I am home. Before that I was away.  SO much to say about it all, but I’m going to try to limit myself to five amazing things about my time away – and one about being home.

1. Travel. How amazing to spend ten days on the road – in Sydney, the Blue Mountains and Townsville – doing my job. I spoke to hundreds of kids about my books, in amazing schools, as well as to teachers, librarians and other professionals.  What other job makes you feel like a rock star, unless of course, you ARE a rock star?

2.  Feedback. Incredible feedback from kids (and adults) who’ve read my books, telling me why they’ve loved them and how keen they are for more.

3. Sharing. It is an absolute privilege to have kids sharing their stories with me. During and after sessions, so many children told me  how they can relate to what Pearl and Amber and John are going through, because they have had such hard things happen in their lives – and often, are still going through them. Many stories make me cry, but I feel very trusted that kids want to tell me their stories.

4. Workmates. In Sydney I was looked after my Steve from Walker Books, who did a wonderful job of ensuring I had coffee, and places to stay and food, and audiences. More than that, though, he was just fun to travel with. In Townsville Trish McEvey, and her fellow staff, from Kirwan Primary School looked after me, again ensuring audiences and shelter and stuff, along with just an awesome workspace. I was also honoured to work alongside Boori Monty Pryor, who was also visiting the school, and who is a real treasure.

5.  Inspiration. All this travelling, and talking and seeing stuff, and hearing stuff, makes me inspired to keep doing what I do – and to try new things.

If I spoke to you in Sydney or Townsville – please accept this as my thank you for listening and for being part of my first ever official book tour.

And the awesome thing about being home? It’s home. So nice to be back with my gorgeous family.