Mick Grace

It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of Mick Grace. He was a very talented artist & writer. His talents & gentle nature will be surely missed.

Return to shelf

There has been a change in management at Mary Ryan Bookstore & I'm pleased to say that Eric The Echidna Has Lost His Spikes is now back on the shelf in the Ruthven st store. The lovely Anne Hewitt is the new Manager, so pop in and grab your copy, or peruse the shelves for other local Authors.

A year of Triumphs

It has been a year since I last blogged. But that doesn't mean I have been idol.

2012 saw some big things happen in terms of achievements. I set about organizing another Breast Cancer Survivor Float in the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. The parade was witnessed by over 100 000 people, helping to raise awareness.

I was also on the committee that held a Gala Breast Cancer Ball that raised $24 000 for the Breast Cancer Network of Australia.





We also managed to tick off one of our Bucket List holidays & went on a cruise to the Melbourne Cup.

Mummy Tree Markets

With the help of a lovely lady by the name of Lisa Gore from Freckly Friends, Eric the Echidna will be on sale at her stand at the next Mummy Tree Markets at USQ on Sunday the 11th of March, 2012. Unfortunately I will be away for this market but Lisa has generously offered to sell my book this month. Call in and say hi and have a look at some of the wonderful bags & bibs that she has available......thank you Lisa.

New Year

I can't believe how time flies. I regret that it has been so long since I posted my last blog. I have had to work long hours in my regular day job.....and that has left me with not enough time to devote to Eric. Hopefully things will settle down soon.

In saying that Eric is still selling & donating money towards supporting others with Cancer. I would like to thank Creative Classrooms for taking on my book, I know that teachers enjoy using it in class because of it's Australiana content.

Queensland Writers Week

Thank you to everyone who popped in to Mary Ryan as part of Queensland Writers Week. I was happy to sit in the Author chair to share my experiences on becoming a writer. Amelia was particularly excited & has invited me to come to her school for a visit.

Brisbane Writers Festival

I attended a workshop on Publishing in the Young Adult & Children's Market at the Brisbane writers festival yesterday. Of the 90 people in the Masterclass 80% of the attendants had a book to write, I am not sure on the numbers of them that will ever get their book published. It is overwhelming the process involved in getting noticed by an agent or publisher, there are a lot of books on slush piles out there. It was inspiring to hear from a few of those lucky enough to get a foot & the door & succeed, Tristan Bancks & Emily Rodda.

For me I am happy about my decision to self publish. It gave me something positive to focus on during my illness, allowing me something that I could take control of in my life. I have had much pleasure in seeing how children have taken to the book, for this I am eternally grateful.

Kindy Reading

I took the opportunity during book week to pop into Charlie's Kindy class & do a book reading. I shared with them the process of how the book was made and they shared with me a book that they had created for me on a day at Kindy with Eric. It is something that I will always treasure.

Eric Entertains

I continue to get great feed back from families who's children are delighted to be reading "Eric the Echidna Has lost His Spikes" It gives me great joy also to know that they are experiencing that great bond that comes from reading to children. I recently received this lovely photo from Lesley's of her Granddaughter Taylah reading her copy of Eric.