Ginger Meggs has been a feature of daily newspapers now for over 100 years. In fact, this year marks the centenary of the birth of Ginger, originally created by Jimmy Bancks.
To commemorate this occasion, a brand new edition of four Ginger Meggs adventures has been published by Penguin written by the great great nephew of Jimmy Bancks- Tristan Bancks– himself a a popular and successful author of children’s and young adult books. With illustrations by the strip’ current illustrator Jason Chatfield, it is a handsome, hardback quality paper production that a wonderful tribute to this little Aussie redhead.
I spoke with Tristan on the week of the book’s publication, which he had just launched with much fanfare ( and cream cake) at Sydney Writers Festival.
Tristan Bancks Interview
To hear Tristan read for Narratives go to our Young Readers page!
It’s an oft repeated history of rural areas that new comers bring change and also have to earn their acceptance. Often fresh perspectives challenge traditional and old ways and clashes and misunderstandings happen. Conflict is often resolved with communication, and also time itself will alter long held views. This is the underlying trope of ‘Repentance‘, a logging town built on forest wealth that is running out of time and favour.
Belinda Murrell’s well researched novels for the 6-12 age group even come with a glossary of Italian language! It’s just there to add flavour and fun to the theme of the book. (Though the food mentioned in the book all sounds pretty flavoursome too!)
Sophie is a young woman who feels bullied at school who falls through a crack in a rock to another time and place- and discovers bullies can really be bigger and badder than she thought.However, she rises to the occasion.
Author: Belinda Murrell
Belinda Murrell – Interview
Belinda Murrell reads from ‘The Golden Tower’
Belinda’s read courtesy of Penguin Random House Australia.
This interview broadcast on Arts Canvass Bay FM 99.9 on February 25 2021.
Robin Gregory’s day job brings her face to face with domestic violence issues on a regular basis – but a young terrified asian woman seeking sanctuary brought her into the realisation that sex trafficking is a very real problem in Australia.
Robin Gregory – Interview
Robin Gregory – Reads from ‘Traffic’
Robin was broadcast on ‘Arts Canvass- Bay FM 99.9’ on February 18th 2021.
In 1954, the media coverage of Royal activities was strictly controlled by the Palace. None more so than on the great Royal tour of Australia. But a tiny incident that was immediately self censored by a film crew caught author Andrew Mackie’s attention and started him on a wild imagining of what could be going on behind the scenes. To help the story along, he invented a cast of entirely fictional characters including twin sisters, Daisie and Violet ,who are working through their own dramas while serving in the the entourage.
ANDREW MACKIE – AUTHOR
Andrew Mackie- Interview
Andrew Mackie reads from ‘The Tour’
Broadcast on Feb 4, 2020 on Arts Canvass Bay FM 99.9
Shortlisted for 2020 Broken Pencil International Zine Awards!
Holly English is a contemporary artist, comic creator and cartoonist and illustrator who has been shortlisted for the 2020 Broken pencil International Zine Awards (comic Section) for her comic ‘Grace‘.
Grace is the story of Holly’s maternal grandmother and her journey with chronic pain, suicide and the subsequent impact upon her family.
Not your usual comic material but Holly pulls it of with her charming naive cartooning style and and pertinent story.
It is a 24 page, black and white, A5 comic drawn in ink and pencil and you can get you own copy from her webpage.
Holly English Interview
Holly was interviewed by phone due to this Covid times and broadcast on Arts Canvass Bay FM. Listen to this Podcast and many more at www.libsyn.com/narrativeslibrary
Fin. J Ross- ‘Billings Better Bookstore and Brasserie’ – a read from the author.
Fin. J Ross loves unusual words and language so this is a great fun book I think for Young Adult to adult. We can all do with learning a new word each day and there are some beauties in this text which have sadly fallen into disuse!
Bring back ‘ Hamshackled‘ ,’Flexanimous‘ and maybe ‘Effodient‘!
These and many more can be found at the start of each chapter as we follow the fortunes of Fedelia Knight, an orphaned girl in 18 century Melbourne who had a love of words and reading.
Interview with Fin. J Ross
Coming up in the next few weeks: Crime, Punk Rock and Music Memoirs!
Sandi Wallace delights in finding little Australian country towns and weaving crime stories that delve into the complex relationships in small rural areas. Listen to the interview to hear why she loves these places and then there is a small read from the novel.
Interview – Sandi Wallace
Sandi Wallace reads for Narratives from Black Cloud
More coming in the next few weeks- Fin J Ross with Billings Better Bookstore and Brasserie, and also a history on Punk rock, and much more!
Just in time for the school holidays- Tristan Bancks has released his two Nit Boy books in one bumper edition. Funny cartoons by Heath McKenzie will make this a winner with even the most reluctant of readers. Tristan assures me in the interview that Nits have not gone away – apparently they are immune to viruses?
Fast paced crime thriller set in modern South Africa.
Natalie Conyer was born and grew up in South Africa but has been an Australian for many years now. So she had to return a few times to refresh her memories and also consult with the crime squads there over her many details. Its such an interesting read, even if you need the Glossary at the back for some of the terms! She has won a number of awards for her short stories, but this is her first full length novel.
Natalie Conyer Interview
Natalie Conyer reads for you from ‘Present Tense’
Stay tuned , more authors coming, like everyone else Covid-19 has slowed us down a little!
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