I've been on the road over the last few weeks taking Jimmy to all sorts of places! We've visited bookshops, flown to Melbourne, seen Penguin HQ, been on the radio and met some wonderful authors, illustrators and teacher-librarians. I got some sight-seeing in too along the way :) Here's some of the highlights.

4th July - Independence Day for Being Jimmy Baxter - and what a welcome! I've had an incredible few weeks launching on the Central Coast at my local Book Face store  with ABC's Scott Levi, local theatre legend, Fergus Paterson, and Chef Dan from At Baker Street. Then down to Berkelouw Books in Leichardt, Sydney to launch with my editor, Heather Curdie. Such an amazing show of support for this book with the fabulous cover by Katherine Brickman (aka Greedy Hen)

Photo Credits Syl Marie Photography

This year I've been fortunate enough to have the wonderful job of creating the Primary and Secondary School programs for the Words on the Waves Writer Festival. We hosted a diverse range of presenters in both Umina Beach Surf Club and Ourimbah University of Newcastle Campus, plus a huge free family fun day at Everglades Country Club. We were joined by our local CBCA, Books In Homes charity and Blue Whale Theatre, plus many other talented creatives. What started out as a small group of volunteers back in 2020, sure has come a long way!

...asks Lennon. And well, you might ask.
It's almost here - the silly season is upon us, and yet again, I've dipped in to my website and  - what have I done? Apparently nothing since my last post in June! Not true of course. I've been super busy, too busy, great busy.

Look at all these amazing people: authors, illustrators, organisers, publishers, wonderful bookshop people, mentors, children's book council, book charities- the beating heart of the children's book industry.

AND - there's been SECRET BOOK STUFF happening:
 - Cover design (Oh - I wish I could show you - it's AMAZING!)
 - Reviews in the making
 - Editing - more scenes, less scenes, dotting the i's and crossing the T's.
                                                                     And too many cups of tea.

The other excitement, being a big Potter fan, was getting to see the Cursed Child on stage. (Yes - it was a very windy day!) Who doesn't love some wizarding magic?

With 1 week to go, I've still got time to squeeze in a few more paragraphs.
Happy writing, Happy Holidays - and I hope you enjoy some fantastic reads over the summer!
(P.S - there's some great ideas in the slideshow!)

We made small road trips between floods - Picton, Coffs Harbour, The Hunter, Sydney.  I took a lot of nature photos!

Ending the year with a month long walkathon to raise money for Life's Little Treasures Foundation, coupled with some Christmas catch ups with fellow children's author's and illustrators. Another interesting year for the history books! Goodbye 2021, here's to calm and creativity in 2022.

**Images mainly taken from the children's program.

Over a year of work has paid off in the resoundingly successful Words on the Waves Festival, and weren't we lucky to hold it before being thrust back into lockdown! Here's an overview taken from our Words on the Waves website:

The first-ever writers festival to take place on the Central Coast of NSW, Words on the Waves, has marked a hugely successful inaugural event over the June long weekend 11 – 14, hosting nearly 20 sold-out sessions, over 40 inspiring authors, a schools program attracting 1200 primary school students, and a bustling bookshop run by local independent bookseller The Book Shop Umina.

Commencing with an address by Children’s Laureate Ursula Dubosarsky, who implored the young communities of the Coastal region to “read for their life”, the festival continued with its school program featuring First Nations writers and environmental messages with the theme ‘Warrior for Change’. Participating writers included Deb Abela, Kirli Saunders, Oliver Phommavanh and Susanne Gervay.

After a rousing opening night event with Richard Fidler alongside David Hunt, the main program kicked off on Saturday June 12 with five sessions, and then four sessions on the Sunday. Themes included place, belonging, identity, equity, and our shared environmental future, with authors as varied as OzHarvest founder Ronni Kahn, student climate activist Daisy Jeffrey, literary writer Emily Maguire, local historian Garry Linnell, crime novelist Candice Fox and more.

Festival Patron Margaret Pomeranz AM hosted an intimate movie screening and conversation alongside lauded film and theatre director Neil Armfield on the Saturday evening, and on Sunday June 13 Matt Stanton led a rollicking family fun day, the culmination of a Coast-wide illustration competition for youths.

The weekend concluded on Monday with a literary cruise through the scenic Brisbane Waters, led by authors with a tie to the region, historian Grace Karskens and memoirist Vicki Hastrich. 

Despite currently having no federal, state, or council funding, plans are already underway for the 2022 festival as well as regular events throughout the year.

I am so proud to have been part of this amazing team and am jumping back on the sponsorship horse ready for another amazing festival.
If you would like to be involved or chat about partnering with us, I'd love to chat!