People power needed

It's been a sad week for the Australian publishing industry. The Productivity Commission's report on the Restrictions on the Parallel Importation of Books was released, recommending that the current copyright restrictions be lifted, thus putting the viability of the entire industry in jeopardy.

There is a lot of misinformation in the media about the ramifications of the lifting of these restrictions. The "Coalition for Cheaper Books", which, interestingly, is made up of Coles, Woolworths and Dymocks, is stating that the lifting of the restrictions will result in cheaper books. This is something that I seriously doubt.

Consider these facts:

1. The commission itself has stated that the lifting of the restrictions will not necessarily lead to cheaper books.
2. While Australian retailers may be able to obtain cheap remaindered US stock, they are under no obligation to pass on the savings to the buying public.
3. There is already a great variation in the prices of books in the Australian marketplace and some of the major chains often charge MORE than the publisher's RRP on a number of titles. Do you trust them to deliver cheaper books? I certainly don't. It is within their means to do so within the current market conditions, yet they choose not to.
4. If it is not likely that the lifting of copyright restrictions will result in cheaper books, but it is likely to have serious ramifications on the viability of the Australian publishing industry, then what's the point?

We need to act now. We must lobby the government to reject the commission's recommendations. And more than anything, we need to try to gain the support of the book-buying public. We need to enlist some People Power!

It is a complex issue, but the following blogs explain the situation very well:

• Sally Murphy's Writing for Children Blog: A Layman's Guide to the Cheaper Books Debate.
• Dee White's DeeScribeWriting Blog: Removing Parallel Imports on Books - the Real Story!

Have a read. Have a think. And if you don't want to hand over further market control to the likes of Woolworths and Coles, but you do want to continue to read quality Australian books, then pick up a pen and write to your local member, telling them so.

I certainly will be.

How long can a character survive concussed at the bottom of a river?

Have been busier than normal, fitting a number of "author" events around work, as well preparing for my son's 21st birthday. Lots of fun all round, but am feeling rather weary at the back end of it all.

Attended two great events last week. On Wednesday, the Illawarra Branch of the CBCA put on an amazingly well-organised and fun luncheon. I was fortunate to sit with the kids from Berkeley Public School (pictured left). Thanks to Georgie (CBCA, Sutherland Branch) Mrs Hornig (T/L Berkeley) and the awesome Imogen, Crystal, Chelsea, Zoe, Dayna, William and Stephanie for making the day so much fun. (BTW, guys, I lost the piece of paper with your names on it, so I hope my memory hasn't let me down. Please let me know if it has!)

I also had the privilege of speaking at a South-western Sydney Teacher Librarian Network meeting. It is always such a pleasure to be around people who share my enthusiasm and passion for books - makes the job rather easy when you are speaking to the converted. Thanks, Lyn, for inviting me.

Now, hopefully, life will settle down a little and I can get back to my WIP. I woke up with a start in the wee hours this morning as I realised that I hadn't touched the manuscript in weeks and have left young Seth concussed, sinking to the bottom of the river and poor Bailey and Oscar thrashing about frantically searching for him. How could I do that to my characters?! I'm a bad, bad author.

All for now. :)

Lots of Fab Stuff

While I have been busy flitting around the place sugar plum fairying, some other fab stuff has been happening.

In no particular order:

1. The Firefighters has been shortlisted for Speech Pathology Australia's Book of the Year Award. You can view the shortlist here. As a former literacy teacher, this is sweet news indeed.
2. It has also been listed by Brisbane's Book Garden Bookstore as one of the top ten books for children for the holidays at ourbrisbane.com.
3. I received a great review for the Sugar Plum Fairy at Aussiereviews. The words "sheer delight" were kinda cool to read!
4. Australian Women Online magazine did a feature article on me. How exciting is that! You can read it here.
5. I received a lovely thank you letter and a whole pile of kid-made postcards from the kids at Rossmore Public School. I did a school visit there a few months ago and had a ball! What a great school, and what a wonderful surprise to receive in the post. Thanks, Mrs McGregor! Thanks kids!

Here are some snippets from the postcards:

"Thank you so much for coming to our school. We had a fun time when you were here. I've read 'Battle of the Rats'. It was gross but at the same time amazing. I think you are an amazing writer. I love 'Freaky'. I am reading it again ..." Tianna

"We really enjoyed the time you were here. I thought you were very funny." Taryn

"... I enjoyed making a book and hearing your stories ..." Andy

"... It was so funny I nearly died (which you wouldn't want me to do, I hope). Thank you very very much." Hunter

"... We learned many new writing skills and were inspired to write our own stories. One of my favourite parts was Cooking up Books because it was an easier way of remembering the writing process. It was fun and interesting. We are reading Battle of the Rats in Library and loving every minute of it." Lauren

Wow - doesn't get much better than that!

Now, on the down side, I have to admit to only adding 2 500 words to my current WIP during the last month. That will teach me for bragging about getting to 25 000!

Sugar Plum Fairying at The Children's Bookshop in Beecroft

It's kind of scary standing, book in hand, in front of a room full of under four year olds. Especially when you know that the story you are about to read is longer than your young audience is used to and the chances of holding their attention to the end are slim. So you remind yourself that, if things get too out of hand, you can aways resort to some speed reading or, if need be, bring the story to an abrupt conclusion.

But, oh, one shouldn't underestimate one's audience - no matter how young!

The kids at Storytime at The Children's Bookshop in Beecroft were awesome! They sat and watched and listened, with hardly a peep, as Sarah and I donned hats and wigs and crowns and twirled and "actioned" our way through our story. I'm not sure if they were just too terrified to move as they watched the two mad women at the front, or if they were actually enjoying the story. No matter, we made it to the end, without the need for any diversionary tactics. Yay.

Thanks so much to Paul for inviting us to The Children's Bookshop - what an amazing shop - and for Theresa for sharing her Storytime gig. (Pictured above on the left.)

Launch Pics

Well, the launch was a lot of fun! Lots of gorgeous sugar plum fairies flitting around the place. A fantastic display of candy making by the talented guys at Sticky. Heaps of clever crafty kids making sparkly wands and pictures. Stacks of enthusiastic participation in the storytelling. And gorgeous sweets to tempt everybody's tastebuds.

Thanks to all who came along - especially all my very supportive writing buddies.

A Sticky Book Celebration

Illustrator, Sarah Davis and I would like to invite all Sydneysiders to a STICKY celebration for the release of our new book: Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Where: Sticky – CANDYMAKERS
10 The Rocks Centre, Kendall Lane, The Rocks NSW 2000
When: Saturday 6th June at 2.30pm

This book is packed full of magic, music, candymakers, greedy kings, wicked guards, and sugary sweets galore! It is the second book in New Frontier's Music Box series, which aims to introduce children to famous pieces of classical music. It comes with a bonus CD with the story read by Antonia Kidman!

Watch real candy being made!
Taste some of Sticky’s delicious sweets!
Hear Sarah and I read the story and watch Sarah draw!
Come dressed as a fairy, a greedy king, or a yummy sweet! (optional)

No need to RSVP -
just come and join the fun!
Proudly brought to you by:
http://www.newfrontier.com.au/
http://www.sticky.com.au/
http://www.suewhiting.com/
http://www.sarahdavisillustration.com/

WIP - celebration

Have just passed the 25 000 word mark in my WIP and am feeling decidedly pleased with myself - especially as I am working full time at the moment.

Just needed to share.