Hey hey!

My first festival experience has been wonderful, to meet so many cool kids who have never heard of me, come up and give me lots of fanfare afterwards is sweet and touching. I’ve done 5 talks, one  session at the online literature festival and a school visit *phew*

There’s nothing like being chased by a mob of kids in the state library, with strangers looking at me weirdly haha.

I got to meet some awesummi authors such as Dave Hackett, Chris Morphew and the very funny Steve Cole, just to name a few. It’s a warm community that I’m proud to be a part of.

If you look through my dream book, picking out what would be the highlights of being an author, I think you’ll be ticking off a lot of boxes

Ahoy there!

My first book week as an author was fabtastic! The cHEwY gang travelled to Waitara Public, Waniora Public, Thirroul Public and St Phillips Christian College at Waratah. My toys and I had heaps of fun, making kids and teachers laugh and showing how wacky writing works wonders! (how’s that for alliteration hehe). When I was a writer, dreaming of being an author, I couldn’t wait to perform in front of kids and talk to them about writing. I wanted to inspire kids to use humour in their stories. And now that dream has come true!

I just love the fact that I can play with toys and be a big kid (and get away with it haha). I think it’s so lucky that kids can meet so many cool authors who write all sorts of things. Every author has their own way of talking to kids. I’ve seen many authors at events, they really inspire me. Kate Forsyth makes you wanna write and read fantasy books. Morris Gleitzman has a soothing and relaxing style that leaves you breathless. As for Andy Griffiths…well he’s my idol really, and his comedy routines have helped me perform in front of kids. If I make them laugh, then my job is done!

Sawatdee!

So, I’m waiting to fly back to Sydney after 2 whirlwind days in Melbourne. Last night, I went to Penguin HQ to speak at a novel selection evening, where teacher-librarians got to sample an array of Penguin books that could use in the classroom. Thai-riffic! would be perfect for upper primary and lower secondary, a really engaging book that’s funny! (shameless plug #2421 hehe).

It was really cool to catch up with fellow authors such as the cool Gabrielle Wang and Penny Tangey. Penny wrote the CBCA shortlisted book, Loving Richard Feynman and now I’m loving the book

Today, I visited Glen Waverly Secondary College, and they just opened their new buildings…OMG it is so slick and modern, open-spaced classrooms and computers everywhere. How can you not learn something in a place like that? Their library is full of nice books too!

I’m going to go home and finally sort out my bookmarks, they should be finished and coming in next week so I can hand them out cHEwY fans everywhere!

Onto my third book project, I’m currently editing my junior handball story and writing a brand new story which I cannot reveal cos er…I haven’t finished it yet hehe

Piece out! And to all those awesummi Year 7s at Glen Waverly, hit me back with your comments, I wamma knoooeee

O.W

A-hoy there!

On Tuesday, I went to my first ever high school visit as an author. I was part of Mater Maria’s Lit day, where authors and illustrators came together to do workshops and talks. I had a year 8 and 9 workshop, and the kids were amusing to say the least! I can still remember what it was like to be back in high school, so I enjoyed the chit-chat between students. It gives me loads of ideas for a high school novel that I’m beginning to write.

Yesterday, I went to Waitara Public for the CBCA Northern Sydney Sub Branch’s afternoon tea. Karen Robertson did a wonderful job in getting us altogether for K-2 and 3-6 talks. It was Toni Brisland’s first school talk and she did an awesome job. Every author brings their passion to the forefront, with engaging talks. Kate Forsyth spoke about curses which even gave me the spooks heaheahea

I’m waiting for my bookmarks to arrive, can’t wait to give them away for more school visits this term! Sometimes I can’t believe that I can go to schools, talk to toys and have fun and get away with it, it’s one of the perks of being a kids author for sure!

O.W

Hey hey!

I’m going to be doing a few school visits and author lunches this term and I started with an authors lunch down in Wollongong last Tuesday. The excellent Di Bates organised about 15 authors and illustrators to come down with schools around the South Coast area. I got to meet some cool kids from St Therese and they asked me heaps of interesting questions.

Each author got 2 minutes to introduce themselves, which is a tricky challenge! I managed to squeeze my talk into 2 minutes, with the help of my buddies

  You can’t have an Oliver Phommavanh talk without Grumpy Bear hehe

Bruce Whatley did a cartooning workshop with the kids, where he spilled some secrets about drawing characters.

