Dim's Write Stuff

There comes a time in everyone's life where a split second choice, an extreme of nature, a fork in the road prompts a unique turning point . Some of them we recognise for the epiphanies that they are; shocking, incredible, visionary. Others, we barely notice. Nearly all are life altering.  Earlier last year, I was fortunate enough to access a challenge that got me up and writing again , to paraphrase Exisle Publishing CEO and editor of The Turning Point Anthology , Gareth St John Thomas. The catalyst was a writing competition describing a turning point in one's life. This competition took place during the peak of our global Covid pandemic and as Gareth points out, was the stimulus that allowed me to reconnect not only with my fatalistic past but also my waning creative verve.  My tale,  Kismet’s Odyssey , is a true-life, deeply affecting account of my experience as a young bareboat charter courier on the sunbaked Ionian island of Corfu. It was a time of kissing summer ...

It's been a rotten old year for throwing inhibitions to the wind and embarking on wild new adventures. Just surviving 2020 has been adventure enough for many but if you're like me, having your wings figuratively clipped dampens that vital 'looking forward to something' expectation that travel, planned or impulsive invariably brings. The mere thought of going somewhere different, stumbling upon new treasures, stuffing myself on exotic cuisines (made by someone else) and experiencing sunburn in places other than my backyard stimulates and sustains me like nothing else can (with the exception of ice cream). So, what do you do when these things are no longer accessible in real life? You READ of course, because as all self-respecting lovers of Kids' Lit know, ' The more that you read, the more that you'll know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go' ...Dr Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go! To go someplace  that captures the spirit of adven...

Does anyone remember the old Jinty,  Penny, and Misty Annual s? They ran from the mid 70s until around 1986. These collections of comic print strips, stories, recipes and profile features used to entertain and mystify me as a young teen for months and months. I still have my original copies, yellowed and redolent of a childhood faded by not forgotten. Last year I was super lucky to be recommended to contribute to the Kookie magazine . My short story, Perfect Prue a perfect fit for their mandate of supplying young pre-teen girls with  a rounded and optimistic sense of who they are and what they could become. It featured in Issue 6 in March 2019. Illustration from Perfect Prue by Emma Reynolds Since receiving my own precious copies and experiencing first hand the countless stimulating, educational and entertaining articles and activities stashed within its 100% ad-free pages, I have been a massive fan; my thirst for eclectic bright, sassy yet meaningful ...

When I was a few decades younger, I dreamed of being a librarian, such was my love of books. To be the custodian of so many fictional worlds was an honor I wanted to live. To be on the safe side, I also practiced teaching as a youngster. I mean what better way to share my love for stories than with roomfuls of attentive stuffed toy animals, aka my students. Needless to say, neither of these occupations really took off.  Seems being the creator rather than the curator was my destiny. Ironically, one of the best things about being a children's author is being allowed to produce detailed teachers' notes and additional activities supporting your book that enhance and enrich the reading experience. All of my picture books include detailed Teachers' Notes annexed to Australian Curriculum links as well as accompanying worksheets and activities that focus on a range of fun things to make and do and even eat! They are all on my website . They are generally included on the...

Short stories. I've been writing them since I first dunked a toe in this business of writing for children. In fact, one of my first ever publications was a short story, An Eggspensive Venture , that appeared in the Blast Off NSW School Magazine back in 2009. I was pretty chuffed to say the least. And the thing that kept me writing them? The enticement of competitions and the myriad of themes to write about. The experience of entering my short stories in so many comps and awards (and even winning a few) and being commissioned to write them for magazines and anthologies not only kept my creative juices bubbling away, it also taught me volumes about submission guidelines and working to deadlines; not to mention what it takes to make a story compelling enough and succinct enough to  fill up the time it takes to suck a mugful of hot chocolate through a Tim Tam. If you are or know a young person who loves making words sing (or Tim Tams) and needs help composing them into p...

I am pleased as punch to see my short story, Perfect Prue , published in the latest edition of the Kookie Magazine, Issue 6. Perfect Prue   is a short story about competitive cousins, capsizing catastrophes, fitting in and sailing! Grab yourself a copy of this awesome little mag and read it for yourself, soon.  KOOKIE (as in smart KOOKIE) is a girl-powered, award-winning print magazine for ages 7 to 12+. It is chock-a-block packed with interviews, fiction, craft, puzzles, comics, articles on science and nature, art and activism, sports and technology plus pages of reader contributions and pics, sure to keep young female tweens exploring and thinking. This magazine is also 100% ad-free and comes out four times a year (March, June, September, December). I had an absolute ball soaking up its articles and heartily recommend it for any middle grade readers who want a magazine dedicated to thought provoking issues but also FUN! Illustration from Perfect Prue cou...

I spend an awful lot of time banging on about all the brilliant books available for kids by other people. Well, it so happens, I have penned one or two worthy reads myself and in case you've been chained up in a chest in Hogwarts and have missed my many new releases, here's a recap. ALL the titles listed below are available now for Christmas or Easter or your child's next birthday or ... well you don't need an occasion to enjoy a great read now, do you? Here are my top Dimity Powell recommendations conveniently grouped for you by theme and age. (Either one or two of my short stories appear in each of the anthologies listed below). Fantasy / Christmas   PS Who Stole Santa's Mail? - junior novel Christmas themed urban fantasy for 7 - 10 years  A SEASONAL FAVOURITE Magic Day - fantasy themed anthology for readers 7 - 12 years NEW RELEASE The Toy Chest - toy themed anthology collection for younger readers 4 - 10 years NEW RELEAS E Lodestone: A Magnetic Jou...

Prepared to be Charmed! Out now, just in time to plump up your Christmas stockings, the first two volumes in the charming new Crock of Charms series , a project conjured up by Sally Odgers and coordinated through Prints Charming Books . This set of three anthologies features a delightful collection of children's stories, written especially for them by a dazzling line up of children's writers - including ME. Stories and volumes suit children aged 4 -14 years.  My story appears in Volume Two . Read it independently or as part of the full set. Each of the stories are linked by a storyline that flows through linking and embracing the stand-alone pieces by contributing writers.You don't need to start at the very beginning but the stories and poems included make for some very interesting and intriguing reads. Imagine chancing upon a crock of charms and discovering the story behind each one. What does it all mean?  This series is literally PACKED with dozens of st...