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Sally Murphy, Australian author

Premier’s Reading Challenge Storytime Featuring If I Could Eat the Stars

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Haven’t got your hands on If I Could Eat the Stars yet?  Never fear here is a way to get a glimpse inside and hear three of the poems read aloud.

Wonderful to see the book profiled as part of the Premier’s Reading Challenge (WA) weekly story time.

And, if you are a young person in WA and not aware of the PRC, now is a good  time to remind you that you can take part through your school, or simply sign up independently.  All the details are here.

Not from WA? Each state has its own PRC, so do look them up. They are excellent.

And don’t forget, If I Could Eat the Stars is out now, and reading poetry is FUN.

 

 

First Reviews for If I Could Eat the Stars

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Release day for If I Could Eat the Stars is almost here and, in the meantime, it’s been a big week, with my box of editor copies arriving, and some funny moments when I tried to make an unboxing video. You can see what I posted on Instagram here:

 

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I’m not a social media expert. obviously, but at least I am keeping it real, as they say.

Then, today, news of the first two reviews. First, from Joy Lawn at Paperbark Words who said, among other things:

From the lyrical to the laugh out loud, If I Could Eat the Stars and other poems is ideal to dip in and out of. Teachers could even select poems to read as lesson-break rewards.

If I Could Eat Stars showcases a fabulous depth of talent in Western Australia.

You can read the full review here.  Note that she also acknowledges that Fremantle Press, the publisher, is celebrating 50 years of publishing Western Australian books. Happy happy birthday Fremantle Press and thank what you have done for my career, and for many others, and, most importantly, sharing diverse, rich, quality stories with readers of all ages. And thanks Joy for the review.

And, just when I thought my joy was complete for today, a second review, from Good Reading Magazine, shared on Instagram  here:

Last night I sat down and read the whole book from cover to cover for the first time since we finalised the editing.  It was a real pleasure to read all the wonderful poems and adore Briony Stewart’s divine art and realise that this book is going to be in hearts and homes very soon.  (On that note, you can preorder your copy at your local bookshop or online now).

Poetry Rocks!

Happy Birthday Right Way Down

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Happy Birthday to you

happy birthday to you …

I am singing today because Right Way Down is two years old.  Birthdays are always worth celebrating, and a book birthday is no exception.

I am so glad that this particular book baby (book toddler?) is still out in the world, being read, shared and loved.

A special shout out to Rebecca M. Newman who made this book happen, but also to Briony Stewart who made it look so wonderful and all of the contributors who have poems in the anthology, and of course Fremantle Press who published it.

And, while I don’t want to use the older sibling’s birthday to make a fuss of the younger one, I do looking forward to Right Way Down having a sibling  in just two months’ time.

Happy birthday, Right Way Doooown
Happy Birthday to yoouuuuuuuu.

A List Poem: Things I Love

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I have been journaling every morning this year and, rather than keeping a diary, I’ve been writing lists – filling a page each day with a list of whatever topic takes my fancy that day – topics so far have included – Foods I Love, Places I’d Love to Visit, and, when I was feeling particularly silly, a list of Things I Could Write Lists About.

This poem is not one of those entries, but it could well be. A list poem is, much like any list, a list of connected ideas, descriptions, actions on the topic at hand. The topic can be the title or the first line, and, because it’s a poem, there should be a twist or surprise a the end tot ie the list together.

Here’s mine.

Things I Love

by Sally Murphy

Fluffy

dogs at the beach

gambolling in and out of the waves

yipping and yapping

then shaking themselves

into salt encrusted spikes.

Fireworks

cascading light

purple

gold

indigo

on a velvet sky.

A good book

that makes me laugh

or cry

or both.

A perfectly timed bombie

into the pool.

Splash!

Sunshine

flowers

chocolate

and you.

 

(Poem and photo copyright Sally Murphy)

Joy in Poetry

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I didn’t post a lot on my blog last year, for a range of reasons, including just not knowing what to say about the state of the world.

But, this year my one little word for the year is Joy, and I have been thinking about how best I am able to spread joy in the world. One way I do that, or try to do that, is through poetry. And, because poetry is a core part of who I am, sharing poetry also gives ME joy.

So, in 2026, I am aiming to share more poetry and poetry related content. – including poems of my own, classic poems, and tips for teachers and writers.

So watch this space and, in the meantime, if there’s something you’d like to see/hear about, drop me a line.

Until then, here’s a poem I first shared here ten years ago, and which still stands true for me, as I walk the beach every morning, barefoot and smiling.

Hope your toes – and fingers, heads, ears, hearts, – all of you – is happy today.

Busy (But Happy) Times

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In the past month I have had SO much going on that I have sometimes felt a little overwhelmed. Fortunately, I have good friends and family, and furry companions, who remind me to regularly stop, take some deep breaths and enjoy what I’m doing.

And, today, I am taking some of those breaths as I share some of what has been keeping me busy.

Firstly, my friend and peer Rebecca M. Newman and I are busily working on a follow-up anthology to Right Way Down. We are delighted that Fremantle Press has asked us to produce a second anthology, which will be filled with poems from Western Australian poets, and again illustrated by the amazing Briony Stewart. Submissions have closed, Rebecca and I have finished the difficult job of narrowing down our selections and now we are working through the editing process. No title yet, but you will see this book in stores and on shelves in 2026 and we cannot wait.

Secondly, and staying with the topic of poetry, I had my first poetry publication for the year, in a brand new online magazine. You can read Freedom at the Nimblewitlit site and, if you want to hear my voice, can also hear me reading the poem.

Thirdly, an honour. As you may know, the Children’s Book Council of Australia is celebrating its 80th year, and I have been named one of the Western Australian branch‘s Ambassadors. This means I’ll be joining a bunch of other amazing creators in shouting from the rooftops (and here on my website, on Instagram, Facebook and at events) just how wonderful the CBCA is. Not a hard gig at all.

And, last but not at all least, I was fortunate enough at the start of the month to join other creators and hardworking Form staff to visit Western Australia’s Goldfields as part of Scribblers on the Road.  Working with Zeno Sworder, Brenton McKenna, Shane McCarthy, as well as creatives from the Goldfields, we visited:

  • Kambalda Primary School
  • Coolgardie Primary School
  • Leonora District high School
  • Menzies Community School
  • John Paul College, Kalgoorlie
  • Kalgoorle-Boulder Community High School
  • St Joseph’s School and
  • East Kalgoorlie primary School

as well as talking via video-link to students in remote communities at the Ngaanyatjarra Land School campuses, and running a writing workshop for adults at the Kalgoorlie library AND appearing at the Scribblers Family Fun Day at the Kalgoorlie Arts Centre.

Phew! If that sounds a lot, it was, but it was amazing – and you can see some of the fun in this photo reel which I shared on Instagram.

 

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Now I’m back at my desk, writing and smiling, and thinking how very lucky I am to get to do what I do.

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