Story Arts Festival 2017 2-10 September

Story Arts Festival 2017 presents a jam-packed celebration of children’s creative literature, authors and writing. You’ll be energized by the sheer creativity and the Story MAGIC.

Story Arts Festival 2017 shares sensational programs for writers, readers, schools, families and for children from 2-10 September 2017. TOP Australian children’s authors and illustrators will present enthralling and […]

River City Writers Conference Aug 16

YIPEE! I’ve been invited to present a Memoir Workshop at River City Writers Conference Brisbane on August 16, sharing all my publishing secrets. River City Writer’s Conference is Brisbane MOST innovative conference jam-packed with actionable writing and publishing advice.

Check Out the Presenters…

Key Note speaker is award-winning author Helene Young, who shares her writing […]

The SECRET of Submitting your Manuscript to Publishers

IMAGINE! You have slaved over your beloved story, completing your manuscript to perfection! What’s your next step in getting your story published? How do you develop a kick-ass submission package that will eXcite and ignite a Publisher?

**I wrote this blog to unblock my paralyzing FEAR of submitting to Publishers. For too long I’ve allowed […]

How to Maximize Constructive Writing Feedback

WOOHOO! Yesterday I received positive feedback from the Children & YA (CYA) writing competition for one of my children’s stories. ALANA TO THE RESCUE, Book 1 of my picture book series, obtained a perfect score from one judge and a near perfect score from the other, with an overall score of 95% … Both […]

SQUEE! I’m Finalist in Mental Health Week Writing Comp

SQUEEE! This week I’m celebrating Mental Health Week, the ultimate opportunity to share my story of recovery and hope. I’m pouring all my creative energies into pushing mental health issues to the forefront.

Last Sunday I launched the Life Writing program which Queensland Health contracted me as co-facilitator. I delivered the first two sessions to […]

Launching my Pro-active Quest to get ME AND HER Published

Mwah! Thanks for your unbelievable enthusiasm and support this week, requesting to read ME AND HER. What an incredible response! … Emails, comments and messages flooded in from everywhere.

With my heart hammering in my chest, I’m announcing my kick-ass quest to raise the profile of ME AND HER: a Memoir of Madness. I’m seeking […]

How to Nurture your PICTURE BOOK Baby

Yesterday I gave birth to my spanking NEW #3 picture book baby! A children’s story conceived from my family’s lived experience.

For months, story lines and plots gestated in my head until I no longer could contain them within. One last push and my creative offspring was finally out. Yesterday my newest picture book baby […]

WRITERS: How to Prime yourself for the Publishing Race

The race to publishing is the most frustrating, the most daunting and the most exhilarating experience imaginable. One week you’re a champion, ecstatic after receiving news your short story reached first place. The next week, you’re devastated your novel was rejected … All experiences I understand too well.

How can I balance out this manic […]

I won!

Yes, today I won the SBS Tell us Your Story in 150 words Competition. After battling the fear of disclosing my very personal story online, on a whim I resolved to reveal all, trusting this would lead somewhere positive. Here’s my entry …

“After being stalked and harassed by parents at my school, my Personality […]