Nice to be appreciated!

As of the beginning of this year I have been assisting the ASA (Australian Society of Authors) and their Professional Development Officer, with  the planning and co-coordinating of some Brisbane ASA events. I won’t bore you with details (snore, snore) as to how this came about but, suffice to say, I am glad I was contacted.. I am enjoying this role. Just up my alley.

So it was lovely to have been asked (recently)  to provide them with some bio details for inclusion in their staff page. I have been given the title: QLD Professional Development Coordinator (Honorary).

My pic and short bio at: http://www.asauthors.org/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=ASP0016/ccms.r?PageId=10393  Scroll down to the second last pic.

Or, link is found under the ‘About’ tab on the ASA’ s website at: http://www.asauthors.org/ Then scroll down to Staff page.

You will also find out more about the ASA staff members, and the other honorary staff members who assist the ASA.

Thanks ASA! Much appreciated.

10 Yellow Bananas features in CKT’s May Pitch Ya Book

My children’s book 10 Yellow Bananas is featured this month in Creative Kids Tales’s Pitch Ya Book.

Also featured this May are Just Doomed by Andy Griffiths and Peter McGee and the Dawn of the Zombie Knight by Adam Wallace.

Click here to view: http://www.creativekidstales.com.au/authors/pitch-ya-book/pitch-ya-book1.html

What is CKT’s Pitch Ya Book!

You’ve heard of the 2 min pitch.  Well, Creative Kids Tales is giving children’s authors the opportunity to promote their published books with a 50 word pitch.

It doesn’t matter if you are self published or mainstream published everyone is equal at Creative Kids Tales Pitch Ya Book page.

Send CKT your 50 word pitch, the funnier the better and a high quality jpg or png format of the cover of your book.

Then they’ll add the first three submitted each month, so get yours in fast.

More information at: http://www.creativekidstales.com.au/authors/pitch-ya-book/pitch-ya-book1.html

But I will warn you, it is popular.

About Creative Kids Tales

Creative Kids Tales is an Australian website for emerging children’s authors. Their aim is to be a voice for those authors and help them on their publication journey.

More information at: http://www.creativekidstales.com.au/index.html

A little favour – LIKE ‘ONE WORD ONE DAY’

 

Please note:  This post has been amended since it was first posted on 2 May 2012.

 

Please ask all your Twitter, FaceBook et al followers to LIKE – ONE WORD ONE DAY.

Just click on:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/One-Word-One-Day/361742690527315 and Press LIKE. That’s all you need to do.

For more information about this event, please scroll down to yesterday’s post.

OR click on: http://misshelenwrites.wordpress.com/2012/05/01/like-one-word-one-day-on-facebook/

The more support for this page, the more interest can be generated for bidders. This is a great fundraising event to raise money for books and art supplies for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF).

Please share these posts by clicking the appropriate symbols under the share button below.

Thanks so much.

Helen

LIKE – ONE WORD, ONE DAY on FACEBOOK

Please note: This post has been amended since it was first posted on 1 May 2012.

Please support this wonderful project by clicking LIKE on the ASA’s ONE WORD ONE DAY page on FaceBook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/One-Word-One-Day/361742690527315

About the event: Calling all artists (illustrators, painters, cartoonists, etc.)

Join ASA for a day of painting, creation, friendship, fun and fundraising.

For members and non-members of ASA (Australian Society of Authors).

A host of Australia’s best known and highly acclaimed artists will be creating art for ONE WORD ONE DAY to raise funds for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) to help disadvantaged kids in the remotest parts of Australia.

Artists will have three hours to create a picture and the ASA will release the inspirational WORD that morning. “The topic for the painting is to be an inspirational word that will fire artists’ imaginations,” says Laurine Croasdale, manager of the One Word One Day event.

ABOUT the Indigenous Literacy Foundation

The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) aims to address literacy in remote communities across Australia. In the past three years it has sent more than 70,000 books to creches, women’s centres, schools, libraries, health and youth centres in the remotest parts of Australia. ILF also works closely with a small number of communities, translating books like The Very Hungry Caterpillar into local language and recording local stories. In 2011 the Foundation was enormously proud to publish 13 stories written by children from Warburton and Wyndham in WA and Wilcannia in NSW. Called The Naked Boy & the Crocodile, the stories capture the talent and lives of children.

