News Update - Morris Publishing Australia

EXCITING NEW 'BOOK BABY'

6/18/2016

So excited to be able to announce the arrival of a new 'book baby'. The first in a series.

DIPPY THE DANCING DIPROTODON
Book one in the Meet The Megafauna series.
Author: Elaine Ouston. Illustrator: Kevin Burgemeestre.

This is the first book in a series of picture books that will feature two of the megafauna interacting, as they would have in the wild. This one features the marsupial lion and the diprotodon.

The unique and hardly known megafauna in this book were first introduced by the author in her fantasy series The Mystery of Nida Valley.

SYNOPSIS:
More than 50,000 years ago, Dippy the diprotodon (di-prot-o-don) danced through the dense forest heading for his breakfast of fresh eucalyptus leaves.

What he didn't know was that right behind him, stalking him, was a marsupial lion wanting to make Dippy his breakfast. Who will win this battle?

The books are available through Morris Publishing Australia, bookshops through Dennis Jones and Associates, and all library suppliers. Release date: August 2016.

The name 'KICK-ASS TYLER' says it all!

5/10/2016

Another great review for an action packed adventure story for girls.

As with all of Clancy Tucker's books, this book has a positive message for its readers. Check out the review below to find out more.

KICK-ASS REVIEW – JACK WHITE

Kick-Ass Tyler is another ripping yarn from Clancy Tucker. Like PA Joe’s Place, Gunnedah Hero and others, Kick-Ass is an easy read and hard to put down once started.

Sam Tyler (Kick-Ass) is a feisty young teenage girl who's had a hard life, having lost her dad way too early for any kid. To survive that wound and mask the pain, Sam's response was to be tough and a bit rebellious, with a good dash of love and empathy, common sense and wisdom beyond her years, and the kind of guts we all admire - or definitely should!

She mobilises her school mates and community members to help police locate a school mate who's been abducted. Sam is instrumental in rescuing her friend and, in the process, gets herself into all sorts of bother. It's a pleasure to observe her skills and abilities - that any girl her age can develop - watch her character mature, her toughness soften into the quality of ''strength'', and her relationship with her step-dad and some authority figures warm and grow.

This is a book from which young teenage girls, especially, would benefit. Having said that, I am a male and closer to 70 than 60, and I was warmed and encouraged by the authentic humanity of the leading characters, and the values they espoused and demonstrated. And if, as you read K-A, you cry at times, you are a human being!

Well done, Clancy. Thanks for the joy!

Jack White
Author, musician, pilot, yachtsman,
farmer and psychotherapist.

Excitement, adventure and important messages

4/13/2016

This book has it all.
Reviewer Anastasia Gonis says, 'A terrific read that skips along quickly. It will suit reluctant readers, mostly boys, and others from 8-80 as the chapters are compact and the story fast-paced, intense and full of action.'

REVIEW in Buzzwords Magazine
Mister Rainbow by Clancy Tucker (Clancy Tucker Publishing)
PB RRP $15.00 plus $3.00 postage ($6.00 for overseas post) E-book $3.00
ISBN 9780646938943
Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis
Multi-talented Clancy Tucker’s second novella calls attention to environmental polluting, issues facing return soldiers specifically those of the Vietnam War, and the bonds of friendship. These three themes are strung cleverly together to form an adventure story with a fishing background. Clancy, a vigorous champion of disregarded causes, again presents points of importance through a strong narrative.
Dead fish have been found floating in the river and the EPA is collecting samples of the water. Toby and Maddie are fishing partners and this is cause for concern as they have just lost a friend to what the locals are calling Mill Flu.
Toby is smart and resourceful; curious and an adventurer. There are places that are out-of-bounds to the two children because they hold dangers. Toby is careful but is challenged by limitations. On one of their fishing trips they venture into a forbidden area with traumatic results.
Johan Bolt is an old loner. Few people know anything about him as he lives in an old shack close to the river with minimal material possessions. It is to him that Toby runs for help when Maddie falls into the river and Bolt saves her life. They keep this happening a secret, but Maddie becomes seriously ill as a repercussion of ingesting polluted water.
A string of events brings the three characters together after Toby finds Bolt unconscious behind the shack, and with quick thinking, saves the old man’s life. He discovers secrets about Bolt that have been kept for years and that leave him ‘gob smacked’. His ingenious mind is always turning up new and sensible ideas. This, combined with his discovery about Bolt, will change all their lives for the better.
A terrific read that skips along quickly. It will suit reluctant readers, mostly boys, and others from 8-80 as the chapters are compact and the story fast-paced, intense and full of action. All Clancy Tucker’s books can be purchased via his daily Blog. :http://clancytucker.blogspot.com.au/ or through Morris Publishing Australia http://www.morrispublishingaustralia.com/ All the photographs on covers and within the books are taken by Clancy Tucker.

