aware that a more serious injustice occurred that led to the cancellation of the Adelaide Writer’s Week festival this year, and I’m not trying to remove focus from the important discussions that are needed at this time. Also, I’m not arguing against adult authors, or against political conscience or solidarity. I’m simply highlighting an example of a cultural hierarchy that repeatedly places children’s literature at the bottom where we have little voice or value.

Opportunities for children’s authors and illustrators are already thin on the ground. Dedicated children’s programming at many major literary festivals are shrinking. In some states, chances for children’s book creators to appear at literary events are rare or non-existent. So, it hits even harder when these opportunities disappear altogether. And then to be excluded from the bubble of support pushed forward by the media and other organisations… oof!

When festivals, media outlets, and award funding bodies treat children’s creators as peripheral, they reinforce the false idea that our work matters less and that we are not real writers or artists. It suggests that our absence from public debate is acceptable.

It isn’t.

You cannot champion literature while sidelining the people who introduce it to the next generation. If children’s authors and illustrators disappear, so too will the readers everyone claims to care about. So here’s the uncomfortable truth: overlooking children’s creators is not just poor form. It’s short sighted, cultural neglect.

We deserve to be named and supported. We deserve to be paid properly. And we deserve to be visible. Because without us, the future audience for books simply doesn’t exist.

With that in mind, I’m including here, a list of children’s book creators who I personally know were affected by the cancellation of Adelaide Writer’s Week this year. (Note: I wasn’t participating the festival this year and this rant is purely in support of fellow creators in the kid lit industry. I’ve added them to this newsletter with their permission). Please go and buy their beautiful books. Let them know that you see them and that they too, just like their adult creator counterparts, are important and valued.

Katrina Germein (author) Alice Lindstrom (illustrator) Andrea Rowe (author)

Danny Snell (illustrator) Deborah Frenkel (author)

(If you know of any other children’s authors or illustrators who were affected, please let me know so I can add them to the list).

Below are some of the books you can purchase to support these creators.

Please share the list and the love around. Or share this article if you feel so inclined. Perhaps with enough voices, children’s creators might finally be seen and valued.

Tan x

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December wrap up

Though my plan for December was to have a well-earned rest, I ended up accepting a private commission to write a picture book. I can’t say too much about it at the moment - only that I’m pleased with the manuscript and can’t wait to see what becomes of it. That is, of course, if the client is happy with what I’ve written.

I’d never written on commission before, and after I accepted, I had a brief moment of mild panic about whether it was something I could actually do. I researched and wrote copious notes, started two different versions of the story, and then I had a dream in which I wrote a completely different story. While journaling about my dream, I had the sudden epiphany that the format of the ‘dream book’ was exactly what I needed for the commissioned book. The next day, I sat down to write and it all fell neatly into place. Thank you, random (or not-so-random) dream. You are most welcome to visit me again!

New year’s resolutions

I used to be the kind of person who began every new year with a carefully considered list of resolutions, most of which would have been abandoned by the end of February. These days, I’ve given up on resolutions altogether and replaced them with reflections. Instead of asking what I want to fix or improve, I ask: What brought me a sense of happiness in the last twelve months, and how might I invite more of that into the year ahead?

When I asked myself that question this year, these were some of the things that surfaced:

• Walks with my sister and daughter

• Reading good books and poetry

• Catching up with friends

• Long car rides in the countryside

• Journaling

• Flowers, candles, and chocolate

• Working in my garden

• Hot cups of tea while watching the sun rise

But above and beyond all of these, one thing stood out as bringing me the deepest sense of happiness in 2025:

Writing.

As I sat with that realisation, another epiphany arose: I tend to escape into writing when the real world feels like too much. Is that a bad thing or a good thing? I can’t say for sure but the thought niggled at me.

Last year, I shared a couple of posts about how I wrote a novel in ten days. What I didn’t include in either of those posts was the full context surrounding that experience. During those ten days, I didn’t just write obsessively, I effectively clocked out of my ‘real’ life. At the time, I was overwhelmed by the competing demands of my writing career (including travel, school visits, and networking) while also caring for three family members with serious medical issues. On top of that, I was dealing with some health issues of my own, squeezing my own appointments in between school visits, travel, hospital runs, specialist visits, cooking, cleaning, counselling, and navigating the legal complexities that come with taking over someone’s medical and financial care.

Writing for ten days straight allowed me to push all of that to the backburner. I disappeared into a world where my responsibilities temporarily vanished. But when the draft was finished and I had to return to the real world, it was painful. I didn’t want to face it again.

Aa a psychologist, I might argue that this kind of compartmentalising isn’t healthy, especially when it’s used to avoid processing difficult emotions. And yet, while planning this newsletter, something became clear to me: I’ve always used writing as a coping mechanism. As a child, I wrote dozens of stories. I even won awards for my writing at primary school. I wrote my first full-length novel during a particularly difficult period of my life in Year 10 (a time-travel story that was something like Terminator meets Highlander in a YA setting - Oh, Lordy! Just imagine it! 🤭).

But through every season of my life, writing has been my safe space. It helped me survive and, more so, it gave me an outlet to thrive. So maybe I need to stop viewing writing in terms of ‘good’ or ‘bad’ categories at all. Perhaps it doesn’t need to be justified or scrutinised. Maybe I should simply view it as something constant, like breathing. It’s there, waiting, whenever I need it. And for now at least, that’s all I really need to know.

Tan x

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My hills life

A quick summery summary today. See what I did there? Here are a few snapshots from my garden this morning.

Book highlight

Last One Out by Jane Harper (Pan Macmillan Australia, 2025)

In a dying town, Ro Crowley waits for her son on the evening of his 21st birthday. But Sam never comes home. His footprints in the dust of three abandoned houses offer the only clue to his final movements. One set in. One set out. Five long years later, Ro returns to Carralon Ridge for the annual memorial of Sam's disappearance. The skeletal community is now an echo of itself, having fractured under the pressure of the coal mine operating on its outskirts. But Ro still wants answers. Only a few people remain. If the truth is to be found in that town, does it lie among them?

This was a Christmas gift from my sister, and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. While I’ve read and loved Jane Harper’s previous books, I’d seen a few reviews describing this one as a slow burn and not quite on par with her earlier novels.

I’m very glad I didn’t let that put me off. I loved this book. I devoured it over three days and ended up having a good cry at the end. Yes, it’s slower than some of her other work and can feel repetitive at times, but for me that only heightened the tension and mirrored the main character’s frustration.

One of the things I love most about Jane Harper’s writing is her portrayal of the Australian landscape. She’s a master storyteller, and I could almost feel the heat, the dryness, and the dust of a dying outback town seeping off the page. Combined with her astute understanding of people and her talent for mysteries, Last One Out is yet another reminder of why Jane Harper deserves her place as one of Australia’s finest contemporary crime fiction writers.

January events

I have no public event scheduled for January.

November wrap up

As we move toward the end of the year, school visits have started to slow down and I can finally take a breath. November marked my final visit, a lovely day at Paralowie Primary School as part of the CBCA SA’s Authors on the Move program. I had a great time chatting about books, storytelling, and matters of copyright. It never ceases to amaze me which ideas resonate with students, and I’m constantly surprised by the directions our conversations take.

This month also brought several wonderful end of year celebrations, including the South Australian Premier’s Reading Challenge Reception, the CBCA SA gathering, and Raising Literacy Australia’s biannual showcase. I had such a joyful time mingling with fellow creative, bookish people, and I still pinch myself at how lucky I am to be part of such a warm, passionate community.

I was also lucky to be interviewed for Magpies Magazine, which is included in the November issue. Thanks to Brenton Cullen for being asking such insightful questions, and to Joy Lawn for giving my Substack a little plug in her editorial.

I forgot to mention in last month’s newsletter that I was also interviewed by Linda Harrison for the Learn, Play, Thrive podcast, where we talked about The Bug Book and how picture books are much more than just words and pictures on a page. You can find the interview on your favourite podcast platform or click HERE to listen.

Learn, Play, Thrive also has a fantastic website filled with blogs and resources specifically designed for early childhood educators, parents, and anyone interested in child development. It’s well worth a visit.

As we step into December, I find myself looking back on the year with deep gratitude and a sense of wonder. It’s been a big one - full of blessings, milestones, and moments I never could have predicted. I’ve travelled to NSW (twice), the ACT, and Queensland for award ceremonies and festivals (I even managed to score several awards! Woo-hoo!). I had the joy of presenting at Adelaide Writers’ Week (a true bucket-list moment). I visited schools across the country, ran loads of workshops, and was even a writer in residence for a month. I’ve been interviewed for podcasts, websites and YouTube channels. Along the way, I’ve reconnected with old friends and made so many new ones.

What a whirlwind and a joy.

I’ve put together a short video capturing some of the year’s highlights.

Going forwards

When I launched this Substack back in January, I told myself I’d give it a year and see what happened. Honestly, I expected maybe half a dozen followers, perhaps a handful of close friends in the industry who felt obligated to keep up with my ramblings. I truly had no idea how many of you would find something here worth subscribing to. And in return, I’ve found a genuine sense of community writing these newsletters.

So I want to say thank you to everyone who has read, commented and subscribed. Your support has meant more than you know. It’s boosted my confidence and made me feel more connected to this community than I ever expected.

