Australia Illustrated Second Edition cover reveal!

I'm pinch-me happy to finally reveal the new cover for the Second Edition of Australia Illustrated. The wonderful people at EK Books have reprinted after the First Edition sold out, and it was a hoot to come up with a new cover--quite different from the first one, but still reflecting the essence of the book (probably even more so that the original, though I do have a soft spot for that one!).

You'll see I simply inverted the colours of Australia and the ocean, and on the back cover, an underwater landscape fits perfectly in the blue. I also updated the endpapers, the half title and title page.

The new edition has the same lovely textured, cloth-bound cover, and lustrous satin pages within.

I hope you love this new edition! You can learn more about the book here.

July - a snugglefest of writing and illustrating

watercolour/paper-cutting experiments

Finally, finally winter is in full force here in Canberra, and I am enjoying every frosty beanie/boot/mitten-wearing moment! Endless cups of hot tea, toasty soups, faux fur blankets . . . my feels are quite Icelandic. And of course, other than a quick dash to the shops and a brisk walk in the glorious winter sun, it's lovely to have every excuse to shut myself away in my light-filled studio, and create create create.

Speaking of beanies, can you believe how gorgeous my gumnut beanie is, below? I found it on Etsy--the store is Fibre Delights--and how could I resist? I'm hoping to wear it to my launch for Mamie--my picture book on May Gibbs, out this December. And how good would this beanie be for Book Week dress-ups?

marvellous May, maps, mammals, microbiomes and making changes

platypus playing with gouache

It's marvellous May! and winter has finally descended on Canberra. But it's not the winter I know. I may be decked in knits and beanies and ugg boots (hurrah!), but many of our trees are STILL in full leaf. Or part-leaf, dotted with a red leaf or three. There is still no blaze in our neighbourhood--no trees on fire with red, yellow, orange, no no. It's still 'meh'.

It's summer being strangled by the cold paws of Jack Frost. There has been no autumn in our city this 2018. And other than this snatch of yellow down at the lake recently, it seems there will be no autumn. And it makes me uneasy.



Maybe you've seen the same kind of changes where you are, maybe you haven't. But it's a timely reminder that our dear planet isn't well, and that every little bit we can do to nourish her is a must. Yes, even if we feel the horrendous impact multinational juggernauts are waging on our planet while chasing a buck, makes it feel like our efforts are for nought.

But then, I guess, there's always Mars, right?

Groan.

On a lighter note...

Australia Illustrated and Australia Day

The modus operandi behind the creation of Australia Illustrated was to celebrate Australia in a way that's inclusive, is respectful of our First Australians, and celebrates diversity and multiculturalism.

I am happy to celebrate an 'Australia day' when the date can be changed, and we can honour, with equality, the original custodians of this land and the enriching ethnicities that have come to call this land home.

#peace #changethedate

In the meantime, it's so great to see the book going strong since its release last year. An author's greatest fear is that your book will melt into the ether and disappear from shelves let alone the consciousness of beloved readers. EK Books have a strong publicity arm (thanks, Alison!) and I'm so grateful for it. Indeed, I've had a week of radio interviews for Australia Day, and gosh, there are some gorgeous radio hosts out there; have had SO much fun chatting and talking about the importance of multiculturalism and diversity.

My kids are still off school (back next week), and today I ran them around a little and went to a new bookstore, Book Face, in Gungahlin. No matter how long you're in this game (10 years next year for me), seeing your book facing outwards (with over a dozen copies!!) in a bookstore is just the most beautiful feeling.

And on top of that, when I rounded the corner, a woman was leafing through the book while her kids played at her feet. I wanted to say 'OMG, you're holding my book!' but I would never dare!

I did, however, introduce myself to the bookstore manager and signed a few copies. It's so nice to see local stores supporting local authors.

On the way out, I grabbed their Summer Reading Guide and was surprised to see Australia Illustrated tucked inside. It's the loveliest feeling because writing books is such a 'blind' career--you rarely get direct feedback, and often feel like you're stumbling along in a darkened room!