http://www.buzzwordsmagazine.com/2016/04/mister-rainbow.html

YOU'LL LAUGH, YOU'LL CRY, AND YOU'LL LEARN WITH THESE 3 EXCITING NEW TITLES

8/19/2015

ONE FOR RELUCTANT READERS:
This new hilarious book by Robert Favretto, CAT-apult, is a fun and entertaining read that I'm sure would be enjoyed by young boys. This story is along the same lines as the Just books and Captain Underpants series: crazy, funny and really silly – everything a nine-year-old boy loves in a book.
Book launches: Melbourne booklovers, don't miss the launch of this hilarious book.
Go to the book's page to learn more and find the venues for the two launches.

SHEEZA: The long-awaited novella about disabilities, loyalty and courage by award-winning author, Clancy Tucker.
Danny Morandi lives in a large Australian country town and is bullied by a local farm boy, Kyle ‘Mad Dog’ Fletcher, because Danny has an artificial leg, wears glasses and wants a sheep dog. Danny’s best friend, Joey, defends him in a fight with the bully and they end up before the school principal. Go to the book’s page to learn more.

This book for early readers is educational and introduces the young reader to Australia’s unique megafauna in an entertaining way. It is written as if the animals are introducing themselves to the reader.
SYNOPSIS:
Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, many large and unusual animals lived in Australia.
Some lived with the dinosaurs, but many were still here 50,000 years ago when humans arrived in our land. Some have survived to become the animals we see today. But some, sadly, died out like the dinosaurs.
Step into Nida Valley, where they still roam. They are waiting to tell you all about themselves.
Go to the book's page for more information.

A timely and award-winning book on bullying and Muslim condemnation

5/3/2015

This modern YA fiction novella deals with bullying, refugees, asylum seekers, sickness, sport, competing, friendships, racism and bigotry.

This will be a top selling book for Clancy Tucker and a valuable read for all teens. It give the readers insights into how to deal with this prevalent problem.

This book was Highly Commended in the 2006 Australian National Literary Awards. It has just being released as a paperback.

SYNOPSIS: Rida Khalid is a Muslim refugee from Iran. She is bullied by two girls at school for wearing a hijab (Muslim headscarf), reading books and wearing glasses, and seeks refuge in an old man's garden after school. Rida meets an Asian girl at school, Ky, who also loves books, but Rida soon dumps her for a gawky girl, Carmen, who teaches her about fitting in. To be accepted, Rida removes her hijab at school, but she must wear her headscarf whilst competing in the inter-school sports. Her family will attend.

Rida deliberately loses the first race because Carmen says, “Only nerds do well in sports”. The sports master berates her for losing the race and points to Ky who's made an extraordinary effort to get out of hospital to watch her run. Ky is battling leukaemia. Rida wins the next two races and gives her winning ribbons to Ky for good luck.

She enters the State Athletics Championships, but two athletics clubs lodge an objection to her hijab. Rida is shocked when a retired Queens Counsel (QC) represents her at the Equal Opportunity Commission. Who is he? Will Rida win the case? Will she run in the State Championships? Will Ky beat leukaemia, and who owns the garden that Rida has used as a sanctuary?

All these questions are answered in this brilliant well-written novel.

