With generous help from the WA Department of Culture and the Arts and the Copyright Agency Limited, I travelled to Bologna, Italy with SCBWI Illustrator Liaison, Frane’ Lessac to showcase the work of Western Australian children’s writers and illustrators at the 2010 Bologna Children’s Book Fair.
This gave me a wonderful opportunity to display not only my own books, but also the books of fellow WA members of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators: Frane’ Lessac, Mark Greenwood, Matt Ottley, Meg McKinlay, Jen Banyard, Sally Murphy, Norman Jorgensen, Julia Lawrinson and Elaine Forrestal were displayed and received excellent feedback.

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I am thrilled to hear that Lighthouse Girl has just been shortlisted for the 2010 West Australian Young Readers’ Book Awards (WAYRBA). For more details check out: www.wayrba.org.au

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On Tuesday 3rd march I set out from my sister’s house in Cairns (Qld) to drive my daughter’s Barina home to Albany (WA). After a brief stop in Kuranda for a mango smoothie and some retail therapy at my favourite shop, I had a lovely drive across the Atherton Tablelands. I survived the Barina eating Brahmins and made it safely to Charters Towers for my first rest stop.

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On Monday 2nd March, I visited my neice Tolina’s school in Cairns. Everyone was very friendly and there were lots of questions. They even had a sign to welcome me!

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Welcome to my first bloggish news entry, in anticipation of my new book, which is about to hit the shelves soon

The new book is called Lighthouse Girl and it’s due out in early March. It has a lovely tactile cover and the 115 pages are filled with archival photos, newspaper articles, sketches and Brian Simmonds evocative charcoal illustrations. Fremantle Press have taken such care with the presentation, especially Editor Cate Sutherland and Designer Tracey Gibbs. After 4 years of work (beginning April 2005) I’m really happy with the final product.

Here’s the blurb:

It’s 1914. Fay can shoot a rabbit and make a mean nettle stew. She understands Morse code and the semaphoric alphabet. She knows where penguins nest and when humpback whales migrate. But until she starts writing to a soldier named Charlie, she’s never known friendship — and she’s never had a friend to lose.

Based on the true story of Faye Howe, this gentle tale brings to life the hardships of those left at home during the war — waiting, wondering, hoping. Drawing on fascinating archival material, and interweaving fact with fiction, award-winning author Dianne Wolfer deftly recreates this period in Australian history from the perspective of a young girl.

Last Monday I was in Perth for meetings. I stayed overnight at Frané Lessac & Mark Greenwood’s place (www.artbeatpublishers.com). Frané had her camera…

Frané and Mark’s website is www.artbeat.com.au

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