April 03, 2017

And the winner of the CHILD Magazines competition is…Sophie Roussos!

Congratulations to everyone who entered the CHILD Magazines competition to win your name in the next Alice-Miranda book. It was such a difficult job first of all creating a shortlist from the hundreds of entries and then selecting the winner and three runners-up.

I know from the mail I’ve received that this competition meant a lot to so many of you but there can ultimately only be one winner. Unfortunately, the announcement of the winner in Melbourne’s CHILD and Brisbane’s CHILD magazines was a little premature as the announced winning entry did not meet the competition entry conditions. We had to do some re-judging which is why the announcement has been slightly delayed.

There were so many fabulous stories and if you love to write, please keep entering competitions as it’s a great way to focus your work and continue to improve. When I was teaching we used to talk to the students about building up their disappointment muscles – I know as a writer, it took me a long time to break through and I had lots of rejections before I was published, so my disappointment muscles were pretty big! Building up your resilience is an important part of life and I want you all to know that I am so proud of everyone who entered and gave the competition their best shot. Anyway, that’s enough of a pep talk from me – I just wish everyone could win but we know that’s not real life.

I loved the various settings for your entries – from the icy Antarctic to Egyptian tombs, European cities, the tropics and many more. I also loved the action and the suspense – wondering what would happen next. It’s definitely not an easy thing to build tension in a short piece.

So, without any further ado, the three runners-up who will each receive a signed copy of Alice-Miranda Holds the Key are:

  • Mason Fourie age 11 from Halton NSW for his story Alice-Miranda and the Bushrangers
  • Alyssa Reid age 11 from Box Hill North Victoria for her story Alice-Miranda in Egypt
  • Tarnie Erkkila age 11 from North Tamborine Queensland for her story set in Papua New Guinea

And the winner is…

Sophie Roussos aged 9 from Neutral Bay NSW for her story, Alice-Miranda Hawaiian Mystery

I had the pleasure of speaking to Sophie to let her know in person that she had won and asked her what prompted the story. She hasn’t ever travelled to Hawaii but had heard that there was a very famous pink hotel on the beachfront in Waikiki. Her favourite colour is pink and the idea of a pink hotel piqued her imagination. Her parents had been there some time ago and so she asked them about the hotel and started to do some research about what you might do if you visited Hawaii. Surfing was high on the list but she also talked to me about learning to hula dance, shopping and walking to the top of the Diamond Head crater – which she couldn’t fit into this story but they’re all great ideas. Sophie was extremely excited to be the winner and her name will appear in Alice-Miranda in Hollywood which will be released 1 September 2017. I  hope that you will all join me in congratulating Sophie and our runners-up, Mason, Alyssa and Tarnie.

Best wishes (and keep on writing!),

Jacqueline Harvey

Alice-Miranda Hawaiian Mystery

By Sophie Roussos

Alice-Miranda and Jacinta had arrived at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Hawaii only a day ago.  The girls were in their hotel room writing postcards when ‘aaaaaaahhhhh’, an ear-piercing scream echoed throughout the building.

‘What was that?’ Alice-Miranda looked up at Jacinta, puzzled.

‘A very high-pitched scream,’ replied Jacinta, stating the obvious.

‘Let’s go to the lobby and find out what’s going on,’ Alice-Miranda directed.

The two girls crept quickly but quietly downstairs.

‘Aloha!  How are you today?’ asked a softly-spoken lady with beautiful long black hair from behind the Reception Desk.

‘Very well, thank you,” Alice-Miranda answered, perplexed by how calm the lady was.

‘Did you hear that scream?’ Jacinta asked abruptly.

‘A scream?  No, I didn’t hear a scream… but let me know if you need anything,’ the lady replied, walking away.

Alice-Miranda and Jacinta made their way back to their room.

‘That was odd,’ Alice-Miranda remarked.

‘Very odd!’ Jacinta exclaimed.

‘Perhaps the scream came from a show on T.V.  A hotel guest may have had the volume set on high and…’ Alice-Miranda stopped mid-sentence, unconvinced.

‘Hey, let’s not worry.  We have a surfing lesson in 30 minutes and we need to put on our swimmers,’ Jacinta ordered excitedly.

 

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Comments

Melissa

 

Hello to Jaqueline and all the winners,

Oh my goodness! All of your stories I want to read about more or further! I’m so excited for you all! Sophie, I am so intrigued to read more and I want to congragulate you on that awesome story. The three runners up stories sound just as equally exciting and I wish you could create more to the story and get it published! It must have been a tough desision Jacqueline with all those stories to choose from!