The paperback and eBook are available at http://www.morrispublishingaustralia.com and
www.clancytucker.blogspot.com.au

The eBook is available on Amazon, Smashwords, and many
online stores

WHO IS MALCOLM WELLS?

2/15/2015

I'll let him tell you ...
I was born in the seaside town of Bournemouth on the south coast of England. From the age of about ten, I became an avid reader of horror stories, which quite disturbed my parents. I soon became interested in sci-fi and fantasy as well. At the age of 22, I met an Australian who had gone to England on a holiday. Within 9 months, we were married and moving to Australia.

About this time, I began writing as a hobby, mostly short stories and poetry. Over the years, I had some of the stories published in magazines and some poetry published in anthologies. I was on the verge of having a novella published once, but the publisher wanted the ending changed. I refused and the story never made it to print. I learnt a valuable lesson from that, listen to people who know what they are talking about.

In 2006, my wife was employed by CQU in Rockhampton which meant moving to Rocky from our home in Windsor, NSW. This meant we were constantly traveling between the two homes to be together for short periods and writing took a back seat. I was also running my own business and my writing was confined to quotes, reports and environmental surveys. I began writing my memoirs about 2010 as a means of relaxation. Apart from that, I would not begin writing seriously again until I retired and had moved to Central Queensland to be with my wife permanently.

I discovered the ABC Open website, a national site that offered writers and photographers an outlet for their work. I also joined the Capricorn Writers Group and met like-minded people. In December of 2014 I became the first person to publish over 1,000 contributions on the site, including about 70 stories, blogs and articles. In 2014, I was also asked to contribute a weekly column to the Morning Bulletin, the local newspaper.
Having published my first novel I am now working on a second novel, about an alien who crash lands in a Dorset village in a rural area of southern England. I will also be looking to get my memoirs published in the near future. If the first novel is well received, I also have a draft for a sequel.

The Spires of Kurrong
Synopsis
For many generations the people of the spires believed they were the only living human race left on their planet. They had been told that Daemons had inhabited the planet surface and driven their ancestors into the domed cities. When Markus and Filona fall in love, they break the strict laws of the domes. Markus is son of the Prefect of Alpha Dome, Filona an innkeepers daughter and their union is forbidden.

The couple flee to the planet surface, despite thoughts of the dangers they might face. What they find there will astound them. The decisions they make for their future will have a dramatic effect on the whole planet.

TITLE: The Spires of Kurrong
AUTHOR: Malcolm Wells
ISBN: 978-0-9942463-1-8
FORMATS: Paperback and eBook
EXTENT: 244 pages
AU RRP: eBook: $4.99
                 Paperback: $20.00
PUBLISHER: Morris Publishing Australia
http://morrispublishingaustralia.com
CATEGORY: Sci Fi/fantasy
AUDIENCE: Young Adult
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL ORDERS:
Morris Publishing Australia -
http://www.morrispublishingaustralia.com
Paperback and eBook available on Morris Publishing’s website, Amazon and
many online stores.

To read the first chapter of The Spires of Kurrong go to http://www.morrispublishingaustralia.com/the-spires-of-kurrong.html
To learn more information about the book and Malcolm follow the blog tour:

Feb 14th http://promotemeplease.blogspot.com

15th http://diannedibates.blogspot.com.au

16th http://www.morrispublishingaustralia.com/news-update-blog

17th http://clancytucker.blogspot.com.au

18th http://aussiereviews.com

19th http://www.robynopie.blogspot.com

20th http://elaineoustonauthor.com

21st http://authorjillsmith.wordpress.com

28th http://losangzopa.wordpress.com

This YA book is getting great reviews

1/21/2015

I want to share with you an extract from a review by popular author, Di Bates of My Unforgettable Year by Adem Besim.

Di says:
It wasn’t until I started reading this YA novel that I realised how little contemporary fiction there is about male teenage protagonists and their lives. In fact, all I could recall was Maureen Johnson’s Boofheads, which was published quite a few years ago.

