Become a Children’s Writer, by Jill McDougall

What better way to learn about writing children’s books, than to get personal advice from someone who has written more than ninety-five of them? Jill McDougall is a multi-published children’s book author and in her new ebook, Become a Children’s Writer: Insider Secrets, she offers new writers the benefit of her experience.

McDougall offers practical advice on a range of topics, including getting started, finding ideas, gaining feedback and, importantly, finding markets. She also shares links to dozens of publishers which accept unsolicited manuscripts, saving the new writer hours of browsing.

McDougall’s style is upfront and open. She shares stories of her own mistakes and successes, gives hints ranging from biggies about submission procedures down to smaller (but no less relevant) matters like the colour of your printer paper, and generally inspires with her honesty and enthusiasm.

Whilst this offering is especially aimed at new and aspiring children’s authors, there are plenty of reminders for published authors, and the list of markets is in itself worth the cost of the book.

An outstanding resource.

Become a Children’s Writer: Insider Secrets, by Jill McDougall
http://www.jillmcdougall.com.au/, 2007

Red Phoenix, by Kylie Chan

The serpent stirred.
There was a call.
A deep, echoing call that made
the thick black water
vibrate and shimmer.

In White Tiger Emma Donahoe became a nanny, with no idea that her new employer was actually a Chinese God. By the end of that book she was putting her life on the line to protect her young charge, Simone, from demons. Now, in the second book in the Dark Heavens trilogy, Red Phoenix, Emma is much more than just a nanny. Engaged to her employer, John Chen, she must fight the powerful race of demons which has been bred just to destroy her and her new family.

Set mostly in modern-day Hong Kong, this is an intriguing fantasy offering. With gods, dragons and demons aplenty, visits to the Celestial plane, danger around every corner and twists and turns aplenty, the story picks the reader up and sweeps them along. Emma, the central character, finds herself questioning her very being as she discovers she is no longer just an ordinary human. Is she, too, an immortal, or is she something much darker?

It is exciting to read a fantasy offering which offers a setting and a fantasy realm quite different from other Australian-produced fantasy. Readers will look forward to the third instalment eagerly.

Red Phoenix, by Kylie Chan
Harper Collins, 2007

You can buy this book online at Fishpond.

Hoosh! by Janeen Brian

They are as tall as doorways and weigh around 450 kilograms.
They have two sets of long, curly eyelashes and extra inner eyelids to see through during sandstorms.
They are smelly and flies love them.
They can drink about 100 litres of water in a couple of minutes.

Camels are not native to Australia, yet they have played a very important role in our nation’s history since first being introduced in 1840. They have carried explorers, moved freight across the country, and played an essential role in massive construction projects such as the Rabbit-Proof Fence and the Canning Stock Route.

In Hoosh! Camels in Australia, author Janeen Brian provides a comprehensive study of camels, focussing on their role in Australia. From their evolution and physiology, to their introduction into Australia, their roles in Australia’s history, and a discussion of their current and future role.

Brian uses accessible language and her comprehensive research into the subject is evident – this is no lightweight treatment of the subject. The text is complemented by colour and black-and-white photographs, maps and sketches, providing a visually pleasing presentation, which kids will be drawn to – especially captivated by the cover photograph of the camel’s face, his mouth and nose shown in close-up detail.

This is an outstanding nonfiction offering. First released in hardcover, and shortlisted for the Children’s Book Council of Australia awards in 2006, Hoosh has now been released in paperback.

Hoosh! Camels in Australia, by Janeen Brian
Paperback edition, ABC Books, 2007

You can buy this book online from Fishpond