Brydie Wright's Blog, page 3
April 10, 2017
Have I Come To Writing Too Late?
On the weekend, I visited Nutcote, the museum home of Australian children's writing legend May Gibbs, who died in 1969. Her most famous novel for children is Snugglepot and Cuddlepie (the little guys pictured here), published in 1918. Coincidentally, this was the same year that Norman Lindsay published his Aussie classic, The Magic Pudding. There must have been something in the Billabong waters that year.
But I digress...
Why had I waited until my late 30s to visit Gibbs' home, a place I had wanted to see for years? Maybe it was the same reason I have only turned my attentions to a love of writing in my third decade. I'm a literary 'late bloomer'.
I showed early promise at writing in primary school and high school, scoring good grades in English and Creative Writing. Nothing too stellar but a glimmer of talent waiting to be developed. I studied English Literature to the highest level I could bear, opting to start working in the 'real world', rather than pursue a PhD in Eng. Lit.
The moment that stopped me in my tracks, however, was being rejected entry into a third-year Creative Writing course during my BA Hons degree. I was devastated. I had submitted a short story but in hindsight I think they were looking for a portfolio and my writing, though lightly satirical, was innocent and probably not tortured or mature enough for a university writing course. Whatever the reason, I lost confidence in my writing and decided to focus on a career using my research and organisational talents, taking me into TV, then higher education and magazines and events management for the banking industry. Over sixteen years in the workforce, I'd done well but was forever looking for a true path I could follow through.
Something clicked in my brain when I was spending time with my toddler in between work contracts, and I was inspired to sit down and write, for the first time in years. Not just one manuscript but three and like Daddy and the World's Longest Poo, all the stories are picture books and written in a humorous, irreverent style about the curious ways that little people think.
So, nearing my 40th birthday, I've decided to resist the urge to rush back to the security of another office job and pursue this thing they call 'writing for a living'. The 'living' part hasn't quite come yet but the writing part is flowing and for the first time in a very long time, I feel I am doing what I am meant to be doing. From marketing my book, reviewing books, polishing manuscript sfor submission, or blogging for 'Mummy' and lifestyle websites, I'm loving it all.
But have I left it too late? The financial pressure is certainly on. Maybe I can't afford to indulge my writing at this point in my life, or maybe I can't afford not to.
I opened this blog with Nutcote for a reason - May Gibbs. She died at the ripe old age of 92 and her career spanned eight decades, with her first artistic works achieving recognition when she was only a teenager. At my age, May still had over half of her writing career to go.
They say if you find something you really love doing, you are in no rush to retire, so theoretically, I have the rest of my life (however long that may be) to pursue my writing and make it work. I can only dream of the kind of success May Gibbs achieved but she has certainly inspired me. She never had children of her own but she knew what they loved to read.
That's why I'm starting with poo. Kids can't help but love toilet humour and while mass market success might still be a long way off, I'm finally in there with a chance. I'm not going to cave to rejection. I can write and I #amwriting.
Daddy and the World's Longest Poo
But I digress...
Why had I waited until my late 30s to visit Gibbs' home, a place I had wanted to see for years? Maybe it was the same reason I have only turned my attentions to a love of writing in my third decade. I'm a literary 'late bloomer'.
I showed early promise at writing in primary school and high school, scoring good grades in English and Creative Writing. Nothing too stellar but a glimmer of talent waiting to be developed. I studied English Literature to the highest level I could bear, opting to start working in the 'real world', rather than pursue a PhD in Eng. Lit.
The moment that stopped me in my tracks, however, was being rejected entry into a third-year Creative Writing course during my BA Hons degree. I was devastated. I had submitted a short story but in hindsight I think they were looking for a portfolio and my writing, though lightly satirical, was innocent and probably not tortured or mature enough for a university writing course. Whatever the reason, I lost confidence in my writing and decided to focus on a career using my research and organisational talents, taking me into TV, then higher education and magazines and events management for the banking industry. Over sixteen years in the workforce, I'd done well but was forever looking for a true path I could follow through.
Something clicked in my brain when I was spending time with my toddler in between work contracts, and I was inspired to sit down and write, for the first time in years. Not just one manuscript but three and like Daddy and the World's Longest Poo, all the stories are picture books and written in a humorous, irreverent style about the curious ways that little people think.
So, nearing my 40th birthday, I've decided to resist the urge to rush back to the security of another office job and pursue this thing they call 'writing for a living'. The 'living' part hasn't quite come yet but the writing part is flowing and for the first time in a very long time, I feel I am doing what I am meant to be doing. From marketing my book, reviewing books, polishing manuscript sfor submission, or blogging for 'Mummy' and lifestyle websites, I'm loving it all.
