July 15, 2014

High Teas, a launch, a writing workshop, in store events, new books and an impending renovation too!

The past few weeks have been incredibly busy and lots of fun. Alice-Miranda At Camp is finished (September release) and I’ve just read the page proofs for Clementine Rose and the Famous Friend (October release). I’m about to do some work on Clementine Rose and the Ballet Break In (January release), in between working on the draft for Alice-Miranda At the Palace (February release).

Most excitingly we’ve launched Clementine Rose and the Treasure Box and it has been so well received. To celebrate there were high teas in Sydney and Newcastle, events at Dymocks Charlestown Square and Westfield Penrith and a fabulously fun treasure hunt launch at The Children’s Bookshop in Beecroft. This week I also conducted a writing workshop for students in Years 5-8 which was brilliant fun – loved their enthusiasm. But I’m a little bit tired just thinking about it all. On top of that (as if it wasn’t enough) I’ve been packing up our kitchen, main bathroom and laundry for the start of a big renovation – which is slightly scary and exciting too. My washing machine, which has been on it’s way out for months, completely died two weeks ago. That was probably a good thing, seeing as though it sounded like a helicopter landing in the loungeroom for the past month at least. I didn’t want to get the new one until the renovation so I’ve been carting loads of dirty washing to a friend’s place and my sister’s. The kitchen isn’t faring much better as the hot tap on the kitchen sink snapped in half about 3 months ago and is currently workable with a wrench and there are numerous other appliances which have seen better days. So, the renovation is much needed. It’s never a good time trying to fit that sort of thing in but I can’t wait to see it finished.

What has been truly amazing about the past few weeks is meeting so many fabulous children and their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. Emma Ernst and her little girl, Charlotte who came all the way from Adelaide for high tea. Justine, who is such a gorgeous girl and came to two events – and became instant friends with Charlotte! The beautiful girls who travelled all the way from Wyong to Penrith and the lovely family from Newcastle who attended high tea in Sydney. The girls who loom banded Clementine Rose and so many more. Families who have travelled great distances and those who treated their children to a lovely day out. It is the most incredibly humbling experience to meet the readers and I will freely admit that this past week I cried! Tears of joy and disbelief I suppose – that my two girls, Clementine Rose and Alice-Miranda have become so important in the lives of so many people beyond me.

I have taken lots of snaps – hope you enjoy!

Comments

Georgie

Hi Jacqueline,

Looks like you’ve had a lot of fun with all the events. Good Luck with the renovations. I can’t wait to read Alice-Miranda at Camp!

Love from your #1 Alice-Miranda fan, Georgie!

July 15, 2014 at 11:41 am

Kaitlyn Sola

Dear Jacqueline, I loved meeting you at Whitsunday Voices. You are very pretty and a very creative writer. Thanks for signing my Alice Miranda in Japan book. Love Kaitlyn, 11 yrs.

July 19, 2014 at 4:43 pm

Jacqueline Harvey

Thanks for your very kind words Kaitlyn. I’m so pleased that I got to meet you at the festival. It was such good fun. I really loved it and I hope I get to come back to Mackay again in the not too distant future. Have a great week at school.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline

July 20, 2014 at 7:55 pm

Brent

Hi Jacquie
I am exhausted reading about your schedule as well packing up the kitchen etc. I think I will have a bex and a good lie down.
Cheers
Brent

July 20, 2014 at 5:48 pm

Jacqueline Harvey

Hi Brent,

Enjoy that Brent! I’m aiming for about 15,000 words added to the new book this week while we’re away – I’ll let you know how that goes 🙂

Cheers,
Jacquie

July 20, 2014 at 8:01 pm

Aiesha

Will you be coming back to preston library in melbourne?

July 22, 2014 at 9:04 pm

Jacqueline Harvey

Hi Aiesha,

I don’t think I’m coming to Preston Library this time but I will be doing lots of other events in the September School holidays. Please check the events page on my website in the next couple of weeks to see where I will be. Hope to see you somewhere.

Best wishes,
Jacqueline

August 23, 2014 at 2:06 pm

Aiesha

Hello Jacqueline,
I am your biggest fan and would like to know when you will come to preston library melbourne

July 22, 2014 at 9:19 pm

Jacqueline Harvey

Hello Aiesha,

Thanks for your lovely message. I’m not sure when I will be coming back to Preston Library but I will be in Melbourne for a series of events in the next school holidays. I’ll be doing high teas at The Tea Salon which is in the city and some other events around the place. If you keep checking the events page on the website you’ll be able to see where I’m doing to be. I hope that you get to come to something.

Have a lovely weekend.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline

July 25, 2014 at 8:09 am

Rosie

Hi Jacqueline,
I absoulutely love your books it’s so nice to have a series of books that’s not dark and evil like some other book series(: I write stories in my free time and want to be an author when i grow up, so your a great inspiration. I love the Alice Miranda series and can’t wait for Alice Miranda at Camp. You have great writing skills.
from Rosie

July 26, 2014 at 10:34 am

Jacqueline Harvey

Hi Rosie,

Thanks for your kind words. I’m glad you’re enjoying the books. Alice-Miranda at Camp seems like it’s still a long way off coming out but yesterday I returned from a work trip and the first copy was here waiting for me! I guess it’s just over a month until it hits the shops. It looks lovely and I hope that you enjoy it. It’s always great to hear from readers and it’s fantastic that you’re thinking about becoming a writer too. I hope you’re very successful.