With that in mind, I’ve decided to continue this Substack into 2026 (that is, at least for as long as I have stories, insights, and behind the scenes truths to share about the realities of being a creator in the children’s literature space). Thanks for joining me on my journey. I wish you all a safe and happy holiday season and I look forward to connecting again in 2026. Big hugs and thanks again for reading my ramblings.

Tan x

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My hills life

We got a new couch recently, and our old, faded, and much-loved one was moved out to the back porch to await the arrival of a skip. In the meantime, I’ve found myself rejecting the pristine new model with its firm cushions and complete lack of bum-grooves, instead gravitating to the porch with a cup of tea and a nanna rug to read and relax (my code word for napping). I mean, just look at this view.

Every now and then I’m joined by a few feathered friends, curious about what I’m doing or simply settling in beside me for a sun-soaked nap.

I’ll be sad when the skip finally arrives and I have to say goodbye to the old couch. I’m tempted to leave it on the porch through summer and autumn, but I know it would turn into a petri dish of mould spores if I kept it on the porch through winter. So for now, I’ll enjoy the view with my feathered companions. I’ll nap and read and dream, and I’ll soak up every last moment the old couch has to offer.

Book highlight

Spud and Snowball and the Fancy Fish by Judith Rossell (Harper Collins, 2025)

I love a fun, character-driven story and Spud and Snowball and the Fancy Fish doesn’t disappoint. It’s a delightfully silly adventure about two feline friends and their run in with a very bossy fish, who considers himself quite fancy. How will they get rid of him? Judith Rossell’s illustrations are (as always) full of personality. The story is a quick ready but playful. I think it would be perfect for kids 5+ who enjoy goofy characters and imaginative moments.

December events

There are no public events scheduled for December. I’ll be taking a few weeks off to celebrate the holiday season with family and (hopefully) get some writing done.

October wrap up

October was a month of connection and reconnection for me.

Early in the month, I escaped to the seaside with Katrina Germein for a much needed getaway. I’d been feeling at bit dejected after some difficult news and the short break was just what I needed. Sunshine, blue skies and ocean breezes. It was heavenly. Mid October, I had family from interstate come to stay, which kept me busy, but I did manage to squeeze in five workshops at St Dominic’s Priory College, where I had a lot of fun.

I also managed to get the first six chapters of a new novel written. Originally, it was going to be a mid-grade novel but as I flesh it out, I’m not so sure anymore. It might even become my first attempt at YA! I have a feeling that this one might take me a fair while to write and edit though, as I’m dabbling in uncharted territory and I don’t have much time at the moment.

And now we’re in November! How did that happen? This year feels like it’s whizzed by in a blink. But when I stop and think about everything I’ve achieved, I have to pinch myself. A few years ago, I never would’ve imagined being where I am now -visiting schools and festivals, running workshops, and travelling around the country sharing my passion for children’s stories.

Those who know me well know what a neurotic bundle of angst I can be. They also know I live with a healthy dose of self-doubt. A lot of that stems from experiences in childhood that left me feeling like I wasn’t ‘enough’ on many fronts, and unfortunately, I’ve carried that into adulthood. And now, I find myself working in an industry that often amplifies those insecurities (completely self-inflicted, I know! 🙃).

I say that, because these days, being a children’s author means being so much more than just a writer. We’re expected to be performers, teachers, readers, podcasters, videographers, social media experts, and newsletter writers. It’s no longer enough to simply write a good book. Everywhere you look, popularity, celebrity, and online platforms seem to matter more than the writing itself.

In response, social media is flooded with gimmicky posts as creators chase algorithms, trying to be heard above the noise, because there’s a belief that this is what publishers want. We know publishers are watching the sales figures, the Amazon reviews, the social media stats. And honestly? It’s kind of making people crazy… and worse, inauthentic.

It’s easy to feel invisible in an industry that celebrates the loudest voices. I’ve been doing this for fourteen years now. I’ve won awards for my work, yet I don’t have hundreds of Amazon reviews (and my top book on Goodreads has 35 whole ratings!). I’ve never had a viral post, and I don’t have a massive following on any social media platforms. I haven’t been ‘discovered’ by a famous BookToker or even invited to the big interstate festivals that seem to guarantee the sort of visibility publishers crave. And truthfully, I don’t know how to change that.

What I do know is that I don’t want to live inauthentically just to follow my passion. I didn’t start writing for algorithms or applause. I write for the magic that can happen when a story truly connects with someone the way it did for me when I was a child. I pour myself into my books in ways that outshine any façade I could ever put on social media.

There’s a piece of me in every book I write - my memories, my fears and hopes, the things that make me laugh, or break my heart. If you really want to know who I am, read my books. They’ll tell you more about me than any post or profile ever could.

Aggie Flea is me at six years old and full of wonder, imagination and possibility. The Other Shadow is me as a teenager, navigating a particularly difficult period in my life. Jinny and Cooper is me as a new parent, trying to capture the magic of childhood for my daughter. Oma’s Buttons is me honouring my beautiful mother-in-law. Walls is my despair at recent global events. There is a piece of me in every character I write. I’ve a book out on submission at the moment about a character who is learning what it is to be human and how to fit in (which reflects much of my adulthood angst), and another book where the main character appears small and insignificant compared to the company he keeps, but he actually has a lot to offer if others would only see him.

To me, children’s literature has never been about noise and popularity. It’s about honesty. It’s about capturing a moment of wonder or fear or joy that a young reader might recognize in themselves. When I sit down to write, I’m not thinking about trends or marketing hooks or sales figures. I’m thinking about that one child who might one day hold my book, share a piece of my heart, and maybe even see a piece of their own heart reflected back too.

Tan x

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My hills life

It has been an unusual spring in the hills this year. Just as the sunshine makes an appearance, it disappears and another wintery blast takes hold. Still, the flowers are beginning to bloom, though we have less than last year, thanks to a particularly naughty chook who promptly dug up most of our seeds shortly after we’d planted them.

Speaking of chooks, we sadly lost one of our girls in October. Kiki, our beautiful Plymouth Rock got sick suddenly and died a couple of days later. She was the head hen in our flock, so the remaining girls have been in a bit of a fluster since she passed. One of them has even taken to crowing at 6am, (or at least, a strange, strangled version of crowing), which as you can imagine is less than delightful. I hope they work out their new pecking order soon, before our neighbours start banging on our door!

Book highlight

Maisy Hayes is Not for Sale by Allayne Webster (Text, 2025)

Fourteen-year-old Maisy Hayes is navigating the challenges of adolescence while facing financial hardship, family stress, and deep feelings of shame about her ‘povo’ lifestyle. With a chronically ill sister, a neglected younger brother, and an overburdened single mother, Maisy’s world feels heavy. When her wealthy, estranged father invites her and her sister to stay with him and his new family, Maisy is forced to confront the divide between privilege and poverty, and question what truly matters.

This coming-of-age book would be perfect for children 14+. It tackles difficult themes with honesty and compassion, creating a powerful and necessary story about resilience and truth.

November events

No public events currently scheduled for November.

September wrap up

My plan for September was to write. I even mentioned it in my last newsletter. Remember that? And guess how much writing I got done. One whole chapter. It turned out that the bonus virus I caught at the end of book week was RSV and that progressed into pneumonia that laid me out for a couple of weeks. What fun! Then I had some other medical tests, which led to more doctor visits. Then family issues demanded my time, a last minute school visit popped up, and I was invited to be on the Learn, Play, Thrive podcast. Before I knew it, we were nearing the end of month! But that’s life for you, right?

How I wrote my children’s novel in 10 days

In a previous newsletter, I mentioned how I wrote a book in ten days and wow, did that spark a flood of comments, DMs, and messages. But just to clear something up: I didn’t magically have a polished, ready to send to publishers masterpiece in ten days. Nope. What I had was a messy first draft. The bare bones only. And trust me when I say, there was still plenty of work to do.

Unfortunately, I don’t have the talents of Ray Bradbury (who reportedly cranked out the completed Fahrenheit 451 in just nine days). How I wish I did! But since so many of you were curious about my process, I figured I’d dedicate this month’s newsletter to breaking down exactly how I tackled that 10 day book.

The method I used is something I’ve pieced together over years of writing, experimenting, and frankly, screwing up a lot. It’s kind of like a personal writing scaffold, built around my strengths and weaknesses. Think of it as the sum of 14 years of workshops, BBC Maestro courses, Masterclasses, piles of writing craft books, hours of vlogger rabbit holes, and a ridiculous number of notebooks filled with scribbles. Somewhere in there, I figured out my writing style (I’m a pantser) and what makes the words flow for me.

When I sat down to write that 10 day book, I imagined the story like a movie playing in my head. This is how most stories start for me. If I’m lucky, the movie unspools in the right order and I simply follow along. Other times, I only get scattered scenes that need stitching together. This time, I got lucky and the story flowed. I’d finish one section and immediately know what came next.

Here’s how I started: I jotted down super brief scene notes (stuff like: The kids are in the shed. It’s cluttered. Time: about 10 a.m.). Then I sketched out the dialogue and interactions between the main characters (e.g., “Stop it!” Riley said). My first draft ended up being about 70 - 80% dialogue, just the basics, but enough to keep the momentum.

