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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
Hi Halle,
Thank you for congratulating the competition winners….and for the birthday wishes!
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
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
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
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
I agree Alyssa – it’s lovely to have so much encouragement!
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
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
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
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!
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
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
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
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,
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
Congratulations sophie, I am really looking forward to read ur book ms 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
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
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
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?
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
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…
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
Wow, that sounds amazing! Congratulations
Thanks for your lovely comment Anastasia 🙂
Great Job Sophie!!!!
Thanks G! I know that Sophie is feeling the love from all the very kind comments.
xxxxx
congratulations to everybody who entered the comp!!!
also Jacqueline will you ever come to Hobart?
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
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
Woman, I pored my heart out and all you adress is your email?
I give up with you.
Either you answer the questions properly or you don’t say anything at all.
bye,
Taylah Dzera
Hi Taylah,
There are some very good reasons why I want to address your comments via email and not on the public forum. I have written you a long message addressing all of your questions but I need you to send me an email so I can reply to you and know it’s going to the right place. Do you realise how impolite this comment sounds? Please send me an email and then we can talk.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
Don’t worry about the rude people.
Again, I’m SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Sorry! 🙁
Are you being sarcastic?
Look down below for your answer. 🙂 😉
Gosh, don’t you realise how busy Jacqueline is? Cut her some slack.
That was REALLY rude.
I think you should apologise.
Rosie
Exuse me Rosie but I sent 11 comments and she didn’t answer any of them.
I am one of her biggest fans .
Yes, Jacqueline Harvey I do apologize for being slightly rude, but I do think you should not say anything like that ever again cause I am literally trembling like a jellyfish.
I always get SUPER embarrassed when I do something wrong, and now you just publicly humiliated me online.
Rosie, I know she is busy writing, and I want her to write as fast as she can.
SORRY FOR BEING A LITTLE BIT RUDE!
Sincerely,
Taylah Dzera
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
Yes Rosie, I did apologize, but you should not judge me like that. I don’t know how old you are, I don’t know anything about you, but seriously, I was really annoyed, so I didn’t mean to be rude.
Also, did you post something on another blog saying that there should be a new girl called Rosie and thenCCaprice did something bad and then she framed Rosie and then Alice-Miranda finds out what really happens and then Rosie gets brought bacj to the school?
Just saying ,that is a good idea! I think it would be cool to see that in an Alice-Miranda book!
Also if that wasn’t you I’m sorry, but tha person it was posted by was called Rosie.
Sincerely,
Taylah Dzera
You seem pretty cool, but I’m not RUDE! (That sounded rude didn’t it. Sorry!)
Hey Taylah,
Sorry, I am also a big fan and I thought you were being rude, so I quickly tried to protect Jacqueline, (which I know is stupid!!)
I actually did write the idea on another blog, and thanks so much!
Even if it didn’t go kinda like that, I would still be so honoured, to have my idea in an Alice-Miranda book.
Maybe we could trade emails and bond over Alice-Miranda? Ahaha only if you want!
Sincerely,
Rosie
You also seem cool! 🙂
Dear Mrs Harvey,
If you read down below the blog you will see that I said that i couldn’t email you until school starts again for me as I’m on easter break.
And cause you accidentally humiliated me, I made a friend Rosie.
We live in a very odd world, and I’ve learned from my mistakes. Which gave me a friend. 🙂
I will stop bugging you , but I might communicate often. Maybey cause I’m going camping till easter Sunday.
Sincerely
Taylah Dzera
Hello Taylah, may I suggest that if you would like me to answer your many questions and concerns that you email me so I have your email address and then I will reply. There is no need to write everything again – I just need to confirm your email address that’s all.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
Hey Rosie,
That would be a great idea!
Bonding over Alice-Miranda is definitely a great idea!
It’s so hard to find people that love Alice-Miranda these days!
At my School Wondall Heights State school, I only know 3 people that read Alice-Miranda! (Including Me!)
Byeeeèeeeee,
Taylah Dzera
Also I was NOT being sarcastic!
I live in Brisbane/Redlands and I always hope that one day Jacqueline will come there!
A girl can dream, right?
see ya,
Taylah Dzera
Mrs Harvey………….???
I wrote an acronym about Alice-Miranda :
Awesome character
Lovely personality
Inspiring
Crazy friends
Energetic little girl
–
Marvellous clothes
Incredible moves
Role model
Amazeballs
Never gives up
Dramatic fight scenes
A infomative child
Do you think it is good?
Bye the way you are the best author in the whole universe!
BYE,
Taylah Dzera
I will never do this. Cut my hair
Hi Taylah,
Your acrostic poem about Alice-Miranda is great. Well done. I will answer all your other questions but I’d prefer if we could do it via email. I need you to email me then I can reply.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
Dear Mrs Harvey,
I’m sorry for being so inquisitive, I just………
I’m sorry, I’m stupid, I’m probably pretty annoying, but Alice-Miranda is my Life!
Every day, I hope that you answere my questions, reply to this, or just even post a new blog.
I feel so bad, but boy, do I have an attitude!
Also, I can’t send you an email until school starts again, because I don’t have the Internet, and I use free Wi-Fi to post all of the comments. So that’s why I’ve posted so many.
I’m ever so so sorry,
Sincerely,
Taylah Dzera
I just want to say that I am not a total brat, because you have actually called me and my BFF Charlotte, lovely girls. You called us that on the blog about Women’s Day, when it was your birthday and the fact that I share a birthday with you, so…… I hope you accept my apologies for being impolite.
Sincerely,
Taylah Dzera
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
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!
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
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
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
I hope you have a lovely Easter too! Thanks and all the best,
Anastasia xx
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.
That would be a good idea!
I was hoping Jacqueline Harvey would write a book like ,with that idea!
Taylah
Hi Olivia,
Great ideas – you never know when I might use them 🙂
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
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
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!
It’s lovely that you girls have found a common interest in books 🙂
PS. Please reply,everyone keep your fingers crossed!
when will we know who won the aprill comp??
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
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
Hi Holly,
The newsletter has just been sent and the answer is on there!
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
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!!!
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