I am going to New Zealand tomorrow which is very exciting. I am a guest of the Storylines Festival. I will be speaking at three free Family Days during the festival. Free Family Days Wellington Free Family Day – 8 June Te Whaea, Newtown Christchurch Free Family Day – 14 June Heaton Intermediate Auckland Free … Continued
I’ve just received my author copies of a new black dog books book called Short: a collection of interesting short stories and other stuff from some surprising and intelligent people. I have a short story in it. As well as stories it contains poems, pictures and things that don’t fit into any regular categories. All … Continued
I’ve recently had a number of emails from young writers asking for advice on how to improve their writing. They seem to think that because I write books, and some of them have been successful, I can explain how to write a successful book. If only it were that easy. The truth is, I can’t … Continued
The shortlist for this year’s NSW Premier’s Literary Awards have just been announced, and…Dragon Moon has been nominated for the Patricia Wrightson Award. I’m delighted, of course. That’s two shortlistings for the book. The winners will be announced on 19 May. You can see all the other shortlisted books here. It’s a tough field, with … Continued
The State Library of Victoria is holding a Medieval Faire this Saturday (20 April) from 10-4. There are lots of interesting-looking events and activities including opportunities to learn how to sword fight, try drawing dragons and dress up in Medieval clothes. There are story-telling sessions and performances of Medieval music. It’s all to accompany The … Continued
While I was at the Shanghai American School, I had a look at the beautiful Beijing Opera costumes that belong to the school. When Jacqueline Meijer asked if I’d like to try them on, I didn’t hesitate. Here I am in Imperial dragon robes. Thanks to Jacqueline for sending me the photos.
I will be visiting Sydney next month as a guest of the Sydney Writer’s Festival. I’ll be doing two school sessions on a panel with Terry Denton, Richard Glover, Doug MacLeod, Emily Rodda and Deborah Abela. But those sessions have both sold out. I will also be doing a session which is open to the … Continued
Wherever I go, I always keep an eye out for dragons. It will come as no surprise, I’m sure, that there was no shortage of them in Shanghai. My favourites were the ones on the bronze ritual vessels in the Shanghai Museum. They are two and a half to three thousand years old. Click on … Continued
A batch of Dragonkeeper-inspired artwork by students from Sycamore Elementary School at Simi Valley, California USA, has just been added to the readers’ art page.
Portuguese and French covers have been added the Garden of the Purple Dragon, and a US cover has been added for Dragon Moon. Carole’s Children’s Book Council of Australia shortlistings and notable book listings for 2008 have also been added for Dragon Moon, Ned Kelly’s Jerilderie Letter and The Dragon Companion.