Bright summer greetings to all lovers of good books and writing!
When I write, I often feel like a mumma wombat, digging away in the dark, engineering new tunnels, scooping out new hollows and refurbishing old dens for new joeys. Occasionally, I get to bask in the sunlight of success.
2025 has been a particularly good year for me, in terms of literary highlights.
The Bird Lovers’ Ball – a wild fantasy comes true!
This quirky, informational picture book, featuring the endemic birds of lutruwita/Tasmania, is catching the eyes of the children’s book-loving public. It has even been on display in the window at Fuller’s Bookshop in nipaluna/Hobart for the last six weeks.
Launched by Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds at Wild Island Tasmania on 30 October this year, The Bird Lover’s Ball has reached Number 1 on Fullers Bookshop’s’ pre-Christmas bestseller list! What can I say but wow! Just wow! Thanks to the team that helped created it.
You can buy The Bird Lovers’ Ball from all good Tasmanian Bookshops, or from the website of its amazing publisher, 40 South.
This is my third picture book collaboration with the superbly talented Tasmanian illustrator, Lois Bury. Our previous picture books have been The Way of the Weedy Seadragon, CSIRO Publishing, and The Moonlight Bird and the Grolken, with IP Kidz. You can follow the links and purchase these books directly from the publishers, or buy online.
The Ballad of Jubal Jacques is on sale now!
Following a successful crowdfunding campaign on Pozible, this anthology of whimsical, all-Tasmanian poetry and stories for children of all ages, has now seen the light of day.
The Ballad of Jubal Jacques is the brainchild of well-published author and human rights supporter, (Carol) Ann Martin, from Cygnet. All profits from this whimsical collection go towards the support of refugees, in Australia and overseas. Thanks to all who donated to the campaign and funded its production.
Here’s the book trailer we used for fundraising
Ann Martin is the main author and publisher, and I have three contributions in it – two verse stories, The Tower of Rinbringel, inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Jabberwocky, and The Rats of Rumbarrell Island, the second children’s story I ever wrote. The other story, A Ding Dong Day, about a much-loved, dementing ‘Doodaddy’, is, like The Tower of Rinbringel, told in inventive language.
The collection also includes other Tasmanian writers, Jacinta Lou, Reena Balding, Sally Odgers and Dr Mark MacLeod, with illustrations from Emily Duggan, Katherine Richardson (who also designed the book), Sam Lyne, Andy James, Gay McKinnon, Paul Martin, Lynda Young, Leonie Brothers, Hannah Moon and Christina Booth. Thanks also to prizewinning author and publisher, Frances Mackay, for her valuable publishing advice, and to Reena Balding for devising and managing the crowdfunding. Well done! It was a monumental effort.
The Ballad of Jubal Jacques is a gift that gives at least twice – once to the child or adult who receives it, and again to refugees, who have lost their homes and countries, through no fault of their own. And if you buy it from a local bookshop, it’s a book that gives thrice!
The Ballad of Jubal Jacques can be purchased from Amazon and Hobart Bookshop, or by emailing a.p.martin@bigpond.com.
Image by Gay McKinnon from A Ding Dong Day.
TARDIGRADES, nature’s toughest survivors to be sold worldwide.
This science-based picture book for 5-10 year olds introduces the astounding survival talents of microscopic critters called tardigrades to 5-10 year olds. These fascinating little critters have the cute nicknames of ‘water bears’ and ‘moss piglets’. This picture book, written by me and gorgeously illustrated by Jennifer Falkner, was release in October 2024 by CSIRO Publishing .
Anne on kunanyi/Mt Wellington with her advanced copy of Tardigrades.
This title will soon become available in soft cover format as print-on-demand. This means the Tardigrades book, along with other selected titles from CSIRO Publishing, can now reach young readers in in selected territories, including the UK, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia, along with North America and Latin America.
And if you’re a parent who is looking for a costume idea for Book Week 2026, and the small
scientist in your family wants to dress as a tardigrade, don’t be daunted by the fact that tardigrades have eight legs and a snout that vaccuums up its food. Here’s an example of a simple and effective tardigrade costume. Bravo to the child for showing a keen interest in science at such an early age, and congratulations to his mum on her creativity!
Tardigrade costume for Book Week
Tyrone Guthrie Centre Residency in County Monaghan, Ireland
In May-June 2025 I completed a two week residency at the Tyrone Guthrie Arts Centre in County Monaghan, Ireland, where I worked on a fantasy novel for middle-graders, in a landscape richly entangled with nature and folk lore.
My favourite memories include evening chats with other residents at the lavishly-catered evening dinners, and ‘show and tell’ sessions, where artists from many genres spoke about their works. 
I also enjoyed walks around Lake Annaighmakerrig, when I observed many dazzling blue Irish damselflies going about their business, while hoping that the late theatre creative, Tyrone Guthrie, might manifest himself to me in his reputed reincarnation as a very tall hare.
I followed my residency with visits to family in South Armagh, where my father was born at the foot of Slieve Gullion, which is steeped in celtic history. I also visited family in the hauntingly beautiful countryside of Donegal, with its wild seas and ruined castles.
School Magazine publications
While I was in Ireland, in June 2025, the School Magazine republished my class play, Wind Power (in their magazine, Countdown, for ages 7-9) and a new article 
by me on a headless ship’s figurehead of unknown origin, which was found washed up on the wild west coast of Macquarie Island in 1973 (in Touchdown, for ages 11+).
Late last year, School Magazine published my story, Benji you’re a legend! Illustrated by Jake A. Minton. Benji made the cover of Blast Off, their magazine for 10-11 year olds.
Voices of the Southern Ocean
On 27 March this year, Fullers Bookshop hosted the launch of a trade edition of Voices of the Southern Ocean, ananthology of Tasmanian writings, published by Hobartisan Books/Pop Art Press. 
Voices of the Southern Ocean offers a showcase of Tassie literary talent in one stylish volume. With over 50 writers & artists, it’s the largest ensemble of Tassie literary works in one book!
This anthology is the first initiative of Hobart UNESCO City of Literature. Profits go to UNESCO Hobart City of Literature, to support new literary initiatives around the city
My contribution features a short excerpt from a true life maritime history mystery I am currently working on. It’s adult non-fiction. I don’t just write for children.
Celebrate TAS Books and Writing Facebook Group
Oh, while I am here, I should mention that this Facebook I set up in 2016 is still going strong, with 1700 members, nine years later. This is your go-to place for Tasmanian writers to post their literary news, and for readers to discover an untold trove of Tasmanian literary gems. Please don’t wait for me to see your post and share it. Often I can’t share it, due to Facebook settings.
Please submit your literary news and the other admin, Angela Maher, or I will decide whether it fits our guidelines.
Finally, Nollaig shona daoibh! Happy Christmas to you all!
I’m practising my Gaeilge, in the wistful hope that one day I might become fluent in the language of my ancestors.
May your summer be filled with nourishing reading material.