July 24, 2015
Byron Bay Writers’ Festival Events and my connection to the Bay
My Nana, Edna Jones grew up not far from Byron Bay. She and her sisters spent their childhoods in Rosebank and The Channon. Their summer holidays involved camping by the beach at Byron – although back then there was a whaling station, so swimming was a bit more perilous than it is today. One of her sisters still lived at Broken Head right up until she died in the early 2000s and one of my favourite days out with Nana and Grandad involved visiting her old primary schools and finding photographs of her and her sisters in the school records.
In 1999, I took Long Service Leave from my much-loved job at a school in the Southern Highlands and with my husband Ian, we rented an apartment on Broken Head Road, right next door to the Byron Bay Golf Club. Surprisingly I had a great knack of winning the meat trays on Friday nights and I did learn to play golf (and loved it). Initially we had planned to stay for three months but that turned into six and then we ended up buying a place. We were hooked. Byron Bay is beautiful and inspiring and there is a wonderful laid back atmosphere. It was while I was living in Byron that I decided to really give writing a proper go. I wrote my first junior fiction series while we were there and also my picture book, The Sound of the Sea. It came to me one afternoon when we’d been fishing on South Golden Beach – on the most perfect of days. Of course nothing in publishing happens quickly, so while I wrote the books when we lived there they weren’t published until after we’d moved back to Sydney.
Sadly Byron wasn’t to be for the long term. Although I did a lot of casual teaching in schools in the area, at St Finbarr’s, Holy Family, St John’s and St Carthage’s, I was restless and felt like my teaching career hadn’t quite reached the place I wanted it to be. So we headed back to Sydney where I took a six month job that turned into eleven years and a half years.
I am thrilled to be heading back to Byron Bay in a couple of weeks time for the Writers’ Festival. I’ll be appearing with Jackie French on the School Days Program at Mullumbimby and Maclean and on Friday afternoon I’m excited to be hosting an event at the Byron Bay Library with Room to Read, for which I am an author ambassador.
On Sunday I’ll be at the Kids Day Out with a fabulous lineup of children’s authors including Samantha Turnbull, Jackie French, Dave Hartley and Scott Prince and Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton.
I hope to see you somewhere at the festival but if you want to come along to the library on Friday afternoon where you can ask me loads of questions, have your books signed, listen to some readings and I’ll tell lots of funny stories, you can find all the details on the flyer below and book on the link here Meet Jacqueline Harvey at Byron Bay Library.
saboor
i wish i could come but i live in brisbane
Melinda
So do i
anonmouse
hi i am your biggest fan i was wondering if you watch masterchef if you do who do you want to win my favourite is georgia
Jacqueline Harvey
I don’t watch Masterchef this season. I’m into The Voice at the moment but the cooking shows just haven’t been grabbing me as much. I might watch Hotplate because it looks kind of funny. I hope your favourite wins 🙂
Saboor
Hi Jacqueline,
Hope your having a good time in Byron Bay,
I’ve been there its lovely
How are you?
My favourite character is Jacinta or Millie.
I have glasses like Millie.
Remember how in Alice-Miranda at the Palace Caprice was wearing the same dress as Jacinta and she wouldn’t take it off. I felt really sorry for Jacinta.
Can you please take caprice out of your books I really don’t like her.
Can you visit Sunnybank Hills State School when you visit QLD next month?
What are you thinking on making book number 14 or 15?
I guess I shouldn’t ask you that because your busy finishing Alice-Miranda to the Rescue and Alice-Miranda at the Alps.
Why do you have a step-daughter?