From there, I circled back to layer things in, like swapping out plain old said with something that better matched the mood (e.g., ‘Stop it!’ Riley growled or ‘Stop it,’ Riley giggled). Years ago, I created a dedicated better than said notebook (nerdy but super useful when I was starting out), and I still dip into it when I need a spark.

After the dialogue-heavy first pass, my next step was to go back and layer in the show-don’t-tell details I’d skimmed over the first time. For example:

Riley slammed the book onto the counter. “Go away!” she growled.

Much better than just saying she was angry, right?

I’ve actually got a whole notebook dedicated to show-don’t-tell tricks as well. Whenever I come across a great phrase in a book, I jot it down there for inspiration.

Alongside that, I use The Emotion Thesaurus (part of the Writers Helping Writers series by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi). If you haven’t dipped into their stuff yet, I highly recommend it. Their books are practical, insightful, and the intro sections are definitely worth a read.

Now here’s where things got tricky for me: scene description. I’m talking about the physical environment, atmosphere, and all the little sensory details that make a world feel alive. Honestly, this is one of my weak spots and a big reason I usually prefer writing in first person. In first person, you can get away with less heavy scene setting because the narration is already filtered through the character’s voice. But this particular book had to be in third person since we follow multiple characters, so I had no choice but to wrestle with it (and wrestle, I did!).

The truth is I find it hard to add details to a scene. I often forget that readers can’t see the movie in my head, and describing what’s in there without sounding clunky can be a struggle for me. A friend once helped me out by sharing an exercise from her writing mentorship: note down what you experience with your senses (what can you see, hear, smell, touch?) and then expand it into a more vivid phrase.

For example:

I hear thunder → The thunder rumbled like a hungry stomach.

It’s simple, but practicing this helps. And you can do it anywhere. Washing dishes? Describe the soap bubbles. Folding laundry? Play with ways to capture the texture of the fabric. Stuck in traffic? Use your senses to sketch the moment; the sounds, smells, tension. The more you do it, the more natural it becomes to weave description into your writing without slowing the pace.

That said, there’s a balance to strike. Too little description and readers are left blank, but too much and it can drag. I once read a book that described every single cushion on a couch. The fabric. The colour. The pattern. None of it mattered to the story and I nearly put the book in the bin. Personally, I need just enough atmosphere to stay hooked.

I find atmosphere really is its own art form. It’s what gives a scene that emotional charge (think, tension, dread, joy, romance). I’ll admit this is the part I find most frustrating. I’m not where I want to be with it yet, but I’m working on it.

Here’s a quick example of how atmosphere can shift with language:

Basic: The wind blew.

Better: The wind shook the windows like chattering teeth.

Richer: The wind blew in wild and sudden, curling around the veranda and slipping through the cracks in the windows.

See the difference? The last one has texture. You can almost feel the wind wrapping itself around the house, and it adds tension to the moment.

Of course, atmosphere isn’t just about description. It can be found in dialogue, pacing, and emotion too. Writers like Kelly Barnhill are masters of this. Her language is so beautiful and layered that it hits me in all my feels.

Take this for example:

“I know, darling,” she whispered to the soul. “I know my sweet, sweet boy. I’m sorry. But I won’t lose both of you. Not at once. Indeed, I cannot bear it.”

She kept her voice even and light. But her heart was breaking in her body. It shattered to pieces. And it would never heal. She brought the soul to her lips, kissing it gently.

“Stay with your brother,” she said as she pressed the soul to the dying boy’s chest. “Keep him alive,” she said as she readied the needle. “Keep him safe,” she said as she untangled the thread, slicing off a section with her teeth.

And, as she pierced both soul and boy, as she stitched the two together, she said this:

“Mother loves you. Don’t forget it.”

- Kelly Barnhill, The Witch's Boy (2014)

So simple, yet so breathtaking. How I wish I could write like this!

For now, I’m still learning and still experimenting. This is the approach I used for my latest draft, and it worked for me (for this book at least). Who knows how the next book will pan out.

What about you? Do you use any kind of scaffold or method when you write? I’d genuinely love to hear how others tackle this.

And before I wrap up, here are a few other books that I’ve also found useful:

• Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody (beats, arcs, structure - super helpful)

• The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron (for sparking creativity)

• Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott (encouragement and perspective in one)

• On Writing by Stephen King (craft advice wrapped in memoir - a great read)

Do you have any favourites of your own? I’m always looking for new ones to add to my stack.

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My hills life

Dust off the icicles, spring has (finally) arrived! Sure, we’re still getting a few wintry blasts up in the hills, but the days are stretching out, and those little flashes of sunshine and blue sky feel like a promise of what’s to come. Spring in the hills is a lovely time to take a morning stroll. And conveniently (or dangerously, depending on how you look at it), one of my go to walking routes just happens to be right near one of my favourite cafes - you know, the kind with creamy, velvety hot chocolate and cakes so good they should probably come with a warning label. Which may explain why my morning walks aren’t exactly doing wonders for my waistline… 🤔 Honestly though, they are totally worth it.

There’s nothing quite like tucking yourself into a quiet corner of a cosy café with a notebook and pen, a delicious cake, and something warm to sip. Pure bliss. Anyone else feel the same?

Book highlight

Song of a Thousand Seas by Zana Fraillon (UQP, 2025)

I came late to Zana Fraillon’s work and honestly, I don’t know how I managed to miss her for so long. When I finally picked up The Way of Dog last year, it instantly placed her in that special category of writers I secretly wish I could write like.

Her latest, Song of a Thousand Seas, is another stunning verse novel brimming with heart. It tells the story of Houdini, an octopus living in an aquarium but yearning for the wild sea she once called home. Though it’s a quick read, it’s layered with thoughtful detail and written in beautiful language.

Perfect for readers 9+ with a love of animals and the ocean, this little book doesn’t just tell a story, it asks us to reflect on what it means to take creatures from the wild and hold them captive for human entertainment.

October events

Aside from a private school festival at the end of the month, October is shaping up to be a quieter one for me. I’ll be sneaking away to the seaside for a week (much needed!) and then welcoming family for the rest of the month.

But don’t forget, October 11th is Love Your Bookshop Day! I’ll be out visiting some of my favourite bookshops around Adelaide, and I’d love for you to join in the celebration wherever you are. It’s the perfect chance to show a little love to the booksellers who do so much to support creators across the country.

Until next time! Happy writing!

Tan x

August wrap up

Ah, August! What a month. School visits galore. Book week celebrations. Lots of questions. Lots of laughs. And of course, to top it off - a bonus virus at the end. 🤭

Seriously though, August is such a joyful time for creators of children’s books. It’s wonderful being able to travel around, talking with kids about stories and writing. I was fortunate to visit several schools around Adelaide, and I had the best time. I especially loved receiving feedback from kids that I’d inspired them to write their own stories. I don’t think it gets any better than that.

I also have to share the exciting news that Aggie Flea Steals the Show! won an honour award in the CBCA Book of the Year Awards. And what an honour it is! I’m honoured left, right and centre and three ways to Sunday! In fact, I’m so honoured that I’m even mixing my sayings and making up new ones. Of course, I share this honour with the terrific Anne Yi for her fabulous illustrations and with Nicole Stofberg who was responsible for Aggie’s incredible book design, as well as the team at Scholastic (a special shout out to Beck Young).

I was lucky enough to be in Canberra for the award ceremony and had a wonderful time catching up with old friends and meeting lots of new ones. A huge thanks to the CBCA judges for deeming my book award-worthy, and for the CBCA organisers for all being so warm and welcoming. Also a big congratulations to all of the fabulous winners this year, with an extra-yippee and congrats to my fellow SA creators, Danny Snell (as illustrator of The Truck Cat - written by Deborah Frenkel) and Sharon Kernot (for her stunning verse novel, Birdy). It was truly special to share the moment with friends.

Sadly, there was one moment that darkened my time in Canberra. I debated about whether to speak of this at all, but after sharing with a couple of writerly friends and hearing they had experienced similar interactions, I figured it was worthy of sharing with the wider community.

You see, after the award ceremony, I was approached by a person who felt the need to tell me that they didn’t think my book deserved to win an honour award. They were happy with the Book of the Year choice, but felt two other books were more deserving of honour book status. I must have looked hurt and surprised (both of which I was), because the person then followed up with, “No offence intended.”

And so, in a moment where I should have been feeling on top of the world, celebrating my first CBCA ceremony and my first CBCA honour book award, I was temporarily left shaken and teary. Thankfully, I had lots of other wonderful people come up to me afterwards, who shared with me how much they and their children loved Aggie Flea, so I was able to hold my head up again and soldier on.

Sadly, this isn’t the first time something like this has happened to me. Earlier in the year I had someone tell me, that though they knew my book was shortlisted for an award, they really hoped someone else’s book won. Not as bad as the last person, but still, it stung. I wondered why the person felt the need to tell me at all.

Why is it that common courtesy seems to have gone out the window, and some people now feel they’re entitled to share every thought they have? Are we, as a society, now so invested in the idea we have the right to argue our beliefs, that we no longer set boundaries around where or to whom we express them?

