Radio Interview for ArtSound fm 90.3/92.7

28 May 2009

Manuka Arts Centre

Canberra

I enjoyed a very warm interview with Richard Scherer today, who presents ArtyFacts on Canberra's ArtSound fm. The ArtyFacts programme covers local Canberra artists, musicians, performers and organisations, and includes a weekly round-up of arts events.

The interview will be featured Saturday 30 May 2009 during the ArtyFacts regular timeslot - 9am on ArtSound fm. Switch your dial to fm 90.3 or fm 92.7, depending on your Canberra whereabouts.

Many thanks to Barbie Robinson who organised this for me. Barbie is also a presenter of ArtyFacts, and Taste - a food, wine and lifestyle programme on Saturdays at 11.30am.

Radio Interview for ArtSound fm 92.7/90.3

Saturday 30 May 2009

9am

It was lovely to interview with Richard Scherer, who presents ArtyFacts on Canberra's ArtSound fm. The ArtyFacts programme covers local Canberra artists, musicians, performers and organisations, and includes a weekly round-up of arts events. I thoroughly enjoyed talking to him about Riley and the Sleeping Dragon and Beijing Tai Tai.

The interview airs Saturday 30 May 2009 during the Artyfacts regular timeslot - 9am on ArtSound fm.

Many thanks to Barbie Robinson who organised this interview. Barbie is also a presenter of ArtyFacts, and Taste - a food, wine and lifestyle programme on Saturdays at 11.30am.

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Event: The Australian Launch of Riley and the Sleeping Dragon

Saturday 23 May 2009

Dalton's Books

Canberra

A packed crowd mingled at Dalton's Books in Canberra city for the Australian launch of Riley and the Sleeping Dragon, with a reading, signing, prize giveaways, balloons, goodie bags and afternoon tea for all.

After everyone had had their fill of chocolate crackles and goodie bags, we gave away some pretty sensational prizes, many thanks to the sponsors, listed below. Thanks also to Penguin Books Australia for the book giveaways.

With fit mums and the owner of Canberra Fit Mums, Jenny Tiffen (right)...

Signing books and signing books and signing books...

Thank you to everyone who came along to this fun event, and to all the sensational and generous sponsors. Huge thanks to Meredith Wright for all her support and to all the kids - who make this book journey so worthwhile.

See you at the Riley in Hong Kong launch!

Event: Book Signing at Handmade Winter Warmer Market

23 May 2009

Albert Hall

Canberra

Such a pleasure to drop into Handmade Market's winter warmer extravaganza at the Albert Hall in Yarralumla.

With only two hours to spare before my Riley and the Sleeping Dragon book launch, it was nonetheless overwhelming to spend those two hours pretty solidly signing books. Huge thanks to Julie Nichols of Handmade for having me on board!

Canberra Weekly Article and Book Promotion

Huge thanks to Julie Samaras and Julie Snook from Canberra Weekly for this sensational article, the 'must-read' book promo and opportunity to have book giveaways of both Riley and the Sleeping Dragon and Beijing Tai Tai. Thanks also to Cole for the fabulous photo.

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Canberra Times Article

As part of the Handmade Market winter warmer promotion in the Canberra Times (20 May 2009), this article appeared along with a book promo and business listing.

So exciting to be part of this fabulous supplement.

Many thanks to Julie Nichols from Handmade Market for this sensational advertising supplement idea.

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Event: Reading of Riley and the Sleeping Dragon at Mawson Primary School

21 May 2009

Mawson Primary School

Canberra

What a fun time I had reading to the kids at Mawson Primary School in Canberra, where I met up with some familiar Beijing faces! Mawson has a well-established Mandarin language learning programme that several of my little friends from Beijing partake in, and there is also a few Chinese students who enjoy the benefits of a bi-lingual educational environment.

It was an absolute pleasure to read to the kids - first grades 1 and 2, then grades 3 to 6 - who asked a serious of fabulous questions (indeed, we ran out of time to answer them all!). We also talked about storywriting and the book publishing process, which was great fun.

Huge thanks to Anna Comerford and all the teachers for having me along to the school.

Queanbeyan Chronicle Article

Many thanks to Shae McDonald for the wonderful write-up in this week's Chronicle (19 May 2009), which is delivered to homes all over the Queanbeyan Shire. And just in time for the Riley book launch this weekend.

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My First Book Review for AWO

My first book review for Australian Women Online appeared this morning... much to my anticipation and anxiety... I didn't rate the book overly highly and being an author myself, it was nerve-wracking posting something that wasn't exactly a rave review.

Amazingly, despite the book's problems, I did enjoy it and there were many positives to the work, but of course, like a food critic, one needs to be honest when reviewing. It will be interesting to watch the development of this author in her next novel.

Read the review here.

Event: Reading of Riley and the Sleeping Dragon at Giralang Primary

8 May 2009

Giralang Primary School

Canberra

What fun to read Riley and the Sleeping Dragon at a whole school assembly at Giralang Primary. Such a great bunch of kids, who asked some interesting questions, I could hardly believe my ears when one young fellow told me the dragon was an Asian 'long' (long is Chinese for dragon). Excellent!

I also got to enjoy some frog songs and poems by the kindergarteners! and it was lovely to chat with some of the kids and to hear such enthusiasm for storywriting - from kids like Emily.

Many thanks to Catherine Rosenberg for organising such a lovely visit.

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WIN! Riley and the Sleeping Dragon Book Giveaway

In celebration of the Australian launch of

Riley and the Sleeping Dragon in Canberra on 23 May 2009,

you could win a copy of this gorgeous picture book.

