MONKEY FIST BLOG TOUR Day 9 - The Book Chook

It's blog tour day 9 and I'm visiting the The Book Chook where writer, reviewer and children’s literature advocate Sue Stephenson will be interviewing me about how my children’s reading experiences have influenced my writing. The Book Chook is also the editor of Literacy Lava, a wonderful magazine focusing on childhood literacy. It's free and I recommend subscribing. I already do!


Visit the Samurai Kids website to download a one-act classroom play based on the Samurai Kids series.

Tomorrow you can find me at my last tour stop Words and Pictures – Writer and artist Jeffery E Doherty will be interviewing me about writing illustrated novels – the artwork, graphics and working with an illustrator.

The complete tour schedule is here for anyone who wants to hit the rewind button and go back a day or two.

MONKEY FIST BLOG TOUR Day 7 - Writing Children's Books with Robyn Opie

It's blog tour day 7 and I'm visiting Writing Children’s Book with Robyn Opie where Robyn Opie, author of more than 75 books including "How to Write a Great Children's Book" and the novel “Black Baron adn I are discussing Zen and the Art of Writing for Children – my view on why the series has been so successful.

Today I'm also visiting schools in Canberra with Lynette of Asia Bookroom. We'll be visiting Amaroo School and Rosary Primary School.

Visit the Samurai Kids website to find lots of great craft activities including how to make an origami samurai helmet or a ninja mask from a T-shirt

Tomorrow you can find me at Alphabet Soup magazine where editor Rebecca Newman will be interviewing me about my research techniques and asking questions to discover whether all that historical research is really any fun. The complete tour schedule is here.

MONKEY FIST BLOG TOUR Day 6 - Sally Murphy's Writing for Children

It's blog tour day 6 and I'm doing two things at once. Isn't cyberspace wonderful? Today I'm visiting Sally Murphy’s Writing For Children Blog to talk with Sally Murphy (author of many books for children including the verse novel, Pearl Verses the World) about book promotion and how to harness cyber resources.

I'm also speaking in the evening at Canberra's Asia Bookroom. More details about that here.

Visit the Samurai kids website to find media related information or click here to visit the Samurai Kids Forum.

Tomorrow you will find me at Writing Children’s Book with Robyn Opie where Robyn Opie, author of more than 75 books including "How to Write a Great Children's Book" and the novel “Black Baron” and I will be discussing Zen and the Art of Writing for Children – my view on why the series has been so successful. The complete tour schedule is here.

MONKEY FIST BLOG TOUR Day 5 - Tales I Tell

It's blog tour day 5 and I'm visiting Tales I Tell where Mabel Kaplan, storyteller and author of Connie and the Pigeons, is interviewing me about how my interest in Japanese and Chinese history has influenced the series. Mabel uncovers the meaning of Monkey Fist, the first person ever to ask me what the title means.

Visit the Samurai kids website to read an interview with Riley Lee, Australia's first Shakuhachi Flute Master. Riley was one of the five musicians who stood on top of the Opera House and played to welcome in the new millenium.

Tomorrow you can find me at Sally Murphy’s Writing For Children Blog where I will be visiting Sally Murphy (author of many books for children including the verse novel, Pearl Verses the World) to talk about book promotion and how to harness cyber resources. The complete tour schedule is here.

MONKEY FIST BLOG TOUR Day 4 - Spinning Pearls

It's blog tour day 4 and I'm visiting Spinning Pearls where I'm talking with author and manuscript assessor Sally Odgers (too many books to name but the Jack Russell Dog Detective series and the e-Manual (Giving our Kids) A Reason to Write are just two examples) to discuss ‘the hour of the rat’ and how I get to Japan and China inside my head.

Visit the Samurai kids website to and click on the interactive map of feudal Japan to learn more about life in Samurai times.

Tomorrow you can find me at Tales I Tell where storyteller and author Mabel Kaplan interviews me about how my interest in Japanese and Chinese history has influenced the series. Mabel uncovers the meaning of Monkey Fist. the first person ever to ask me what the title means. The complete tour schedule is here.