The full list of MURDER IN THE MAIL: A BLOODY BIRTHDAY contributors is here, but this article is specifically about the art from the exhibition currently showing at The Front cafe & gallery, with teachers and school principals in mind. I have chosen the most school-appropriate image from each artist to recommend (and have neglectedContinue reading “Art for Schools”
Author Archives: Felicity Banks Books
“Iron Lights” Book Launch
Book launches are like holidays*: You look forward to them like crazy, and then when they’re over you’re deeply relieved. Win-win? The first and third books of my steampunk trilogy were launched at the Canberra Writers Festival (2016 & 2018; the middle book was launched at Conflux 2017). In 2016 the venue was the NationalContinue reading ““Iron Lights” Book Launch”
Me, me, me!
The brilliant writer and photographer Cat Sparks was kind enough to photograph the IRON LIGHTS launch at Old Parliament House today. If you’ve heard her name linked to the Canberra Writers Festival before, it’s because she was on some of the panels. There are so many brilliant photos that I’ve decided to save this entryContinue reading “Me, me, me!”
Addendum: A Bloody Fantastic Cake
Here’s Cassie’s own pic of the cake she made, next to Shauna’s picture. Artists are so amazing! They never cease to impress and delight me. It tasted good too. PS The launch for IRON LIGHTS was pretty cool too. Cat Sparks did the photos and I already have them. They’re so incredible I’mContinue reading “Addendum: A Bloody Fantastic Cake”
Murder in the Mail Art Exhibition Opening
Today is Saturday, August 25, 2018. Today MURDER IN THE MAIL: A BLOODY BIRTHDAY was officially launched with the beginning of a week-long art installation at The Front cafe & gallery (1 Wattle St, Lyneham, Canberra). It featured all eight pieces of story art (you can see them here), plus several bonus pieces (three OctopusContinue reading “Murder in the Mail Art Exhibition Opening”
Bloody Cake!
So I panicked and ordered a custom-made cake for the MURDER IN THE MAIL: A BLOODY BIRTHDAY opening/launch this Saturday 3:30-5pm at The Front. Cassie of Cassie’s Custom Creations is the amazing lady whose response to “Canihaveacustom3tiercakebysatudayohplease” was, “YES!” And this is what she’s working off—the incredibly intricate pic by Shauna O’Meara: I can’t waitContinue reading “Bloody Cake!”
Say what??
This weekend is the Canberra Writers Festival, and I have not one but TWO book launches. Saturday is the official launch of MURDER IN THE MAIL: A BLOODY BIRTHDAY (complete with a week-long art installation) at The Front cafe & gallery (Lyneham shops, 3:30-5pm). It’s not officially connected to the Canberra Writers Festival at all,Continue reading “Say what??”
Zipper
She’s doing fine. Her playfulness is clearly demarcated from her cuddly times (which is very handy, because the kids know exactly when not to try to pat her), and is getting livelier as she grows in confidence (and presumably recovers from her operation). Today she had her first visit to our local vet, who gaveContinue reading “Zipper”
Book Week activity for pre-school to Year 4 kids
Last year, I wrote a story with my daughter’s Kindy class. This year I’m going one better (or at least noisier) and writing a story with my son’s pre-school class. This is a fairly fancy* pre-school, so even in pre-school the kids are encouraged to write their own names, and most can write the firstContinue reading “Book Week activity for pre-school to Year 4 kids”
Kitten kitten kitten!
Meet Zipper. Zipper and her brother were found at a camp site and taken to the RSPCA. I think what happened is someone’s cat had a litter and they were too embarrassed to take them to the RSPCA themselves so when the kittens were old enough they took them into bushland and let them go.Continue reading “Kitten kitten kitten!”
Cat Names
Here is our brand new kitten: I spent a lot of time considering possible names. I needed something that could be short or long (I tend to shorten names and then lengthen them, eg Annaleise–> Anna–>Anna-bananaramagram), that the kids didn’t hate, that I didn’t mind shouting into the night (not, for example, “Fire” or “Figaro”Continue reading “Cat Names”
Insert Toilet Joke Here
August is an exciting month. GammaCon (where that pic was taken) is over for another year (it RULED by the way) but the Canberra Writers’ Festival is approaching (23-26 August) and I’ll be launching TWO books that weekend. Murder in the Mail: A Bloody Birthday will be launched with a week-long art exhibition at TheContinue reading “Insert Toilet Joke Here”
Author Photo
Every so often I get asked for an author photo. Here are some that I use pretty often: Nice and steampunky, but WILDLY out of date. Amusing – captured just as the whistle blew, scaring the crap out of me. I’m actually (just barely) pregnant with Louisette in this photo. Generally author pics want toContinue reading “Author Photo”
Cover Reveal: Iron Lights
Here she is, in all her end-of-trilogy glory: And with her sisters: Wow. I can’t wait to have all three on a table. Speaking of tables, this weekend is GammaCon Canberra, for all your nerdy needs! You can find out more here, or just show up at Exhibition Park between 9am and 5pm this weekendContinue reading “Cover Reveal: Iron Lights”
“Murder in the Mail: A Bloody Birthday” Contributors
Full alphabetical list of contributors (many of these people are both writers and artists, but I’ve only listed them as artists if that’s their role in “A Bloody Birthday”): Barr, Julian: Writer https://jbarrauthor.wordpress.com/ Banks, Felicity: Writer & Curator My Interactive Fiction Bendon, Carmel: Writer https://carmelbendon.com Denman, Carolyn: Writer BOOKS and PUBLICATIONS Goodin, Laura E:Continue reading ““Murder in the Mail: A Bloody Birthday” Contributors”
Fan Art
Choices That Matter is a serial story hub app by Tin Man Games. KG Tan is the project head and editor. The stories are: And The Sun Went Out written by KG Tan, Alyce Potter, and myself. And Their Souls Were Eaten written by yours truly (edited by KG Tan and Phill Berrie). And Their Heroes WereContinue reading “Fan Art”
TrailerFest 2018
Today I decided that my 2-3 (I honestly don’t know) YouTube accounts needed tidying up, so I started a fresh new channel (because that simplifies things, right?) using the MagicintheMailStories@gmail.com email account. As you may have guessed, I love doing my own book trailers. It’s so much fun! The channel is here (don’t click on that;Continue reading “TrailerFest 2018”
The beginning of the end
Well, it’s still not 100% certain, but things aren’t looking good for Princess Ana. There are probably some hard decisions ahead. So here she is, looking perfect as usual: Update: The decision to put her to sleep has been made. We’ll tell the kids in the morning. Update: Ana died peacefully at the vet lastContinue reading “The beginning of the end”
The Banana Bread of Destiny
The only good thing about banana bread is that is uses up bananas.* Ingredients 1 and a half c buckwheat flour 1 c coconut sugar 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda 2 tsp cinnamon 1 c mashed banana 1 egg 1/2 c yogurt 1/4 c grapeseed oil 1/3 c maple syrup 2 tspContinue reading “The Banana Bread of Destiny”
Sushi Bowl Recipe
Okay, this one made me nervous. It was invented by one of the kids “inspired by the giant packet of seaweed paper he asked his mum to buy at Costco”. What could possibly go wrong? Ingredients Rice Smoked salmon Avocado Seaweed paper Soy sauce Method 1. Cook rice. 2. Put rice in a bowl. 3.Continue reading “Sushi Bowl Recipe”