But have I left it too late? The financial pressure is certainly on. Maybe I can't afford to indulge my writing at this point in my life, or maybe I can't afford not to.
I opened this blog with Nutcote for a reason - May Gibbs. She died at the ripe old age of 92 and her career spanned eight decades, with her first artistic works achieving recognition when she was only a teenager. At my age, May still had over half of her writing career to go.
They say if you find something you really love doing, you are in no rush to retire, so theoretically, I have the rest of my life (however long that may be) to pursue my writing and make it work. I can only dream of the kind of success May Gibbs achieved but she has certainly inspired me. She never had children of her own but she knew what they loved to read.
That's why I'm starting with poo. Kids can't help but love toilet humour and while mass market success might still be a long way off, I'm finally in there with a chance. I'm not going to cave to rejection. I can write and I #amwriting.
Daddy and the World's Longest Poo
March 27, 2017
A Win For The "Poo" vs. A Parenting Fail
This week I celebrated the end of my official launch campaign with a win for Daddy and the World’s Longest Poo. Little Gnome, the ‘biggest little bookshop’ in Brisbane, agreed to stock copies of my picture book, alongside a fabulous range of traditionally published titles and ‘indie’ author releases. I’m extremely proud and it was a great honour to meet 'the' Little Gnome himself, the bookshop’s increasingly famous mascot.
And so, it was a week of great ups and a week of great downs. Does this ring a bell with any working parents out there, or any parents at all, regardless of their work status?
To become a parent means to lose that independent part of yourself that can determine great career strides, financial achievements and social success. After you have a child, every facet of your life is affected by the need to consider the interests of not only yourself but the precious life you have brought into this world, whether you love them or hate them, on given day.
This week, I made it my mission to create room for an opportunity for my writing business, during a whirlwind interstate visit with my four-year-old son. In my career, I try to be as in control aspossible, while one short hour on a plane with my child can remind me of just how out of control my life has become. It nearly killed me having to manage his various whims to kick the chair in front of him, to put the tray table up and down, to sing at the top of his lungs and to talk incessantly, all with a broken iPad and no other in-flight entertainment options. Then I had to get off the plane and put my professional work hat on and visit the owner of the bookshop with my books, while off-loading my son to his very patient grandma.
The 'me' that visited the bookshop was the 'work me', the 'independent me', the writer and business owner. The 'unencumbered me' I wish I could be a lot more often and who knows, maybe this would afford me the opportunity to escalate my career?
But that me is not the 'real me' anymore. I am a composite of 'work me', who has dreams for her own success and 'mother me', who would do anything for her child’s happiness and success, despite the fact he drives me up the wall and limits my former freedoms. He is also the reason that I am where I am today - questioning the corporate career that stressed me beyond belief and rediscovering a creativity I was not sure I would ever find. My son inspired me to start writing again and he is the reason Daddy and the World’s Longest Poo has come to be. Without him, I would still take myself far too seriously and may not have found the ability to laugh at the quirks of my own domestic life.
So, I guess when I really think of it, I am where I am at in my career because of my son, not in spite of becoming a parent. I can’t devote every waking minute to my writing but finding more of a balance in my life is helping me to plan more effectively and enjoy those hours of solitude and writing even more, when they come my way. I wonder how many parents reading this might identify? You may not be a writer but have you found that juggling parenthood and work, has somehow changed, or reinvigorated your career path, despite it seeming a setback at first?
Do feel free to send me your thoughts via my Facebook page, or the Get in Touch page on my website. I'd love to hear from you!
And so, it was a week of great ups and a week of great downs. Does this ring a bell with any working parents out there, or any parents at all, regardless of their work status?
To become a parent means to lose that independent part of yourself that can determine great career strides, financial achievements and social success. After you have a child, every facet of your life is affected by the need to consider the interests of not only yourself but the precious life you have brought into this world, whether you love them or hate them, on given day.
This week, I made it my mission to create room for an opportunity for my writing business, during a whirlwind interstate visit with my four-year-old son. In my career, I try to be as in control aspossible, while one short hour on a plane with my child can remind me of just how out of control my life has become. It nearly killed me having to manage his various whims to kick the chair in front of him, to put the tray table up and down, to sing at the top of his lungs and to talk incessantly, all with a broken iPad and no other in-flight entertainment options. Then I had to get off the plane and put my professional work hat on and visit the owner of the bookshop with my books, while off-loading my son to his very patient grandma.
The 'me' that visited the bookshop was the 'work me', the 'independent me', the writer and business owner. The 'unencumbered me' I wish I could be a lot more often and who knows, maybe this would afford me the opportunity to escalate my career?
