A World Without Books

Posted on January 13, 2012 by publisher

I was pleased to read an article by Miriam Steffens in The Sydney Morning Herald on January 7, giving an insight to current book sale trends. Miriam’s article quotes the boss of Dymocks, Don Grover, maintaining consumers still love the smell and the touch and the feel of a book. As a children’s author, that is great news and gives me hope that real books will be around for us to enjoy for a long time to come. I know through my dealings with bookstores, that many of the smaller stores have been forced to close as they cannot compete with online and e book sales. It will be a sad day indeed if the changing times allow e books to replace the real thing and bookstores cease to exist. Having seven grandchildren, the youngest just seven months, I could not imagine a world without books and beautiful bookstores for us to spend hours browsing our favourite books. I look forward to reading books to my younger grandchildren and hope they too get to enjoy the wonderful world of books we have all enjoyed for generations. We, the customers, play a big part in ensuring bookstores survive and will always be there for us and our children to come.  A bookshelf without books, is like a toybox without toys.  A world without books is unimaginable and we must not let this happen to our children.

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Farewell Riverside Books

Posted on December 10, 2011 by publisher

My mind refused to go to sleep last night as I couldn’t stop thinking about this beautiful little bookstore situated in the riverside town of Maclean in Northern NSW. After my book signing there yesterday, I left feeling emotional and upset as the young owner, Natalie and I exchanged a farewell hug. On the drive back to Yamba, my heart went out to Natalie, as I witnessed first hand, her love and commitment to her bookshop. Not just any bookshop, but a quaint gorgeous little store, she has put her heart and sole into.

Passers by are charmed and intrigued by the lovely murals decorating the windows of Riverside Books, alluring them to come inside and take a closer look. This unique little store, filled with atmosphere and warmth, offers customers not only an excellent array of books from every genre, but assorted gifts and jewellery, as well as an great selection of Scottish souvenirs.

Reluctantly, on Christmas Eve, Natalie will close the doors of Riverside Books forever, sadly giving up on her dream. Being an author and dealing with many bookstores, Natalie’s story is a familiar one, as the smaller stores are closing every day. Unable to compete with the huge chain stores and online sales, these small business owners find themselves fighting a losing battle and walking away from everything they have worked so hard for.

Could we as the public have changed the outcome? Could we have frequented these little stores more often?  Sure, we would have paid a higher price for our books, but obviously a sacrifice we should have made, to keep our little local store, owned and operated by someone who loved their job and was more than happy to share their vast knowledge of books with us. We, the customers are the ones disadvantaged, often dissillusioned and irritated by the vacant stare of some young shop assistant, who has no knowledge of books whatsoever and is inconvenienced by the fact that we need information they are unable to give.

Who is a fault here? Is it them? Or is it us? The answer is probably us, the reader, as we stood back and let it happen and now like it or not, we have to live with the consequences.

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Book Signing at Riverside Books Maclean

Posted on December 8, 2011 by publisher

I will be at Riverside Books Maclean tomorrow, Saturday 10th December from 9.30 to 12.30 signing copies of my children’s books, Twinkle the Christmas Star and Hammie Goes to School. Raffle tickets will be available at the store from the Maclean Lower Clarence Hospital Auxillary for a chance to win copies of both books.

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Out and About in Grafton

Posted on December 8, 2011 by publisher

Yesterday was a great day at Collins Books Grafton. After the book signing from 11-2, I filled in my time Christmas shopping until 5.30 when I attended the Collins Book Club held at Wendy’s. It was great to meet with other book lovers and have the opportunity to not only display my two beautiful books, Twinkle the Christmas Star and Hammie Goes to School, but also to introduce a draft of my upcoming title Long Legs Daddy, the friendship story of a rabbit and a spider, who’s afraid of heights.

I also had the pleasure of meeting local author Rob Clague and the chance to have a very interesting author to author chat. Thanks to Tom Howard and Collins Grafton for their continued support of my work.

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Central Coast Book Signings at Dymocks

Posted on December 5, 2011 by publisher

I’m off to the the Central Coast next week to catch up with  family and do two Book Signings at Dymocks. The first one is at Dymocks, Erina Fair on Thursday 15th December 11-2 and the second at Dymocks Tuggerah on Friday 16th December 11-2.

Having lived on the Central Coast for 30 years, prior to retiring in Yamba, I have done Book Signings there since my first book “Twinkle the Christmas Star” was released in 2009. I find signings a good way of keeping myself in the public eye, giving me the opportunity to show off my beautiful children’s books.  After living in Yamba in Northern NSW for the past seven years, I have lost touch with many old acquaintances from Kincumber and Woy Woy, but often cross paths with these people through my Book Signings.