Besim has a unique insight into what makes a teenage boy click. Mostly his dialogue is true and the emotional depth of his characters is also true. I thought that sex would have been a driving force in a book about a seventeen-year-old – lots of talk among boys about girls -- but that doesn’t happen. Yes, there is one sexual episode in the book, but it is glossed over.

Here is a book written by a young man in his early twenties who clearly remembers the angst of the teen years. Narrated by seventeen-year-old Nathan Thompson, My Unforgettable Year tells of the teenager’s trials and tribulations as he negotiates his final school year. On the surface, Nathan seems to have it all. He's the goal-kicking footy superstar from the small town of Kyabram. And he’s managed to snag the attention of beautiful, rich Katie who is new to town. However, his life and future at times seems doomed, especially as his over-bearing father, Mark, desperately wants Nathan to be the next national AFL player to make his town proud. Instead, Nathan plays footy for fun and dreams of university and a career in architecture.

When problems arise in his life, Nathan is often explosive and erratic, for instance when he resorts to physical violence against a footy team-mate. He is constantly on a hormonal roller-coast ride. Sometimes he seems mature and wise, other times he acts like an emotional juvenile. His emotions range from feelings of betrayal to disrespect to satisfaction to love. Often, like any teenager, he struggles with peer relationships, at times querying the motives of Katie and his best friend Matty. Nathan’s relationship with his ambitious father, whom he mostly detests, is tempered by his warm relationship with his mother and brother, Josh. Luckily, he has two positive male role-models, his Coach Garry and teacher, Mr Hazelman. What works best in the book is how Besim manages to capture the tension and action of an ongoing football match from a player’s perspective. The role of his coach is beautifully captured.

For the most part, though, this is a book about things that matter to teen boys – footy, mateship, partying, studying, examinations, thoughts of the future, and relationships with parents, siblings and peers. The book deals, too, with the big issues of bullying, death, and falling in love. Overall it’s an ambitious novel as the reader follows Nathan’s difficult, but ultimately successful coming of age. It is, as the book says, an unforgettable year.

My Unforgettable Year is available from all library suppliers, Dennis Jones and Associates or wholesale from Morris Publishing Australia’s website http://morrispublishingaustralia.com. It is also produced and available as an eBook and on Amazon, Smashwords, Apple and Kobo.

AUTHOR INFORMATION:
Adem Besim was born in and lives in Kyabram, Victoria. He is presently studying for a Diploma in Professional Writing and Editing at Bendigo TAFE. Adem started his writing journey at 14 years of age.

He says, "I started writing because I'd always had a passion for it from when I was a child and went into bookshops with my father, and sat in on author visits at school. I have always felt at my most happiest and inspired when writing. That's how I knew that this was what I was born to do; there was nothing else I felt more certain about."

This is his first published novel, but I know it won’t be his last.

I'm sure your young teen readers will love this book and learn some valuable life lessons.

NEW BOOKS FOR HORSE-LOVING KIDS

12/3/2014

Sunshine Coast author, Jennifer Crane, has released the second children’s fiction novel in the Opal Dreaming series titled Opal Dreaming The Marble Horses. The story is set in Ancient Athens and follows on from The Bronze Horses, which is set on the Eurasian Steppes. The Opal Dreaming series traces the evolution of horses and riding from the Bronze Age to the modern Olympics, through the dreams of the thirteen-year-old Australian girl, Erin.

Jennifer is an experienced horse rider and competitor and explains, ‘Horses and horse riding have played a pivotal role in our own cultural advancement. Many horse management and riding methods used centuries ago are still used today. So my stories aim to meld the historical and modern to provide an understanding of equestrian knowledge in an entertaining format that children can relate to, and if they are riders themselves, use.’

Jennifer’s first published work was ‘Spillover: A Memoir’ about the death of her horse to Hendra Virus in 2006. She has also had a number of her children’s short stories published and received minor awards for her writing. Jennifer is currently studying a Master of Letters in Creative Writing and Literature through Central Queensland University.