But that me is not the 'real me' anymore. I am a composite of 'work me', who has dreams for her own success and 'mother me', who would do anything for her child’s happiness and success, despite the fact he drives me up the wall and limits my former freedoms. He is also the reason that I am where I am today - questioning the corporate career that stressed me beyond belief and rediscovering a creativity I was not sure I would ever find. My son inspired me to start writing again and he is the reason Daddy and the World’s Longest Poo has come to be. Without him, I would still take myself far too seriously and may not have found the ability to laugh at the quirks of my own domestic life.
So, I guess when I really think of it, I am where I am at in my career because of my son, not in spite of becoming a parent. I can’t devote every waking minute to my writing but finding more of a balance in my life is helping me to plan more effectively and enjoy those hours of solitude and writing even more, when they come my way. I wonder how many parents reading this might identify? You may not be a writer but have you found that juggling parenthood and work, has somehow changed, or reinvigorated your career path, despite it seeming a setback at first?
Do feel free to send me your thoughts via my Facebook page, or the Get in Touch page on my website. I'd love to hear from you!
March 13, 2017
When is it ok to talk and write about "Poo"?
Let’s face it. “Poo” or “poop” is still mostly a taboo subject in polite society.
I remember the days before I was a parent. Anything to do with poo was repulsive. It still makes me laugh that many (women) are petrified to do a poo in the toilet at work, for fear of colleagues finding out they are human and have bowel movements. It reminds me of a famous OutKast song about a certain 'Caroline' thinking her 'motions' don’t stink...
When you become a parent, something in your life changes drastically. You start to not only have to deal with another person’s poo in all its forms but you start to think that talking about poo and wee and toilets, is commonplace. Don’t we know this repulses and annoys other people?
Oh well, I say. These people may very well be parents one day and if there is something inescapable about this transition, it's losing some (if not all) of your inhibitions related to bodily functions. All concepts of toilet and bathroom PRIVACY go out the window.
I wrote Daddy and the World’s Longest Poo at a time in my life when I was immersed in the world of my toddler and his lengthy toilet training efforts. Should it really be that surprising then, that I drew on 'toilet humour' in my debut picture book?
I will admit that some have taken offence at my book as 'inappropriate' reading for young children, as if the realities of domestic family life must somehow be shielded away from impressionable young minds.
On the other hand, I have had a lot of great feedback from parents who have read the book to their youngsters (ages 4 – 6 seem most responsive) and have appreciated the relatability of the comedy in the story.
I'd imagine most parents could identify with the phase in a child’s life when they are obsessed with the toilet and poo and wee. Most parents (and anyone in fact!) might also identify with the concept that someone they know is a 'toilet procrastinator' and spends way too much time in the loo, WC, bathroom, toilet… whatever you'd like to call it.
I have deliberately melded these two ideas to create a funny book, in the hope that it will appeal to preschool and early primary readers, on one level, and the adults who read to them, on another level.
I’m a parent of a pre-schooler and I will admit that I enjoy reading books to my child that make me laugh, more so than ones that don’t and I also think that a dose of reality doesn’t hurt anyone, even children.
In a world where the concept of perfect parenting is alienating many, I find it refreshing when I read something that reassures me I’m not alone, and my crazy, imperfect domestic life is not so abnormal, after all.
So, if you've found that somehow poo has become part of your daily vocabulary and it doesn't bother or shame you to laugh about it, I think you'll love this book, or, why not buy it for that 'toilet procrastinator' in your life?
A sense of humour is necessary to get us through this thing they call parenting!
I remember the days before I was a parent. Anything to do with poo was repulsive. It still makes me laugh that many (women) are petrified to do a poo in the toilet at work, for fear of colleagues finding out they are human and have bowel movements. It reminds me of a famous OutKast song about a certain 'Caroline' thinking her 'motions' don’t stink...
When you become a parent, something in your life changes drastically. You start to not only have to deal with another person’s poo in all its forms but you start to think that talking about poo and wee and toilets, is commonplace. Don’t we know this repulses and annoys other people?
Oh well, I say. These people may very well be parents one day and if there is something inescapable about this transition, it's losing some (if not all) of your inhibitions related to bodily functions. All concepts of toilet and bathroom PRIVACY go out the window.
I wrote Daddy and the World’s Longest Poo at a time in my life when I was immersed in the world of my toddler and his lengthy toilet training efforts. Should it really be that surprising then, that I drew on 'toilet humour' in my debut picture book?
I will admit that some have taken offence at my book as 'inappropriate' reading for young children, as if the realities of domestic family life must somehow be shielded away from impressionable young minds.
