sallymurphy.com.au

Sally Murphy, Australian author

Welcome Worse Things!

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It’s Poetry Friday – and what a Friday it is, because it’s also the release day of my brand new verse novel Worse Things. Over the past three weeks I have loved sharing with readers new and not so new my previous three verse novels. It’s been lots of fun rediscovering those book babies, and the culmination of that sharing is the opportunity to now introduce you to Worse Things.

First, the stunning cover, designed and illustrated by the amazing Sarah Davis. 

There is a lot happening in this cover – which is perfect, because there is a LOT happening in this book.  Sarah has captured key aspects of the story, and of each of three viewpoint characters.  If you’ve been following my readalong, or know my work, you’ll note that this cover is very different than those of my previous verse novels. That’s because this one is a bit different than the others – it’s for a slightly older audience, and has three viewpoint characters rather than one, for starters.

Intrigued? Want to know more? It is such lovely weather here in my part of Australia at the moment that I thought I’d sit on my patio and chat about the book.

If you look verrrry closely you might see I am wearing special earrings – I have a thing about finding earrings to match each new book. In one ear is a soccer ball, and in the other crossed hockey sticks. I’ve ordered some football ones too, but they are yet to arrive – but when they do, I’ll have a problem – three different earrings, only two ears! Maybe I’ll get my nose pierced (not!).

Want a taste of the book? Here’s chapter one:

And, because it’s poetry Friday, I thought I’d share one of the poems for you. This is one of several ‘definition’ poems scattered throughout the book. Because Amed is learning English, the idea came to me to define some of the key words, as if they are in the dictionary.  This is the  first one, which you’ll hear in the video, too.

BROKEN

[bro*ken] (adj)

Ruptured

torn

fragmented.

No longer whole

or functioning.

In need of repair.

(Copyright Sally Murphy, 2020)

This poem comes after Blake breaks his arm but, as you might sense just from chapter one, each of the three characters is a little bit broken, so it seems really apt to include this poem.

Worse Things is, as I said, out now and, if you’re in Australia available from all good bookstores. If you can’t get to a bookstore, or are not based in Australia, it is available online.

Thanks for dropping in on this auspicious day. If you would like to join in the celebration on social media, you can use the hashtags #worsethings and #readwithsally on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

And now, I encourage you to head off and see what other poetry goodness is available this Poetry Friday. The roundup  is being hosted by Elizabeth Steinglass who, coincidentally, is sharing soccer poems.

Have a wonderful Friday. I know I will – not only is it my book birthday, but it’s also my mum’s birthday – happy birthday Mum!

 

Readalong Post #10: Introducing Roses are Blue

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It’s Poetry Friday, and also day one of the third week in my Readalong. This week  I am delighted to invite you to read along with me (or, if you can’t easily get hold of a copy, just learn a bit more about) Roses are Blue.  Firstly, here’s the beautiful cover, featuring the illustrative genius of Gabriel Evans.

In the last two weeks I have introduced each book by sharing the book trailer but, I don’t have one for Roses are Blue. So, instead I thought I might offer an insight into the book by quoting from the excellent review librarian Debra Pearson wrote of the book when it was included in the The IBBY Collection of Books for Young People with Disabilities in 2015. 

In this verse novel for young readers, narrator Amber Rose struggles to reconcile the two sharply-divided parts of her life: before and after a terrible accident.

You can read the rest of Debra’s thorough review here.

To further introduce you to the story, here’s a clip of me reading the opening pages:

And a little glimpse inside:

In my next few posts I’ll share a bit more about this verse novel. If you have a copy, I’d love if you would read along with me – and even ask me some questions. If you’d like to buy a copy, ask your local bookstore. It is also available online. And if you’d like to chat about the book, share a photo of it on your bookshelf or anything else, use the hashtags #blueroses or #readwithsally, and tag me on Instagram,Facebook or Twitter.

This week’s Poetry Friday roundup is hosted by Christie at Wondering and Wondering (now isn’t that an excellent name for a blog!). Head there to see what other poetry goodness is on offer around the blogosphere and to check out Christie’s very celever bird poem, inspried by Thoreau (and that hashtag: #ThoreaulyInspired – so clever!)

