World Book Day 2013 is almost here. I always love World Book Day, but this year is especially exciting as I’ve written one of the special World Book Day titles. It’s about my old friend, Eva Gordon, and it is called Ask Eva. In this book, Eva has two big problems to solve – but I’m not giving away any secrets here. You’ll have to read it and find out how she manages!

You can buy Ask Eva with your World Book Day voucher.

Happy World Book Day to all my reading and writing friends. xxx

 

 

 

 
Hi Everyone, this is Domino. I’ve just finished my computer course, so I’ve decided to let Judi take a break, and I’m updating her blog for her.

She’s all excited today since she just got her very first copy of her special World Book Day book, Ask Eva. She raced out and nearly mugged the postman when she heard his bike, she was so keen to get her hands on it – (the book that is, not the postman’s bike.) Now she has Ask Eva propped up on the kitchen counter, hoping that people will notice it. Sometimes she’s a bit of an attention-seeker, is Judi.

 

 

Fair play to Judi, seventeen books is quite an achievement, but I have to admit I don’t quite get Ask Eva. I mean, it’s a nice pretty colour and I like the picture of the teddy-bear and everything, but what’s the point of a book that hasn’t got any cats in it?????

As we enter the final weeks of 2012, I’ve decided to take a quick look back at how my writing year went. (I’m afraid I was so busy, I didn’t post here as often as I intended!)

I published two books, Double Trouble and Leave it to Eva.

Leave it to Eva was shortlisted for an Irish Book Award in November.

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Eva and Alice books were published in Australia, Russia, Serbia, Spain and Brazil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I spent a lot of 2012 at my desk (and not always on Facebook!) I finished two books that will be published in 2013 (more details of these next month). I’ve also been tipping at a few other projects, which may, or may not, develop into complete books.

And then there were the events, which remain a big part of my writing life. I did heaps of school, library and bookshop visits, especially in October, as part of Childrens Book Festival. As well as this, I think I’ve had a record year for festival attendances. In 2012, I was lucky enough to be  invited to speak at Festivals in the following locations…….

Waterford, Galway, Abbeyleix, Cologne, Dalkey, Dun Laoghaire, Dungarvan, Westport and Dublin. (Below are some random photos.)

Now my writing year is over. I’m stepping away from my desk until January. I’m going to put on some music,  ice a Christmas cake, and put up the decorations.

Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas.

See you again in 2013

xxxxxx

Here, (in no particular order) are some of the reasons I loved last week’s Rolling Sun Festival in Westport.

1. Westport is an amazing place. There’s a lovely town for strolling around, and if you feel like travelling, there are all kinds of beautiful places within a few miles. There’s Croagh Patrick, and Westport House and gazillions of stunning beaches.

2. Austin and his wonderful committee organised everything brilliantly, and events went like clockwork. (Once I got used to the fact that Westport Time is  slightly different to that of the rest of the world (!).) All the guests were treated like royalty, and while I’m not a Princess, it’s nice to pretend sometimes.

3. I stayed in the lovely Clew Bay Hotel, where Maria and her team couldn’t do enough to make sure we had everything we needed. The homemade granola at breakfast was delicious, and they even gave me some to bring home with me.

4. We all live busy lives, and it can be hard to organise a crowd. Someone persuaded (begged? bullied?) a huge number of children and parents to come to Westport library to listen to me, which is flattering. Keith and the library staff did a great job of setting up this event.

5. Writers probably spend more time than is healthy, alone in hotel bedrooms. In Westport, the team organised a lovely joint dinner for the committee and guests. It was nice to spend an evening in the company of Maeve Higgins, Cliodhna Ni Anluain, Kate Kerrigan and our charming Westport hosts. (And dinner in An Port Mor was delicious)

6. The Rolling Sun is a ‘quirky, boutique’ festival. (ie it’s small). That, in many ways is a good thing. I managed to go to all the events, and still had time to relax and enjoy the area.

Ireland is a great country for festivals, and I think The Rolling Sun is one to watch.

Just back from an amazing trip to Cork City Libraries. I stayed with my wonderful parents, who spoiled me rotten, and fed me wonderful food. I caught up with a few old friends from school and college and I celebrated the graduation of my godson, David, from UCC.

I opened an amazing library in the Gaelscoil in Douglas – it made me want to go back in time, and be a pupil there.

The events in Cork City were lovely. I visited the libraries in Blackpool, Holly Hill, Tory Top, Douglas, Mayfield, Grand Parade and Bishopstown. Everywhere I went, I was blown away by the enthusiasm of the children, and how well their teachers had prepared them for my visit.

On every visit I was most flattered by posters and art celebrating my books. Special mention has to go to Tom Mc Carthy in Hollyhill, who made this lovely, and beautifully titled ‘Judi Garland.’

This was a lovely finale to my Childrens Book Festival 2012.