Jennifer’s daughter, Jaclyn Crane, who is studying graphic design at Sunshine Coast University, has designed the cover artwork for both The Bronze Horses and The Marble Horses. Jaclyn recently won a highly competitive national student design award for an imaginary issue of the esteemed design industry publication, DG Magazine.

SYNOPSIS: The Marble Horses

Thirteen year old Erin loves horses and riding. After dreaming of the Bronze Age horses, she is starting to like history. Now curious about Ancient Greek horses, Erin again drifts into an opal dream.

Agis, a teenage boy, travels alone from Sparta to Athens where Diodorus gives him work at the stables. Agis earns the trust of a vicious black stallion, but is targeted by the jealous, Tellus. When the stallion escapes, Agis is suspected and threatened with punishment of death or slavery. Will Agis keep his freedom and survive to fulfil his dream of riding a horse?

When Erin wakes from her dream, she realises she can use what she has learnt about horses from the Ancient Greeks.

The Opal Dreaming series books are available from Books of Buderim and Rosetta Books Maleny, Australian Writers Rock Eumundi Markets, direct from Jennifer and from Morris Publishing Australia at www.morrispublishingaustralia.com

For more information or for an interview, please contact Jennifer on 07 54949 24/ mobile 0434726703 or email jencc@bigpond.com.au or Elaine Ouston Morris Publishing Australia on 54 981 332 or at info@morrispublishingaustralia.com.

Unique male coming-of-age story that will be loved by male and female readers.

11/15/2014

Publisher’s Notes:
There are not too many books written by a male about male coming-of-age experiences. This is a unique book and will be loved by male and female readers.  The themes are many: bullying, friendships, dealing with death, and falling in love.

We struggled with the editing of this book. Because it is written in the first person voice of a 17 year-old, we didn’t want to edit so heavily that we took away his authentic voice. In the end, we approached it as if it was a diary and left an awful lot of things we would have changed. Some people won’t agree with this decision, but I hope readers and reviewers will look at the story for what it is, a deeply emotive narrative by a teenage boy.
Its author, Adem Besim, is a driven writer and will go far in his chosen profession. His answers to the following question will give you some insight into his journey and some tips for writers who are still waiting for that magic acceptance letter.

AUTHOR INFORMATION:
Adem Besim was born, raised and still lives in Kyabram, Victoria. He is presently studying for a Diploma in Professional Writing and Editing at Bendigo TAFE. He started his writing journey at 14 years of age.

He says, 'I started writing because I'd always had a passion for it from when I was a small child. Visits to bookshops with my father and author visits at school inspired me. I always felt at my happiest listening to authors speaking about their books. Writing gives me that same feeling. That's how I knew that this was what I was born to do; there was nothing else I felt more certain about.”

Author Interview:
Q. Who is your favourite author and why?
A. I think my favourite author is John Marsden, as he is a renowned and well-respected author of Australian Young Adult literature. His novels have a depth and realism about them that I’ve found inspiring. I also like to read Archimede Fusillo, Scot Gardner, Tom Perrotta and JK Rowling.

Q. What are the greatest obstacles you've experienced on your writing journey?
A. The greatest obstacles I’ve overcome have been the doubt in my own head. There have been times when it seemed there was no point and no way I could ever be published, or I didn’t feel smart enough. But knowing it was my true passion, I continued with it anyway.

Q. What do you love most about writing books?
A. I love the idea of accomplishment and having achieved a life-long dream. This experience is a dream-come-true. Having a published book means that I can leave my mark on the world and encourage others to follow their goals.

Q. What advice would you have for anyone wanting to write a book in your genre?
A. The advice I’d give YA writers is to look back and recall your own experiences. Your work will be better for it and your readers will be able to relate to your novel. The best writing comes from experience.
Q. Did you have your manuscript professionally edited before it was sent to publishers?
A. Yes, I had my manuscript professionally edited by a woman I met through my Professional Writing & Editing course. She has a certificate in structural editing and copy-editing. I knew from very early on that she was trustworthy and the right person for the job. She picked up certain things in the manuscript (in terms of novel development and skill) that really surprised me. The Morris Publishing team picked up much more.