 If you are an artist (illustrator, painter, cartoonist, etc), and wish to be part of this exciting event, please contact:

The ASA or Laurine Croasdale (ASA) phone 02 9211 1004 or email laurine@asauthors.org

Registration is $15. Open to all (members and non-ASA members). Bookings online at www.asauthors.org.

One Word One Day will be on in ABC foyers around the country on the following dates:

Where and when:
 • Melbourne      Wednesday 14 March 2012 - completed
• Adelaide         Wednesday 11 April 2012   - completed
• Perth              Wednesday 18 April 2012   – completed
• Brisbane         Friday 11 May 2012
• Hobart            Wednesday 23 May 2012
• Darwin            Wednesday 6 June 2012
• Sydney           Wednesday 20 June 2012

To view the complete flyer, click on: One Word One Day OWOD_Flyer

All the money raised from the sale of the art goes towards the ILF in an auction to be held in July.

So, please LIKE the ASA’s ONE WORD ONE DAY Facebook page and ask all your friends to do so (no matter which part of the world they live): https://www.facebook.com/pages/One-Word-One-Day/361742690527315

The more support on this page, the more interest can be generated for bidders.

I am not an artist, but I will be there with another ASA member co-ordinating the Brisbane day on Friday 11 May with the ABC. It should be a fun event.

But before I finish:

If you are a Brisbane artist and you haven’t registered (but WISH to do so) PLEASE call the ASA or Laurine Croasdale (ASA’s Professional Development Officer) NOW!

Phone 02 9211 1004 or email laurine@asauthors.org

Registration is $15. Open to all. Bookings online at www.asauthors.org.

 

Interview with Stephen Anastasi, as part of his blog tour

Australian author Stephen Anastasi has just released two books, The Runes of Ire and The Druid.  Published by Morris Publishing Australia, both are the first book in a fantasy adventure series aimed at the nine to sixteen age group.

Stephen visits my blog today as part of his blog tour promoting both books. And to celebrate the release of The Runes of Ire and The Druid, Morris Publishing Australia is holding a competition.  Competition details follow the interview.

So without further ado, l welcome Stephen Anastasi. This interview is courtesy of Morris Publishing Australia.

Welcome Stephen.

Thanks Helen for hosting me during my blog tour.

Why do you write?

I write because it seems to be the only way that I can walk other people through the unusual architecture of my labyrinthine mind. I like to think that, like Jack London, or Harper Lee, when I’m gone, people will smile, or cry, or feel something special because of something I wrote.

Some writers have a preferred writing schedule. Do you?

Not a schedule as such, though I would if there were not so many demands on my time. To write, I need music, which switches on the labyrinthine mind. And I need a clear space of at least an hour so that I can fall into the well of my words.

Do you have a favourite place to write?

I can write anywhere. Once I have fallen into the story, after around fifteen minutes or a little longer, I am quite unaware of the outer world. If you asked me in the middle of this state whether I want tea, I’ll be staring at you thinking ‘t?’ ‘t?’ Why not ‘s’ or ‘q’. I am a long, long way away.

What do you love most about writing books?

I see my words through the eyes of a reader. When I start laughing at what is dancing off my fingertips or feel shivers of dread, I love to think that is how other people will feel when they read it.

What is the hardest part of writing for you?

So many stories! So little time! I have so many fantastic stories that need to be turned into architecture that I hate that I haven’t the spacetime to get them all completed. I don’t find the writing hard at all. It is the not writing I find hard.

What’s the easiest?

When I get started, the words soon come so naturally I am often unaware later of having written them. This makes editing easy because it reads like someone else did all the work.

What advice would you have for anyone wanting to write a book in your genre?

Most fantasy these days is formulaic. Get adventurous. Don’t just rewrite the same old pap.

Other than writing, what else do you love?