From Melissa.

April 3, 2017 at 1:23 pm

    Jacqueline Harvey

     

    Thank you for your beautiful and encouraging words Melissa. It was such a tough decision selecting the winners and I think all the kids did a fantastic job.

    Best wishes,
    Jacqueline

    April 3, 2017 at 2:39 pm

Melissa

 

Dear Jaqueline,

I got Clementine Rose and the wedding wobbles yeaterday and it is so good! It is a lovley story and I can’t wait to read more of clemmie’s adventures! Also, what country does Alice-Miranda live in?

From Melissa.

April 3, 2017 at 1:34 pm

    Jacqueline Harvey

     

    Thanks Melissa. I hope you loved that story as much I loved writing it. I’ve never actually said where Alice-Miranda lives as I wanted readers to make up their own minds.

    Best wishes,
    Jacqueline

    April 3, 2017 at 2:39 pm

Halle

 

Congrats, Congrats and Congrats!

Well done everybody and I see a future of writing for you.

Happy Birthday Jacqueline for ages ago sorry!

Sophie, Mason, Alyssa and Tarnie Please comment back.

April 3, 2017 at 4:20 pm

    Alyssa

     

    Thanks Halle it was very fun doing it. It was very exiting for me as it will be my first Alice-Miranda book to be sighened

    April 3, 2017 at 11:23 pm

      Alyssa

       

      I’m sorry I forgot to say that I’m sure your scene was very good. I saw you had entered ages ago in the comments about when it was gonna be announced. Hope you have a good day

      April 3, 2017 at 11:29 pm

    Jacqueline Harvey

     

    Hi Halle,

    Thank you for congratulating the competition winners….and for the birthday wishes!

    Best wishes,

    Jacqueline

    April 6, 2017 at 12:49 pm

    Jacqueline Harvey

     

    Thank you for your beautiful comment Halle – it’s great to see everyone encouraging each other! Thank you for my birthday wishes too.

    Enjoy the holidays.

    Best wishes,
    Jacqueline

    April 7, 2017 at 7:44 am

Tarnie

 

Thank you Halle,

I’m so excited! Well done to Sophie, Mason and Alyssa and thank you to everyone at CHILD mag and Jacqueline! .

I love writing!

From
Tarnie

April 3, 2017 at 5:28 pm

    Jacqueline Harvey

     

    Hi Tarnie,

    Thank you for taking the time to be supportive of the competition winners and to say Thank you.

    It is wonderful that you enjoy writing!

    Best wishes,

    Jacqueline

    April 6, 2017 at 12:33 pm

Geraldine

 

This really is great news! Congratulations to the winners I am so excited for you all. Sophie well done your story is utterly amazing you must be really proud. Well done to Mason, Alyssa and Tarnie as well your stories sound very interesting. I hope you all continue writing, it is a very precious talent it can touch a heart forever just as Jacqueline Harvey and Alice-Miranda have touched our hearts forever. No wonder we are all such talented authors!

From Geraldine

April 3, 2017 at 6:19 pm

    Jacqueline Harvey

     

    Thanks for your lovely message Geraldine. I know how much it means to me when readers can congratulate each other and be happy for the success of other people. It’s a very ‘Alice-Miranda’ trait. Keep up your writing too.

    Best wishes,
    Jacqueline

    April 4, 2017 at 6:24 pm

Shree

 

Wow!
Congratulations to Sophie!
Her story is very intriguing, I wonder what happens next.
I am going to enter another Alice Miranda writing competition, it was so much fun writing my entry!
Thank you Ms Harvey for writing an amazing series of books that has me hooked, I keep begging my Mum to buy me the next book in the Alice Miranda series!

April 4, 2017 at 7:38 am

    Jacqueline Harvey

     

    Thanks Shree – your words are so lovely and encouraging. That’s a very Alice-Miranda approach to life. Keep up your writing – I’m so pleased that you enjoyed entering the competition.