It was also lovely to get EK Books' latest kids' catalogue last week and my little bee from Australia Illustrated is on the cover!

And there are some lovely book promos inside... You might even see a little new book(s) preview if you look hard enough...

And in super lovely news, Smile Cry is coming out in paperback and Jess Racklyeft and I are working on a sequel AS I TYPE! We also have some VERY exciting potential book news ... but need to await confirmation; hopefully soon.

The year is about to begin in earnest, and I have a lot planned and a lot to embark upon, which I'll reveal these coming months. Trust me when I say I will be stepping outside my comfort zone... a good thing!

Tomorrow I'm hosting a This is Banjo Paterson blog launch right here, so check back then for some cool posts on the production of the book, and more about Banjo's life. You can even win a copy of the book. Click the poster below for more.

And if you're in or near Canberra, don't miss the book's launch at the National Library on Sunday 12 February--more details here! I'll also be appearing in a live Periscope video (my very first, yikes!) on 17 February--Banjo's birthday. More on that soon.

a pre-Christmas wrap-up, with news, pretty pictures, plump pillows and other stuff

Week 50: FESTIVE

It's 1.32pm on 21 December and I've just, against all better judgment, eaten two fruit mince pies for lunch and then wandered the halls for nearly an hour, unable to decide on which pile to tackle.

That sentence pretty much sums up my 2016.

It's been a strange, fragmented, bizarro year of major ups and downs, calamity and calm, and the oddest sensation of feeling either upside down, or wanting to abscond to an isolated villa in Tuscany. Granted, the latter is pretty much a permanent sensation! But more so than ever this year.

It's been such a strange and challenging 12 months--for everyone, it seems--that I'm kind of expecting to wake up and realise it was all just an upside down dream.

That truly wouldn't surprise me at all. I'd wake and I'd go 'Wow, that was a marathon dream nightmare hybrid! I'm so happy to be awake now, yes I am!'

So, as I wait to wake, and as the fruit mince pies settle onto my thighs, I'm only making one resolution for 2017... and that's to recalibrate. Earth myself, house, family, world, work. All of it. Take what's needed and chuck the rest. Cleanse. Focus. Streamline. 2016 was the carnival ride sugar rush. 2017 will the rowboat on an expansive, deep and beautiful lake. A lake bustling with Things I Love to Do.

I hope it's like that for you, too.

In the meantime--here is a pre-Chrissie update before I disappear into a Lindt box the size our car (why fight it?).

Australia Illustrated Reviews

It's a nervy thing when you launch into a new arena (illustration), especially after decades of neglect! So it's been with great relief that Australia Illustrated is doing so well and that I may not have to put my paintbrush down just yet.

Below are some of the reviews that have been coming in so far. Thank you, everyone, for your kindness!

