Last week I got to live the author dream, and travel around the country talking about myself, my books and writing.

The tour, to promote Roses are Blue, was organised by Walker Books with support from an Australia Council Grant.  I visited schools, bookshops, libraries and even a radio station in Brisbane and Melbourne, where I spoke to hundreds of young readers, teachers, librarians, booksellers and book lovers.  How lucky was I!

Favourite bits of the week:

1. Speaking to so many enthusiastic and receptive kids – and their teachers, and librarians. It never gets old or boring talking about books and writing and reading, and every session is different, because the audience makes it so.

2. Visiting amazing bookstores and meeting and talking with booksellers passionate about putting good books into the hands of young readers.

3.  Having young readers tell me the way that one of my books reflects their own life. It delights me to know that they can connect in this way with Amber, or Pearl, or John.

4. Speaking to a group of librarians who came to Lamont Books after their work day to chat with me about poetry and verse novels and all things book.

5. Chatting to David Curnow on ABC Brisbane about Roses are Blue, writing and more. What a wonderful host David is.

6. Catching up with friends old and new both as part of the programme and socially in the downtime.

7. When the tour was over, coming home to my beautiful family. I love touring and travelling and seeing great places and meeting great people, but in the end there’s no place like home!