 

Readalong Post #6: Poetry Friday Introducing Toppling

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It’s Poetry Friday and, for me, it marks the start of the second week of my Readalong , and time to introduce the second of my verse novels.  First, though, thanks to everyone who took part in week one. From my lovely Poetry Friday friends who commented on last week’s post about Pearl Verses the World, to the many people who’ve commented on Instagram and Facebook and also to those just reading along on the sidelines. It is a joy to be in such good company every day, without leaving home.  The post that drew the most reaction was the one comparing the two covers, which was discussed at length on Facebook, so it will be interesting to look later on this week at the THREE covers Toppling has had.

Speaking of Toppling, this week I’d love it, if you have a copy of Toppling to hand, if you would revisit it with me. But if you don’t have a copy, you can still join in and learn about the book. Toppling was released in Australia in 2010. Here’s the Aussie  cover (I’ll show you the others later in the week, though you might catch a glimpse of the US cover in the book trailer below):

You’ll see that Toppling had a different illustrator from Pearl, the amazing Rhian Nest James, but the same  cover design team at Walker Books.

If you haven’t yet read the book (or even if you have) you might enjoy this trailer, made by amazing Librarian Julie Hembree:


It’s a little more professional than the one I made for Pearl Verses the World!

And, if you’d like a taste of the book, here I am reading Chapter One:

 

And, for Poetry Friday, here is a poem from that reading:

If you have a copy of Toppling, I’d love if you would reread it with me this week. If you don’t own a copy, it’s available from libraries and bookstores in three editions:

The Australian version, published by Walker Books Australia.

The US version, published by Candlewick.

And the UK version (with a different title, John & Dom), published by Walker UK.

(Note that while these links do go to online bookstores, our brick and mortar stores are really struggling at the moment, so if you are going to buy a book, and have access to a local bookstore (lots are delivering!), I urge you to shop there.)

Over the next week, I’m going to share more about Toppling – why and how I wrote it,  a glimpse at those three different covers, and more.  You can join in: if you have a copy of the book,  or a memory to share, I’d love to see a post on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook (#toppling), or a comment here or on my Facebook page.

Want more poetry? Of course you do! Molly has this week’s Poetry Friday roundup this week at Nix the Comfort Zone. Pop over there to see all the other poetry goodness shared around the world – and to admire Molly’s bread!

 

Poetry Friday: My Readalong Begins

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It’s Poetry Friday, which is always exciting, but today I am especially excited because today also marks the beginning of my Readalong. Welcome! I am so glad you dropped by.

What’s a Readalong, I hear you ask? A readalong is where you are invited to read a book (or, in this case books) along with others doing the same.  My readalong is running for four weeks, and each week I will be inviting you to read one of my verse novels. But don’t worry if you don’t have a copy of your own – you  can dip your reading toes in to the extracts I’ll be sharing, and get a taste.  If you DO have a copy, I would love you to grab it off your shelf, read, or reread, and participate by asking questions, posting comments, or sharing your reactions on social media using the hashtag #readwithsally, or the individual hashtags for each of the four books. This post here gives more details and, as you’ll see, the purpose of all this is to spread some verse novel love AND celebrate the release of my brand new verse novel, Worse Things, on May 1.

So,  to start at the beginning, this first week, I’d love it if you would read along with my first verse novel, Pearl Verses the World, which was released waaaay back in 2009.  Here is the cover, which still takes my breath away:

Pearl Verses the World

Heather Potter, the illustrator, rendered Pearl, and her world, so beautifully, and the team from Walker Books crafted the most amazing cover design.

If you haven’t yet read the book, here is the booktrailer that I made way back then (incidentally, this was my first ever attempt at a trailer).

And,  if you’d like to hear an extract, here I am reading the opening pages:

Lastly, because it’s Poetry Friday, here’s one of the poems:

If you already have a copy of Pearl Verses the World, I would love if you would pick it up this week and revisit it. If you don’t own a copy, it is available in three editions:

The Australian version, published by Walker Books.

The US version, published by Candlewick Books

And the UK version (with a shorter title, just Pearl), published by Walker UK.

(Note that while these links do go to online bookstores, our brick and mortar stores are really struggling at the moment, so if you are going to buy a book, and have access to a local bookstore (lots are delivering!), I urge you to shop there.)

In the next few days I am going to post more about Pearl Verses the World – why and how I wrote it, some of the lovely moments that have come from interacting with readers, and more.  You can join in: if you have a copy of the book,  or a memory to share, I’d love to see a post on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook (#pearlvworld), or a comment here or on my Facebook page.

Thanks for reading this far and for joining in in whatever small way you can. And don’t forget there is, as very Friday, lots of other poetry goodness happening all over the web. You can see the Poetry Friday roundup at The Poetry Farm, hosted by Amy.

