Tuesday 1 November 2022

Meet the Author: Shae Millward

Shae Millward is the author of The Rabbit’s Magician, Koalas Like To and A Boy and a Dog. Shae is an enthusiastic advocate for literacy. She aims to inspire through a love of books, the joy of reading and writing, and the art of storytelling. Shae enjoys writing picture books, poetry, song lyrics, funny or inspirational quotes, short stories and more. Shae’s creative writing skills once helped her win a trip to Disneyland!





Website: https://shaemillward.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shaemillwardauthor/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/shaemillward/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/shaemillward

 

What was your first book published?

There once was a dog who just wanted to play,
But his owner was busy, ‘No! Go away!’
And there was a boy who just wanted to play,
But the kids at school shouted, ‘No! Go away!’

A Boy and A Dog tells the timeless tale of a lonely boy and a lonesome dog who find each other and discover true friendship. A Boy and A Dog celebrates the special bond between children and animals. This book contains the universal themes of trust, joy, compassion and belonging. But at its heart, it's a story about love.

 


Tell us about your newest book?

The Rabbit’s Magician:

* Is a gentle story of love, loss & comfort.

* Is inspired by a fundamental law of nature: Energy cannot be created or destroyed, but it can change from one form into another.

* Contains references to and representations of the moon and its phases.

* Is a children's picture book, but offers comfort to anyone of any age who has lost a loved one – person or animal. 

*Is illustrated by Andy Fackrell and published by Ford Street Publishing.

 

What is your favourite part about being an author?

The tiny town I grew up in didn’t have a bookstore, but the library was ONLY ONE SMALL BLOCK AWAY FROM MY HOUSE! Convenient for frequent visits and lugging books back and forth. I’ve always loved books and reading, and I have many wonderful authors to thank for that. So, to now be a part of the industry myself is an exquisite type of joy.

As well as being a whole lotta fun, there’s something quite magical about working with or rather, playing with imagination and creative energies.

 

What is the hardest part about being an author?

Being on the Autism spectrum has its positives, like unique perspectives and creative thinking, but it also has its challenges, with social communication being one. Just think awkward, so awkward, haha!

 

I’m grateful to have a supportive publisher who allows me to play to my strengths. Fortunately, these days there are a good variety of promotional avenues one can partake in.

 

Books On Tour PR & Marketing has a number of packages, and options within, which you can tailor to your needs. Romi is a superstar – super helpful and brilliant to work with.

 

Having an illustrator who is also active in promoting – which Andy is – certainly helps and provides team spirit. *enthusiastically does spirit fingers*

 


What was your favourite children’s book when you were a kid?

As a child, when I asked for Fox in Socks, I could almost hear the adults groan internally and I’m certain I saw beads of dread gather on their foreheads. Watching them get their tongues twisted and tangled and tied up in knots was definitely part of the entertainment value. And by the end, they looked like they’d been through a harrowing ordeal.

 

Yet every time I asked for this story (which was a lot), they would not only read it (after casually suggesting a range of alternative titles), but read it with all the enthusiasm they could muster. Anyone who has ever read the same book over and over (until you are well and truly over it!) at a child’s request knows that this is an act of real love!

 

Have you ever travelled overseas as an author?

I once had to step over a puddle on my way to a meeting about authorly business. Does that count?

It was a very large puddle. It carried a dangerously-high sock-wetting threat level.

And the puddle was deep. So deep, just like my answer to this question.

 


Have you met anyone even more famous than you that was exciting?

Yes, I met you – the inspirational Michelle Worthington! It was at the Teddy Bear’s Picnic in Hervey Bay. I didn’t have any books published at the time, but I did have a contract for my first. I went along to say hi and you were happy to have a chat. I was able to purchase some of your wonderful books from you in person and get them signed – bonus!

 

Where do you see the future of children’s books (ebooks/apps/print)

I’m all for books being available in different formats to suit people’s needs and preferences. These options make books more accessible, which can only have a positive effect on literacy and developing an early love of reading.

