Hello fellow Children’s Writers and Friends,

The past couple of months have seen me and usually my daughter, who also loves to write, at several book launches. This has not been a usual pastime of ours, but I am finding that since I have emerged myself deeper and deeper into the KidLit community, that I actually know published and sometimes book-launching authors. It is a thrill to see someone you know celebrating what is almost always hard won success. Then there have been a couple of others I’ve attended mainly to see how it’s done so I can be ready for my own Picture Book launch next year. 

Fellow E/H FAW member, Carolyn Eldridge-Alfonzetti’s Rainforest Feasts, the first of the Book Launches I’ve attended recently.

The interesting thing is that not one of them was alike and only one was what I expected, yet each was perfectly suitable for the book and the author. One was very much Play School type entertainment, very child-focussed and a real celebration with an outgoing, communicative and engaging author and MC. Another couple were smaller, quieter with or without an MC yet still engaging in a  somewhat more personal way. Finally another was a primarily a touching tribute to the first illustrator of the book, Kim Gamble, who sadly passed away before completing the book, Monsters. This left it to be completed by another talented illustrator, Stephen Axelsen, who through his long-time friendship with Gamble was able to emulate his style seamlessly while still incorporating his own personal touches. Although this was very emotional and I felt a little out of place, I was welcomed and felt honoured to be a witness to it. 

Monsters Book Launch at The Children’s Bookshop Beecroft

I have another one to attend next week, Waiting for the Night will be launched by fellow FAW  Eastwood/Hills Branch member, Julie Thorndyke. Knowing Julie for the past 7-8 years I have a fair idea what this launch may be like, but I’m still anticipating some surprises because, book launches it seems are as individual as the books’ authors themselves. As for mine, I still have no idea what I’m going to do, however, I needn’t panic, it’s still a little over a year away. Plenty of time to enjoy more launches by my physical and online friends and perhaps the odd fangirl stickybeak too. 

Thank you Lucinda Gifford, Carolyn Eldridge-Alfonzetti, Anna Feinberg and Stephen Axelsen and Pat Simmons for your wonderfully engaging and individual book launches. It was a thrill to be a part of them. And I look forward to being a part of yours soon, Julie Thorndyke!

Images from Pat Simmons Book Launch above. Invitation to Julie Thorndyke’s Book Launch below.

Farewell fellow travellers,

Savour the quest,

Journeygirl