I’m not saying these people aren’t entitled to their opinions - they absolutely are, and I understand people have different likes and preferences when it comes to reading material, but why in God’s name would you say something like that to the creator? Share it with your family instead. Tell it to your friends and colleagues. Hell, write a letter of protest to the CBCA if you feel that strongly about it. There are many more appropriate ways to express your disappointment or frustration. But don’t march up to a creator on one of the happiest days of their life and belittle them about their work.

I wonder what response this person expected? Did they want an apology from me? Did they hope I’d agree with their opinion? Or were they just that narcissistic, they believed I’d want to know? I honestly have no idea what this person expected of me, but I was proud of myself in that I didn’t blurt out the first response that came to mind. Instead, I politely said, “I’m not quite sure how to respond to that,” then I excused myself and walked away.

I don’t know who this person was or if I’ll ever cross paths with them again, but if they ever do stumble across this newsletter, I want them to know how I chose to deal with their rudeness. I took advice from Aggie Flea Steals the Show! - the very book they felt was unworthy of an honour award. To quote Aggie:

It’s important to focus on the good stuff, you know. That’s what Princess Zombie always says, ‘Focus on the good stuff because life is always better when you do.’

SO HERE’S THE GOOD STUFF FROM MY CANBERRA TRIP:

• I met lots of lovely people at the CBCA awards ceremony and dinner (Yay for new industry friends!).

• I had my hubby as my Canberra companion (❤️❤️❤️❤️).

• I saw a fabulous Mr Squiggle and Friends exhibition at the National Museum (well worth seeing - I loved it!).

• The weather in Canberra was fantastic while I was there (mostly blue skies, sunshine and cold - just how I like it).

• I saw a huge group of tiny bunnies joyfully frolicking on the grass outside of the National Library (so cute!).

• I stayed at a beautiful old hotel and ate expensive room-service French fries in bed (they were delicious).

• The lovely old hotel also had a gorgeous marble bath (luxurious!).

• I proudly watched on as my friends won awards (❤️❤️❤️).

• I heard how much Aggie Flea was loved by others (💕🥰).

• And… I got to take home a CBCA Honour Book award (which is now proudly hanging in my office 🎉).

Yep, Aggie’s right… life feels better already.

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My hills life

Just when I think hard winter has passed, another cold front sweeps through, leaving ice over the lawn and confusing the poor garden who doesn’t know whether it should be waking or hitting the snooze button and bunkering back down for another month. (I have the same dilemma, garden).

When we first moved to our cottage, our garden was very sparse. Just lawn and a few spinifex plants. A neighbour told us that our garden had once been filled with camellia bushes but the previous owner had pulled them all out. Hubby and I vowed that once we got the structural elements of the garden organised, we would replant as many camellias as we could fit. Earlier this year, we started that process.

Aren’t they gorgeous? There are so many varieties. It’s all I can do not to keep buying them (I’m sure I can find place for more). After weeks of fog and grey skies, it is so nice to look out my window and see these little bursts of colour beginning to appear in the garden. And though this little daffodil below isn’t a camellia, I had to add it as it managed to hang in there even after the weather took a turn for the worse and almost blew it down the stairs.

Plants really are a great example of endurance, even when conditions aren’t ideal. It’s something we can definitely learn from, don’t you think?

Book highlight

The Locked Room by Adam Cece (Penguin, 2025)

Now full confession, I’m not an escape room fan. I tried it once and found it an exercise in frustration on many levels. But I do love the idea behind it. And I love the idea behind this book as well. Imagine 4 teens (with strong ‘Breakfast Club’ vibes) wake up in a room with no idea how they got there or why they are there. Above the door, a countdown clock ominously ticks and the teens have to find a way out of the room before the hour is up. The only problem - another room and another puzzle awaits them. Will they ever make it out? This is a clever and fast paced book that I’m sure teens will love.

September events

After the business of the last 18 months, I’m planning on taking some time out to write. I have many stories muddling around my brain, waiting to be told. So a (hopefully) quieter month for me.

Until next time! Happy writing!

Tan x

July wrap up

In July I visited schools on behalf of the Premier’s Reading Challenge and also as part of the CBCA SA’s Creatives on the Move program, which aims to send children’s authors and illustrators into schools that may not get many opportunities for a visit. The schools I visited were full of fabulously enthusiastic children and staff and I had a terrific time at both.

Mid July, I stole away to the seaside with my daughter for a much needed break where I drank an ungodly amount of herbal tea and went for wild walks along the coastline.

Unfortunately, the weather was only kind to us for a couple of days and my daughter also managed to catch a virus (which I came down with a few days later), so the rest of our holiday was spent locked away in our cabin, snuggled under heated rugs, reading books, watching anime movies, or gaming (I highly recommend Lego Jurassic Park - loads of fun!). Between this and snoozes, I actually managed to get some writing done. Though my plan was to finish a graphic novel I’d been dipping in and out of for the past year, I instead found myself starting a new mid-grade novel which seemed to appear from nowhere!

It felt so good to be writing again. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, the downside to being so busy with all of the ‘authoring hustle’ (appearances, school visits and festivals etc), is that it gives me less time to write. As I’m a panster, I find it easier to write when I have a few consecutive days of dedicated time to get my first draft laid down. If I can write every day, I can get into a zone and the story just flows. However, if I dip in and out of a story over weeks or months, I lose this flow and I find it much harder to finish the story. It takes me ages to find the character’s voice again and to be able to reconnect with their world. For me, writing is quite a visceral process and I need to immerse myself into the world for the flow to happen.

So, this month, I managed to get 10 precious days to write, and write I did. Once I was over my virus, I got into a routine. I’d start at 7am and would write almost non-stop until 2am or 3am the next morning! (I don’t recommend that, by the way. My back certainly didn’t appreciate it and neither did my wallet for the extra physio sessions I needed afterwards). But this story really wanted to be told and I was loving the process so much that I couldn’t stop myself. At the end of the 10 days, I had a completed draft!

I love this story that I wrote. It’s about two siblings and a robot. It’s adventurous, funny, and full of heart, and it came together so quickly. It almost felt as though I was watching a movie as I wrote it. When this happens, I usually know that I’m onto something good. The only down side of working so intensely on a book is that I feel sad when it’s finished and I have to say goodbye to the characters. Does anyone else get the post-writing blues? I really miss the characters I create. My doldrums after this book lasted about a week. I thought about the characters frequently. I reread passages from the story. I wanted to be back in their world. It almost felt like a break up. (Lordy, I hope other people feel this way as well, otherwise I’m probably going to come across as a bit insane! 😁).

The good news is that I had a meeting with a publisher at the end of the month and they were interested in the story so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that they like it enough to send me a contract. 🤞🤞🤞🤞

And in the meantime…I have that graphic novel to finish.

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My hills life

We are truly in the thick of winter now in the hills, with many days barely making it over six degrees. I’m a cold weather person, so I don’t mind one jot about the chill. The garden is looking less than glamourous at the moment and the beds have since been mulched in preparation for seed planting.

On the bright side, the first camellias are beginning to bloom and many of our trees are loaded with buds. I adore camellias and we planted quite a few on our property over autumn. Hopefully, we’ll have some more colour in the next month.

Soon, winter will be over and our garden will become a riot of colour again. I can’t wait!

Book highlight

Into the Bewilderness by Gus Gordon (Figment Books, 2025)

Best friends Luis and Pablo spend their days wandering through nature, playing songs on the guitar, and eating pinecone porridge. But Luis wonders if there’s more to life than just the woods and the rivers and the sky. Sure, life is good, but maybe it could be…better? When adventure in the big city calls, will the friends find what they’re looking for?

If I had to sum this book up in one word, that word would be delightful. This gorgeously illustrated graphic novel is crammed with character driven humour (my favourite kind), and delves into one of life’s big questions: Is there more to this life? I adored the silly banter between the two characters and would recommend this story for children aged 9+ (it would even make a terrific bedtime read for younger children as well). Well worth reading.

August events

August, is of course, the one month of the year where children’s books take centre stage for celebrations (though I’d argue it should be every month!). I have a fully booked book-week again this year and I can’t wait to celebrate stories with the kids.

As one of my books is shortlisted in the CBCA Book of the Year awards this year, I’ll also be travelling to Canberra for a couple of days to attend the ceremony and join in the CBCA’s 80th Celebration. I doubt very much that Aggie Flea Steals the Show! will win book of the year, but being shortlisted gives me an excuse to go over and catch up with industry people (and it’s all taxable! 😄). Besides, I figure that if this is the only shortlisting I get in my lifetime, I’d regret not going to the ceremony, so why not?

If you’re also planning on attending the CBCA ceremony, please keep an eye out for me and come say hi! As always, I’d love to catch up with as many creators, teachers, librarians, booksellers, and industry folk as possible.

Until next time! Happy writing!

Tan x

June wrap up

I can’t believe that we’re already half way through the year! Much of 2025 has been a whirlwind for me and June was no different. Off the back of an insanely busy May, June was filled with lots of workshops and talks.

I was honoured to be an Author in Residence at Concordia College over the first three weeks of June, where I taught writing workshops to years 5 - 8 students. I also had the opportunity to speak with a class of year 9 students who were reading The Other Shadow as their class novel. It was incredible to hear their insights into the book and to share the backstory behind this novel.