4 December 2016
Australia Illustrated Review in the Sunday (Funday) Telegraph (above)

2 December 2016
Australia Illustrated Review on The Book Chook

1 December 2016
Australia Illustrated review on The Good Books Blog

November 2016
Australia Illustrated review in School Days Magazine

November 2016
A Pinerolo endorsement of Australia Illustrated 

19 November 2016
Australia Illustrated in the Mummah Christmas Gift Guide

15 November 2016
Review of Australia Illustrated on Unity Words

5 November 2016
Australia Illustrated Review on Just So Stories

2 November
Australia Illustrated with Megan Daley on 612 ABC Brisbane Bookworms

2 November 2016
Canberra Times/Sydney Morning Herald interview--Australia Illustrated

1 November 2016
Australia Illustrated and Author Interview on Franki Hobson

31 October 2016
Australia Illustrated Review in New Idea

31 October 2016
Australia Illustrated Review in Reading's November catalogue

30 October 2016
Review of Australia Illustrated by author/illustrator Christina Booth

26 October 2015
Writing and Illustrating a Picture Book, Australia Illustrated, on DeeScribe

26 October 2016
Author Interview for Australia Illustrated on Pass it On blog

25 October 2016
Writing Non-Fiction Picture Books, Australia Illustrated, on Jen Storer's Girl and Duck

25 October 2016
Creating a Picture Book, Australia Illustrated, on Soup Blog

24 October 2016
Writing and Illustrating Books, Australia Illustrated, interview on Writing Classes for Kids

24 October 2016
Review of Australia Illustrated in Readings' November Catalogue

24 October 2016
In conversation interview on Australia Illustrated with Dimity Powell on Boomerang Books Blog

21 October 2016
Interview with author/illustrator Nicky Johnston for Australia Illustrated 

19 October 2016
Author Interview for Australia Illustrated on Creative Kids' Tales

October 2016
Australia Illustrated review on My Book Corner

October 2016
The Creation of a Picture Book, Australia Illustrated, on My Book Corner

8 October 2016
Review of Australia Illustrated on The Bottom Shelf

 

Australia Illustrated in Dymocks and Harry Hartog Christmas Catalogues

Oh such a lovely, lovely thing to see your book cover peeking from the pages of a Christmas catalogue.

Huge thanks to and Dymocks and Harry Hartog.

Thanks to David Jones, too, who are stocking the book!

click to see the entire kids' catalogue at Dymocks

click to see the entire Christmas catalogue at Harry Hartog

spotted at DJs

Australia Illustrated Cover Construct

  This little video reveals the construction of the cover  of Australia Illustrated.

Australia Illustrated Book Launch Wrap-Up

milkshake cupcake from the 'Quokka Selfies' page

It's a little surreal sitting here with a strong coffee, wrapping up my book launch for Australia Illustrated. When I first sat to begin sketching ideas for this book... well, it feels like a lifetime ago. It's almost dreamlike.

When I began speaking at the launch today, it indeed dawned on me that perhaps I was dreaming, and that everyone who came along was actually gatecrashing a dream and that I would soon wake up. This is how surreal it is to see, hold and touch my own illustrated book.

A huge thanks to everyone who came along (or sent messages!) to celebrate this dream-attainment today. Thanks to Harry Hartog bookseller in Woden for this sensational space and for their endless support. Thanks to my daughter Ella and my dear friend Sylvia (her name is in the book!) for the gorgeous photos, and thank you to EK Books and my publisher Anouska Jones for taking this punt on me and my work. I've heard whisper that the book may already go into reprint, so this is certainly a heady time (as dreams most often are).

Herewith a peek at the launch today, and you can see a video of me speaking and also mini interviews of local authors who were also in attendance, organised by the amazing Suzanne Kiraly of Aussie Writers, right here.

This was just the most happy, happy, warm and happy launch. I highly recommend the following of dreams ...

Megan Daley from Children's Books Daily talks about Australia Illustrated

Listen to the amazing Megan Daley of Children's Books Daily talk new kids' books with Sarah Howells of 612 ABC Brisbane in this Bookworms podcast.

A woman with a palpable passion for books, Megan covers:

1. Wonderful World Colouring Book - by Alison Lester

2. 'Australia Illustrated' written and illustrated by Tania McCartney

3. 'The Tales of Mrs Mancini' - Natalie Jane Prior

4. 'Violet Mackerel' and 'How to Make Small Things With Violet Mackerel' - written by Anna Branford

5. 'Hot Dog' - written by Anh Do

6. 'Artie and the Grime Wave' - written by Richard Roxburgh

7. 'Girl in Pieces' - written by Kathleen Glasgow

Book Launch for Australia Illustrated!

If you're in Canberra, I'd love to see you there! 

If not, join me on my Virtual Launch right here 

Australia Illustrated Virtual Launch - 52-Week Illustration Challenge bonus challenge winner

I'm delighted to reveal the winner of the bonus challenge I ran on the 52-Week Illustration Challenge. The Challenge has been absolutely instrumental in the creation of Australia Illustrated, and I celebrated the launch of the book by running a special bonus challenge, where members could draw an Australian Child.