    Best wishes,
    Jacqueline

    April 4, 2017 at 6:25 pm

Bek

 

Congratulations to Sophie, Mason, Alyssa and Tarnie!
That was brilliant writing for a nine-year-old. Jacinta was definitely in character there as well.
Best line: ‘A very high-pitched scream,’ replied Jacinta, stating the obvious.
I didn’t know about the competition until I saw this on the blog today 🙁
I probably would have been too old to enter anyway (I’m 16 in August). I recently read Alice-Miranda Holds the Key and loved it. Your books just keep getting better, Jacqueline 🙂
I’m certainly looking forward to the next one. It said Alice-Miranda was 9. Does that mean that Millie is now 12? Or is it 13? Will there be more Lucinta? (Lucas and Jacinta are so cute)

From Bek

April 4, 2017 at 5:21 pm

    Jacqueline Harvey

     

    Thanks Bek – your words are beautiful and very encouraging. I’m so thrilled that you’re still enjoying the stories and thanks for your lovely words about Alice-Miranda Holds the Key. I’m having lots of fun writing Alice-Miranda in Hollywood at the moment (and a new series which is coming early 2018). There will be more news about that soon.

    Alice-Miranda is 9 so Millie is now 12. Yes Jacinta and Lucas are featuring quite a bit in the new book. I love them too but there could be a surprise for Millie as well!

    Best wishes,
    Jacqueline

    April 4, 2017 at 6:27 pm

Lucy Hart

 

Hi Jacqueline

I am so excited that you wrote another Clementine Rose!
I wondered if you would because in Clementine Rose and the paris puzzle, Lady Clarissa and Drew are engaged and I wondered if they’d get married.

Do you ever come to Brisbane?

Lucy,

April 5, 2017 at 12:06 pm

    Jacqueline Harvey

     

    Hi Lucy,

    Thank you for your support- I have committed to writing at least 15 Clementine Rose stories (with Clementine Rose and the Wedding Wobbles being book 13); however, I have so many ideas swirling around in my head and I am enjoying the characters so much, I am certain you will be hearing about Clemmie’s family and friends for some time.

    Clementine Rose and the Wedding Wobbles is about Lady Clarissa and Drew’s wedding.

    Keep an eye on my website- I travel to Brisbane, often.

    Best wishes,

    Jacqueline

    April 6, 2017 at 12:27 pm

Lara

 

Congratulations sophie, I am really looking forward to read ur book ms harvey

April 5, 2017 at 5:17 pm

    Jacqueline Harvey

     

    Hi Lara,

    Thank you for encouraging words to Sophie. It’s wonderful that one can be happy for someone else’s success, in spite of your own disappointment.

    Thank you also for your kind words- I hope that you continue to enjoy reading the stories.

    Best wishes,

    Jacqueline

    April 6, 2017 at 11:53 am

Bethany

 

Hi Jacqueline!
Please congratulate Sophie for me. Any 9 year old that can write like that deserves a congratulation. I loved how it was suspensful and how Jacinta’s and Alice- Miranda’s true character are displayed so clearly. I also congratulate the runner ups- Mason, Alyssa and Tarnie. I am sure their stories were great too.
I am so excited till book 16. You Ms Harvey have such a great talent in writing. You should be very proud of it.
I love writing, especially short stories. I also love creating characters by writing about their appearance and Character traits. Then I draw them. I also love sport especially Touch Football.
I love Geography, and enjoy reading about different places. In my Alice- Miranda story competition entry I wrote about Cairo because Cairo has always been one of my favourite places to read about.
I wish you luck for any upcoming events.
In the new book, is Jacinta and Lucas in it?
Bye
From Bethany ( Your number 1 fan! )

Reply

April 6, 2017 at 9:16 am

    Jacqueline Harvey

     

    Hi Bethany,

    Thank you for being so supportive of competition winners. I have been so impressed with the grace and kindness of many of the readers. Very Alice-Miranda like behaviour:).

    I am having lots of fun writing Alice-Miranda in Hollywood – many of your favourites will be making an appearance- including Jacinta and Lucas and a surprise character or two.

    Good luck with your writing- so often, inspiration comes from your own experiences and interests.

    Best wishes,

    Jacqueline

    April 6, 2017 at 12:14 pm

Denae

 

Congratulations to Sophie! Wow – she wrote an amazing entry for a nine-year-old! Alice-Miranda in Hawaii is an awesome idea – I wonder if Jacqueline will ever write about AM going there. Also, congratulations to Mason, Alyssa & Tarnie – all your entries sound very cool and interesting – good job!

I really think Alice-Miranda and Sep are meant to be. They are both kind, caring, clever and supportive.
I’m looking forward to the Lucainta romance parts in AM in holliwood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love from your biggest fan,

Denae. xx

PS. Alice Miranda holds the key was Amazing. I’m really looking forward to when Miss Grimm and Mr. Grump have a baby. I was thinking maybe they should call it Amelia, but then maybe it would stir up too many sad memories, wouldn’t it?