On the other hand, I have had a lot of great feedback from parents who have read the book to their youngsters (ages 4 – 6 seem most responsive) and have appreciated the relatability of the comedy in the story.
I'd imagine most parents could identify with the phase in a child’s life when they are obsessed with the toilet and poo and wee. Most parents (and anyone in fact!) might also identify with the concept that someone they know is a 'toilet procrastinator' and spends way too much time in the loo, WC, bathroom, toilet… whatever you'd like to call it.
I have deliberately melded these two ideas to create a funny book, in the hope that it will appeal to preschool and early primary readers, on one level, and the adults who read to them, on another level.
I’m a parent of a pre-schooler and I will admit that I enjoy reading books to my child that make me laugh, more so than ones that don’t and I also think that a dose of reality doesn’t hurt anyone, even children.
In a world where the concept of perfect parenting is alienating many, I find it refreshing when I read something that reassures me I’m not alone, and my crazy, imperfect domestic life is not so abnormal, after all.
So, if you've found that somehow poo has become part of your daily vocabulary and it doesn't bother or shame you to laugh about it, I think you'll love this book, or, why not buy it for that 'toilet procrastinator' in your life?
A sense of humour is necessary to get us through this thing they call parenting!
March 9, 2017
How "Self" Published Is My Book About Poo?
Watching the Oscars last week, it reminded me how collaborative the creative process can be. The screenwriter needs a producer and director and a director needs actors and a crew.
Writers, on the other hand, always say their work is solitary and though putting pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, is an intensely individual experience, everything about the actual production of a book is collaborative, even in the case of so-called ‘self’-publishing.
So, why self-publish, you might ask? Every budding writer dreams that one of the 'Big 5' publishers might award their first literary effort with a publishing contract but the reality is that the market for children’s books is flooded with great stories of every kind imaginable and an unknown author is an unknown quantity for a commercial operation.
And, so, I came to a place two years ago, where I had the manuscript for a picture book I felt compelled to write, with no publisher, no illustrator and a hard choice to make. Could I bury my funny little story about 'toilet procrastinators' away, hoping it would someday be discovered? Or, should I look at it is a business opportunity and invest in my talents as an observational writer, with a humorous and real-life approach to stories for children?
I researched and researched self-publishing options, terrified that I would be lured into some sort of vanity publishing scam (and I will admit I came close on a few occasions, even turning down an official contract from a publisher who wanted me to pay them to publish). Finally, I summoned all my courage and signed with a US firm Lulu Publishing. I contracted Lulu to provide end-to-end production services for my book, including illustrations, while maintaining creative direction and right of approval over the completed proofs.
I could storyboard the creatives for the Daddy and the World’s Longest Poo manuscript to within an inch of my life but over the seven-month lifespan of the book’s production, I could not have brought my story concept to life without the expert collaboration of Lulu’s design, layout and distribution teams. I owe my pride and joy to determination, investment and belief, on my side, and the ability of Lulu’s creative team to interpret and deliver my author’s vision, on the publisher's side.
And by devising concept briefs for a team of illustrators, I also better understand the intensely visual nature of writing picture book manuscripts and how this marriage between written word and graphic art can make or break a story's appeal for it's desired audience. There are skills and rules for writing in this genre, you just cannot learn in a bubble of isolation, and this is why I think that 'self'-publishing can be a misnoma.
Even an independent author relies on the collectivity of the 'indie' and published author communities and I, for one, am enjoying discovering these networks of expertise and support for writers online (with special mentions for Goodreads, All Write and Just Write for Kids). Realising how much I can learn from not going it alone, has only strengthened my resolve to write stronger, more visual narratives for my readers.
I can't wait to share my next book with you and in the meantime, you might like to delve a little deeper into my 'independently' published journey, as a guest blogger recently for Being Author.
Writers, on the other hand, always say their work is solitary and though putting pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, is an intensely individual experience, everything about the actual production of a book is collaborative, even in the case of so-called ‘self’-publishing.
So, why self-publish, you might ask? Every budding writer dreams that one of the 'Big 5' publishers might award their first literary effort with a publishing contract but the reality is that the market for children’s books is flooded with great stories of every kind imaginable and an unknown author is an unknown quantity for a commercial operation.
And, so, I came to a place two years ago, where I had the manuscript for a picture book I felt compelled to write, with no publisher, no illustrator and a hard choice to make. Could I bury my funny little story about 'toilet procrastinators' away, hoping it would someday be discovered? Or, should I look at it is a business opportunity and invest in my talents as an observational writer, with a humorous and real-life approach to stories for children?