We had a glorious response (always the way with the Challenge!) and the winner is ...

Prue Pittock!

Congratulations to Prue! She wins a copy of my book.

Prue is a valued member of the Challenge. You can learn more about her and her artwork at www.facebook.com/Prue-Pittock-Illustrations-1083788541640807.

Follow along on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook with hashtag

#ausillo

Thank you to everyone who entered my comps this week to win a book copy and some original art! You made this really tough--I so loved all of your responses.

Biggest congrats to our book winners:

Brook Tayla

Lex McKay

Lauren Sherritt

Please contact me at booksATtaniamccartney.com so I can organise to have the books sent to you. Note that we can only send books to an Australian or New Zealand address and I cannot, alas, sign these books. Also note that if I don't hear from you within a week, I'll appoint new winners, so do get in touch!

If you didn't win a copy of the book, you have until Monday 7 November to enter another comp over at Kids' Book Review, where two books are up for grabs. Enter here! You can also purchase the book with free postage, for a limited time. Details right here.

And biggest congrats to our 

illustration winners:

 

Girl in the red-striped dress has been won by Caitlyn Burchell

Queensland cattle boy has been won by Jess Harding

Scuba diving boy off Tassie coast has been won by Jodie McAllister

Sydney beaches girl with ice cream has been won by Jill Howard

Girl with dog has been won by Sue Warren

Melbourne tram boy with tram has been won by Jolanda Jarman

Please contact me at booksATtaniamccartney.com so I can organise to have the illustrations sent to you! These can be posted anywhere in the world. Note that if I don't hear from you within a week, I'll appoint new winners, so do get in touch!

Click the poster below to go to my Virtual Launch 

homepage and follow along all posts! 

Follow along on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook with hashtag

#ausillo

Australia Illustrated Virtual Launch - Character Names Revealed!

Thank you to everyone who sent names and profiles in for five of my book characters! This was A LOT of fun--I was laughing out loud at the names and stories you came up with!

I'm delighted to introduce you to each one, below, along with the clever people who named them.

Here we go ...

Name: Barney
About: Barney has grown up living in a little weatherboard cottage across the road from the beach, and there are always surfboards leaning against the garage and towels draped over the balcony. As well as enjoying playing in the surf, he just loves going beach-combing to find tiny treasures to line up on his windowsill, but the little starfish in his hand is a rescue and he is about to put her back in the ocean where he knows she belongs...
Who named him: Cate Whittle, over the hill and far away, out bush

 

Name: Taula May
About: She is raw energy, bursting with love and light from first light till lights out. Always on the move, she is rhythm and song like nobody's business. Even in the bath, she sings
Who named her: Jodie, kid-like

 

Name: Mabel
About: She is quite a shy girl but reading books make her feel alive on the inside. One day she wants to write her own books and being the quiet type means she is a great observer of all the people she meets - she calls them her characters. She keeps a secret journal where she writes down all her ideas and observations.
Who named her: Brook, Melbourne

 

Name: Patrick
About: Patrick by night (always from 7pm sharp), and Captain Rad Pants by day. He and his ever faithful comrade, Teddy Pants, are known West Australia-wide for their extremely quick costume changes, exhilarating moves, honed during hours spent on the trampoline, bucket-filling acts of kindness and general radness. Patrick aspires to always be a boy super hero - he's not fond of the idea of growing up, and believes his best work can be done from the comfort of his home with his Mummy and Daddy.
Who named him: Jess, 34, Madeley

 

Name: Evie
About: Evie who loves ice creams in all the colours of the rainbow, picking pink flowers from the neighbourhood gardens and singing loudly at the most inappropriate times ... even at school assembly. But everyone forgives her as she is a real cutie.
Who named her: Leonie, Sydney
Thank you, everyone! I loved 'meeting' these characters all over again!