Poetry Friday: Beach Walks and Happy Toes

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It’s Poetry Friday and today I am counting my blessings.  In these topsy-turvy troubling times, I am feeling lucky that I have a job that allows me to work from home. I am feeling lucky that I have a family who I love and  that all of us have roofs over our heads, even when we might be separated.  I feel lucky to have a house full of books, good internet connection, food in the fridge and pantry,  and so much more. And I feel very very lucky to live where I do, and that this means my daily exercise is on (to me) the most beautiful beach in the world.

Like so many other people I am staying home unless essential, but  because I live so close to the beach and because it is never crowded, I am still able to walk on the beach every morning, keeping well more than the required distance from other people (do be assured that this is done within the law, and in fact I am more cautious about any contact with people or surfaces than has been mandated).

Aware that there are so many people who can’t do this, I have been sharing a one minute video of the beach every day, on my Instagram account, using the hashtag #oneminute  . I’ve also started adding a selection to Youtube , for anyone who doesn’t have Instagram.  The idea is that anyone who needs a minute of waves, water, sunshine, sand, can watch, and breathe with me.

So, for example, you can watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean, and imagine you are there with me – or, if you’d prefer, alone:

I’ve been looking for different angles and, one day, I thought I would try filming my toes. In my head it was a little more artistic than it turned out, but I was able to giggle at myself:

It was only later, after I’d uploaded and shared that I remembered I had done something similar in a less stressful time a few years ago – in fact, back in 2016, when I photographed my toes and wrote an accompanying poem. I had happy toes then, and, when I’m on that beach, I have happy toes now. Here’s that video and poem – I hope your toes can soak up some of that happy today.

 

Happy Toes

This morning I have happy toes

They’re wriggling in the sand

They’ve carried me here ocean-side

To where the sea meets land

 

This morning I have happy toes

They’re dancing on the beach

They’re gathering secrets from below

And whispering each to each

 

This morning I have happy toes

They’re tingling in the waves

They’re laughing at the silly way

The morning sea behaves

 

This morning I have happy toes

They’ll head home feeling great

But tomorrow they’ll be back here

For another beach play date!

 

Copyright Sally Murphy 2016

 

The Poetry Friday Roundup today is at My Juicy Universe, where Heidi is inviting us to all #ShelterInPoems . Catching up on loads of poetry goodness seems a wonderful way to spend a Friday, so check it out.  Stay safe, breathe deep.

PS

It seems an age since I decided to have a Read Along (see this post) to celebrate the upcoming release of Worse Things.  When I scheduled it, I  did not imagine the lockdowns that would be happening around the world. The Read Along is still happening, though – I think we need books more than ever – and I hope you’ll join me, starting next Friday, to read with me.

Poetry Friday: Everywhere Stairs

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It’s Poetry Friday, and I’ve been thinking about stairs. Why? Because I seem to keep stopping at the bottom of them of late. My recent treks have seen me pondering (and climbing) these stairs

on Rottnest Island, a place less known for its stairs than for its gorgeous beaches and, of course, quokkas. But the stairs form part of its military history and thus I climbed them as part of a tour.

Closer to home, I often climb these stairs

when I leave my beach – and often pause to snap them, even though I know it isn’t the first time, and won’t be the last. They are my favourite stairs because of their location, but I must confess to preferring going down than going up.

I also, recently, came across these stairs on my morning walk closer near the Swan River in Perth. From the bottom I called them rainbow stairs, but wondered whether someone had just spilled paint down them.

From the top, however,  I could see some deliberateness, including the yellow heart at the bottom.


Lastly, at my dayjob I work on the fourth floor, and must confess that I take the lift far too often, but this week have challenged myself to climb the stairs at least once per day. It’s hard work, but I’m hoping it will get easier. Maybe when I love the stairs more there will be a photo, but for now, you’ll just have to take my word.

So, with all these stairs featuring in my thoughts, it seemed logical to attempt a poem about them. Here it is.

Everywhere Stairs

Stairs
They’re everywhere
Beckoning me up
Calling me down
Obstacle
Challenge
Or invitation
Depending on mood
Or location.
I do like stairs
But sometimes
When I’m halfway up
I wish I’d stayed down
Or just taken the lift.

(Poem copyright Sally Murphy, 2020)

 

Rebecca at Sloth Reads is hosting this week’s Poetry Friday roundup. So step over there, or step right up, and check out what other poetry goodness there is to see this week.

sallymurphy.com.au