Best wishes,
Jacqueline

July 26, 2014 at 12:03 pm

Georgia Davidson

Hi Jacqueline,
A couple of months ago I went to your book signing in Adelaide on Norwood Parade. While I was there with my friend you mentioned that a tv series of Alice Miranda might be coming out. I was quite thrilled to hear that because I have always had a passion for performing. I was just wondering how do we audition and would i be too old because i am 11 but a short 11! I absolutely adore Alice-Miranda and I am so thrilled that a series like this has come out!
Thanks
Georgia

July 26, 2014 at 4:54 pm

Jacqueline Harvey

Hi Georgia,

Thanks for your message. At the moment the series is still in script production so it will be a little while off yet. If you sign up to my newsletter then I will post any news there. I’m so glad that you love Alice-Miranda. Have a great week and make sure you sign up for the newsletter to get any updates about the series and auditions.

Best wishes,
Jacqueline

July 27, 2014 at 5:08 pm

Rosie

Hi again thanks for answering
P.S- How long does it take for you to write a book and than how long to publish it?
from Rosie(:

July 26, 2014 at 7:52 pm

Jacqueline Harvey

Hi Rosie,

It depends on a few factors but since I’m contracted to write lots of books I have a pretty tight schedule. I can write an Alice-Miranda book in 2-3 months from the initial idea to the finished draft and Clementine Rose I can get done in about a month or even less as long as I know where the book is heading. After that it’s about 6 months until the book is published. That’s not always the case though and most books have what they call a ‘lead time’ of about a year between when the writer finishes the draft and the book is published. Picture books can take even longer.

Best wishes,
Jacqueline

July 28, 2014 at 7:48 am

Rosie

Hi sorry to bug you again but I signed up for the newsletter and it hasn’t come yet so I’m just wondering what to do…
From Rosie.

July 28, 2014 at 7:50 pm

Charlotte Grandy

Hi Jacqueline!
I would just like to say how much I love the Alice-Miranda book series. I have been reading the series for over several years now and I love how the Alice-Miranda book series is not only great for younger readers but older ones too. I am currently reading Alice-Miranda in Japan and I cannot wait until Alice-Miranda at Camp is released! Please continue writing Alice-Miranda books!
From Charlotte

August 2, 2014 at 10:49 am

Anonymous

Hi Jacqueline,
When is Alice-Miranda’s Birthday?
Anonymous

August 4, 2014 at 4:16 pm

Jacqueline Harvey

I’ve actually never told anyone, as I think a lot of girls would like to share their birthday with Alice-Miranda and that’s fine with me.

Best wishes,
Jacqueline Harvey

August 9, 2014 at 10:54 pm

Grace

Dear Jacqueline,
I’am your absolute number 1# fan! I hope you renovation goes well! I can’t wait for Alice-Miranda at Camp, Clementine Rose and the Famous Friend, Clementine Rose and the ballet break and Alice-Miranda at the Palace comes out. you have very good writing skills.

Love your number 1# fan Grace

August 4, 2014 at 5:35 pm

Lily

Hi Jacqueline,

I love your books, they are always so inspiring! I was wondering if you can host a authors workshop in Adelaide sometime, I am trying to write a novel but I would love some advice and tips!!

Lily (number 1 fan of Alice-Miranda)

August 4, 2014 at 6:17 pm

Jacqueline Harvey

Hi Lily,

I love coming to Adelaide and there’s a chance I might be back again before the end of the year. If not, I’ll definitely be there again next year and I’d love to host a writing workshop – I post all details about upcoming events on the events page of the website so please keep checking back. In the meantime keep up with your writing – it always helps to read a lot too.

Best wishes,
Jacqueline

August 4, 2014 at 9:26 pm

Kellie

Thank you for signing all my daughter’s books at your book signing in Mackay (shopping centre), 19th July. It was her birthday and you absolutely made her day! We were wondering if you were going to post the photo’s taken at your book signing that day. Thank you so much for writing the most wonderful books for children and we look forward to collecting the many more to come.

August 4, 2014 at 9:04 pm

Jacqueline Harvey

Hi Kellie,

It was a pleasure and I’m glad she had a lovely birthday. I am a bit behind on some writing deadlines at the moment but fully intend to write some blog posts about my recent trip up north so please check back in a couple of weeks. Thanks for your patience.

Best wishes,
Jacqueline

August 4, 2014 at 9:21 pm

Lily

Hi Jacqueline Harvey! Me again!
Just wondering, do you do a lot of planning before writing your story?
Lily

August 6, 2014 at 8:00 pm

Jacqueline Harvey

Hi Lily,

I try to as I write my books quite quickly (that’s the pressure of deadlines and writing lots of books). Usually I don’t like to start until I know the ending but sometimes it’s more of an organic process and the story just grows. I don’t like to think about every little detail as I like to have plenty of surprises along the way. I’m writing Alice-Miranda at the Palace at the moment and just had a big ‘aha’ moment yesterday where the baddie isn’t going to be the baddie at all anymore – there were all these little clues leading to someone else and I think it makes better sense that way. So that was a surprise to me!

All the best with your own writing.

Jacqueline

August 9, 2014 at 10:49 pm

Rosemary

Hi Jacqueline, i was just wondering if there was a book where Alice Miranda and Clementine Rose meet in either the Alice Miranda series or the Clementine Rose series. If u could let me know that would be great!
Thnakyou, Rosemary (:

August 19, 2014 at 7:23 pm

Jacqueline Harvey

Hi Rosemary,

The girls meet in Clementine Rose and the Seaside Escape and Alice-Miranda mentions it in Alice-Miranda In Japan. I hope they will have an adventure together one day.

Best wishes,
Jacqueline

August 19, 2014 at 9:15 pm