I researched and researched self-publishing options, terrified that I would be lured into some sort of vanity publishing scam (and I will admit I came close on a few occasions, even turning down an official contract from a publisher who wanted me to pay them to publish). Finally, I summoned all my courage and signed with a US firm Lulu Publishing. I contracted Lulu to provide end-to-end production services for my book, including illustrations, while maintaining creative direction and right of approval over the completed proofs.
I could storyboard the creatives for the Daddy and the World’s Longest Poo manuscript to within an inch of my life but over the seven-month lifespan of the book’s production, I could not have brought my story concept to life without the expert collaboration of Lulu’s design, layout and distribution teams. I owe my pride and joy to determination, investment and belief, on my side, and the ability of Lulu’s creative team to interpret and deliver my author’s vision, on the publisher's side.
And by devising concept briefs for a team of illustrators, I also better understand the intensely visual nature of writing picture book manuscripts and how this marriage between written word and graphic art can make or break a story's appeal for it's desired audience. There are skills and rules for writing in this genre, you just cannot learn in a bubble of isolation, and this is why I think that 'self'-publishing can be a misnoma.
Even an independent author relies on the collectivity of the 'indie' and published author communities and I, for one, am enjoying discovering these networks of expertise and support for writers online (with special mentions for Goodreads, All Write and Just Write for Kids). Realising how much I can learn from not going it alone, has only strengthened my resolve to write stronger, more visual narratives for my readers.
I can't wait to share my next book with you and in the meantime, you might like to delve a little deeper into my 'independently' published journey, as a guest blogger recently for Being Author.
March 7, 2017
Why on Earth Did I Write A Book About Poo?
I’ve been so excited with my book launch these past weeks, I’ve forgotten to introduce myself and my inspirations for writing.
How on earth did I come to write a picture book, for pre-school and early primary readers, about toilets and poo, of all things?
I’ve always been a career-woman in project management, working in and around the creative industries. I thrived on working to a plan.
Four years ago, however, everything changed. My husband and I welcomed a son into the world and my ordered career and life went out the window. Though I kept working full-time, it was during a hiatus between jobs that the cobwebs cleared and I found the inspiration to pick up a pen again. Just being with my son sparked my observational skills and a long-dormant creativity. The way he viewed the world was so utterly simple and beautifully innocent, it gave me a chance to look at domestic life in a new way.
My son hero worships his father and often asks, "What is Daddy doing?" I usually explain in the simplest terms but as we all know, the behaviours of adults are never that simple. There can be subtexts and motivations that children just don't see.
One such behaviour inspired me to the point that I came up with an oft-used domestic catchphrase: - "Daddy's doing the world's longest poo", code for, "he spends ages on the toilet". I kept saying that I should write a book about this as ideas took shape in my head and my husband, who thankfully understands irony and can take a joke, encouraged me to do so.
We laugh at ourselves in our house. It’s what keeps us sane through the ups and downs of parenting a turbo-charged four-year-old and of course, the quirks of married life.
And so, my little rhyming book about poo (but not really about poo) was born. I have an honest and irreverent sense of humour and I write from life. EVERYONE (I don’t care what you say!) knows someone that loves spending ages on the toilet. What do they do in there? A long poo can often be a metaphor for just needing some alone time and herein lies the humorous and light-hearted premise of my book.
On surface level, little kids are obsessed with poo and toilets and the idea of a daddy hiding away to do the world’s longest poo, sparks endlessly fascinating imaginings. On a more sophisticated level, parents, or grandparents, reading with the book with their children, will recognise that the toilet and poo is just a ruse. "Toilet procrastinators" just love some time out reading, or escaping reality, even if just for a few minutes (or until they are found out!).
In writing Daddy and the World's Longest Poo, my intention was to draw on a relatable incident from life to intrigue and entertain children and make big people laugh with its cheeky humour. Really, it’s just as simple as that!
And if you don’t believe me, check out two of my favourite reviews on Goodreads: - one from children’s Author Rose Collins and the other from a real-life Dad who got the joke!
How on earth did I come to write a picture book, for pre-school and early primary readers, about toilets and poo, of all things?
I’ve always been a career-woman in project management, working in and around the creative industries. I thrived on working to a plan.
Four years ago, however, everything changed. My husband and I welcomed a son into the world and my ordered career and life went out the window. Though I kept working full-time, it was during a hiatus between jobs that the cobwebs cleared and I found the inspiration to pick up a pen again. Just being with my son sparked my observational skills and a long-dormant creativity. The way he viewed the world was so utterly simple and beautifully innocent, it gave me a chance to look at domestic life in a new way.
My son hero worships his father and often asks, "What is Daddy doing?" I usually explain in the simplest terms but as we all know, the behaviours of adults are never that simple. There can be subtexts and motivations that children just don't see.