Digital books have their benefits, e.g. they’re more convenient than taking a stack of physical books on holiday, but I see them as a supplement to print books, not a replacement. Never a replacement!

 


What is your favourite way/time to read?

My favourite way to read is definitely with a physical book. I spend enough time working at a computer, so reading for pleasure on a screen is no pleasure at all! Reading a paper book feels more grounded, more intimate. Regardless of genre, reading a print book has a certain kind of romance to it that does not translate to an electronic device. #PrintBeforePixels

My favourite time to read is any time, however, I am an experienced member of the late-night reading club. Our motto is: One more page, just one more page!

 

What book are you reading right now?

I’m reading a Marie Kondo book about decluttering. I have successfully cleaned out clothing, kitchen stuff and various homewares that don’t spark joy.

 

Then it came to my book collection. Well, I acknowledge that Marie is super cute and super sweet, but parting with any of my beloved books is a super hideous and super displeasing notion. Sorry, Marie. No Kan Do.

 

But I’m grateful to now have space in my home for more books.

 

Monday 25 October 2021

Review Crew Holly: Sass and Traz Save the Library

 

“Sass and Traz Save the Library”



Written by Michelle Worthington

Book review by Holly, 7 years old

 

Holly’s summary:

Sass and Traz are twins, one is a boy and one is a girl. They like reading together in the town library each day. Ms Burns is the librarian and she is so nice to the kids.

But one day when Sass and Traz entered the library, Ms Burns was in tears!

She told them the library was going to be destroyed by the mayor of the town because he wanted to put a carpark there instead!

Sass wanted to help Ms Burns so she went into the library basement to look for boxes.

She accidentally leant on a metal drawer and she said the word “Pirate”.

Suddenly, the drawer opened and a card fell out and then out came three pirates! They said “Ahoy, ahoy!”

Soon after, three brave knights and a king appeared from the drawers!

Ms Burns was so shocked. She nearly fainted when a handsome knight called Sir Lancelot saved her from falling. She kept blushing because she had a huge crush on him!

Some more amazing characters appeared in the library, like a dragon and Albert Einstein.

Albert Einstein tried to save the library when he told the mayor how special the library was to all the people in the town.

But the mayor ignored him!

The best part of the story was when the mayor accidentally made dinosaurs appear! He said that libraries are dinosaurs and then lots of dinosaurs started walking around the library.

One even bit the mayor!

The mayor was so scared that he ran out of the library and decided to not to destroy the library anymore.

Ms Burns and the twins were so happy that the library wouldn’t be destroyed. I think that they might have a big party to celebrate!

 

My favourite parts of the story:

When the dinosaur bit the mayor, I thought it was so hilarious.










But I especially loved the scene when Ms Burns fell in love with Sir Lancelot and she kept blushing.

 






Age recommendation:

I think kids aged 6 and older would love this book!


Holly’s rating:

I give this amazing book 10/10!

 

Final note:

I can’t wait for the next Sass and Traz book to be published! J

Thursday 23 September 2021

Dave Atze's Belly Button Fluff

 


 

Dave Atze, Author of 'Belly Button Fluff'
Campaign Appearances & Interview

The Authors Online Team are delighted to have the opportunity to support Dave Atze as he begins his campaign to promote his debut children's book, Belly Button Fluff

Between 20-24 September, visit https://www.justkidslit.com/blog/ to join in on the Belly Button Fluff fun, along with other online appearances (including my website, michelleworthington.com on Thursday, 23 August. 

 

 

Interview: Meet Dave Atze

Hi, I’m Dave Atze; a professional fun-haver and all-round goofball from a small town in South Australia. I have been illustrating kids books for 7 years and authoring them for no years.

 



I called my first book Belly Button Fluff so I could say awesome stuff like:

“Just hold my Belly Button Fluff in your hands, see how colourful it is? It will make you feel warm and maybe giggle a bit, too.” And “put your kids to bed with Dave’s Belly Button Fluff! They’ll love it!”





