Sorry for asking you so many questions I’m just really curious.
have a lovely week
Aala
#1 fan
PS Thank-you for being the best AUTHOR EVER
PPS SAy thank-you to Ian, Anne Yi and Linda Cameron
Aala
Sorry
I wrote that
I forgot to change my name in the Name section
From
Aala
Jacqueline Harvey
Dear Aala,
I’m going to Byron Bay next Monday – and I’m looking forward to it as I used to live there for a couple of years in 1999-2000. Caprice is a very interesting character isn’t she – she certainly spices things up a bit and I’m afraid that she’s here to stay. You might find some of her behaviour surprising in the next couple of books and perhaps there is hope for her to make some positive improvements but it’s going to take time. I have a step daughter because my husband Ian was married before, a long time ago and he and his ex-wife had a daughter together and then they got divorced and we got married and so Olivia is my step daughter. I will tell everyone that you said hello – they will appreciate that. I am doing a high tea in Brisbane but no school visits this time so perhaps you can come along to the High Tea which is on Saturday 8 August. You can find out about it on the blog but you have to book tickets and I believe they are selling fast.
I thought Caprice was mean about the dress too.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline x
Nadia
Hi Jacqueline,
I love Alice Miranda, very big fan!
I was just wondering, where is Alice Miranda set in? (country)
Kind Regards,
Nadia
P.S
Alice Miranda in the Alps is such a clever idea. Can’t wait!
Jacqueline Harvey
Hi Nadia,
I’ve never actually said which country the books are in as I like the readers to make up their own minds. Some think it’s England and others Australia. It could be either if you want it to be 🙂 I’m glad you like the idea of Alice-Miranda In the Alps – it’s a lot of fun and a big mystery. I think the ending is surprising – hope you will too.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline x
saboor
hi
how are you i was wondering a couple of things
1)do you go for the BLUES in state of origin (i do even though i live in QLD)
2 how many AM books are you planning to do
3 have you heard of sunnybank hills state school
thanks you
i hope i’m not wasting your time
biggest fan
saboor
saboor
i forgot to add that your
pretty
smart
creative
beautiful
and i rank you 10 out of 10 as a author
Emily steele
Hi Jacqueline it was great meeting you today you were soooooo nice I love your books especially Alice Miranda I loved all of your funny stories from your childhood I’m so happy to have been able to get your autograph and picture with you. Thanks for the hug and the selfie. I can’t wait for the new books of Alice Miranda
P.s thanks for the writing tips
P.p.s I think I’m going to write a book
Love from Emily xoxox❤️❤️
Jacqueline Harvey
Hi Emily,
It was lovely to meet you too. It was such a fun day wasn’t it! I love that you’ve been inspired to write a book – my advice is go for it! You never know what might happen 🙂
Best wishes,
Jacqueline xxx
saboor
hi i’m wondering if you’ll be on t.v anytime soon also what boarding schools did you teach and who is sandy camball and what impact did she have on you
sorry i send sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much messages i’m intruiged
saboor
your amazing
Callie
Hi Jacqueline,
Are you coming to Brisbane any time soon???
I thought you came to our school when I was in year 1 or 2 so I asked our school librarian just recently, Mrs. Johnstin, and she said ‘No I think it was Jackie French’.
I am 10 now, and I LOVE your Alice-Miranda Books.
I am particulary intrested in your Clementine-Rose Books, Which I can hopefully get soon.
I am very happy now, because I have all of the Alice-Miranda Books!!!
I am extremely exited for book number 12, ‘Alice-Miranda In The Alps’, and your other new one coming soon ‘Alice-Miranda To The Rescue’.
I hope we can meet one day and say hello to you!!!
Best Wishes
Callie xx
P.S Do you have any pets??? I have one cat called ‘Prince Charming’, (Prince for short) and a dog called ‘Bella’. They are both 2 turning 3 soon.
P.P.S I am having our 2015 book week soon, and Year 5 has the theme ‘Magic’. I was wondering if any of your characters had anything to do with magic (Would Miss. Hepzibah count?). I have nearly finished book number 4 (Alice-Miranda at Sea).
Jacqueline Harvey
Hi Callie,
I am coming to Brisbane in a week’s time and having a magnificent High Tea event! There are still tickets available – so go to the events page on my website for all the details. It’s going to be held at St Aidan’s Anglican school for Girls but it’s open to everyone. What school do you go to? I used to have lots of pets but I travel too much these days to have any. I would love to have a teacup pig like Lavender who is Clementine’s pet. Mmm magic – Miss Hephzibah is a good choice as the children think she’s a witch but she’s not.