I’d not workshopped with high school aged children before and I admit, I was pretty nervous. I’d imagined a bunch of uninterested students, rolling their collective eyes at the ‘old lady’ trying to convince them that books and writing were the best things in the world. In reality, the children were amazing - enthusiastic and engaged. There were some impressive stories written and I was pleasantly surprised at how easily the children were able to think outside of the box.

A few of the staff at the school gave me the most thoughtful gifts before I left. Hajnalka bought me a genuine pair of Erstwilder earrings (button-shaped, in honour of my book, Oma’s Buttons), and Scott and Catherine recovered my book, The Other Shadow, in a beautiful purple cover with a personalised Cricut design and complete with gilded marbled endpapers. These are gifts that I will definitely treasure for life.

Speaking of The Other Shadow, today (1st July) is the first birthday of its release. I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has supported this book over the past 12 months. Thank you for the shares, the reviews and the heartfelt messages. Thank you to the various award judges who have seen something special in my story. For this book to have so many awards attached to it means more than I can express. Thirteen year old Tania would never have believed where life ended up taking me.

In mid June, I was interviewed by Joy Lawn for her Paperbarkwords blog, where I discuss Aggie Flea and the reality of my ‘overnight success.’ If you wish to read more about this, you can find the interview here.

Finally, toward the end of June, I participated in St Raphael’s award-winning Reading Revolution event, where I spoke on a panel about the importance of reading and ran a discussion group with parents who feared that their older children had abandoned reading. We talked tips and tricks for keeping kids interested in stories, and the parents in my group went home with a list of book recommendations for 10 - 12 year old kids, from reluctant readers to advanced. My book list was somewhat controversial, especially my inclusion of graphic novels as valid reading material.

It’s not the first time I’ve come across this problem. Last year I attended a school which no longer kept graphic novels on their library shelves, as parents were complaining about their children choosing these stories over ‘real’ books. Instead, the school kept their graphic novels locked away in the librarian’s office and could only be borrowed with a parent’s permission. I have to add, this was not the school librarian’s choice, nor was it her or preference. The school had been strong-armed into this outcome through the staggering number of parents who had made complaints, fearing their children’s reading would somehow be stunted by having access to graphic novels.

Some people seem to baulk at the idea that graphic novels can be books of substance, but I’d challenge anyone not to find some kernel of beauty in Kazu Kibuishi’s Amulet or truth in Remi Lai’s Ghost Book. Even graphic novels for younger children (for the most part) have life lessons hidden beneath the fart jokes and absurdity. I know that I personally worked incredibly hard over the graphic novel sections in Aggie Flea to ensure that each insert had a moral, whether it be accepting yourself (flaws and all) or looking past first impressions.

I’m amazed at how fixed people’s thinking can be when it comes to reading. There seems to be such an emphasis on age alignment instead of enjoyment. I understand that children need to demonstrate progression with their reading ability and comprehension skills, but does reading additional books for a younger age group really do harm? Ninety five percent of the books I read (and have always read) are junior fiction and midgrade kid-lit - what does that mean about me? If we use the same standards expected of children, then shouldn’t I, as an adult, be reading adult fiction only? Shouldn’t my enjoyment of children’s literature be disadvantaging me in some way? Yet, I don’t feel disadvantaged at all by my love of kid-lit. I’m a completely functional adult with three degrees, and one who can read adult fiction if I choose to (and occasionally I do - only last month, I posted about The Salt Path). In fact, I’d argue that reading children’s books has actually kept me young at heart (and perhaps a bit quirky and whimsical too). 😊

So what do you think? Should kids be allowed to read for enjoyment, even if it is deemed below their age group reading level? And do you think graphic novels are a valid choice of reading material?

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My hills life

The rain has finally arrived in Adelaide and you can feel the sigh of relief in our hills community. Dams are beginning to refill and tiny shoots of green grass are appearing in the dusty paddocks. It has been a tough couple of years for farmers and though the rain brings some reprieve, the losses will be felt for some time yet.

Between the hustle and bustle of this month, I’ve had a couple of happy days curling up on the sofa with a book or my laptop, watching the swirls of fog rolling past my window. It’s not unusual for my home to be blanketed in thick fog during winter and I love it! I imagine this is what it would be like to live in the clouds. Fog always activates that fantasy-hungry part of my brain and I find myself longing for stories like The Spiderwick Chronicles or The Dark is Rising.

Soon, I will need to prune back the lavenders and the herb garden and start thinking about what seeds I’ll be planting for spring. I’ve bought quite a selection of flowers this year and I’m itching to get them in the ground. But for now, I’ll enjoy the rain and the fog.

Book highlight

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown (Little, Brown Books, 2016)

I confess, I’d never heard of this book before the movie came out, but I’m so glad to have discovered it, even if it was late. Roz is a robot who has washed up on a remote island after a storm. She is seemingly without purpose in this wild landscape and goes about trying to befriend the island’s animal inhabitants and make herself useful. When a ship arrives and Roz finds herself under threat, it is her new community that comes to her aid. This is a beautiful, gently-written story of survival, family and finding a sense of belonging.

July events

In July, I get to visit a couple of schools thanks to the SA branch of CBCA and the Premier’s Reading Challenge. Apart from that, I’ll be taking some time out to go away with my daughter on a much needed writing / girl’s retreat, where we will bundle up in a beachside cabin with our heated rugs, our computers, and a stack of books. The plan is to live on tea, soup, cheese and chocolate - write whenever the inspiration hits - and read as many books as we can. I’m actually looking forward to having some down time. It hardly feels as though I’ve had any quality writing time this year and I certainly haven’t read as much as I’d usually read. So here’s to resting and recharging over the midwinter month! I hope you find time to top-up your own spirits as well.

Until next time.

Tan x

May wrap up

May was a fabulous month of investing in myself. Earlier in the month, I headed away on a writer’s retreat with three of my bookish besties - Katrina Germein, Amanda Graham and Janeen Brian. Katrina and Janeen, knowing that I had workshops to finish, set up my own little desk in my room, from where I could see small glimpses of the ocean.

Collectively, our writer’s group call ourselves The Clubbers and once a month, we gather at Janeen’s house over tea and nibbles for the sharing of industry news, celebrations and commiserations. Once a year, we travel south and find ourselves a place near the beach for four to five days, where we workshop, read, dissect books and work on our own projects. There is a lot of tea drinking, cheese chomping, chocolate nibbling and bookish talk. It is heavenly. If you have a passion for writing and haven’t found yourself a writer’s group yet, I’d highly recommend it. There is nothing as motivating or inspiring than being around other creators for extended periods of time. I’ve never left a retreat without at least one new book idea.

On the back of this fabulous getaway, I self-funded a trip to Sydney for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards, where my book, The Other Shadow was shortlisted. I had fears that I’d be wandering around alone, not knowing anyone, so I took my teen daughter (an aspiring author herself) along for the ride. I needn’t have worried. There were many wonderful people who came and spoke to us at the event. I had a brilliant evening and was so glad that I made the decision to go. I even had a chance meeting with a couple of publishers who expressed interest in what I’m currently writing!

The trip also gave my daughter the chance to see her mum in a new light. My daughter recently asked me when the next kid-lit book launch is happening in Adelaide, as she was hoping to go with her new Uni friends (also aspiring authors) so they can meet an author. I had to laugh. Apparently, I will always be just Mum to her, but I can live with that. 😁

A few days after the Literary Awards, I was back in Sydney for an extended stint, where I visited bookstores, caught up with other creators, participated in the Ripples (Words on the Waves) festival, visited schools, met with editors and publishers, and gave talks at libraries and bookshops with fellow SA creator, Mandy Foot. Whew!

I was fortunate to have received a grant from Create SA, who funded the trip. Going to NSW for a week was such a huge growth experience. I’m a country bumpkin at heart and have always worried that I’d get lost in a big city, but Sydney and the central coast of NSW were awesome for travelling and exploring. By the end of the week, I felt like a seasoned traveller, and my anxiety about catching buses and trains to strange places had disappeared. I also pushed my introverted self to talk to as many people as possible and made loads of new friends and connections over the seven days. I think I’ve even managed to create some future opportunities as well, which is exciting.

Travelling as a kid-lit creator can be an expensive venture unless you have the backing of a publisher or have managed to secure a bunch of paid gigs at schools or festivals. For the majority of us, such opportunities are rare or non-existent. So how do you make it happen?

For me, I started small and local. I approached local libraries and asked if they were looking for any writing workshops for school holiday programs. With the money I earned from that, plus a handful of school visits I did, I paid for a ticket to Queensland to attend a Romancing the Stars event in 2023. From this event, I secured two more festival gigs in 2024. I then reinvested this money towards a trip to Sydney in mid 2024, where I made more contacts, which led to more opportunities. All of these steps demonstrated motivation and determination when I applied for a marketing grant earlier this year, and it was the success of this grant that funded my latest and most expensive venture.

Of course, investing in yourself doesn’t necessarily have to be financial. It might mean investing in time to write, read, or research. It could mean an afternoon at a library or bookshop, browsing the latest releases. Or maybe investing in yourself means spending quality time with fellow creators and book-lovers. It may even be watching one of the many resources for writers available on YouTube. Some of my personal favourites include Jen Storer’s info-packed channel, the always informative 5 writers, 5 minutes channel, or Brenton Cullen’s fascinating kidlit corner, where he picks creator’s brains about the stories behind their stories.