Click the book cover for your chance to win!

Open to Australian residents only.

The Next Riley Book

As the Australian launch for Riley and the Sleeping Dragon approaches, it's with much excitement that I'm starting to think about the next books in my Riley series.

The second book in the series will see Riley travel to Hong Kong, mainly because I wanted to keep that China link strong for a little while longer. Plus, I am returning to China for the literary festivals next year and wanted to take another book back that I could promote in Asia.

Also - we love Hong Kong.

I absolutely do, however, want to have Riley travel to an Australian city for the third book and I'm still not convinced it should be Sydney to start with. Although it's the most iconic city, there is so much to enjoy in every Australian capital. Eventually, Riley will travel to all cities, but which one should I begin with?

Let me know your opinion!

poll by twiigs.com

Event: Reading of Riley and the Sleeping Dragon at Brindabella Baby

Wednesday 6 May 2009

Brindabella Baby

Canberra

It was wonderful to finally see Emma Davidson's new shop up and running in Lonsdale Street today - packed to the rafters with all things wonderful for baby.

Not only is it great to see Emma realising a dream, but it was also fantastic to see rare products on the shelves like fabulous re-usable nappies, hemp clothing and products that are ecologically sustainable and sourced from workers with acceptable working conditions - something Emma feels passionate about.

Around 25 mums and kids turned up to hear Riley and the Sleeping Dragon - and Emma provided an organic chocolate fountain and marshmallows (how could I decide between pink and white? little Maven helped me out).

Such a lovely morning of chatting and meeting some fabulous women like Robyn, who is ready to print her first self-published book.

Thanks to Emma for a lovely morning and book signing!

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Event: Self-Publishing Talk for Daisy & Dandelion

Chatting with Karin Leggatt from Underwear of Sweden

It was a real pleasure to speak at a Daisy and Dandelion event last night at the quaint Theiss Cottage in Kambah. I spoke about my journey as a writer and self-publisher, as well as my time in China. I also read some excerpts from Beijing Tai Tai which had everyone giggling.

Jenny Tiffen of Fit Mums chats with Cate Hale of Canberra's Baby & Kids Market

We had a wonderful turn out, with both regular faces and new. I even met Robyn, a nurse who has begun dabbling in watercolour illustrations. She hopes to publish her own children's books.

Many thanks to Candice Edye for organizing such a lovely, informative and interesting evening. It was a joy to mingle with these talented and creative women.

Taking a peek at Robin's gorgeous watercolour illustrations. Kate Dawson of Misschief Maker and Leonie Keogh of Snowgum Studio look on

Carol Mitchell of CK Image, journalist Amita and multi-tasking businesswoman, Deb

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Every Child Magazine Subscription Renewal - Riley and the Sleeping Dragon

Huge thanks to Mary McCartney of Early Childhood Australia who has organized a very exciting book giveaway of Riley and the Sleeping Dragon in Every Child magazine. Subscribers have a chance to win a copy of the book when they renew!

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Event: Daisy & Dandelion Talk

Do you want to learn more about writing books and

self-publishing?

Tania will be speaking at

a Daisy & Dandelion event on

Monday 4 May

at 7.15pm

Come along for a relaxed, informal evening, a cuppa and a chat. Tania will be talking about her writing journey and will also be reading an hilarious exerpt from Beijing Tai Tai.

Theiss Cottage, Reynell Place
Kambah, ACT

For more information, click the logo...or contact Candice to book.

Hope to see you there!

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Event: Canberra Handmade Market

Don't miss!

Canberra's illustrious...

Handmade Winter Warmer Market

Tania will be appearing from 10am-12pm only...

Come along and have a book signed and say hello!

Saturday 23 May

10am - 4pm

Albert Hall, Commonwealth Avenue

Yarralumla ACT

Email Julie for more details.

See you there!

Event: The BookMark's Inaugural Literary Day

Saturday 17 January 2009

The BookMark

Beijing

Deborah Lukic warms up the crowd

The BookMark's inaugural Literary Day, proudly sponsored by the British School of Beijing, opened on Saturday 17th to an excited crowd at Smallville Cafe in Shunyi.

What a fabulous morning!

Storyteller Tanya Williamson does her thing with the kids

After a wonderful morning of kids stories and songs with Tanya Williamson and a reading of Riley and the Sleeping Dragon with Tania McCartney, we welcomed students from the British School of Beijing, who read some incredible peace poems and other works.

Tania McCartney read Riley and the Sleeping Dragon and exerpts from
Beijing Tai Tai - to a warm crowd response

After moving and thought-provoking readings from teens Chenyce Sim and Jorge Zarate...

...we were thrilled to welcome acclaimed author and journalist, Lijia Zhang, who read from her memoir Socialism is Great! We were so excited to listen to only a small part of Lijia's amazing tale.

Lijia Zhang reads from Socialism is Great!

After lunch, Chris Verrill from the Beijing Playhouse regaled us with a moving chapter from his book Is For Good Men to Do Nothing.

Chris takes us on a journey to Afghanistan





The kids from BSB with teacher Dawn Ross and marketing manager Richard Giddings

Beijing's own Mr Magic then performed to a delighted bunch of kids (and adults! this man is hilarious!) and talked about his prolific range of children's books.

Mr Magic has us in stitches

The fabulous BookMark owners - Deborah Lukic (left) and Amanda Powell Castillo with Lijia Zhang and Tania McCartney (right)

Thank you to everyone who came along and shared in this warm and wonderful wordy event.

See you at The BookMark Literary Day
next March 2010!

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