Hope I get to meet you soon too.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline xx
Callie
Thx Jacqueline 🙂
Sorry I am writing so many messages,
My Dad is paying for my ticket and Mum is paying for hers,
I looked on the website on what time, day and where it was and I am pretty sure I can make it 🙂
Hopefully I will see you soon!!!
P.S I will bring Alice-Miranda at School for you to sign, as well as Alice-Miranda at the Palace (Maybe another one too 🙂
Jacqueline Harvey
Hi Callie,
Please tell all your friends too. I will sign all your books at the event – so bring whichever ones you want.
Looking forward to seeing you.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline xx
Callie
Also you have interested me in becoming an author/illistrator, and I am getting all of my insperation from your Alice-Miranda Books (And I have a feeling the Clementine-Rose Books will too)
You are my idol, and when I grow up, I want to be an author just like you 🙂
Also have you been watching ‘The Voice’ on T.V??? I have and it is AWESOME.
If I ever met you, would you mind signing one of my Alice-Miranda books for me???
Thx Jacqueline 🙂
Jacqueline Harvey
Hi Callie,
I just replied to your first comment – would love to meet you at the Brisbane High Tea afternoon on Saturday 8 August but you have to buy tickets soon or they will be sold out. Of course I would sign all of your books and yes I have been watching The Voice. They are all so talented – I wish I could sing.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
PS I love that you want to be an author too – that’s a great ambition and something to strive for 🙂
saboor
hi
who do you go for in the state of origin
have you heard of sunnybank hills state school
i forgot to add that your
pretty
smart
creative
beautiful
and i rank you 10 out of 10 as a author
denae
Hi Mrs Harvey!
I was wondering if you ever use real life experiences for your inspiration for your books??
Will you be planning any events in Hobart, Tasmania this year or next year as I’d love to meet you and promote your books?
I think Alice-Miranda should become a doctor or a nurse when she’s older because she is so caring.
Lots of love from
denae. xxx
P.s How many brothers/sisters did you have when you were a kid???
Jacqueline Harvey
Hi Denae,
I’m coming to Hobart next year in March. I often use real life experiences for my books, especially places that I’ve travelled to. Sometimes things I’d done like school camps too. I love that you’re thinking about what Alice-Miranda should be when she grows up. I can imagine her as a doctor too.
I have two younger sisters – one is three years younger and the other is six years younger.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline xx
saboor
hi
how are you i was wondering a couple of things
1)do you go for the BLUES in state of origin (i do even though i live in QLD)
2 how many AM books are you planning to do
3 have you heard of sunnybank hills state school
thanks you
i hope i’m not wasting your time
biggest fan
saboor
i forgot to add that your
pretty
smart
creative
beautiful
and i rank you 10 out of 10 as a author
Reply
Chloe
Hi
I am in love with A-M!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are coming to my school on Thursday (CSS) I cant wait
I am wondering can I bring all my A-M books to be signed ?? please say yes
can you pleeeease use my name in an Alice-Miranda book??????????????????
Your #no.1 fan,
Chloe:);):p
Jacqueline Harvey
Hi Chloe,
Yes I can – I am excited to be coming to your school too!
See you there,
Jacqueline xx
saboor
hi i read the free sample of am in the alps its WOW WOW and more WOWS
your clever really
i forgot to add that your
pretty
smart
creative
beautiful
and i rank you 10 out of 10 as a author
biggest fan
saboor
p.s please reply
Jacqueline Harvey
Hi Saboor,
I’m so thrilled that you’ve enjoyed reading the free sample of the book – hope you enjoy the whole thing!
Thanks for being so kind too.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
Denae
Hi Mrs Harvey,
Thx for responding. You must be really busy; writing + traveling.