One such behaviour inspired me to the point that I came up with an oft-used domestic catchphrase: - "Daddy's doing the world's longest poo", code for, "he spends ages on the toilet". I kept saying that I should write a book about this as ideas took shape in my head and my husband, who thankfully understands irony and can take a joke, encouraged me to do so.
We laugh at ourselves in our house. It’s what keeps us sane through the ups and downs of parenting a turbo-charged four-year-old and of course, the quirks of married life.
And so, my little rhyming book about poo (but not really about poo) was born. I have an honest and irreverent sense of humour and I write from life. EVERYONE (I don’t care what you say!) knows someone that loves spending ages on the toilet. What do they do in there? A long poo can often be a metaphor for just needing some alone time and herein lies the humorous and light-hearted premise of my book.
On surface level, little kids are obsessed with poo and toilets and the idea of a daddy hiding away to do the world’s longest poo, sparks endlessly fascinating imaginings. On a more sophisticated level, parents, or grandparents, reading with the book with their children, will recognise that the toilet and poo is just a ruse. "Toilet procrastinators" just love some time out reading, or escaping reality, even if just for a few minutes (or until they are found out!).
In writing Daddy and the World's Longest Poo, my intention was to draw on a relatable incident from life to intrigue and entertain children and make big people laugh with its cheeky humour. Really, it’s just as simple as that!
And if you don’t believe me, check out two of my favourite reviews on Goodreads: - one from children’s Author Rose Collins and the other from a real-life Dad who got the joke!
February 20, 2017
The Little "Poo" That Could...
A new week begins and so there is hope. Will my publicist ring me to say that Good Morning America wants to interview me? Sunrise? BBC Radio? Will I sell a thousand books?
Unlikely but I can dream, can’t I? I would be lying if I said I didn’t want these things but in the meantime, I’ll enjoy earning my stripes as a new independent author and a blog writer for WeekendNotes and Sydney Mum's Group.
I’ve been inspired this week by the promotional efforts of other authors I’ve met, or connected with, on social media. I realise I have a lot of work to do. Endorsements from others in the industry is both a compliment and an important part of getting your work noticed.
From an Australian online writers group I’ve joined, I’ve had the privilege of being interviewed by Romi Sharp's Just Write For Kids and Susan Day’s Astro’s Book Adventures. Very generous of them to profile a new author, early in her publishing career. Internationally, Lenka Lee from Lenka’s List in California, interviewed me about the things that make me tick. I loved sharing about my other great passions apart from books – TV, movies and handsome actors. I’m such a fan girl!
But what’s coming up, I hear you say?
I’m really excited to announce that I will be interviewed by Author Georgie Donaghey (of Lulu fame) for the industry-recognised Creative Kids Tales (CKT) website. From 1st March, I will be the Emerging Author profiled on the CKT homepage which is a great honour. Over six years, CKT has profiled and supported many new and high-profile authors and illustrators, with a focus on promoting Australian children's and YA literature.
Thankfully, Georgie has also convinced me join the CKT Anthology writing project this year. I’m excited that I will be writing a new picture book text, as manuscript submissions and lifestyle blogs have occupied my time of late. I can't forget about my core business, after all!
I am grateful for any opportunities I have received so far and I think there is a tremendous debt of gratitude owed to established authors who invest in promoting or endorsing new and independent authors.
It’s a long journey ahead but I look forward to one day having enough experience and profile behind me to offer a leg up to an emerging writer. As it is now, I love meeting other indie authors online and reviewing their books. I’ve found some terrific reads and talented authors and I enjoy supporting their work.
Next Tuesday, tune in for an insight into the early reception Daddy and the World's Longest Poo has received, both within the industry and the reading public.
The good, the bad and the ugly!
Have a great week.
Cool
Unlikely but I can dream, can’t I? I would be lying if I said I didn’t want these things but in the meantime, I’ll enjoy earning my stripes as a new independent author and a blog writer for WeekendNotes and Sydney Mum's Group.
I’ve been inspired this week by the promotional efforts of other authors I’ve met, or connected with, on social media. I realise I have a lot of work to do. Endorsements from others in the industry is both a compliment and an important part of getting your work noticed.
From an Australian online writers group I’ve joined, I’ve had the privilege of being interviewed by Romi Sharp's Just Write For Kids and Susan Day’s Astro’s Book Adventures. Very generous of them to profile a new author, early in her publishing career. Internationally, Lenka Lee from Lenka’s List in California, interviewed me about the things that make me tick. I loved sharing about my other great passions apart from books – TV, movies and handsome actors. I’m such a fan girl!
But what’s coming up, I hear you say?