Where you begin, depends on where you are in your career. The starting point doesn’t matter though, as long as you invest in some form. Over time, more paths will open. And in the meantime - keep reminding yourself that you’re worth investing in.

Tan x

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My hills life

In the hills, the autumnal displays are almost over and it is time to start raking the leaves into the compost in preparation for winter. We have had a couple of light sprinkles of rain but we desperately need more. Adelaide is currently in an official drought, which has extended the fire season in the hills. Hopefully the rains will come soon and put us all out of our misery. It is crazy that we are in drought, yet northern NSW are suffering from floods.

The air now has that icy feeling and the days are becoming shorter. We have resorted to turning our heater on more during the day and I’ve scattered lap rugs around our cottage. For Mother’s Day earlier this month, I was gifted an electric throw rug and it has just been the best! I can sit at my little desk and be cosy and warm all day. I highly recommend that you get one if you can.

I leave you with a photo of my poor moulting Plymouth Rock chook, Kiki who is usually splendid with puffy bloomers and shiny striped feathers. This year, she is moulting particularly hard and it is quite a sorry sight to see. She has lost even more feathers since this photo was taken. I wonder what it must be like to undergo such a drastic transformation every year? Kiki seems quite miserable at the moment, but in a couple of months her new feathers would have grown out and she’ll be gorgeous and confident again. I’m sure there’s a life metaphor in all of that - shedding things that are old or no longer serve us well, as we grow into the best versions of ourselves. What will you be come spring?

Book highlight

The Salt Path by Raynor Winn (Penguin UK, 2019)

For those of you who don’t know, The Salt Path is an adult novel that was recently made into movie starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs. I’m late in discovering this book but I’m glad I found it. What an incredible story!

Based on true events, Raynor and her husband, Moth embark on a 630-mile walk along England’s South West Coast Path after losing their home and being given the news that Moth has a terminal diagnosis. This book is beautifully intimate, and captures the realities of homelessness and the beauty of the British landscape. It’s a testament to the human spirit and well worth reading.

June events

In June, I’ll be busy as an author in residence over 3 weeks at Concordia College, which I am really looking forward to. I love sharing my passion for writing and stories, and I’ll have a captive audience! MWAHAHAHA! (Just kidding - I’m hoping to keep it interesting and fun for the kids). 😁

On the 19th of June, I will also be presenting at a public event, hosted by St Raphael’s College. The Literacy Panel will feature renowned literacy experts and authors, and aims to equip parents with practical strategies tailored to their child’s developmental stage, while reinforcing the idea that literacy is foundational to lifelong success. To learn more about the event and secure a free place, see HERE.

Until next time!

April wrap up

April was one of those months that felt like I blinked and it was over. Have you ever had one of those months? I spent much of the month supporting a couple of family members who are going through serious health challenges. But there were a few writerly highlights to the month as well.

The month started with a morning tea at Government House to celebrate the CBCA’s 80th birthday. Eighty years! How incredible! And how lucky our community is to have had (and still have) people who are passionate about helping Australian books find their way into the hands of children. It was one of those delightful events that leaves you feeling thankful for your tribe. The kid-lit crew and those who support us in South Australia really are a phenomenal bunch of people.

Also, early in April, The Other Shadow was fortunate to come second place in the Forevability Book Awards. These awards aim to promote understanding and compassion for those living with disability, chronic illness, and mental illness (or living with family members who suffer such conditions). So to have my book take runner up in this award was certainly an honour.

I also received the news that The Other Shadow was also shortlisted for the Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children's Literature in the NSW Literary Awards, which was a wonderful surprise. The winners are announced on the 19th of May, and though I don’t expect to win (just look at the calibre of books it is up against!), I’m thrilled to have even gotten this far! That is three lovely stickers that I can add to The Other Shadow now.

In mid-April, I received an email advising me that I’d been successful in a grant application with Arts SA, which will allow me to travel to NSW next month to present at the Words on the Waves Ripples Festival. I’ll also be attending a few other events whilst in NSW and would love to catch up with other kid-lit loving folk (see May Events below).

During the April school holiday, I had the chance to connect with children through various libraries. I ran a Minecraft story workshop with a group of kids at Unley Library, which was huge fun! I was also asked to present a writing magical stories workshop at Festival Fleurieu, which was held at the Yankalilla Library and Cultural Centre. As a bonus of the festival, I was lucky enough to spend the night in the guesthouse of Lorraine McLoughlin and Peter Fitzgerald on their gorgeous property at Yankalilla.

Lorraine and Peter live in a quaint 1800’s cottage on 3 acres and have spent considerable hours planting, renovating and personalising their space to be a reflection of their joint creativity and passions. It is a sensory feast for the eyes. Everywhere you look, you find something interesting - paintings, sculptures, pottery or antique furniture.

I was especially in awe of Peter’s eclectic art studio, which looked exactly like the spaces of artists that I’d studied in high school - complete with sketches and colour samples pinned to the walls and a collection of vintage bottles and 1960’s sculptures adorning the window sills. Not to mention the many many paintings in various stages of completion scattered around the room.

It got me thinking about the spaces we reside in as artists. As anyone who writes, paints or illustrates can tell you, a creative space is much more than four walls and a desk. It’s a place where imagination can soar. It can be a place of resistance or liberation, or simply a place to think. For many years, my writing space was my kitchen table. The room that now houses my desk was once my daughter’s playroom. When she hit the teen years and took to living in her bedroom full time (only making occasional appearances in the pursuit of food), the room was refurbished as a guest room with a sofa-bed and a few bookshelves. I wrote Aggie Flea is NOT a Liar! sitting on that sofa. It wasn’t a terrific choice for my spine, so a couple of years ago, I bought myself a little desk. I needed something that fit the limited space by the window that looks out over the garden.

I’m aware (and thankful) to have this creative space to call my own. I’m reminded of Virginia Woolf who famously argued that in order for a woman to write, she needed “a room of her own.” This was somewhat a radical notion at the time, as women’s creative pursuits were often expected to squeeze between domestic duties (of course, when Woolf wrote this, she wasn’t just speaking of claiming physical space, but also of finding mental and emotional freedom to create as well, which is just as important).

As a middle aged woman, it is something I can relate to, though it’s through a slightly different lens to Woolf’s. I’m fortunate to have a husband who shares household chores, but I still have a child living at home, I work, and I’m now at that stage in life where I have aging parents who also need my attention. Some days, I barely have time to come up for breath, let alone write. And even though I now have a physical space to write, I don’t always feel as though I have the mental and emotional capacity. This issue is more common than is publicly acknowledged - especially amongst creators who take on the role of generational caregivers. I know this through many conversations with friends.

Personally, it has been a hard pill to swallow. I’m slowly coming to terms with the fact that I will probably never be one of those authors who consistently publishes one book a year (or at least, not for a while yet). Instead, I’ll have to make do with my sporadic spurts of writing at my little desk whenever I can find time. The goal I’ve set myself is to try to use these moments well and enjoy the process. And if I find myself holding a book at the end of it all, then that will be the cherry on top.

Tan x

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My hills life

Autumn has well and truly arrived in the Adelaide Hills now and my heart could not be happier. Just look at these colours!

There’s something truly romantic about autumn in the hills. Everywhere I walk is a riot of red, yellow and orange. The bite of summer is gone and the air is filled with the smell of chimney smoke as the first fireplaces are lit. The red-browed finches have returned as they do every autumn, though they move too fast for me to be able to take a clear photo. The garden is winding down and the chooks are happily cleaning up the scraps and turning over the soil.

I always think I should create some kind of ritual to celebrate the beginning of autumn, but I’ve never gotten around to it. The closest I get is making way too much pumpkin soup, which my family initially enjoys, but after a few days, no longer want to eat. Do you have any special customs in you house? I’d love to hear about them if you do.

Book highlight

Little Bones by Sandy Bigna (UQP, 2025)

I have immense admiration for authors who can write in verse. Finding the exact word to place in sparse lines of text is an enviable skill, and Sandy Bigna does this beautifully in Little Bones. It follows the story of an eleven year old girl, Bones, who has withdrawn from the world after the death of her brother. Bones collects dead things and one night accidentally resurrects the skeleton of a baby bird. The problem is - the bird does not wish to be alive - and Bones needs to make some hard decisions, which ultimately forces her to confront her loss. A gorgeous verse novel with a lot of heart.

May events

I’ll be heading to Sydney to attend the NSW Literary Awards on the 19th May. It will be a quick fly in that morning, attend the awards that evening and fly out on the 20th. If anyone is going to these awards, please let me know! I’d love to meet up with other kid-lit people whilst there.

I’ll be heading back to Sydney on the 24th May, this time for a week-long tour where I’ll be presenting at the Ripples Festival, visiting schools and bookshops, and catching up with writerly friends.

On the 28th of May, I’ll be joining illustrator, Mandy Foot for a Q and A, thanks to the CBCA Central Coast Region. This event for adults who love children’s books, will be held at the Erina Library. For anyone who is interested, you can find more information and bookings HERE.

