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.

Like a Gannet - Meet Francie

Meet Francie!

She can glide like a swan, dabble like a duck and cut through the water like a cormorant. So when she sees her older cousins diving like gannets from the high diving board, she wants to do that too.

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, I really wanted Francie to have a bigger body type. 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.

I’m so happy with how @debi_hudson has illustrated Francie and I can’t wait for everyone to meet her in this joyous celebration of one little fledgling who wants to be a gannet.

 Like A Gannet is out October 1st by @windyhollow Publishing.