Teaching students who like Science and Mathematics and English.

Describe your perfect day.

Five thousand elegant words, usually discovered on my computer the next day, as if written by an author better than myself, only to find I actually wrote it.

What five words best sum you up? 

Explosively creative. Imaginative. Complex. Genuine.

Thanks Stephen for sharing your writing experiences. We wish you  and Morris Publishing Australia every success with your books.

Now don’t forget to enter the competition. Details below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Competition Details:

Win a signed copy of either book – One of each book is up for grabs.

To enter the draw, go to the publishers website at: http://www.morrispublishingaustralia.com/  OR click here, and on the ‘contact page form’ write: Stephen’s competition, your name, email address, and your book preference.

Purchase Books:

The Runes of Ire and The Druid are available from your local bookshop.  If not in stock, the store can order through distributor Dennis Jones and Associates.

Also available in many on-line stores as a paperback and as an eBook, and from http://morrispublishingaustralia.com.

More information at:

http://www.morrispublishingaustralia.com/the-runes-of-ire.html

http://www.morrispublishingaustralia.com/the-druid.html

Follow Stephen during his blog tour.

Stephen Anastasi’s Blog tour hosts

April 22^nd:  http://www.morrispublishingaustralia.com/news-update-blog.html

April 23^rd:   http://carolwarner.wordpress.com – Interview

April 24^th:   http://elaineoustonauthor.com – Interview

April 25^th:   http://misshelenwrites.wordpress.com  Helen Ross – Interview

April 26^th:   http://bluedingo.ning.com  - guest post interview.

April 27^th:   http://authorjillsmith.wordpress.com  Jill Smith Review.

April 28^th:   http://www.kids-bookreview.com   Reviews.

May 1^st:     http://www.buzzwordsmagazine .blogspot.com.au/   Vicki Stanton – Review Anastasia Gonis.

May 8^th:     http://bugreviews.wordpress.com  reviews by Angela Hall.

Date to be advised: www.sherfordbear.co.uk  Deb Cullen – Review.

About the Publishers: Morris Publishing Australia:

Morris Publishing Australia is a boutique publishing company created by Lou and Elaine Morris. With the future of traditional publishing in doubt, the cut backs to acceptance of new authors, and the growth of digital publishing, they felt it was timely to throw their hat into the ring and help other writers achieve their dream. Their author list is growing every day.

Helen Ross writes supports talented independently published authors, small press publishers, and independent publishing houses.

Independently published children’s book wins awards

Last year I interviewed Pam Bitterman, a published U.S. author, writer and adventurer – and in her own words, ‘an explorer in every sense of the word’.

Pam took us on a journey to a small village in Kenya, and the inspiration behind her children’s book, When This is Over, I Will Go To School, And I Will Learn To Read.  A Story of Hope and Friendship for One Young Kenyan Orphan.  We also chatted about why she decided to digitally publish this book.

So it is with great pleasure that I announce that this lovely and emotive children’s story has already won awards.

This just goes to show that independently published children’s books can be worthy of great awards. Congratulations Pam.

I meant to congratulate Pam on her awards a little earlier this year but time has just flown by. But, as they say, better late than never.

So far Pam’s awards for When This is Over, I Will Go To School, And I Will Learn To Read.  A Story of Hope and Friendship for One Young Kenyan Orphan, include:

• www.CBCAwards.com Character Building Counts Book Awards
• www.Book-Awards.org Finalist for “When This Is Over, I Will Go To School, And I Will Learn To Read”
• www.GrassrootsPublishingGroup.com
• Gold Seal Award Winner for When This Is Over, I Will Go To School, And I Will Learn To Read.
• Sharp Writ Book Award of Smart Book Lovers: First Place Winner in children’s Book Category for When this is Over, I will go to School, and I will Learn to Read

        http://www.book-awards.org/ And for a video award announcement, click on:

       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrrGrGVWKCg

For just a wee price, why not get out your credit card and download a copy now.  All proceeds from the sale of this book go to the children of the tiny village school where the illustrations were created. You will be helping to make the future a little brighter for these children.