 

What was the first story you ever wrote and has it been published?

Belly Button Fluff and yes indeedy, it has.

What was your first book published?

I self-published a book called Don’t Shut the Door with Melbourne Author Matt Nichols. I illustrated it.
Then a wonderful and beautiful young lady, Michelle Worthington saw “DSTD” and said to her publisher at the time “pwitty pwees can Dave Illustrate my next book The Three-Legged Kangaroo from Uluru?
They said yes and we all lived happily ever after.

What is your favourite part about being an author?

Getting to draw the silly stuff that I write about. Wait... umm, yeah, I’m like 10% Author 90% Illustrator

What is the hardest part about being an author?

Words, grammar, all that technical stuff. I’m not good at that stuff. But I can tell a fun story. I am very lucky these magical creatures called editors exist. Thanks Diane and Allison!!

What do you do for fun?

I draw. I run. I take photos. And most of all spend time with my wife Ashleigh and Daughter Ella. 

How do you test out your stories? Or who do you test them on?

Friends and family, running buddies and my Author/Illustrator colleagues.

What was your favourite children’s book when you were a kid?

The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

What is your favourite children’s book now?

Little Baa Baa and Quirky Turkey in I love lemonade.

Have you met anyone even more famous than you that was exciting?

I don’t really live anywhere near anyone who would be famous.

What writing genre do you like to do the most?

I like da funny stuff.

What do you consider your biggest achievement?

I think I have 3 as they all feel quite equal and required a lot of dedication.

  1. I ran a 100km race through the bush. It took 15hrs. (30km with baaaad stomach cramps)
  2. I became a second-degree black belt, and the grading was on par with running 100kms. There were black eyes and broken ribs.
  3. Getting that letter from the publisher saying ‘we loved your manuscript, and we would love to publish your book’. Less grueling but still so many hours of dedication.

What is your favourite way/time to read?

Bedtime stories with my daughter are the best!!

What book are you reading right now?

Ella is learning numbers at the moment and is enjoying Spot can count.

You can discover more of Dave's work and follow him on social by visiting:
Daveatze.com
Instagram.com/daveatze
Twitter.com/daveatze
Facebook.com/daveatzeillustration
 

 



 

 

 

 

Meet Michelle




Michelle Worthington is an international award-winning author, screenwriter and business woman. Shortlisted twice for the Children's Book Council of Australia's picture book of the year, two-time winner of the International Book Award and finalist in the USA Best Book Awards, Michelle also received a Gellett Burgess Award and a Silver Moonbeam Award for her contribution to celebrating diversity in literature. Michelle was the recipient of the 2018 AusMumpreneur Gold Award for Business Excellence and the winner of the 2018 Redlands BaR award for Best Start Up Business. 

Michelle is also a real life book fairy. Her magic powers include turning coffee into award-winning books. Anthology Angels and Authors Online, she waves her wand to coach aspiring authors and illustrators all over the world achieve their dreams of publication. Whether she’s a fairy, a mermaid, a pirate or an elf, Michelle celebrates empowering readers and storytellers to dream big.

Find out more about Michelle and her work here.

 

 

 

Monday 7 June 2021

Top Social Media Tips for Aspiring Authors



Reading to Kids Makes Them More Resilient.


Building small humans into healthy, thriving big ones, isn’t about clearing adversity out of their way. Resilience is being able to bounce back from stress, challenge, tragedy, trauma, or adversity. When children are resilient, they’re braver, more curious and adaptable, and more able to extend their reach into the world. Research tells us that it’s not rugged self-reliance, determination, or inner strength that leads kids through adversity, but the reliable presence of at least one supportive relationship. In the context of a loving relationship with a caring adult, children have the opportunity to develop vital coping skills. Just reading with your child for 10 minutes a day from a book they like which touches on subjects like diversity and problem solving, can increase their resilience, help them manage their own behaviour and feelings, and increase their capacity to develop their own coping strategies during tough times.