Gleebooks has also kindly offered to host an informal Meet the SA Creators event for Friday, 30th May from 6pm. Learn about the stories behind our stories and feel free to ask questions about our work, our process or the industry in general. Numbers are restricted so please contact education@gleebooks.com.at if you are interested. Oh, and did I mention there will be wine and nibbles? I hope people can make it - Mandy and I would love to connect with as many Sydney kid-lit lovers as possible.

See you next month!

March wrap up

March was another exciting month for me. Aggie Flea Steals the Show was shortlisted in the CBCA book of the year awards. I’ve never had a CBCA shortlisting before, so to say I was thrilled was an understatement. There was much excitement and happy dancing (followed by a post-buzz lie-down because according to my back, doing a joyful ninja roll over a couch is not a good idea at my age). And if that news wasn’t exciting enough, my mid-grade novel, The Other Shadow was shortlisted in category 2 of the Foreveability Awards this month as well.

In other exciting news, Aggie Flea is Not a Liar! was published in Spain and Italy on the 25th March. The covers are below. Anne Yi’s gorgeous illustrations and Nicole Stofberg’s fabulous design compliment any language, don’t you think? It is exciting to think that children in different parts of the world will be getting to know my zany gal. I do hope they enjoy the books.

On the 2nd March, I was honoured to present in the children’s tent at Adelaide Writer’s Week. It was the first time I’d been invited to participate and I was super excited all week. Then on the morning of the event, I woke up feeling a bit off. My eyes were itching and my nose had a distinct tickle. I figured it was probably hayfever. I did two covid tests just to be safe (both negative), took some Zyrtec and headed into the city. By the time I went on stage, I could feel the beginnings of a headache. I muddled through and by all accounts did quite well, signed a bunch of books and took the obligatory photos.

Despite not feeling great, I still had an awesome time, though shorter than I would have liked. I had planned to stay on and watch a few other presenters but by the time my obligations were complete, my headache had grown significantly, so I headed home early. The next day I woke up with a flu that took me out of action for an entire week.

To be honest, I’d been feeling somewhat burnt out for a while and I’m not surprised that my body enforced a significant rest. 2024 was a huge year for me and I’d made the promise to say yes to anything that came along. It was a year of four book releases and promotion (both of said books and of self). Unfortunately, it was a year where I was also forced to juggle a devastating diagnosis of a loved one who needs increasing support, guide a child through year 12, and come to terms with a nasty health issue of my own. During the final months of 2024 I found myself having a recurring fantasy where I jumped in my car and disappeared for few days, a la Agatha Christie.

I’m fortunate to have an incredibly loving and supportive family and I could never do something so radical. But I get it. My desire to ‘escape’ wasn’t about my family or even my life - I’m incredibly blessed and grateful on both accounts. It was about hitting pause on some of the pressure I was feeling.

During my enforced respite this month, it got me thinking though. Why was I putting so much pressure on myself?

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I’ve been in this industry for well over a decade now. Yet it’s only in the past few months that I’ve felt I’m finally making some headway in terms of visibility. I attended an industry event at the end of 2024, where for the first time, I didn’t have to introduce myself and list off my books to blank stares and apologies from peers who had never heard of me before. Don’t get me wrong, people still didn’t know who I was but they had heard of my books! Some people had even read some of them!

Over the past decade, I’ve begun to understand the relationship between networking and ‘success’ in the publishing industry. Unless you have some degree of visibility, you’re unlikely to find yourself invited to festivals or events, mentioned on certain review sites and popular social media pages, be invited to podcasts, or even recommended by booksellers and librarians.

Likewise, you’re less likely to get additional support from publishers, no matter how much they loved your book. It’s not personal, though it can sometimes feel that way. At the end of the day, the publishing industry is a business and overheads need to be covered. Visibility and popularity sells books. That’s just a fact.

I now realise how important networking is, but for an introvert who used to get anxious in crowds, this was a challenging prospect at the beginning. At my first book launch, I announced to a room full of people that I’d shaved my legs that morning! Don’t ask me why. My only excuse is that when I reached the podium and saw the crowd, my brain decided it was time for a reboot, leaving me in the dangerous territory of an unfiltered mouth. Thankfully, I’ve come a long way since then. I’ve done probably close to two hundred presentations now and no longer suffer such epic moments of panic, though family and friends still rib me about whether I’ve shaved whenever I have a launch. I can laugh about it now, but I was mortified at the time.

I guess where I’m going with this, is that for some people, networking comes easily. Some creators are natural extroverts and ooze a hypnotic charm that people like myself can only dream of. Some have the benefit of celebrity. Some are just so darn talented that you can’t not be dazzled. Some creators have easier access to circles and communities where you’ll find the bulk of Australia’s kid-lit podcasters, reviewers, and festival organisers (I’m especially thinking of the eastern states here). Some creators are social media whizzes, or have an edginess or point of difference that is coveted right now. Then there’s the rest of us.

As a self-confessed chubby, middle-aged woman living in South Australia, I do sometimes feel as though I need to work harder in order to be seen. And I know I’m not the only one who feels this way. I guess the question is how do we find balance and not burn out in the meantime?

This is the stage where I’m currently at. I’ve decided to override my instinct to say yes to everything this year, and be more choosy about what invitations to accept. I’ve even had to say no to a couple of events that I’d really love to do. It’s about finding balance and also giving myself time to write, because all of the networking in the world feels empty to me if I’m not creating new work. I have a bunch of half-written manuscripts begging for my attention, and over the past month I’ve been slowly getting back to them. In doing so, I discovered something important about myself: I’m a happier person when I’m writing.

Please, don’t misunderstand me - I still want to participate in festivals and networking events, both because I know I need to do it and also because I’ve come to enjoy it. It is a privilege to be able to share my journey and passion with others. So, if any festival organisers are looking for a chubby, middle-aged woman to present, let me know. And if you’re really lucky, I might even shave my legs!

Tan x

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My hills life

One of the things I love about where I live is that you really get to experience the seasons. Autumn is just peeping around the corner; the mornings are getting cooler, the trees are showing the first flushes of colour, and my heart is full.

I can’t wait for the explosion of reds and golds that signal the end of summer. Summer in the hills is always fraught with worry about bushfires. For a good two months of the year I find myself holding my breath. Autumn feels like the long exhale.

I never used to be a fan of autumn but it has become my favourite time of year since we moved to our cottage. It’s the time to wind back and slow down in preparation for winter. A time of taking gentle walks on chilly mornings and eating bowls of nourishing soup. A time for rest. There’s something delicious about autumn in the Adelaide hills. As soon as I see those hints of red, gold and orange, I want to curl up on the couch with a book, a nanna rug and a hot cup of tea. Who’s with me?

Book highlight

The World Between Blinks by Amie Kaufman and Ryan Graudin (Harper Collins, 2021)

I downloaded a digital version of this book to read during those ‘waiting’ times of life,(waiting at appointments, waiting to pick up kiddo, waiting for my walking buddy to arrive). I thought it would be a quick read that I could jump in and out of. How mistaken I was! Instead, this book ignited my mystery-loving, history-buff brain and I found myself falling down a rabbit hole and googling cannibal rats, ghost ships, and missing explorers amongst other things. This is a fun book, crammed with mystery, adventure and twists.

April events

On the 17th of April, I’ll be holding a Minecraft themed workshop at Unley Town Hall. Perfect for Minecraft-loving kids, we will be creating our own Minecraft characters and pitting them against an evil wizard. This is sure to be lots of fun! For more information and bookings, click HERE.

On the 22nd April, I’ll be in Yankalilla for Festival Fleurieu, where I’ll be conducting a workshop for kids with a focus on magical stories and creatures. Guaranteed fun for little ones. For more information and bookings, click HERE.

February wrap up

February brought lots of exciting news and happenings.

Earlier in the month, I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Brenton Cullen for his Kid-Lit Corner vlog. We discussed the process of writing The Other Shadow - about the difficulties of publishing books for children where mental heath is a central theme, and why triggers aren’t always a bad thing. We also talked about true empathy (as opposed to what I like to call ‘performance empathy’), and why kid’s books about mental health are needed more than ever.

Brenton’s love for kid-lit really comes through in his interviewing style. He’s also an all round nice guy. If you’d like to view the interview, you can find it HERE.

In the last week of February, I travelled to Queensland for the Peregian Springs State School Writer’s Festival. It was a whirlwind visit where I flew in one afternoon, did three author talks and a workshop with year 2 and 3 students the following morning, and was back on a plane headed for home by 2.30pm. It was a blast though! The kids were enthusiastic and the staff were amazing. There is nothing as inspiring as a school library run by passionate teacher-librarians. I only wish I’d taken more photos.

I also received the cutest card from the year two students. It has puppies! Who doesn’t love a card covered in puppies!

Not long after I arrived in Queensland, I received some super exciting news. Two of my books had been selected as Notables in the CBCA 2025 book of the year awards! Here’s a photo of me in my hotel room taking the news calmly.

What can I say? Awards make people crazy. You’re either leaping with joy or crumbling with disappointment. I’ve had experience with both.

How I wish I didn’t become so invested in awards. Every time I have a book in the running, I tell myself it doesn’t matter. I wrote a (hopefully) beautiful book and managed to get it published. That in itself is a reward. But then those upcoming award notifications start appearing in my social media feed and I feel that annoying, hopeful itch in my brain.