Keep an eye out for me at the stores…we just might know each other!

 

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Twinkle and Hammie join Carols by Candlelight at Casino

Posted on December 1, 2011 by publisher

On  Sunday afternoon from 3 o’clock, I will be selling my books at the Twilight Markets at Casino. This is a special Christmas Twilight Market which includes Carols by Candlelight.

Come and join the fun.

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Hammie has his own song on Youtube!

Posted on November 29, 2011 by publisher

Hammie's Song - "One Little Piglet"

A story in song adapted from the book Hammie Goes to School. Using illustrations from the book with new lyrics added, it’s a cute catchy song for children to sing along to. 

View it now on Youtube  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVvzNHv93HM 

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Hammie Goes to School is available on E Bay!

Posted on November 28, 2011 by publisher

The latest title from Atom Children’s Books is Hammie Goes to School. With Christmas just around the corner, Hammie is the perfect gift for children starting school next year.

This is the first adventure in the series and begins with Hammie following his dream of becoming a schoolboy. A story of inspiration and determination as this brave little piglet trots into the school playground, only to be rejected by the Principal. Your heart will go out to this poor little piglet, who wants so desperately to go to school.

With tears of dissapointment streaming down his face, the piglet is about to give up on his dream, when the children step in. “Don’t give up on your dreams,” said the children, “just leave it to us.” Determined they chanted “Unfair! and Unjust!”  ”Unfair! and Unjust!” we want our say! “We like this little pig…we want him to stay!”

The prospect of starting school for the first time, can be an emotional journey for both parent and child. Reading this wonderful story of Hammie Goes to School demonstrates to children what a great place school can be. “I love this place!” announced Hammie, with a snort and a little giggle. Surrounded by his new school friends…a real life “piggy in the middle.”

 Watch Hammies’s song – “One Little Piglet” on Youtube. It’s  the story of Hammie Goes to School told in song. A cute catchy song for the kids to sing along to. Here is the Youtube Link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVvzNHv93HM Have Fun!

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Twinkle the Christmas Star is available on E Bay!

Posted on November 27, 2011 by publisher

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, I love to read Christmas stories to my grandchildren.  My old childhood favourite has always been “The Night Before Christmas.” I will never forget the way that story made me feel as a child.  All the wonder and magic of Christmas portrayed through this story,  left me feeling warm and fuzzy and filled with excitement as I counted down the days to Christmas.

This wonderful story was my inspiration to write my own beautiful Christmas story “Twinkile the Christmas Star,” as I wanted my grandchildren to share the joy I had experienced through beautiful Christmas books. There are many Christmas stories on the market today,  but until now, none in my eyes,  have come close to  “The  Night Before Christmas. “Twinkle the Christmas Star,” could be the book to change all that. It has been said, that Twinkle might very well be the modern day “Night Before Christmas,” bringing to children that old fashioned magical feeling and anticipation of Christmas. Told by Ollie the Owl on Christmas Eve, Twinkle is a beautiful story, with gorgeous illustrations.  Join Ollie and Twinkle in this magical Christmas journey, as Twinkle has Christmas dinner with Santa and Mrs Claus and of course those hard working elves. Everyone does their  bit to make this wonderful story come together and children will love to see the nine exhausted reindeer sleeping in the snow. What a great job they have done! This is a Christmas story to be enjoyed by the whole family and to be treasured for many  years to come.

Buy Twinkle now on E Bay direct from the Author! Copies can be personally signed by emailing name details after purchase.  Another of my stories “Hammie Goes to School” is also available on E Bay. This is a great book for children starting school. More about that one in my next blog.

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Back to the Pottsville Markets

Posted on November 18, 2011 by publisher

On Sunday 20th November, I will be back at Pottsville Markets selling signed copies of both books. My first market at Pottsville was two weeks ago and I really enjoyed chatting to many people about many aspects of my books. There are many authors out there who would love to self publish, but don’t really know where to start. I was in that position myself two years ago, prior to publishing my first title “Twinkle the Christmas Star.” Self Publishing from scratch, without a clue where to start, can at times be a little overwhelming. Two years down the track, with two self published titles under my belt, I would have to say self publishing is the easy part. The difficulty is getting the books out there, which for me is posing a bit of a problem. Since the closure of Angus & Robertson Company Stores around the country, the number of outlets who are willing to take my books has diminished greatly.
Getting books into stores, is the first step, but you then have to rely on a customer noticing your book, amongst the hundreds on the shelves and actually picking it up. For this reason, I am finding markets work well for me as I get my books out there amongst the public giving them the opportunity to purchase personally signed copies. I think this one on one interaction with customers is a great way to spread the word. If you have a good product to sell…it will sell itself. All you have to do is put yourself out there.

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