Dim's Write Stuff

Life should be about caring and sharing right? And while I concede there's a rightful time and place to smoast (trendy new term and semi-acceptable behaviour for social media boast, but not quite as trendy and acceptable as gangnam style ), I do care to share other things when time permits. And what better time than the school holidays? Sick of dragging the kids in and out of the pool? Tired of endless outings to the local shopping centre? Free-activity'ed out? Broke from repeated visits to other 'worlds'? Seen all the age-appropriate new release movies? Then why not get back to basics with your kids or someone else's if you are short on kids and big on love and time. OK this is where it gets a bit bookish...but this is a wonderful way to spend time with your under 10 year olds, while generating a little creativity at the same time. It takes place over a week - 5 days, but could be condensed to less days or increased to cover the number of days yo...

There were plenty of KABOOM moments in this little black duck's writing year. Thanks to everyone for following, commenting, supporting and just turning up now and then for a cuppa and friendly chat; all necessary components to keep my writing wheels spinning. Here's the sparest list I could compile of my writerly milestones to date. I promise I will be bothering you a lot less in 2013 because I've ordered a giant vat of bum glue and plan to apply it to my writing chair early next year. Till then, Happiest of the Christmases to you all. May your holiday season be filled with interesting reads, words you'd like to write and keep, and inspiration to simply smile. Writing Round Up: Won placings in writing for kids competitions 5 times. Published on line several times. Won my first publishing contract. Released my first children's junior novel, PS Who Stole Santa's Mail? Hopped aboard Boomerang Books Blog as Children's book reviewer. Join the Socie...

You may have seen the pictures. You may have read the book. For those who missed the official launch of PS Who Stole Santa's Mail? in Brisbane on Sunday, here is the speech that Her Excellency, the Governor of Queensland, Ms Penelope Wensley AC , gave to launch my new book. An enthusiastic crowd packed into the Black Cat Paddington book shop and cafe to witness the birth of my first children's chapter book. Smiling kids and candy canes, snow and eventual sunshine were the order of the day spectacularly fulfilling the Christmas dreams of this little kids' author. Excerpt from Her Excellency's speech: Managing Editor, Morris Publishing Australia, Ms Elaine Ousten, President, Book Links (Queensland), Ms Jenny Stubbs, Owner, Black Cat Books and Cafe, Mrs Stephanie Hogan, Author, Mrs Dimity Powell, Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen, Girls and Boys. As 2012 is the National Year of Reading and as I am Patron of Book Links Queensland, of th...

What follows is a recent post of mine some of you may have read in last week's Pass It On e-zine by Jackie Hosking . It attempted to lift the lid on the curly question of 'Do books need a rating? ' As predicted this is an absorbing topic for debate, one that I'm probably not fully qualified to adjudicate but am fascinated by. Ben Marshall raised some interesting and salient points in his response (thanks Ben) in this week's PIO issue 415 . He argued 'that censoring books is a form of lying'; that young people can in fact enact their own form of censorship merely by closing the book; and that exposure to the warts and all darker bits of life through the written word is a good way to prepare them for if. I tend to agree with him. From an author's point of view, rigorous and formal censorship would only create another loop through which writers, publishers and agents alike would all have to jump, further frustrating the actual production of a book f...

Dashing through the space of the cyber hemisphere, you'll learn a bit about me, that'll bring you close to tears (of laughter?) Join me on this tour of some awesome bloggers' sites. It's going to be a blogging tour that'll fill you with delight. BLOG TOUR for PS WHO STOLE SANTA'S MAIL? Check out the amazing sleigh-load of bloggers and reviewers participating on what promises to be a spectacular ride with me. Tune in each day, leave a comment or two and don't forget to enter the COMPETITION FOR SIGNED COPY OF PS Who Stole Santa's Mail? in time for Christmas. It's easy. Just answer the question: What do you think Santa wants for Christmas? Details of how to enter on each blog tour post. Competition closes midnight 30th November 2012. 17 November Kids Book Review http://www.kids-bookreview.com/ 18 November My Little Bookcase http://www.mylittlebookcase.com.au/ 19 November Sheryl Gywther htt...

It's not really a true fruit mince pie without a generous sprinkle of sugar on the top. Christmas pudding is nothing without lashings of brandy custard cascading down its sides. And it's never truly Christmas for me without Christmas music playing extremely loud and annoyingly often. Singing along is a given. So here is a sweet, little, festive season something extra for you all to enjoy. The trailer, behind the book, behind the elf, behind the possible destruction of Christmas. Play it loud, to drown out your incredulous laughter or questioning gasps. Parental guidance not really recommended, but if you have a child who doesn't handle curled blue elf shoes well, best slide hand over face of said child  for 3 seconds. Book Trailer for PS Who Stole Santa's Mail? Available to purchase in all good bookstores now, via order or online at Morris Publishing Australia Don't forget: BOOK LAUNCH of PS WHO STOLE SANTA'S MAIL ? at the Black...

The first cut is always the sweetest...at least it is when you're slicing your way into your first consignment of books. Santa, how could I have ever doubted your ability to deliver? Now time to find those stockings to stuff. It really is beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...