I know it’s a long way away, but I am really looking forward until you come to Hobart.{Where will the event be held??}
I have never been to one of your events.
lots of love denae. XXX
saboor
hi
Melinda
I love to read your books, I’ve got 20 Alice-Miranda
I love how u write
From Your Fan
Melinda
Jacqueline Harvey
Hi Melinda,
You must have all of the Alice-Miranda and Clementine Rose books as there are only 21 between the two series’. I will be writing lots more.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
Melinda
Can u please come to Heywood Consolidated School
Jacqueline Harvey
Hi Melinda,
I wish I could visit every school! You never know 🙂
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
Eve
Hi Jacqueline
I love all your all your books they are so amazing!!!!!
I am nine years and I am at The Hospital in another City six hours from my home
Your books really make hospital much happier in Hospital and one day I would love to meet you
Love Eve
Jacqueline Harvey
Hi Eve,
I hope you are feeling better and out of hospital. That’s a long way from home. I’m so thrilled that my books make you feel happier while you’re in the hospital and I would love to meet you too one day.
Sending you lots of love and best wishes,
Jacqueline xx
saboor
Eve i hope you feel better its sad to be in hospital
Rose
Hi Jacqueline, I was wondering how you found an agent and how hard it was to get your book published, edited and the whole process. I am an aspiring authoress and your help would be appreciated, thanks.
Ps. I love your books
From one of your fans
Rosie.
Jacqueline Harvey
Hi Rose,
I don’t actually have an agent. I approached the publishers directly having done a lot of research about whether they were taking unsolicited manuscripts at the time. You can find out lots about publishers on their websites but it’s often in small print at the very bottom of the page (where it says Submissions or FAQ). I was published back in 2003 for the first time and had 4 books come out over 3 years (with a different publisher to the one I’m with now) then nothing, until Alice-Miranda. It’s a hard game and taking what I like to call my ‘walk in the writing wilderness’ for those few years between my first books and Alice-Miranda really made me focus on what I wanted to write, which in the end was a book I would have wanted to read when I was a child. Once your book is accepted for publication it can take quite a while to come out. I had my first Alice-Miranda contract in October 2008 and the first book didn’t come out until February 2010. Since then things have been a lot faster with two books coming out in the series each year and three Clementine Rose books as well. I hope that you pursue your dream to be a published writer. Although it’s not an easy road, it can be a very rewarding and satisfying one.
Very best wishes,
Jacqueline
Rose
Thankyou 😀
Callie
Hey Jacqueline!!!
I don’t know if your remember me, but I went to your high tea event!!!
It was sooo exiting. I loved your you’re talk on stage by the way!!!
I hope you didn’t mind signing ALL of my books 🙂
Best Wishes,
Callie xx
P.S It’s great that you travel a lot. I haven’t been out of QLD, apart from going to Coffs Harbour at NSW to stay and help my mum’s friend, (He had an accident and got a broken ankle) but he is fine now, since it was some time ago last year I think…
Anyway I would just like to know what is your favourite place so far??? I mean I know you have travelled around a lot. I REALLY WANT TO GO TO ITALY, FRANCE, EUROPE, JAPAN, CHINA, HONG KONG, NEW YORK, SWITZERLAND, AND NEW ZEALAND!!!
Anna
Hey,
We missed meeting you at the Writer’s Festival.
Hope to meet you sometime in Byron Bay
http://www.byronbayaccom.net/
Jacqueline Harvey
Hi Anna,
Sorry to have missed you too. I had a lovely time in Byron Bay – for me it was a bit like going home as I lived there for a couple of years a while ago. I hope to meet you somewhere soon.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
Emmadene
Hello Jacqueline,
I have started ready Alice Miranda I am currently reading book 4, I think they are absolutely spectacular!! Every time I read some of the book, It always makes me smile, even if I only read a page. She has so many marvelous adventures. You are truly an amazing author!
Kind regards Emmadene.
Jacqueline Harvey
Hi Emmadene,
Thanks for your lovely words! I’ve actually been recording the fourth book as an audio book today at Fox Studios. It’s been really exciting to be able to do that. I hope you continue to enjoy Alice-Miranda’s adventures.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline