Confessions of a Minor Poet by Phil Brown

Confessions of a Minor Poet by Phil Brown (Transit Lounge) “I was transplanted from a school like the one in Goodbye, Mr. Chips to one more akin to Lord of the Flies. But while my outward life tended to be surfing, partying and reading Tracks magazine, I retained a rather bookish inner life. I was […]

When the Mountain Wakes by Matt Shanks

When the Mountain Wakes by Matt Shanks Affirm Press, Simon & Schuster “Somewhere, towards the beginning of time … a mountain rose from the ocean and came to rest above the clouds. Life sang a lullaby, and the mountain slept for many millions of years. Until one day … ” (When the Mountain Wakes) When […]

No Dancing in the Lift: A Memoir by Mandy Sayer

No Dancing in the Lift: A Memoir by Mandy Sayer Published by Transit Lounge, 2025 An edited extract: Mandy Sayer on the enduring legacy of her father’s humour Dad was forever joking, even in the most inappropriate settings. Once, on the way to radiotherapy, he leaned heavily against the lift’s handrail, winked at me and […]

I’m Not Really Here by Gary Lonesborough

I’m Not Really Here by Gary Lonesborough (A&U Books for Children and Young Adults) I’m Not Really Here by Gary Lonesborough is the WINNER of the CBCA 2025 Book of the Year: Older Readers category. “Back in my room, I stare at myself in the mirror of my wardrobe. As I sip my glass of water, […]

Your Kid’s Next Read / Your Next Read

YOUR KID’S NEXT READ & YOUR NEXT READ YOUR KID’S NEXT READ (YKNR) ANNOUNCE NEW JUNIOR FICTION SERIES AIMED TO KEEP KIDS READING – AND LOVING IT – FOR LIFE! “YKNR: a community, a podcast and a newsletter all aimed at growing readers and writers” Interview with the YKNR team: Megan Daley (award-winning teacher-librarian and […]

TO and FRO by Anton Clifford-Motopi

TO and FRO by Anton Clifford-Motopi Allen & Unwin To and Fro by Anton Clifford-Motopi is shortlisted for the 2025 CBCA Book of the Year: Younger Readers. Congratulations on To and Fro being shortlisted by the CBCA, Anton. I was laughing out loud most of the way through. It also has important themes that you share aptly and originally. […]

Ava Spark by Alex Field

Ava Spark: Hello, I’m Here! by Alex Field, illustrated by Joanna Bartel New Frontier Publishing Guest author post by New Frontier Director Sophia Whitfield, who writes as Alex Field about Ava Spark and the life of her much-loved son Luke for ‘Joy in Books’ at Paperbark Words Ava Spark is largely inspired by my son’s life, […]

Somewhere Lost Anthology

Somewhere Lost Published by Just Write for Kids Q & A with Contributor Carla Hoffenberg for Paperbark Words with Joy Lawn Your recent story is part of a collaborative picture book project through Just Write For Kids – the hardcover anthology Somewhere Lost. Your piece, ‘Lost Sockville’, is included in the book as well as […]

GUS GORDON: Into the Bewilderness & picture books

GUS GORDON: Into the Bewilderness & picture books Author-illustrator Interview with Gus Gordon, featuring Into the Bewilderness, at PaperbarkWords “Is there more to this life? … Maybe we’re missing out on something here in the woods? What if there’s something else out there? Beyond the trees. Beyond the horizon, where the sun goes down into the […]

A Teaspoon of Light by Peter O’Connor, ill. Nisaluk Chantanakom

A Teaspoon of Light by Peter O’Connor, illustrated by Nisaluk Chantanakom WestWords/Dirt Lane Press “One night, while Marley slept, the world changed. It tore her cloth in half. When she woke, her memories were already sliding off. She tied a knot to try to stop them slipping away. But they kept slipping. She grabbed at […]