I was thrilled earlier in the year when Paul and Beth from The Children’s Bookshop in Beecroft announced they were starting the Emerging Writers Group (or EWG as we call it). The aim is for unpublished or newly published authors to come together and network, share our writing, and listen to established industry professionals who come and speak. Honestly, it is the most generous gift to us, hearing the stories of the twists and turns that have led to publication. It’s an encouragement to keep going, keep trying to make the work the best it can be, and a reminder of the generosity of the kid lit community where everybody seems keen to share their knowledge and experience.

The EWG recently held it’s first short story competition, and my story (involving pirates, books, and toilet paper and inspired by this Stephen Michael King artwork) was voted the winner. It was a great thrill and honour, and I keep my mini bubbles trophy on a shelf above my desk to inspire me. The other part of the prize was a coffee date with an established author, so stay tuned for that one.