I’m really excited to announce that I will be interviewed by Author Georgie Donaghey (of Lulu fame) for the industry-recognised Creative Kids Tales (CKT) website. From 1st March, I will be the Emerging Author profiled on the CKT homepage which is a great honour. Over six years, CKT has profiled and supported many new and high-profile authors and illustrators, with a focus on promoting Australian children's and YA literature.
Thankfully, Georgie has also convinced me join the CKT Anthology writing project this year. I’m excited that I will be writing a new picture book text, as manuscript submissions and lifestyle blogs have occupied my time of late. I can't forget about my core business, after all!
I am grateful for any opportunities I have received so far and I think there is a tremendous debt of gratitude owed to established authors who invest in promoting or endorsing new and independent authors.
It’s a long journey ahead but I look forward to one day having enough experience and profile behind me to offer a leg up to an emerging writer. As it is now, I love meeting other indie authors online and reviewing their books. I’ve found some terrific reads and talented authors and I enjoy supporting their work.
Next Tuesday, tune in for an insight into the early reception Daddy and the World's Longest Poo has received, both within the industry and the reading public.
The good, the bad and the ugly!
Have a great week.
Cool
February 18, 2017
The Official "Poo" Launch
It’s one thing to say you’re an author but I think this week was the first time I really felt like one. On Monday 13th February, the publicity campaign for Daddy and the World’s Longest Poo began in earnest. My press release went out on the wires in the USA and Australia, care of LAVIDGE PR. I first knew it had hit the news when I woke up on Tuesday to find that The Bookshelf Café had picked it up and tagged me into the post on Twitter. A brilliant tweet to wake up to!
Being able to cross-post about my publicity campaign across social media, with the tangibility of a press release, has caught the attention of my burgeoning group of Twitter and Facebook followers. It was so much fun to feel more engaged with the kind people who support my work. Even the notoriously serious and tough crowd on LinkedIn came out of the woodwork slowly to like my post or even some brief supportive comments. The events and project manager, turned author, had finally caught the attention of some of her former colleagues. This gave me a real buzz and I’m very appreciative for this support.
As a self-published author, without the industry validation (or marketing budget) of a trade publisher behind me, I felt it imperative to invest in my picture book and seek professional assistance for its promotion. I want it to have the best chance possible to find an audience. My social media posts this week have had an air of excitement about them that was lacking a little in the New Year, while I was patiently awaiting my campaign to begin.
It can be hard for a new, unknown writer to have the courage of their convictions to say, "I am an author," and by a happy coincidence, I was afforded the platform to announce this during my first meeting as a member of the NSW branch of the Children’s Book Council of Australia at The Children’s Bookshop in Beecroft this week. The very welcoming President asked me to say a few words about myself and the release of my book and though nervous, shared with a group of authors that I had published my first book and had just begun my publicity campaign.
It’s funny how confidence and self-belief can beget recognition. The next time I was called an author this week was in my Jazzercise class when the instructor Shirley kindly announced me as such, mid-way through a dance routine, and recommended members of the group read a glowing blog I had written about the class for WeekendNotes. Public recognition! I felt a little embarrassed but had to own the mention. Recognition for my book and my writing is what I’m aiming for, after all. There is no point being shy about it.
And now, with some great social media strategy under my belt with help from LAVIDGE PR, I look forward to sharing the next stage of my little book’s journey on Tuesday! Have a great weekend.
Daddy and the World's Longest Poo
Being able to cross-post about my publicity campaign across social media, with the tangibility of a press release, has caught the attention of my burgeoning group of Twitter and Facebook followers. It was so much fun to feel more engaged with the kind people who support my work. Even the notoriously serious and tough crowd on LinkedIn came out of the woodwork slowly to like my post or even some brief supportive comments. The events and project manager, turned author, had finally caught the attention of some of her former colleagues. This gave me a real buzz and I’m very appreciative for this support.
As a self-published author, without the industry validation (or marketing budget) of a trade publisher behind me, I felt it imperative to invest in my picture book and seek professional assistance for its promotion. I want it to have the best chance possible to find an audience. My social media posts this week have had an air of excitement about them that was lacking a little in the New Year, while I was patiently awaiting my campaign to begin.
It can be hard for a new, unknown writer to have the courage of their convictions to say, "I am an author," and by a happy coincidence, I was afforded the platform to announce this during my first meeting as a member of the NSW branch of the Children’s Book Council of Australia at The Children’s Bookshop in Beecroft this week. The very welcoming President asked me to say a few words about myself and the release of my book and though nervous, shared with a group of authors that I had published my first book and had just begun my publicity campaign.