April 6, 2017 at 1:10 pm

    Jacqueline Harvey

     

    Hi Denae,

    Thanks for your lovely kind words of encouragement. Alice-Miranda in Hawaii is a great idea isn’t it. Hollywood is ticking along but it’s going to be a big few weeks to get it done by the deadline. It’s probably the shortest time I’ve ever had to write an AM book because I’ve been working on K&M too. Don’t worry – I haven’t forgotten you and will be sending something soon for you to take a look at.

    I know what you’re getting at with the baby but I suspect it might be too sad (but let me know if you have other ideas for the baby name!).

    All the best to you and the family,

    Jacqueline xxx

    April 7, 2017 at 7:49 am

Sophie Roussos

 

Well done to Mason, Allysa and Tarnie! I’d like to say a very big THANK YOU to Jacqueline Harvey, not only for this amazing opportunity but also for the inspiration she has given me. I would like to one day write and illustrate my own book and having this experience is a dream come true. Thank you also to CHILD Magazines and to everyone who has passed on their congratulations and best wishes to me. My teacher put up the Jacqueline Harvey website on our Smartboard today and read out the blog about my win to the class. Everyone was amazed and very excited. I cannot wait to read Alice-Miranda in Hollywood and find out what my character is like! In the meantime, I will try and finish off the story about Alice-Miranda in Hawaii…

April 6, 2017 at 4:10 pm

    Jacqueline Harvey

     

    Hi Sophie,

    How exciting about the announcement at school. I’m so thrilled that you’ve been receiving lots of love from the readers (we have a very supportive Alice-Miranda and Clementine Rose community!). I’m busy working out who exactly you’re going to be in the story at the moment – I have some ideas.

    Enjoy the weekend and congratulations again Sophie! I look forward to meeting you in person.

    Best wishes,
    Jacqueline

    April 7, 2017 at 7:58 am

    Anastasia

     

    Wow, that sounds amazing! Congratulations

    April 15, 2017 at 9:47 am

Georgia C

 

Great Job Sophie!!!!

April 6, 2017 at 7:49 pm

sarah

 

congratulations to everybody who entered the comp!!!

also Jacqueline will you ever come to Hobart?

April 7, 2017 at 7:00 am

    Jacqueline Harvey

     

    Hi Sarah,

    I visited Hobart last year on tour and I suspect that when my new series launches early next year I will be back again. I’ll certainly be pushing for it. Thanks for your lovely words of encouragement.

    Best wishes,
    Jacqueline

    April 7, 2017 at 7:50 am

Jacqueline Harvey

 

I have been asked how to get in touch with me via email – you can email via the website contact page or directly to jacqueline@jacquelineharvey.com.au

April 8, 2017 at 4:48 pm

    Jacqueline Harvey

     

    Hi Taylah,

    I don’t have any desire to humiliate or upset you which is why I haven’t allowed several of your posts to become public. I knew that you would regret them and other readers would be upset by them. I wrote you an email in response to your first couple of concerning comments but have not heard back from you. When you kept on writing I asked that you email me so we could have a conversation that would not be public as I was concerned that I didn’t have the right address for you. If you do email me I have written a very long reply to all your questions.

    Believe me Taylah, I have the utmost concern for children and I want the best for you.

    If you send me an email, then I will send you my answers in full.

    Best wishes,
    Jacqueline

    April 12, 2017 at 11:16 am

    Taylah Dzera

     

    Look down below for your answer. 🙂 😉

    April 12, 2017 at 2:46 pm

Jacqueline Harvey

 

Hi Taylah,

Yes, of course I accept your apology – I have also replied to one of your earlier posts above. Hopefully you will understand why I didn’t repond to your posts publicly – as I said, if you email me I have lots of answers to your questions.

Best wishes,
Jacqueline

April 12, 2017 at 3:48 pm

Jade

 

WELL DONE!!!!! to Sophie. that was a great story
I want to keep reading!
I love surfing and Hawaii, so it is great to see a alice-miranda story set there. you are a great writer.
Well done to all the runners up!

April 12, 2017 at 4:46 pm

    Jacqueline Harvey

     

    Thanks Jade – I know that Sophie will appreciate your very kind words as do I. I’ve never been to Hawaii but I would like to go and perhaps we will see an Alice-Miranda adventure set there some time in the future.