Stay tuned for the winners of original artwork and books! 

Later today.

Click the poster below to go to my Virtual Launch 

homepage and follow along all posts! 

Follow along on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook with hashtag

#ausillo

And... we're done! An entire week of book celebration.

A huge thank you to the ACT Government for the artsACT grant I received to help make this book a reality. I could not have done it without you--seriously!

Thank you to the lovely people who supported me during this launch--you can see them in this post.

Thank you to Anouska Jones at EK Books and the team at Exisle for being such a pleasure to work with, and for trusting me on this journey!

Thank you to everyone who followed along on this virtual launch. You can see all the posts done over this past week, by clicking the Virtual Launch poster at the bottom of this post.

If you entered one of my Virtual Launch competitions or have named some of my characters, stay tuned--I will reveal winners through the day tomorrow, right here in my blog.

And if you're in Canberra anytime soon, please do come along to my bricks-and-mortar book launch at the glorious Harry Hartog bookstore in Woden (below).

You can also find posts and comments on Instagram,
Twitter and Facebook using hashtag

#ausillo

Australia Illustrated Virtual Launch - Cups of Tea with Friends... articles, interviews, reviews

Put the kettle on! And brew yourself a cuppa to enjoy this series of posts with some truly fabulous people.

Enormous thanks to the special people who have hosted a little visit from me during this virtual launch. Yes, I popped in for a virtual cup of tea with several talented friends, and herewith a peek at those cups of virtual tea. Make sure you stop awhile and check out each site--these are some amazing people, doing some amazing things!

At the bottom of this post, you'll see links to some early reviews and other articles--and I'll update this post with reviews as they come in over the following weeks.

A Virtual Cup of Tea and a tartufo with author Jen Storer, where I have a good old chinwag on her Girl and Duck site about that heavenly genre—non-fiction books—and about how bananas the Australia Illustrated creative process was

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A Virtual Cup of Tea and a homemade sausage roll with author Dee White on DeeScribe, where I talk about writing and illustrating a picture book even though I didn’t really know how to at the time

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A Virtual Cup of Tea and some pistachio biscotti with author Dee White on Writing for Kids, where I chat about Authorstrators, yes I do

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A Virtual Cup of Tea and a slice of cassata with author/illustrator Nicky Johnston, where we natter about such delectable things as book genres, ideas and illustration style

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A Virtual Cup of Tea and a fluffy scone with jam and cream with Emma Perry of My Book Corner--where we go behind the scenes for a peek at picture book creation--how is it done??

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A Virtual Cup of Tea and a strawberry cupcake with Matilda, who is 10 and is one of Soup Blog’s regular book reviewers (she knows books!), and where I respond to her brilliant questions about Australia Illustrated

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A Virtual Cup of Tea and an affogato with Jackie Hosking of Pass it On--where I answer questions that made me smile, especially yellow ones

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A Virtual Cup of Tea and a warm croissant with author Dimity Powell, where we have a lovely meander through the creative process for Australia Illustrated and where I thoroughly enjoy my cup of tea

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A Virtual Cup of Tea and a choc-chip cookie with Georgie Donaghey from Creative Kids’ Tales, where I answer some fabulous questions for her Tours and Tales

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And here is a hot cross bun--for you, dear reader. Just because they are so delicious with a cup of tea.

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REVIEWS...

The Bottom Shelf with Barbara Braxton

My Book Corner with Emma Perry

Kids' Book Review

Review in Readings November catalogue

Review on Christina Booth's Book of the Month

Check back for more as they come in over the coming weeks!

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ALSO...

Meet the Illustrator on Kids' Book Review

Illustrator Spotlight on Culture Chest

In New Idea magazine, 7 November

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Click the poster below to go to my Virtual Launch 

homepage and follow along all posts! 

Follow along on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook with hashtag

#ausillo