Q. Did you submit your manuscript to many publishers before you had an offer to publish?
A. Before I submitted to Morris Publishing Australia, I’d submitted it seven times to other publishing houses. I was very surprised (and happy) by Morris Publishing Australia’s response.

SYNOPSIS: This is a coming-of-age story about triumph and tragedy, love and loss, acceptance and letting go.

Life's looking pretty awesome for 17-year-old, Nathan Thompson. He's the goal-kicking superstar from the small town of Kyabram. Nathan's in his final year of school and has big plans set for the future; like winning the Thirds’ premiership cup, acing his Year Twelve exams, and finally graduating. One problem – his tough and over-bearing father, Mark, has other plans for him. He desperately wants Nathan to be the next AFL player to come out of Kyabram.

He seems set to stop Nathan from following his dreams of studying architecture at university. But a thirty-year-old secret of Mark's that resurfaces on Nathan's 18th birthday changes everything. Will it force Nathan and his father further apart or help them reconcile their fragile relationship?

As well as dealing with that problem, Nathan’s year gets worse as he deals with death, bullying and first love.

Follow the blog tour and find out what the reviewers thought of this novel and learn more about Adem.
Blog Tour schedule:
Nov-19 http://www.kids-bookreview.com    Interview

Nov-20   http://elaineoustonauthor.com        Interview

Nov-23 http://authorjillsmith.wordpress.com   review

Nov 27   http://christinemareebell.wordpress.com review

Dec-01   http://www.buzzwordsmagazine.com review by Di Bates

Dec-04 www.sherfordbear.co.uk Review

http://www.morrispublishingaustralia.com/blog-tour-my-unforgettable-year.html

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL ORDERS:
Morris Publishing Australia - http://www.morrispublishingaustralia.com
Dennis Jones and Associates: www.dennisjones.com.au
James Bennett library suppliers: www.bennett.com.au
The Nile Bookshop: www.thenile.com.au
Paperback and eBook available on Amazon and many online stores.

DELVE INTO THE MIND OF A DEBUT AUTHOR

11/11/2014

Join his blog tour and learn more about this exciting book, My Unforgettable Year, and its young author.

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

Adem Besim was born, raised and still lives in Kyabram, Victoria. He is presently studying for a Diploma in Professional Writing and Editing at Bendigo TAFE.

BOOK INFORMATION:

This is a deeply emotive story told in the first person voice of a seventeen-year-old boy. The themes are many: bullying, friendships, dealing with death, and falling in love. This book will be loved by male and female.

SYNOPSIS:

This is a coming-of-age story about triumph and tragedy, love and loss, acceptance and letting go.

Life's looking pretty awesome for 17-year-old, Nathan Thompson. He's the goal-kicking superstar from the small town of Kyabram. Nathan's in his final year of school and has big plans set for the future; like winning the Thirds’ premiership cup, acing his Year Twelve exams, and finally graduating. One problem – his tough and over-bearing father, Mark, has other plans for him. He desperately wants Nathan to be the next AFL player to come out of Kyabram.

He seems set to stop Nathan from following his dreams of studying architecture at university. But a thirty-year-old secret of Mark's that resurfaces on Nathan's 18th birthday changes everything. Will it force Nathan and his father further apart or help them reconcile their fragile relationship?

On top of that problem, Nathan’s year gets worse as he deals with death, bullying and first love.

Blog Tour schedule:

DATE                     BLOG                                               TYPE

Nov-14 http://clancytucker.blogspot.com.au         Interview

Nov-15 http://www.robynopie.blogspot.com         Interview

Nov-16 http://www.morrispublishingaustralia.com/news-update-blog                                                Profile / publisher's notes

Nov-19 http://www.kids-bookreview.com                Interview

Nov-20 http://elaineoustonauthor.com                    Interview

Nov-23 http://authorjillsmith.wordpress.com          Review

Nov 27 http://christinemareebell.wordpress.com    Review

Dec-01 http://www.buzzwordsmagazine.com         Review

Dec-04 www.sherfordbear.co.uk                             Review