New Alby book on 2017 Premier's Reading Challenge Booklist
When I write, it is because I really love to write. I find it is a great way to express my creative side, and it is an honour and a privilege knowing that people read and enjoy my books, which is what all authors really hope to achieve. We don't write obsessing about whether our books will win awards, or be put onto lists, or be recognised for being really good books - all that is a bonus, a REALLY good one!
When 'Quizzical' was the joint winner of the 2006 Best Australian Self-Published Book Award for Fiction it felt very surreal. When I was contacted by the organisers with the news, I almost dropped the phone. Seriously? My book had won an award? Surely, they had the wrong person. Or the phone call was a prank! I'm so glad it wasn't!
And that's how it all began for me. I flew to Sydney to collect the award, the whole time feeling like I was in a dream. I will remember that experience always.
When books are added to the various Reading Challenge booklists, they aren't just added willy nilly. There is a process. The books are read by a selected committee and it's the opinion of the committee that decides whether a book goes on the booklist or not.
So, it's a great honour to have both my 'Quizzical' series, and the 'Alby' books on Premier's Reading Challenge booklists in Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia. The new book, 'Alby and the Cat: All Holed Up' has just been added to 2017 list, so I'm thrilled about that!