The first award listing I ever received was a shortlisting in 2016 for The Speech Pathology’s Book of the Year. It was for Jinny & Cooper: My Teacher’s Big Bad Secret, and I didn’t even know about it at the time. I only discovered the shortlisting later by accident. I was pretty naïve about the industry in those days. I didn’t even realise there were awards for children’s books creators.

It took five more books before I received another nod, this time for Aggie Flea is NOT a Liar!, which gave me my first CBCA listing last year. I’d like to point out that I’d been in the industry for eleven years at this point and I’d published eight books. I was taken completely by surprise. After years of anxiety and disappointment, I’d truly come to believe that my writing just wasn’t award worthy.

Unfortunately, this sliver of recognition hatched another gremlin in my brain. Maybe my work was award worthy after all. This year, I felt more anxious than ever about the notables listing. I had four books published in 2024 - that’s four pockets of hope I carried with me. Were any of them good enough to get a nod from the CBCA judges? I was especially vulnerable about whether The Other Shadow would find a spot on the notables. This book is the most personal thing I’ve written and I’m not ashamed to say it would have hurt if it wasn’t recognised. As creators, we try not to tie our self-worth into our creations, but sometimes it’s hard. We pour so much of ourselves into our books so it’s difficult not to take things personally.

I’m sure there are a lot of wonderful creators feeling the sad sting of self-doubt at the moment. I wish I had words of wisdom or comfort that would make it better. I could say that creators should be proud of their achievements whether they win awards or not, and I truly believe this, but saying so doesn’t always help a bruised heart. I know. I’ve been there myself on many occasions and I’m guaranteed to find myself there again at some point in future. The only advice I can give is keep writing. Don’t give yourself time to let the seed of doubt sprout. Feeling sad and overlooked - write. Having thoughts of self doubt - write. Feel like giving up - write. Write your way through the hurt. That goes for any industry-related disappointment whether it be missing out on an award or a rejection from a publisher. Just keep writing.

Tan x

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My hills life

If you follow me on social media, you’ll know my darling girl turned 18 in February. She isn’t one for big parties, so she asked if we could have a high tea in our garden with a small group of her friends. To say I was excited was probably an understatement. For years, I’ve collected vintage China – tea cups and saucers, plates and teapots, serving platters and cutlery - and now I had a reason to use them en masse! It also gave me an excuse to pull out my craft supplies, and I spent many hours sewing bows, tying ribbons onto candles, decorating recycled bottles to make small vases, and painting doilies to make fancy placemats. It had been a while since I’d crafted and loved every minute of it! The overall result was pretty, don’t you agree?

Later, when the sun set, our whole garden took on an even more magical quality. It was a beautiful afternoon for a garden party, and the perfect evening to drag out all of our blow-up couches and picnic rugs for an outdoor theatre.

I must admit, I was sad when I had to pack everything away the next day. It made me wonder why we didn’t have tea parties in our garden more often. I think that’s something I’ll have to rectify in future.

Finally, here’s a picture of the possum who lives with her baby in the hedge by our back door. She made a brief appearance at the party, stopping to thoroughly check over the proceedings before deciding it was too noisy and heading back to her nest. Her presence provided a few minutes of excitement though and made for a wonderful photo. The neon possum. Now there’s a title for a book.

Book highlight

The 113th Assistant Librarian by Stuart Wilson (Penguin, 2024)

As soon as I read the back cover of this book, I was sold. After all, who can resist a library filled with cats, magical books, and a mysterious murder? Children who love Harry Potter, The Grandest Bookshop in the World, and Nevermore will devour this book. It is a fun read, full of adventure and whimsical twists.

March events

On the 2nd of March, I’ll be presenting in the children’s tent at Adelaide Writer’s Week, which is exciting. I’ll be talking all things Aggie Flea and sharing the story of how I came up with this zany character. If you’re in Adelaide and want to join me, I’ll be in the Torrens Tent from 12.15 pm to 1.00 pm.

I was hoping to start February’s newsletter with an example of me being brave. Specifically, how I ran an event for adults interested in writing for children, which is something I’ve never done solo before. The event was to take place at a gorgeous little café down the hill and I imagined there would be cake and tea and lots of bookish-related chat. I’d planned what I was going to say, made a reference guide for attendees and was, as my daughter would say, thoroughly nervousited (a delicious mix of nervousness and excitement).

Then, the day before the event, I received a message saying that the event would have to be cancelled. We were shy of the minimum numbers needed for the café owner to proceed. The organiser was hugely apologetic and kind about it.

There was some discussion about whether I might run a shorter session for less money. I considered it. But in the end, I said no. I didn’t want the few who came to receive a rushed or watered-down version of my presentation. I wanted time for questions. I wanted them to leave feeling empowered, and with clarity about how to navigate the children’s publishing industry. The other option was to go ahead and accept a sizeable pay cut. But that would have meant undervaluing myself as a creator and, in turn, contributing to the wider undervaluing of creators in our industry.

There’s an uncomfortable truth that underlies this. The number that defines what a children’s book creator is ‘worth’ seems to be shrinking. ASA recommended appearance rates exist, yet authors and illustrators are frequently asked to work for very little (or for free). Very few make a living wage from creating children’s books.1

So I politely declined. There were no hard feelings on either side. She felt she’d let me down. I felt I’d let her down. Kind words were shared. It was a beautiful moment of connection, and my heart was full from the experience.

Afterwards, I went on social media and announced the cancellation. That part was humbling. I felt embarrassed. As though I somehow wasn’t enough. I compared myself to others. My inner critic seized the opportunity. I briefly considered writing that the event had been cancelled due to extraneous circumstances. A neat little phrase that skirts around the truth, don’t you think?

Then I came across a quote from Holly Ringland, author of The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart.

“When things get uncomfortable, before you heed the inner critic and abandon yourself, listen to the truth your heart beats back to you: I’m – trying – my – f*#%ing -best.”

It was absolutely what I needed to hear at that moment and oh, so true! Like anyone who is attempting to carve a niche for themselves in the children’s publishing industry, I am trying my best. I feel as though I’m constantly throwing seeds into the wind, hoping that something will land and grow. Sometimes it pays off, sometimes it fails. That’s just the way life rolls.

But here’s what I realised: the bravery wasn’t in running the event. It was in holding my boundaries and valuing my work. It was telling the truth publicly when something didn’t succeed. And it was staying in the game anyway.

So what began as a newsletter about how I hoped to demonstrate bravery turned into something else entirely - a reminder that bravery doesn’t always look the way we expect.

Happy seed scattering, everyone!

Tan x

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My hills life

The last of our spring and summer flowers have been hanging in there this year, thanks to some vigilant watering, pruning and mulching. Our daughter turns 18 in February and has asked for a small high tea in the garden with her close friends. I’m praying that the flowers hold out for a couple of more weeks! Meanwhile, I love sitting in the garden early in the morning and watching the sunrise. You can feel the coolness of the morning air now – a sign that the worst of summer is behind us and autumn is just around the corner.

One of my newer hens, Angelica, has taken to joining me in the mornings, albeit a bit more closely than I’d like. She will happily hop onto the table and help herself to tea and toast if I turn my back! It’s common knowledge amongst my friends that I am a lifelong chook lover. There’s nothing quite as delightful to me as watching my feathered friends free-range and fluff around the yard, looking for insects and clucking with satisfaction. And the eggs they lay are superb too!

My dear hubby long ago resigned to the fact that chooks were going to be a part of our life. I think that secretly, he enjoys them almost as much as I do, though he’d never admit it. Every year, for our wedding anniversary, he carves me a wooden chook. I’m getting quite the collection. Below is this year’s offering for our 26th wedding anniversary. I love that she looks like Angelica and she currently has pride of place on my desk.

And to finish off – here’s a photo of the adorable koala who has claimed the eucalyptus tree in our front yard. He’s not in any rush to get up to the top of the tree. He likes to take his time and look around. He enjoys his long naps. He might be onto something.

Book Highlight

Hazel’s Treehouse by Zanni Louise, illustrated by Judy Watson (Walker Books, 2024)

Hazel’s Treehouse was one of the books that Santa left under the tree for me last year. Reminiscent of Winnie-the-Pooh, this book is filled with short, gentle stories that I imagine would be perfect bedtime reading for little ones aged 5+. Nine-year-old Hazel lives with a group of animal friends in the Australian bush. Every day brings new adventures and challenges that children will relate to. After all, who wouldn’t be charmed by the idea of snuggle up Sunday or a do-nothing day? Adding further to the book’s charm are Judy Watson’s divine illustrations that invite you to return again and again for a closer look. In all, a delightful book dusted with a sprinkle of Aussie magic.

February Events

In mid-February, I’ll be chatting with Brenton Cullen as a part of his Kidlit Corner vlog series, so keep an eye out on his YouTube channel for that. And while you’re there, check out some of his other chats with kid’s book creators. It is always fascinating to hear about other people’s journeys.

I’ll also be shooting over to Queensland for a whirlwind trip on the 25^th / 26^th of February to present at the Peregian Springs State School Festival, and I look forward to telling you more about that in the next newsletter!

See you then!