    Happy Easter and best wishes,
    Jacqueline

    April 13, 2017 at 8:20 pm

Anastasia

 

Hi Jacqueline.
I would like to congratulate Sophie on an amazing piece of writing- I can’t believe a nine year old wrote that. Congratulations to all the other competitors, I can’t wait to hear about your stories. Sophie- I absolutely loved it and you must feel over the moon!
Congratulations again, Jacqueline-
I am counting down days before the 1st of September for Alice Miranda in Hollywood!! I am so excited!! I have been reading Alice Miranda since I was 7 years old and now I’m 12 turning 13 later this year. I love Alice Miranda and they still are one of my favourite books- along with Harry Potter- I cannot decide which I prefer more. Both authors are so inspirational and are such motivational women. What will Book 17 be called? I can’t wait! All the best for your career and future, you have inspired me so much. Thanks so much! From Anastasia xx

April 13, 2017 at 2:38 pm

    Jacqueline Harvey

     

    Thank you for your beautiful words of encouragement for Sophie – I think she did really well and I’m excited that she’s so happy to be the winner. I am busy writing Alice-Miranda in Hollywood at the moment. It’s taking shape but I have lots to do before the end of the month. I’m not sure about book 17 yet but I do have some ideas about bringing old friends we’ve met in the series from all over the world together – you’ll have to keep tuning in for more details once I know what I’m doing!

    Have a great Easter break and thanks again Anastasia!

    Best wishes,
    Jacqueline

    April 13, 2017 at 8:19 pm

Olivia Kelly

 

Hi Jacqueline,
I just had and idea about some things you could write about for either an Alice-Miranda or Clementine Rose book; it could be about Easter or Christmas or maybe a talent show could be held.

April 17, 2017 at 7:19 pm

Mandy

 

Hi Anatasia (sorry if I got your name wrong),
I also love Harry Potter and Alice-Miranda. Which country do you live in? Which Harry Potter and Alice-Miranda book are you up to? Would you like to be friends?

Mandy

April 20, 2017 at 7:33 pm

    Holly

     

    Hi Mandy,
    Me too! Harry Potter and Alice-Miranda are the things I read all the time, and I’ve read and got all the books in each series and have read each series at least 4 times! I live in New Zealand but I used to live in Australia and so have met Jacqueline a few times. It’s nice to meet someone who has the same book interests as me, I have seriously NEVER met anyone with the same.
    It was nice talking to you!

    January 19, 2018 at 3:34 pm

Mandy

 

PS. Please reply,everyone keep your fingers crossed!

April 20, 2017 at 7:36 pm

holly

 

when will we know who won the aprill comp??

April 25, 2017 at 4:09 pm

    Jacqueline Harvey

     

    Hi Holly,

    Do you mean the Child Magazine competition? The winner was announced at the beginning of April! Have a look at the April blog posts- you can read all about it.
    The April Newsletter competition is still going though; if you haven’t entered and have subscribed to the Newsletter, perhaps you could enter that one?
    Best wishes,

    Jacqueline

    April 27, 2017 at 12:00 pm

      holly

       

      Hi Miss Jacquline

      Thank you but I want to know who won the compatition on why it is better to be a team player there is not a post on it yet so I asked on this blog post

      best wishes

      holly

      April 27, 2017 at 7:34 pm

        Jacqueline Harvey

         

        Hi Holly,

        The newsletter has just been sent and the answer is on there!

        Best wishes,
        Jacqueline

        May 4, 2017 at 7:19 pm

Shayna

 

Hi Miss Harvey!

Do you have any idea when the book 17 is going to come out? I’m super excited and I seriously can’t wait! My favourite book series just ended and I really need some good news!!!

January 4, 2018 at 8:57 pm

    Jacqueline Harvey

     

    Hi Shayna,

    AM in Scotland will be out in June this year. But you’ve got the first Kensy and Max coming out in March so hopefully you’ll enjoy that too. Is your favourite series, Friday Barnes? I know Rachel has just launched the last book in that series but she is writing something new which will be out later in the year.

    Best wishes,
    Jacqueline

    January 7, 2018 at 1:43 pm

      Harper

       

      Omg I was wondering where you got the inspiration for Sophie in Hollywood and I find this
      Very, very, very, late congratulations Sophie! 🙂

      October 10, 2020 at 9:30 am

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