Not sure how it’s November

Wow – since my last post, many of us in Sydney, Melbourne and elsewhere have endured a lengthy lockdown and all-round weird time. And now it’s nearly the end of *another* Covid-ish year! (Me in my last post: ‘I’m not sure what winter what will bring …’ Winter: Um, a mega Covid outbreak?).

Honestly, I don’t know how all this time has passed, but I can tell you there’s many a bookish Zoom event, from a SCBWI talk on middle grade and YA from Hardie Grant editor Luna Soo, to some CBCA virtual events, like Alexa Moses and Nathan Luff on their latest books via CBCA Eastern Suburbs, and Victoria Mackinlay on maximising Google as a kids’ book creator via CBCA Newcastle. Then there’s been some fun ‘Larrikin Labs’ with the publishing team and creators at Larrikin House, plus too many more screen-y things.

Shelfie in Monkey and Dog Books, Fort Worth, Texas!

In other news, Walking Your Human has ventured Stateside, popping up in a very awesome looking and sounding indie bookstore in Fort Worth, Texas – Monkey and Dog Books! Discovered thanks to the wonders of Insta, otherwise I’d probably never know about this. A thrill to see and I so hope some Texan dog lovers discover it! And right now, a Korean translation of the book is in progress. Can’t wait to see it but also, I *really* want to go to Korea …

Also, I’ve joined the committee of a new CBCA sub-branch in my area – Canterbury-Bankstown Inner West aka CBIW – still in it’s fledgling stage but starting up properly in the new year. The lovely Jemima Shafei-Ongui is President of the group, and hopefully it’ll be a great way for local creators, teacher librarians and kids to connect over books!

Harriet Muncaster – interviewed on the pod!

At One More Page, we’ve released some inspo-packed episodes lately, from a celebration of female Indigenous creators in Tidda Time, where I interviewed talented illustrator Charmaine Ledden-Lewis, to our just released UK special, The Great British Book Off, with three special guests. I chat to Harriet Muncaster of Isadora Moon fame, where she talks everything from a childhood obsession with fairies and all things miniature, to balancing the demands of working on multiple series at once. Yet more podcasting highlights and so great to delve into the stories behind these creators!

P.S. Loving right now …

Small business love – Zoe Collins bling!

Wrapping up with a snapshot of some current obsessions – I’m:

Reading (adult): Dear Girls by Ali Wong

Reading (kids): The Travelling Bookshop: Mim and the Baffling Bully by Katrina Nannestad

Eating: Mapo tofu

Drinking: Miso caramel lattes

Watching: Love Life season 2 on Stan

Buying: Zoe Collins earrings

Growing: Spider plants

Insta stalking: Ghost and Wren

Walking Your Human – in your earbuds

This zany little picture book has been out in the world for two months already! Time sure does fly when you’re talking walking. Own podcast aside (where I interviewed publishers Larrikin House and held a book giveaway) I’ve popped up on a few other fab podcasts, too!

For bookish backstory, picture book chat and all things dogs, take a listen to the following podcast episodes …

Words and Nerds with Dani Vee:

Reading with a Chance of Tacos with Ken Williams:

Jack Russell Parents Podcast (US) with Becca and Gabe:

Own pod with Kate Simpson and Nat Amoore, One More Page:

And one more podcasterly pop up – the amazing Dani Vee talks Walking Your Human in an episode of The Weekend Booktopian podcast (around the 25 min mark):

Happy listening! I don’t know about you, but my podcast feed is ever-growing and it’s honestly hard to keep up! Not a bad problem to have though. I always look forward to the next ep of my favourites, the ones that feel like a friend in your ear. People say this to us about One More Page (which is ridiculously flattering, right?!) but I totally know the feeling!