Jackie French
Australian Children's Laureate for 2014 – 2015
Welcome Jackie French to Creative Kids Tales.
Jackie French has a list of awards longer than your arm. She has long been cemented as one of this country’s must have authors on your bookshelf. If you haven't heard of Jackie French you must have been living under a rock, in a cave, in the middle of a desert!
If you've been in one of these places for years, don't worry. We are very pleased to be able to introduce you to her right here at Creative Kids Tales in our special Birthday Edition.
When I originally emailed Jackie, I was fortunate that she too was online. I spent a wonderful day corresponding back and forth with her. For an author with over 140 books to her name she was extremely gracious with her time and supportive of Creative Kids Tales and our objectives.
The gorgeous Jackie French lives in the Araluen Valley in NSW with her husband Bryan. Together they share the stone house they built together complete with homemade waterwheel and solar panels to power their house, even their computers.
Jackie is a full time writer who has won numerous awards both here and overseas. In fact, she is one of the few writers to have won both literary and children's choice awards. Her writing career spans over 20 years with her books being translated into thirty six languages. Wow!
In 2000 she won the CBC Book of the Year for Younger Readers in the UK. Awards from Australia, Japan and the USA also feature in her long list of literary achievements. Her story, Hitler's Daughter has been adapted for the stage by Monkey Baa theatre and will open on Broadway in 2012/13 for a season as well as tour the UAS and Canada.
How Jackie became an author is a well publicised.
I was broke. I needed $106.40 to register the car, and sending off a story was the only way I could think to do it. (I was living in a shed in the bush with a wallaby called Fred, Smudge the wombat and Gladys a black snake and a young kid at the time). The story was accepted, and I went on from there...
Jackie always wanted to be a writer. Using a typewriter she found at a local dump she wrote her first manuscript for submission, Rainstones. Her Editor at HarperCollins remembers it was the messiest, worst spelt manuscript they'd ever received. After all, Smudge the wombat left his droppings on the typewriter each night and the spelling was because Jackie is dyslexic. It was not the most ideal way to stand out from the pile. But stand out it did, and as the old saying goes, the rest is history.
Not only has Jackie penned many children's and Young Adults books, she is also well known for her gardening and cooking books. Her love of gardening saw her as a long time presenter on Burke's Backyard. In fact, my favourite segment of the show was watching Jackie’s unique brand of storytelling jump out from my screen. Perhaps it was watching her dance around a blossoming garden dressed as a fairy.
She also writes columns for the Canberra Times, Australian Women's Weekly, Earthgarden Magazine, Australian Wellbeing and Gardening Australia.
Jackie welcomes her animal friends as part of her family. Her respect for their independence prevents her from calling them ‘pets’. Meet some of her family: There is a possum who dances across her roof, eagles that soar high above the cliff tops, geese and wallabies that eat from the delicate rose bushes that frame her expansive gardens. And of course lots of wombats, one in particular who has been immortalised in her wombat books. Her other furry neighbours include Rikki the Wrestler, Bad Bart the Biter, Pudge, Megabyte and Chocolate.
Diary of a Wombat which was gorgeously illustrated by Bruce Whatley is celebrated as one of this country's best loved stories. Mothball's antics are well known not only in Australia but France, United Kingdom and the USA. This year marks 10 years since its release. A special anniversary edition has been released to commemorate this milestone.
Jackie researches the content of her Young Adult novels to ensure her readers are provided with not only an adventure but facts as well. Her works cover the last 60,000 years of Australian history. From Tom Appleby: Convict boy; The Night They Stormed Eureka and Dingo: the dog who conquered a continent. Her latest The Girl From Snowy River, the second in the five part series that began with A Waltz for Matilda.
To find out more about this national treasure visit her website: www.jackiefrench.com
There you will find an abundance of useful tips and information.
We hope you enjoy this month’s featured author, Jackie French.
Jackie French - Interview (Dec 2012)
Listen to Georgie interviewing Jackie French on The Author's Shelf on 2SSR 99.7FM.
'Emerging from one's chrysalis of anonymity into the prodigious world of creative children's writing and publishing is a daunting prospect. Georgie Donaghey's Creative Kids Tales is a superlative source of inspiration and information for the bourgeoning writer and illustrator. She has created an invaluable platform from which writers, both developing and established, can view, promote and share each other's work, and most importantly aspirations. A fun, friendly, and informative forum that everyone in the kids' lit industry can benefit from.' Keep it up Georgie! - 
'The long-distance marathon of writing, illustrating and publishing usually begins along a very foggy road, in the dark, shoeless. But wait! What's that light on the horizon? A glowing little cafe, full of a bunch other runners plotting out mud-maps on napkins and exchanging anecdotes, warning about ditches and praising short-cuts. Stop for a while, have a cup of tea, maybe even a shoe-fitting, then get yourself back on the road for the long slog to sunrise.' - 
'It's about time that we had something like Creative Kids Tales. It's a treasure trove for information and news, plus it showcases talent from aspiring writers. It's a wonderful springboard for anyone who wants to dive into the Children books world!'