Meeting kids and signing autographs, it’s one of the best things about being a kids author. All of those late nights of writing are worth it

O.W

Hey ya!
I went to another great CBCA Northern Sydney Sub-branch meeting last night, at Belrose Library. The guest speaker was Catherine Hammond, who spoke about digital books. It was a positive look at the ebooks and ereaders. She said it was an exciting time for a writer because the Internet has made self-publishing a viable choice. And more importantly, writers still need to write good stories because well…the computers don’t do that by themselves…yet
Our sub-branch has got some very exciting things ahead, a few afternoon teas, a lunch with the authors in September and we’re also involved in the Manly Arts Festival and the Warringah’s Festival in Children’s Literature. I can’t wait!
O.W

Hey everyone

I’m busy working on my short manuscript about Handball. It’s something that would be perfect for an Aussie Chomp *hint hint* so I hope I get to release a book about my favourite school sport. Yes handball is a sport, I’m serious

I went to Toni Brisland’s wonderful launch of her first book Demi Chat and the Kent Street Mystery. She spoke about her own writing journey, and I can definitely relate to it. While some people get to ride up the elevator to publication, most of us have to use the back stairs I’m very happy for Toni and I look forward to more adventures with the coolest cat detective!

That’s a photo with Wendy Fitzgerald, soon to be author Leigh and Toni of course (notice my Wests Tigers scarf, shame they lost on the weekend)

O.W

Hey ya!

I’ve been quite busy over the school holidays. I’ve been working on my latest edit of Connerd with the help of my agent and mentor Brian Cook. I’m ready to hand it over to Heather and the Penguin team, and looking forward to the wonderful editing process. I’ve started to slot in some dates for school visits this term, including a few dates down in Melbourne in August. But I’m excited about going to the Brisbane Writers Festival, should be a lot of fun, and yes, I’ll be bringing all my toys and tricks across the border

I’m going to attend long time writer friend Aleesah Darlison’s launch for her first ever book, Puggle’s Problem. Aleesah was there from the very beginning of my writing career, she was leading the writers group at the time and I just knew she was going to succeed. She’s a real writing machine, having stories published in school magazine and winning competitions. She soaks up every contact and every piece of information about the publishing world. Now she’s going have something like 10 books coming out in the next few years, and I’m thrilled that she’s finally an author If you want proof that hard work and dedication will get you published, check her out

I also attended The Magic Pudding play at the Marian Street Theatre for Young People. I loved Norman Lindsay’s classic book and the young performers did a wonderful job of keeping it fresh and relevant for today’s generation (gee, don’t I sound like an oldie now hoho).

O.W

Hey everyone!

I went to my 4th Writing for Children and YA festival at the NSW writers centre, and like previous years, marked a new milestone in my writing journey.

I got to speak on a panel about how the NSW Writers Centre gets writers published. I was in good company, with authors and friends Wendy Fitzgerald and Susanne Gervay, along with my agent Brian Cook. When you’re discussing publishing books, you have the audience’s full attention and I was proud to tell the writers that if you work hard enough and get yourself out there, you will get published…

Of course, publication shouldn’t be your only goal. You need to have a thirst for writing, a passion that runs deep because you’ll need it when the going gets tough. And it will, for everyone ‘overnight sensation with a seven figure advance’ story, there are tons and tons of writers who slog away, knowing that their first break is just around the corner.

I told everyone that when you write, you’re welcomed with open arms into a warm community. I made many of my writing friends, before Thai-riffic! came out. They’re there for you in a way that family and non-writing friends can’t be.

So get yourself out there, join various groups like the Childrens Book Council (I’m part of the Northern Sydney Sub-branch, our next meeting is on 28th July at Belrose Library), Society of Children Book Writers and Illustrators-SCBWI, and the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY).

I’m looking forward to these school holidays, I’m going to spend 2 solid weeks on Connerd, before I hand it over to Heather and the Penguin team. I had a great chat with my agent about the manuscript, it’s certainly given me a lot of think about and I’m gonna try my best to polish it as much as I can

O.W

Hey hey!

I had my bookstore launch for Thai-riffic!, a celebration of my first book and a milestone in my writing journey. My parents seized on the opportunity to do the catering, cooking like crazy for the event. They spent ages cooking and to see all the smiles from my friends just made them so proud. Of course, they’re proud of the book too hehe

Laura Harris got things underway, with a stirring speech. Wil Anderson was kind enough to launch the book, making people laugh as he always does.  

I’m so glad that people left with warm bellies and a signed copy of Thai-riffic! To be able to share my dream with so many people makes me one lucky Lengy

I’ve got two weeks until I hand in my second manuscript, Connerd over to Penguin. I can’t wait to work with Heather and get Connor’s adventure out there on the shelves!

O.W