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Last week I vetted the final proofs of Where the Jungle Calls. It’s amazing how you can go over a manuscript with a fine tooth comb and completely miss the elephant in the room. (ie: the last three chapters void of illustrations! Thankfully, I had one last look at 11pm one night and suddenly spotted the elephant! Or in this case, the absence of drawings!) Frustrating, but I guess that’s read more
I’m very excited because yesterday, after four years of work, I sent the finished manuscript of Where the Jungle Calls to the printer! All going well, the books should be in New Zealand by early December. 🙂 So, if you’re looking for ideas for Christmas presents, keep this in mind and check my website for updates on the progress.
The image below isn’t accurate to colour for the spine read more | 2 Comments
Setting the scene: Back in February 2014, just three months before Mum died, I had a very special afternoon with her. Here’s the post I wrote about it:
“Yesterday I spent the afternoon with my mum and two of my adult nephews. We had some scintillating discussions about life, faith, romance…
And then Mum said, “I know! Why don’t the four of us each choose one shockingly exciting thing read more
We’ve just received exciting news from Eliza in Manchester. She’s been accepted as one of twelve singers on the National Opera Studio’s  Young Artist Programme for their 2019/2020 year.
“At the National Opera Studio, we offer one of the world’s most formative experiences for young opera singers and répétiteurs who are about to take the biggest step of all… read more
Last week, Todd Roughton from Homeschooling NZ dropped off Jacob’s Year 13 certificate. My last child, my last student – finished! As the end of my homeschooling has drawn near, I’ve experienced a huge range of emotions. But the over-riding one is of intense gratitude. I feel so incredibly blessed to have been able to stay at home and teach my children. (Thank you, Chris!)
I was excited to find out this week that my book My Heart Overflows has been named one the three finalists in the Australasian CALEB Prize for published non-fiction. The winner will be announced in Adelaide in October at the Omega Writers Conference.
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Last weekend we had the thrill of hearing Eliza compete as one of the five finalists in the prestigious Lexus Song Quest at the Auckland Town Hall. She sang one song with Terence Dennis on the piano and then two arias with the NZ Symphony Orchestra. Beautiful!
We were thrilled to hear her announced as the runner-up, and the winner of the Dame Malvina Major scholarship prize of $20,000… read more | 5 Comments