'Creative Kids Tales is a fantastic resource for aspiring writers that showcases emerging and published authors and illustrators and provides links to publishers' websites, helpful hints and competitions.'
'Thanks for having me on Creative Kids Tales. It's a great resource for emerging writers and illustrators and I hope it will have a long future.'
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'This is a great website. Nowadays, when getting published is so hard and staying published not much easier, everyone needs all the help they can get. And here's Help with a capital H!' 'Go Georgie! Creative Kids Tales is an inspiration for all writers of children's and YA fiction.' - 
'I stumbled on to Creative Kids Tales by accident. I thought it was kid's tails. I'd been doing some research about goats and how their tails were actually a fifth leg, a very long time ago. Or did I just dream that? In any case, I was bitterly disappointed at first to find not tails, but tales. However, while I was at the site I had a wander around, and soon discovered that it was even better than a goat's site - no kidding! This is a brilliant haven for writers, new and not so new; a place to showcase their work and to learn from others.' Well done, Georgie. You've done a fantastic job. - www.enterprisingwords.com.au
'CKT is a great resource for both established and emerging authors. I like the way you're always coming up with new and exciting initiatives at your site. And I love reading the fascinating journeys and achievements of the writers you profile here.' - 
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'Creative Kids Tales is great. You can pick the brains of people who make stuff without having to stalk them or do anything illegal.' - 
'Georgie Donaghey’s Creative Kids Tales is deservedly going gangbusters! What a wonderful forum and multi-storeyed resource for shiny new authors, legends of the industry and every writer in between!'
'The Creative Kids Tales site is great fun and full of information about authors and their books!' - 
'Creative Kids Tales provides such a valuable service. Writing can be a lonely business at times, and seeking publication can be daunting. So it is especially wonderful for writers to be able to access such a comprehensive site where information, experiences and the ups and downs of writing for kids can be shared.' Well done, Georgie! - 
'Creative Kids Tales is a unique and valuable online resource for new and established authors. The site provides a wealth of information and insight into the children's writing world.' 'Thanks for all your support, Georgie, and keep up the good work.' - 
'The thing I like about the Creative Kids Tales website is that the authors come across as real people who face the same problems that beginning writers do and that there’s plenty of practical advice.' - 
'Everything you need is here, on Creative Kids Tales! Oh, how wonderful this would have been for the young Emma Quay, knowing she loved children’s picture books but not knowing a soul in the industry. Down to earth, comprehensive, friendly, realistic and encouraging advice — this is an invaluable resource. Bravo!' - 
'Creative Kids Tales is a great forum for people who spend most of their working time alone. It is interesting and inspiring to see and hear what other authors and illustrators have to say.' - 
'Creative Kids Tales has inspired, encouraged and supported not only the published, but also us hopefuls still learning the ways of the publishing world. Thanks for providing not only an amazing site to scroll and learn through, but also providing friendship and a real sense of chasing our dreams.' - 
'Buckets of thanks to Georgie for creating Creative Kids Tales. There’s a wealth of wonderful information and resources for everyone interested in creating books for kids – and a warm sense of community.'
'Creative Kids Tales would’ve been mighty handy to know about back when I was sitting about drawing and writing and having no idea what to do with any of it! Go explore and create knowing you have such an amazing resource at your back!'
'Creative Kids Tales is ambitious, specific and professional - the Top Tips section alone is a must-read for every aspiring children's writer.' - 
'What a great site! We all tend to work in isolation in our own little caves. It’s great to see all the other cave dwellers out there and realise we are not alone. What a great resource!'
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'Creative Kids Tales is a brilliant resource – for established writers and those just starting out. I wish it had been around when I was a new writer. There are lots of invaluable tips and great advice.
'Having been a publisher and an author and now proprietor of Pinerolo, the Children’s Book Cottage, I am passionate about promoting children’s books. Creative Kids Tales is such a welcome part of this network and I salute them for their support and their inspiration to so many. On their seventh birthday I wish them many, many happy returns.'
'I would have loved to have had access to creativekidstales.com.au when I was starting out! It's an invaluable source of information, inspiration and encouragement for both emerging (and fully-emerged!) writers.' - 
'Congratulations on a brilliant site, and a superb first year!'.
What a terrific, enthusiastic, informative and creative resource - of value and interest to so many people.
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'If there's anything emerging authors struggle with (beyond the dreaded writer's block), it's receiving recognition or even acknowledgment of their work – battling for a slice of that incredibly elusive publishing pie. Georgie Donaghey has created a priceless promotional and networking station that allows new authors to not only share their work, but gain the courage and nous to take their work to a whole new level. Creative Kids Tales is a valuable addition to Australia's burgeoning children's book market.' - 
'Creative Kids Tales is a fabulous community of passionate, hardworking and committed writers. If you're looking for new and exciting talent that's dedicated to the children's book industry - look no further than CKT!'
