Finalllly, it’s public knowledge. The champagne fizzed and popped weeks ago, but I was sworn to secrecy. I’ve been yippy-yi-yaying and waa-woo-hooing behind closed doors.

Being on the Children’s Book Council Book of the Year shortlist was the ultimate accolade. That meant everything to me. And eh, how lovely of Walker Books to fly us to Sea World on the Gold Coast to receive Honour Book at the award ceremony. Our editor Sue Whiting met us at the airport at 6:10am. Working with Sue, an author herself, made us better at our craft. When most editors would say ‘that’s good enough”, Sue takes it to the next level of perfection in both the words and the art. Just wait and see what we three have created for “Ned Kelly and the Green Sash” April 2010 release…
As soon as we arrived, you can guess the winners by the coincidental appearance of one’s peers.

It was hard for me to be contained within the awards ceremony with honking sea lions, fluffy polar bears and dolphins flip-flapping just around the corner.