Happy New Year!

by 46 Comments

As the sun begins to set on the last day of 2018 (well it won’t set for a while because we’re in Queenstown, New Zealand at the moment and the sun stays up until near 10pm – how any parents get their children to bed is a complete mystery to me!!) it’s good to reflect on the year that was. As always it’s been busy – with plenty of books to write and touring to be done. There were so many highlights and I know I have missed a zillion things but here are a few thoughts.

I was thrilled to launch Kensy and Max into the world and am having a ball writing the twins’ adventures. It’s hard to imagine the third book will be out in March – it feels like a minute ago that we were running headlong into all of the fabulous Spy School activities for the release of the first one.

Alice-Miranda and Clementine Rose have each had a book too and the Alice-Miranda movie is on its way – I still can’t believe that’s really happening! But to the team at SLR Productions – WOOHOO!!

I’ve had a ball on television – who knew that I would ever get to rock climb and race go-carts on a kids’ show – thank you from the bottom of my heart, Kids’ WB!

I’ve been to new places – Darwin was a huge highlight and The Burdekin to name but two. I even got to smile at some crocodiles :).

I’ve met so many wonderful children, parents, grandparents, teachers, librarians and booksellers.  I also get to work with the most brilliant publishing team at Penguin Random House Australia. The children’s writing community is a great one to be part of and I have fabulous friends – who I brag about often :).

It’s a privilege to write for children and I cannot thank the fans enough – you give me the greatest joy and I feel so blessed to spend my days creating. I love working with Dymocks Children’s Charities and Room to Read promoting literacy for children in Australia and internationally and this year it was such fun writing a story for Total Quack Up – and if you haven’t got a copy you need it – NOW! And every teacher in Australia needs a copy before school goes back. All the royalties go to the DCC so we can get books into the hands of children who need them most.

As many of you know, our little Visitor Cat, now Permanent Cat has been a huge joy in our lives too. Balthazar (Bally) is such a sweetheart and at the moment I am missing him terribly – though he is being thoroughly spoiled by our lovely friend Kim who is looking after him in Sydney. We are so excited that our house in Queenstown is nearing completion – it really is one of the most beautiful places on earth and we feel so fortunate to be able to spend time here and back in Sydney. We can’t wait for our family and friends to be able to enjoy it with us too. This year we had a little taste of holidays here and we love it! And to our family and friends – thank you for a great year.

 

The year has brought many challenges, especially for some close friends and family and I hope that the New Year will be kinder, happier and healthier.

I want to especially thank my wonderful husband Ian, aka The Manager – for everything!

So here’s to 2019 – and living each day the best we can.

Comments

  1. HI AND i just wanted to say that im such a big fan of yours and im also so exited for the movie actually i dont read your books but my sister she just loves your books she tells me alot about them and soon i will watch the movie your the best author in the whole universe i just love your books . your books should be famous all around the world espacialy the book alice miranda again i really really really love your books and actually i wanted to request you can please come to fawkner moreland city libary located in australia melbourne victoria and also HAPPY NEW YEAR
    from your favourite fan
    HAMNAH HABIB

    Reply

    • Thanks, Jacqueline! I wouldn’t be your fan if you hadn’t written lovely books! My sister and I are enjoying the new Clementine Rose this week!

      Reply

  5. Thank the fans? Us fans should be thanking you!
    Your books spark imagination, they make people feel good, and most importantly AM makes kids want to be better.
    You’re a fantastic author and I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us this year!
    Thank you.

    Reply

  6. Welcome to New Zealand! Yes it’s hard getting kids to bed in summer for sure. Looking forward to the Alice Miranda movie and the next Clementine Rose

    Reply

  7. Happy New Year Jacqueline!
    And,since your in New Zealand,mabie you can pop down to Fielding?
    Please!
    And what! Is there an Alice Mrianda movie coming out!

    Reply

  9. Wait,IS here going to be an Alice Miranda Movie comeing out!?
    ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

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  10. Omg! I live in New Zealand to!! It would be a cool setting for an Alice Miranda book!
    Please reply!! Ms Harvey! I’m such a big fan!
    P.s I’m really sad cause we don’t have any kensy and max books at the library near us!

    Reply

    • Hi Adrianna,

      Hopefully your library will start getting the Kensy and Max books soon. You know that most libraries allow their users to request books and then they get them in so perhaps you could try that. I’m in Queenstown at the moment – it’s so beautiful. I’ve been doing lots of writing.

      Enjoy your holidays.

      Best wishes,
      Jacqueline

      Reply

    • Hi Tayra,

      I can tell you a little bit but I’m only half way there. AM is back at school (well it was about time), there is a big and scary drama in the village, AM and her friends do something amazing. But all is not right at school. Miss Grimm and Miss Reedy are feuding. There’s a new teacher who seems too good to be true and Jacinta’s father is back on the scene. Lucas has a secret too. So that’s all for now but I can promise it will be fun and action packed.