To Purchase book:

http://www.amazon.com/When-This-School-Learn-ebook/dp/B0053TRBGE/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

And if you missed my chat with Pam last year, here is the direct link:

http://misshelenwrites.wordpress.com/2011/09/11/9-chatting-with-pam-bitterman-why-she-digitally-published-her-new-childrens-book/

For more information about Pam and her books

http://pamelasismanbitterman.com

‘Helen Ross writes’ supports talented self-published and independently published authors, reputable independent publishers and small independent press.

2012 poetry challenges

There are so many people who loooove writing and reading poetry of all styles.

So thought I would just promote some blogs that I follow where the blogger/author/poet has created a 2012 poem writing challenge. These are in no particular order of importance – all are great.

Green Tea Haiku.

If you love Haiku please visit Green Tea Haiku.

Submissions for April are open now.

To find out submission details, and the topics for April and May, please visit:

http://haikupoetry.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/green-tea-haiku-march.pdf

Submissions can be emailed to jelli_beanzbooks@aol.com.au  Submissions close on the 28th of each month and issues will be available on the last day of each month.

Details of the online course ‘Mastering Haiku’ can be found at:   http://haikupoetry.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/green-tea-haiku-march.pdf

Haiku Haven created by John Malone

http://johnlmalone.wordpress.com/2012/04/01/haiku-haven/

John has created a Haiku Haven page on his blog. This is a haven for haiku lovers to post their haiku. No competitions here, just a place to rest your haiku – and comment if you wish.

As John states: A haven is a place of shelter, a refuge, and this is what this blog will be: an asylum for the little poems that get lost amongst the big ones and are anyway rarely read in the dominant world of prose.

John is building up quite a nice gallery of haiku

The Poetry Challenge

Corey Booth’s Friday Poetry Challenge.

http://clownponders.wordpress.com/the-poetry-challenge/

Every two weeks Corey will be holding a contest called “The Poetry Challenge” which will let anyone who wants to get involved show off their poem writing abilities.

On the Friday Corey will post a title or theme of which the contestants must base their poem on. Contestants must then post their poems or the link to their poems in the comment section below the post. On the following Friday Corey will choose his favourite three and then ask his WordPress followers to pick their favourite poem.

More information at:

http://clownponders.wordpress.com/the-poetry-challenge/

April’s Poem a Day Challenge – created by Robert Brewer

Poeming begins April 1 and runs through May 1 (to account for time differences in other parts of the world–and yes, poets all over the world participate).

The main purpose of the challenge is to write poems, but Robert will also choose his favourite poems of the month from poets who submit up to 5 poems by May 5 to his e-mail address (robert.brewer@fwmedia.com) with the subject line: My April PAD Submission. He will make selections by August 8, and they’ll be announced on his blog.

More info at:

http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/poetic-asides/2012-april-pad-challenge-guidelines

OR via his website http://robertleebrewer.blogspot.com.au/

No doubt there are oodles of other on-line poetry challenges out there, but these are a start. The first three are run by fellow Australian poets. There are some lovely poems published on these sites.

Haiku poetry online

Apart from the above blogs promoting other poets to ‘hang’ their poems on their blogs, there are of course many poets who publish their own beautiful haiku and other poetic styles on their sites.  Beautiful photographs accompany many of these. These are just a few poets

Graham Nunn’s blog:  http://anotherlostshark.com/

Poetry by Gabrielle Bryden

gabriellebryden.wordpress.com/category/poetry/

Poetry by Cynthia Louise and Dean J Baker http://lesplaisirssimplesdelavie.wordpress.com/

AND if you know of any more, feel free to add  in the comment section.

But before you go – OPEN MIC SECTION IN BRISBANE

If you live in Brisbane or nearby regions, you might want to share your poems with an appreciative audience at the monthly Speedpoets event. I have been there, and the audience is very supportive towards fellow poets. A great atmosphere.

More details at:

http://speedpoets.com/

I hope you are having an inspirational 2012.

