sallymurphy.com.au

Sally Murphy, Australian author

Bookmonth Wrap-up

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I wanted to sit and write a post about all the awesome schools and libraries I visited during August, and into September,  for Bookweek – which actually stretches over the whole month. But somehow, my post turned into a poem, which I hope captures what I do and why I do what I do. So here it is:

A Book Week Poem

Bookweek comes but once a year

Visiting schools both far and near

To tell the world that’s reading’s fun

And spread the joy to every one.

I read my books and talk a lot

Answer questions on the spot

Laugh and cry and laugh some more

And meet young readers by the score.

Give clues for writing for keen minds

And share some favourite literary finds

Not minding (too much) early morns

Leaving home before day dawns

And driving driving to get where

I need to be to chat and share

Or flights that take me far from home

I love to travel and to roam.

My voice struggles to get through

But lozenges and water too

Keep me going every day

To say the things I want to say.

And as one week stretches to four

And back and eyes and feet grow sore

I still feel pumped by what I do

And draw such energy from you

The readers who I get to meet

On this awesome Bookmonth beat.

 

Thanks to every school and library which hosted me over August, and into September. And a special thanks to the hundreds of young readers who engaged so enthusiastically in my sessions.

 

I love my job!

 

Children’s Book of the Year Awards

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I’ve been looking at the visitor statistics for Aussiereviews and noticed a rise in visitor numbers this week. Yesterday I had over 1000 page views. I wondered briefly why the sudden rise – then remembered that next week is Bookweek, and that the winners of the Children’s Book of the Year Awards will be announced on Friday. The lead up to this always increases the number of people searching for reviews, especially of the short listed books. Whilst I haven’t reviewed every book on the shortlist, I have reviewed most of them, so if you are searching for reviews of the shortlisted books, you can use the search function at Aussiereviews and read my comments.

I do enjoy the awards process. It’s always interesting to see which books from the previous year the judges have identified as best – and then, of course, to see the ultimate winners. If I was choosing the winners, I think I would choose:
Older readers – Don’t call me Ishmael!
Younger Readers – The tuckshop kid
Early childhood – Amy & Louis
Picture Book – The Arrival
Eve Pownall – Queenie: one elephant’s story

Of course, these are just gut instincts based on my reactions to the books I have read – and I confess I haven’t read them all. Nor have I used the judging criteria used by the judges. Still, I’ll enjoy comparing my results with the real awards on Friday.

In the meantime, good luck to all the nominees.

Squidoo, Bookweek and Even More About A & R

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Not content with two blogs (this one and Pemberty’s Ponderings), two websites (my author site and Aussiereviews), last night I decided to have a go at Squidoo, and created a new lens Rhyme Time, which focuses on rhyming books for children. At present it’s mostly a collection of links, but I’m thinking I might also include some reviews of rhyming books. I’m pretty passionate about good rhyme.

The discussion of the A & R issue continues. The Australian Society of Authors (ASA) has issued a statement urging bookbuyers to boycott Angus & Robertson stores.
On Making Light Teresa Nielsen Hayden has blogged about the two letters, and generated lots of discussion. Finally on Crikey, A & R has posted a response, ‘setting the record straight’.

In the meantime, as I said in my last post Children’s Book Week is coming up. Yesterday I stuffed thirty envelopes with Pemberthy Bear bookmarks to send to local schools to celebrate the big week. So if you’re in a school closish to Corrigin, look out for them.

Brockovich, Pemberthy and More about A & R

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It’s been a busy couple of weeks here in Murphville, hence the scarcity of my posts here. Wish I could say I have been slaving away at my new best seller, but, although I’m still plodding on my two current projects, much of my busyness has been non-writing related.

Last weekend I left the Murphlets in the good care of their grandparents for a few days and headed to the big smoke with my beloved. He had a conference to attend, and I attended some functions with him, and also got some much needed rest. One of the wonders of the Burswood Hotel is that the big oval bath is next to a sliding Japanese-style glass screen, which opens into the bedroom. This allows one to relax in a bubble bath and watch your football team win the Western Derby. Go Dockers!

I was also fortunate enough to attend the conference key-note address. The speaker was Erin Brockovich, whose life and work was made famous by the Julia Roberts’ film bearing her name. Her address was inspirational. She challenged me with her statement that if you know that something is wrong, you have to fight to change it.

Perhaps it was this address that made me post my comments below about the Angus & Robertson ‘issue’. This one is still making my blood boil. How dare a book chain try to hold small publishers to ransom? I’m so glad to see it getting some attention in the press and online. The ABC has a great article, but my favourite is the one on the SMH Entertainment blog which includes a copy of the original letter sent to Tower Books, and Tower Books’ well-stated reply. Have a read.

Not long until Children’s Book Week. I was asked by the librarian at our school if I could do something with rap on one of the days. So, with the help of some year two and three students, I am going to rap Pemberthy Bear. It’s not something that occurred to me before, but getting the kids to clap out the beats in the book really heightens the rhythm and rapping the story offers them a new take on it. So now Pemberthy is not only a singing bear and a blogging bear – he’s also a rapping bear. A & R don’t know what they’re missing out on!