Meredith Costain
Meredith Costain joins us this month on Creative Kids Tales.
I chatted with Meredith earlier in 2014 on The Author’s Shelf and discovered there is much to learn about this creative story teller.
Meredith grew up on a dairy farm in West Gippsland, Victoria. She spent her youth with her head buried in books and much preferred reading over dairy duties, although she did enjoy playing with the dogs.
Her writing prowess began early making use of her bike rides to and from school by creating poems to pass the time. Meredith would make the mad dash home from school and settle into the farms haystack where she would frantically write down her creations. At the age of nine she was rewarded with her first poem, My Little Creek published in the Junior Age section of The Age newspaper. She received 17 shillings and sixpence for her work.
During her school days Meredith together with her cousins produced a newspaper called The Thrilling Three. Although not aware of it at the time this was a good footing for her future career.
After graduating University Meredith was eager to break away from farm life and began teaching English. Bitten by the travel bug she travelled extensively to places such as Morocco, Northern Sumatra and Siberia before returning to Melbourne to resume her teaching.
Meredith continued to write along with enjoying her other passion, playing the piano. She played in a few rock and blues bands around Melbourne and had short stories published with Explore, Comet, Pursuit and Challenge magazines.
But it was a trip to Paris that would change her live forever.
While crossing a pedestrian crossing Meredith was tragically hit by a car. During her recovery in a Paris hospital Meredith decided writing was her first love and she should see where it could take her. A full-time author was born.
Now with over 200 books to her credit it is clear Meredith made the right choice. Combining her love of music and dogs Meredith often writes about these two subjects. Her books include learning to read, picture books, chapter and non-fiction books.
Meredith lives in Melbourne with her partner, children’s author Paul Collins and their four-legged friends Jack, Molly, Harriet, seven chooks and seven goldfish and a menagerie of wildlife.
We invite you to read more about Meredith on her website www.meredithcostain.com
Read Creative Kids Tales' Mar 2015 interview with Meredith Costain
'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 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!' - 
'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.' - 
'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
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What a terrific, enthusiastic, informative and creative resource - of value and interest to so many people.
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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). - 
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'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. - 
'Creative Kids Tales offers new writers the joy of publication on their journey of craft and creativity.'
'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 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!' - 
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'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.' - 
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'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.' - 
'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!' - 
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'Wow! What a wonderful resource.
'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 ! - 
"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."
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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.' - 
'Thanks for being such a strong advocate for children’s literature, the power of stories, and reading.
'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.' - 
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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 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.' - 
'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! - 
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