It’s funny how confidence and self-belief can beget recognition. The next time I was called an author this week was in my Jazzercise class when the instructor Shirley kindly announced me as such, mid-way through a dance routine, and recommended members of the group read a glowing blog I had written about the class for WeekendNotes. Public recognition! I felt a little embarrassed but had to own the mention. Recognition for my book and my writing is what I’m aiming for, after all. There is no point being shy about it.
And now, with some great social media strategy under my belt with help from LAVIDGE PR, I look forward to sharing the next stage of my little book’s journey on Tuesday! Have a great weekend.
Daddy and the World's Longest Poo
December 1, 2016
Finding your voice as an author
Something's been troubling me lately about this whole self-publishing, building my author platform thing. Do I actually have a voice if no one is listening?
I came across a great quote from J.K. Rowling on Facebook today:- "No story lives unless someone wants to listen". I also saw an author blog discussion on why publishing multiple books is not the way to get you noticed if your audience isn't big enough in the first place. I agree very much with both these sentiments, though they are quite defeatist in nature.
You know those annoying (I mean really lovely, popular people) who attract social media followers by the dozen and people hang off their every word, even if it's not really about anything at all? Well, those people are influencers, rightly or wrongly and something about what they say or how they say it makes others want to listen. They have a voice because they have an audience.
What do I need to do to get that? Sure, I have a published book now and social media channels and I write blogs but if very few people are actively engaging by commenting, buying, liking etc, then does this writing mean anything?
What comes first? Being a good writer, or being popular enough to have your writing liked?
So, yes, this post may sound a little despairing but I'm genuinely interested to hear what others think. I'm not giving up and would love to open a discussion on how others have crossed that line between being a nobody and a somebody. Was there something you can identify that enabled you to break through your personal sphere of influence, that other writers could genuinely try to incorporate in their own efforts.
Thanks for the feedback in advance. Would love to know how you found your audience, or how you cope on the days when you are not quite finding it.
I came across a great quote from J.K. Rowling on Facebook today:- "No story lives unless someone wants to listen". I also saw an author blog discussion on why publishing multiple books is not the way to get you noticed if your audience isn't big enough in the first place. I agree very much with both these sentiments, though they are quite defeatist in nature.
You know those annoying (I mean really lovely, popular people) who attract social media followers by the dozen and people hang off their every word, even if it's not really about anything at all? Well, those people are influencers, rightly or wrongly and something about what they say or how they say it makes others want to listen. They have a voice because they have an audience.
What do I need to do to get that? Sure, I have a published book now and social media channels and I write blogs but if very few people are actively engaging by commenting, buying, liking etc, then does this writing mean anything?
What comes first? Being a good writer, or being popular enough to have your writing liked?
So, yes, this post may sound a little despairing but I'm genuinely interested to hear what others think. I'm not giving up and would love to open a discussion on how others have crossed that line between being a nobody and a somebody. Was there something you can identify that enabled you to break through your personal sphere of influence, that other writers could genuinely try to incorporate in their own efforts.
Thanks for the feedback in advance. Would love to know how you found your audience, or how you cope on the days when you are not quite finding it.
November 5, 2016
Building a social media author platform
When I was submitting my first picture book manuscript to trade publishers I realised my lack of social media footprint was probably leaving me at a great disadvantage. Look at who's getting published today... celebrities and social influencers. People the public already know.
Since early 2016, I've put my personal feelings about Facebook aside and signed up again and recently created my own author page, though definitely a work in progress.
A colleague in magazine publishing recently did some social media analysis and found that her Facebook following was the hardest channel to grow. Instagram was growing the most steadily.
I think this rings fairly true in my experience. It takes work to go beyond the sphere of family and friends on Facebook but Twitter and Instagram are more conducive to sharing with strangers or 'fans' it would seem. There's something quite liberating about this and it's a good way to find people with similar interests.
Though I wouldn't put myself in the class of social media influencer yet, I feel more confident now that if a Publisher was interested enough to do a little investigative research on me, they would see that I am engaging online and at least have the building blocks in place should my work take off and find a strong fan base.
Since early 2016, I've put my personal feelings about Facebook aside and signed up again and recently created my own author page, though definitely a work in progress.
A colleague in magazine publishing recently did some social media analysis and found that her Facebook following was the hardest channel to grow. Instagram was growing the most steadily.
I think this rings fairly true in my experience. It takes work to go beyond the sphere of family and friends on Facebook but Twitter and Instagram are more conducive to sharing with strangers or 'fans' it would seem. There's something quite liberating about this and it's a good way to find people with similar interests.
Though I wouldn't put myself in the class of social media influencer yet, I feel more confident now that if a Publisher was interested enough to do a little investigative research on me, they would see that I am engaging online and at least have the building blocks in place should my work take off and find a strong fan base.
