august

It is time I let you know what I've been up to. Let's see ...

Earlier in the year I illustrated and designed two books for the Leukaemia Foundation - resources for children with cancer and their families. The books, Ben's Stem Cell Transplant and Jess' Stem Cell Donation, were recently launched and are now available through the Leukaemia Foundation.

My second children's picture book, Sylvia, published by UQP, is due to be released 24 September. I am very excited about the upcoming launches. The book will be available for sale in bookshops and online. I'll post more info about the book upon its release. In the meantime, take a look at UQP's website for a peek inside the book.

Last week was Book Week and I was invited to read to the students of St Bernard State School. I read my book Bea, which was published by UQP last year, and we had some wonderful conversations about picture books, language, inspiration and birds. We even sang the 'Bea and Bernie' song! Bea, by the way, has been shortlisted for the Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards 2014. Fingers crossed!

Also last week, I taught a picture book masterclass at QUT. It was a wonderful afternoon and I was delighted to meet students interested in writing and/or illustrating picture books. QUT was where I completed my Masters and Graduate Diploma in Creative Writing, so I was excited to share what I've learned.

In addition to these bookish projects, I designed the inaugural edition of mhBalance magazine for Mental Health Association QLD and branded a couple of organisations (yet to be unveiled), as well as doing ongoing work for my lovely longtime client, Mondo Organics.

Later this week, I am off to the ProBlogger Training Event on the Gold Coast. This will be my second ProBlogger conference and I am very excited. Lots to learn about the wonderful world of blogging. Can't wait.

Until next time ...

whirlwind

For the past five months, I've been swept up in a whirlwind of work and I am only now catching my breath. There was the release of Wholehearted Food by Brenda Fawdon, for which I did the book design, photography and illustration. I designed, typeset and proofread Toonarbin: Biography of a House by Christopher Bray. Next, I designed, typeset and proofread Studios & Events 2014: Cultural Trails of the Scenic Rim, which was launched in February this year. I illustrated and designed two picture books for children by the Leukaemia Foundation (yet to be published). I branded a magazine for the Mental Health Association of Australia. And, overarching it all, I wrote, illustrated and designed my next children's picture book, being published by UQP and due for release later in 2014. Phew!

I neglected to mention in earlier posts, last year, besides working on Wholehearted Food, I also designed and typeset seven plays for the Playlab New Vintage series, and proofread another seven.

That's all my news. I thought I'd better write a blog post or you may think I am simply lying around in the sun somewhere.