      Best wishes,
      Jacqueline

      PS The reason you can’t see your comment right away is they have to be moderated by me and I’ve been a bit busy 🙂

      Reply

      • Dear Ms Harvey,
        On penguin books NZ, the catchphrase thingy is ‘And a one, two, three, hit it!’. Is it something to do with dancing or singing? Do the group host a talent show or something where entrants pay a few dollars to enter and in the finale, the audience pays a couple coins to watch? Because that phrase is usually used with music, so it would make sense to have it to do with dance and/or music.
        Please reply soon!

        Reply

        • Hi Holly,

          You are very clever – it does have something to do with music but I’m not giving too much away just yet!

          Best wishes,
          Jacqueline

          Reply

  14. I Can’t wait till the new Kensy & Max comes out. I wonder where they could go next. I wish I could go overseas like they do.

    I can’t believe there is going to be a AM movie I hope it is just as good as the books.

    Reply

    • Hi Hannah,

      After Kensy and Max: Undercover they are heading back to London and then going overseas too. Yes there is an Alice-Miranda movie currently in production. I have read and approved the script and it’s great fun. I hope that you will love it too.

      Best wishes,
      Jacqueline

      Reply

  15. Hi Mrs Harvey,

    Happy New Year!!!!!!!!
    Wow, it looks like you had a busy but fun 2018!
    I hope the year ahead will be less stressful, and even more enjoyable then last year!

    I’d like to enter the January Newsletter Competition, but I’m wondering how many words are we allowed to use?

    Oh, and I have to say the cover for Kensy and Max: Undercover looks INCREDIBLE!!!!!
    Please tell Anne Yi that she has done an amazing job with drawing Kensy and Max!
    And I can’t wait to read it!

    With love,
    Bethany xo

    Reply

    • Hi Bethany,

      There is no word limit on the January competition. I love the cover too – it really captures the action packed nature of the story.

      Best wishes,
      Jacqueline

      Reply

  16. Question for fans – favourite ships?
    Besides Lucinta, because that’s like the ultimate ship that everyone ships.
    After Scotland I ship Alice-Miranda x Neville, but I think Sep might like her from the highland dancing episode. Still thinking on that one. But I’m hovering between Sep or Sasha for Millie. Millie likes Sasha but Sep just sticks in my mind when I think of Millie.
    Thoughts?

    Reply

    • I think Sep is more a friend to Mille but I do agree that in some of the earlier books it seemed like they might be something more later on. But now I think it’s more Sasha

      Reply

      • You never know – they’re all very young so we can have lots of crushes before anything too serious!

        Best wishes,
        Jacqueline

        Reply

  17. Hi Jacqueline,

    I’m really looking forward to the AM movie and I can’t wait for the 18th AM book. I realise it isn’t going to be out for a while now but I was wondering if you could tell me a bit about it? It’s okay if you can’t.

    From Aeylia

    Reply

    • Well there’s lots of action (right from the start) and then a few mysteries and teachers not getting on very well. I’m still writing it so can’t say too much more.

      Reply

  18. Happy New Year!!! Your one of the best authors i know! I went to one of your writing workshops and was wondering if there’d be another in Sydney soon?
    Cheers
    Clea

    Reply

    • Hi Clea,

      I am hoping to have another workshops in the Easter school holidays. Keep checking my events page for details.

      Best wishes (and hope you’ve had a great holiday),
      Jacqueline

      Reply

  19. I was also wondering… you said Jacinta’s father is back on the scene does this mean he is back as a nice person like her mother is now or is he the same as before? Because I think in the earlier books like the 4th one, it said that he was always too busy for her.

    Reply

    • Hi Aeylia,

      Neville Headlington Bear appears to have changed a lot – but you’ll have to read the book to see if that’s true.

      Best wishes,
      Jacqueline

      Reply

  21. Hi Jacqueline!
    I’m not too sure whether you will see this because it is almost a month after the new year, but I thought I would write any way.
    I went onto the penguin books website for Alice-Miranda 18, and all it says is “And a one, two, three, hit it!”. I was wondering if this had anything to do with the book or if it was something completely random.
    I understand if you can’t tell us too much about the plot yet.

    Thank you!

    Kind regards,
    M

    Reply

    • Hi M,

      It’s definitely got something to do with the story – I can’t tell you too much more yet as I’m still writing it but it will be out in June.

      Best wishes,
      Jacqueline

      Reply

  22. Hi,

    I was just wandering when the AM movie/TV show will be released and if there will trailer coming out soon my little sisters and I are so excited for it to come out .

    Thanks so much.

    Reply

    • Hi Shay,

      The movie will be released later in the year – possibly around October. I’m not sure when we will see promos but soon I imagine. I’m so pleased that you’re really excited – I am too!

      Best wishes,
      Jacqueline

      Reply

  23. Hi Jacqueline! Right now, as I’m posting this comment, I am looking at Alice-Miranda in Scotland. I love your books! When is the movie coming out?

    Thank you,
    Your biggest fan

    Reply

    • Hi Charlotte,

      I’m so glad that you’re enjoying the stories. I don’t have a release date for the movie yet but I will let everyone know as soon as I know.

      Best wishes,
      Jacqueline

      Reply

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