Like a Gannet - The Quick Six Interview

I loved doing The Quick Six Interview with Romi Sharp for my debut Like a Gannet. I’ve always loved reading other authors’ answers and I’m super happy to have a turn. And a big thanks to Romi for all she does to promote Australian Kid Lit creatives – it’s such a wonderful support. I’ve included some of the interview here and the link to the full interview.

What is your favourite part of this book?

Ooh, hard question. I think my favourite part is the gannet metaphor that runs through the text. I love how Deb has cleverly brought the gannet into the illustrations by having a mural at the pool with diving gannets on it. Many people have never heard of a gannet, even though they have probably seen one diving for fish off the east coast of Australia. I love how the mural shows the gannet in the different stages of the dive, as it tucks its wings back and becomes almost like an arrow as it hits the water. There are old faded murals at many regional public pools, so I love how she has captured this.

When did you begin writing this book?

My first draft was written in January 2021. It went to acquisitions at Windy Hollow and I was offered a contract in October 2022.

Why is this book meaningful to you?

It’s inspired by my memories of being a child with a bigger body shape who wasn’t very sporty but who felt capable and graceful in the water. So I really wanted Francie to have a bigger body type too. It’s slowly getting better, but I still think there’s a lack of representation of diverse bodies in children’s books. I hope Francie shows kids that, with courage, they can face their fears and strive for things out of their reach, learning along the way to accept their limitations and do it their own way. Just like gannets whose short legs and webbed feet make them slow, clumsy waddlers on land, but who transform into Queens of the Sea when they dive.

Read the full interview here

Like a Gannet - Newspaper Article

Thank you to Samantha Elley at The Northern Rivers Times for writing this article about my new book and my year of firsts as a debut author. This interview, done over the phone while I was on my lunch break at the library, was another first to add to the list. Thanks for making it such an enjoyable experience Sam - it's so lovely to have the support of my community. 

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Find my upcoming events here

Or check out my blog post about more of the unexpected firsts from this book

Or read the rest of this newspaper edition here

Like a Gannet - Lauren Hackney Interview

I loved chatting with @lbe.hackney about my debut picture book Like a Gannet!

When I was thinking about podcasts, interviews, and blogs to approach, I was super daunted. I’m totally in my happy place championing other authors and writing friends, but putting myself out there is super scary and outside my comfort zone. Thank you, Lauren, for responding to my email pitch in the most warm and welcoming way. If any debut authors out there are worried about doing podcasts and interviews, I highly recommend Lauren as a safe place to land. She was so lovely to chat with, asked great questions, was so professional, and was so genuinely interested in me and my book! And she was a fabulous listener. Lauren quickly made me feel comfortable, and then she could hardly get a word in edgewise (ha ha sorry about that Lauren)

I hope you enjoy our interview chatting about Like a Gannet half as much as I enjoyed doing it. And definitely check out some of Lauren’s other interviews on her YouTube or website — almost everyone from the AU kid-lit world is there somewhere. Thank you, Lauren, for your amazing and generous support of the Australian Kidlit community 💛

Like a Gannet - ABC Radio Interview

This morning, I was the featured author in Bridie Tanner’s Book Nook segment from her ABC North Coast radio Breakfast episode. Below are some little excerpts from the interview and the audio if you feel like listening! Thanks to my sister Lisa for organising the interview for me 😘

Tell us about your local pool growing up. And did you have an experience like this where you had to be brave and go off the high diving boards?

Well, no, I actually can't dive. So I have always wished that I could dive all my life, so that's probably why I've got it in this story. But yes, growing up, I always remember going to my Nana's house; she lived in Dubbo, and we always went there for the whole summer holidays. It was boiling hot, so we spent a lot of time at the local pool. And yeah, we loved going there, I can remember. And we used to go with our cousins as well. Our cousins would be staying there as well. So yeah, I suppose that's some inspiration behind that as well.

Tell us about who this book is dedicated to.

Oh, the dedication! I still go to my local pool a couple of times, two or three times a week, to do deepwater running, and I've dedicated it to two ladies who I do deepwater running with, who are in their 80s and 90s, and my dad, who's 87. They all still go to the pool during the week, every week, to keep exercising, and they're very inspiring to me, to know that, you know, you can keep enjoying the local pool until forever, really.

Of course, in the end of your book, Kirsten, Francie says “again”, which is, I think, the natural reaction for kids once they get over that scary part.

Yes, and like I said, I can't dive, but I can remember the first time I did the roller coaster feeling that same thing, like really not wanting to go on, and waiting and waiting and waiting, and then when I finally went on, I went on lots of times. So yeah, that same sort of feeling when you push outside of your comfort zone and do something. But Francie does it her own way, so that's what I like as well. So it's a good book for kids who love swimming and summer days at their local pool and want to do what the big kids are doing, but also kids who might lack confidence to try something new, or who want to face their challenges their own way, like Francie.

Or check out some of Bridie’s full Breakfast episodes here.

Like a Gannet - Debut Crew October Interview

Here is a bit of my interview with Lisa Kenway from her monthly newsletter introducing the Debut Crew 2024.

What has most surprised you about the publication process as a debut author?

I was surprised by how much input I had into the publication process. Once I stopped feeling worried about asking questions and checking in with anything I didn’t understand, and I started advocating for what I thought were the best outcomes, I realised that I was a valuable part of the publication team. I definitely remained flexible and open to ideas, but I really think we ended up with a better book because I was an active part of the process.

How are you planning to celebrate on publication day?

My launch is later in the month, so release day will be low-key. I should go jump off the high diving board at my local pool, but I will probably take some photos of my book on the shelf at my local indie bookstore, then go out for lunch with my family.

Read all of Lisa’s newsletter here.