'Wow! Creative Kids Tales is a fantastic resource for writers, no matter what stage of their writing journey they are at. Congratulations, Georgie, on your attractive, easy-to-navigate website, your generosity to your fellow writers and your constantly evolving ideas. Thanks on behalf of all of us.' - 
'Georgie and the team at Creative Kids Tales have a wonderful passion for children’s stories, and this site is a wonderful place to visit to find and share ideas!
"What a wonderful website and wealth of resources. I wish I’d discovered it sooner - but I can still enjoy it now, and have added it to my list of resources for new writers."
'Creative Kids Tales is such a great website for navigating this industry – not just for authors and illustrators, but for parents and teachers and librarians and publishers and kids and storytellers of all sorts. It’s awesome!' - 
'This site is such a wonderful resource for writers and illustrators at every stage of the journey. I've learned more about some of my favourite people in children's literature here, but also had the joy of discovering whole new worlds of talent.' - 
'Creative Kids tales is the perfect place to go for inspiration and to recharge the creative batteries.'
Writing can be a lonely profession. By necessity, you need to work alone much of the time. But it is wonderful to have a website which eases that by connecting creators with each other and with a wealth of information and resources.
'Creative Kids Tales deserves all its accolades. Thanks to its creator, the site provides brilliant support, inspiration and encouragement for anyone who loves creating children's books. I have no hesitation in passing on your link.'
'Creative Kids Tales will jump-start adults seeking to become writers!' - 
"Whether just starting out or with many books under your belt, Creative Kids Tales is the perfect place to go for all things writerly. Sharing the inner world is a wonderful thing for solitary writers, and it's all there on Georgie's website.
'Congratulations to Georgie Donaghey for her hard work and enthusiasm in setting up a site that has been sorely needed to promote current Australian children's writing. Not just for the established, but for up and coming, Creative Kids Tales showcases talent and provides information essential for anyone in the industry.' - www.enterprisingwords.com.au
'CKT is such a valuable site for anybody wanting to learn a bit more about making children’s books. When time travelling becomes possible, I’ll steal all the info from this site and deliver it to my younger, aspiring self.'
'I wish Creative Kids Tales had been around when I was first starting out! What a brilliant way to connect with other authors and find out about the lovely world of kids books.' 'Go Georgie! I think you're amazing.' - 
'What a great asset you are to the children's book industry, Georgie.
'What a wonderful website Creative Kids Tales is, supporting and helping Australian authors in their quest through the dark thorny forest of the publishing world. Georgie should be congratulated for all her hard work and fearless leadership!' - 
'Creative Kids Tales offers new writers the joy of publication on their journey of craft and creativity.'
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Creative Kids Tales offers a brilliant platform for established and emerging creators to keep in touch and learn from each other. That is a great thing for this most isolated of all professions (apart from On-site Antarctic Penguin Imitators). - 
'Thanks for being such a strong advocate for children’s literature, the power of stories, and reading.
'The details available on this site, for emerging writers (or those emerged) is incredibly helpful. From creating stories- plotting, dialogue and character building- to the support writers can seek for their work, be it mentoring or seeking a publisher, it’s all there. An excellent easy-to-access writers’ site!'
'I love the grumpy cat videos, hahaha it's so grumpy ... oh, wait, wrong website. Ah yes, Creative Kids Tales. Brilliant! Getting published is an amazing, frustrating, brilliant, lonely, creative journey, and www.creativekidstales.com.au is awesome in that it helps both published and pre-published authors by providing support, inspiration, a community, and by allowing authors to learn from other authors, and who better is there to learn from .. .except maybe that grumpy cat, hahaha, hilarious.' - 
'Creative Kids Tales is a treasure trove of resources and insights, compiled with dedication and enthusiasm. A wonderful resource for anyone who is interested in picture books and children's literature.' - 
'I’m thrilled to be Creative Kids Tales author of the month.' 'I hope in some small way by me taking part, I might help and inspire young authors and artists to follow their own artistic path.' 'The key I believe is to seek to enjoy what you do. Even though doing your best is a constant challenge I find it is a worthwhile one. So, get drawing and / or writing.' Good luck ! - 
'If a website can be described as 'homely' or 'a friendly place for emerging writers to visit' then that's how I would describe Creative Kids Tales. It's probably the only Australian website for children's writers that I visit regularly and actually feel part of. When I need motivation, interesting writers to read about, or just a peek at my own 'baby steps' towards being a published writer, I visit the Creative Kids Tales family.' A big thank you to Georgie and Rod for a great website. - 
'CKT is like the friendly and helpful colleague I could have done with when I started out. Back then I didn’t know anyone who was a writer or illustrator of books.'