My Haiku is published in March edition of Green Tea Haiku

I looooove Haiku.  So I happy to write that my haiku, ‘Schools In’ has been selected for Green Tea Haiku’s March edition.

Direct link:

http://haikupoetry.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/green-tea-haiku-march.pdf

If you love Haiku please visit Green Tea Haiku.

Submissions for April are open now.

To find out the topics for April and May, please visit:

http://haikupoetry.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/green-tea-haiku-march.pdf

Submissions can be emailed to jelli_beanzbooks@aol.com.au  Submissions close on the 28th of each month and issues will be available on the last day of each month.

Haiku published in January and February can be viewed via:

http://haikupoetry.wordpress.com/green-tea-haiku/

Details of the online course ‘Mastering Haiku’ can be found at:   http://haikupoetry.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/green-tea-haiku-march.pdf

Next course commences Fri 20 April 2012.

Jelli-Beanz Publishing interviews me.

Jelli-Beanz Publishing recently released Hopscotch – Volume 1: Packed Lunch Series – a collection of short stories and poetry for children.  This collection features short stories, poetry and beautiful artwork by some of Australia’s well known author/poets.

.

I was lucky to have two of my poems published in this delightful collection.

Titles of my poems are ‘Bedlam in the schoolyard’ and ‘Sorry, I don’t have my homework’.

Jelli-Beanz Publishing has been interviewing authors since the book’s official launch in March 2012.

So this morning I was interviewed and chatted about the inspiration behind my two poems published in Hopscotch.

Check out our chat at Hopscotch’s blog site:

Direct link:

http://packedlunchhopscotch.wordpress.com/2012/04/03/author-interview-helen-ross/#comments

Home website:

http://packedlunchhopscotch.wordpress.com/

You can read the other interviews at:

http://jellibeanzbooks.wordpress.com/

Hopscotch Author Chats so far:-

Helen Ross

http://packedlunchhopscotch.wordpress.com/2012/04/03/author-interview-helen-ross/

Edel Wignell

http://packedlunchhopscotch.wordpress.com/2012/03/27/hopscotch-author-chat-edel-wignell/

Chris Broadribb

http://packedlunchhopscotch.wordpress.com/2012/03/15/chris-broadribb-chat/

Aleesah Darlison

http://packedlunchhopscotch.wordpress.com/2012/03/09/aleesah-darlison-chat/

Nerida Wayland

http://packedlunchhopscotch.wordpress.com/2012/03/06/nerida-wayland-chat/

Jackie Hosking

http://packedlunchhopscotch.wordpress.com/2012/03/05/jackie-hosking-chat/

Kim Fleming

http://packedlunchhopscotch.wordpress.com/2012/02/28/kim-fleming-artist-interview/

Kim Fleming Colouring Sheet

http://packedlunchhopscotch.wordpress.com/2012/02/28/kim-fleming-colouring-page/

George Ivanoff

http://packedlunchhopscotch.wordpress.com/2012/02/27/george-ivanoff-author-chat/

Kaye Baillie

http://packedlunchhopscotch.wordpress.com/2012/02/10/kaye-baillie/

Robert Vescio

http://packedlunchhopscotch.wordpress.com/2012/02/09/robert-vescio/

 

First Edition Books – Business For Sale

This Unique Home Based Business Opportunity for lovers of books is now For Sale.

My books have been a part of First Edition Books for some time now. It provided me and many other Australian authors of good quality independent and self-published books, the opportunity for our books to be marketed directly to the Australian reading public.

Website at:  http://www.firsteditionbooks.com.au/

However, the business is now up for sale. The founder/Director has spent considerable time establishing the catalogue and website, and would love another book lover to take over the business.

So if you love books, love marketing and promotion, and  would like to make your living by promoting and selling independently published Australian authors  - with the opportunity to work from home –  this may be for you.

More information at:

http://www.businessforsale.com.au/australia/a2c30776/Unique-Home-Based-Business-Opportunity-For-Booklovers-For-Sale#.T3UL5wePyqQ.facebook

Helen Ross writes supports good quality independently published books, talented self-published and independently published authors, and small independent press.