It's author excitement/anxiety/relief/terror time again. My new book Once is at the printer and there's nothing more I can do until it reaches the shops and libraries and reviewers' jacuzzis at the beginning of August.

It's been quite a journey, this one. As I've travelled with Felix and Zelda across war-torn Poland in 1942, I've learned a lot and my life has been changed. I've also thought often about the children doing it tough in Australia all these years later. There are many of them, in all sorts of circumstances, including the 68 children still locked up in our detention centres.

I've talked about them before so I won't go into detail here, but if you're interested to find out more, you can at the ChilOut website.

On a happier note, the judges of the Worm Story Competition have made their decision and the names of the winners are on the Competitions page. Congratulations to them, and thanks to everyone else who entered. We'll be having another competition later in the year, so keep those brains handy.

In the meantime, the MS Readathon is underway, and as 2005 Patron I'm counting on you to read and raise money like never before. Just by reading books you can earn prizes, fame and the gratitude of others. Details at the MS Readathon website.

I hope you'll join me in being part of this year's MS Readathon. Reading books is one of my favourite things to do, and I reckon being able to battle a tricky and mysterious disease without leaving your favourite chair is a great way to spend an afternoon.

By the way, did I mention that my new book Once is a the printer and I'm feeling excited, anxious, relieved and terrified? Perhaps I did...

Until next time, oo-roo and happy reading.

27 May 2005