Deborah Abela
In 2011 when we launched Creative Kids Tales, Deborah Abela was right there beside us.
Three years later and Deborah is still a great supporter of Creative Kids Tales. That’s why we felt it only fitting to see what she has been up to since we last chatted and welcome her as the first featured author for our fresh new website.
Deborah is one of my favourite writerly people. She is warm, giving and a total professional.
She is a multi award winning author of the Max Remy and Jasper Zammit series. The Max Remy series has an amazing ten books in the series. There are three in the Jasper Zammit series which was written in partnership with soccer legend, the late Johnny Warren. The Ghost Club is about a ghost busting brother and sister duo Angeline and Edgar Usher. Each story in the three book series is packed with paranormal fun and other worldy inventions.
Max Remy is an 11-year-old schoolgirl whose workaholic PR mother leaves her with her eccentric uncle and aunt over the school holiday break.
Cranky and determined to have a bad time in the bush, she meets a farmboy called Linden, and despite Max’s reluctance to accept his friendship, she is soon won over by his charm and humour. She also discovers that her uncle and aunt aren’t country hicks, but brilliant scientists on the verge of creating a Time and Space Machine!
There are 10 Max Remy adventures in the series. In them, Max and Linden are invited to become part of the elite intelligence agency called Spyforce. As secret agents fighting bad guys across the globe, they are lowered into giant vats of green jelly, plunged into a terrifying Nightmare Vortex, swept over huge waterfalls and dangled from the top of the Eiffel Tower by an evil genius.
Perfect for 8 - 12-year olds, Max Remy is published around the world and being enjoyed by children everywhere.
Just check out the accolades for the Max Remy Superspy series:
- 2005, 2007, 2010 KOALA awards (NSW children’s choice)
- Shortlisted Best series 2007, 2010 YABBA awards (Victorian children’s choice)
- Shortlisted Best series, 2008 Angus & Robertson’s Top 50 kids Books
- 2007 Shortlisted CBC Children’s Choice Awards US
- 2007 WAYRBA (Western Australia Children’s Choice Awards)
- 2007 CROC awards
- 2006 Annual Ellie Awards, Madison Alabama, USA - Honor Book
- 2005 Winner Gold Oppenheim Award, New York: Max Remy Part 1
- 2004 Australia Council Literary Grant New Work/Developing Writer
- 2003 Shortlisted Aurealis Awards Max Remy The Hollywood Mission
- 2002, 2003 Winner of Read and Write Award by Vocaleyes Narrator of audio books
In 2009, the delightful Aurelie Bonhoffen hit the bookshelves in The Remarkable Secret of Aurelie Bonhoffen.
Ever since Aurelie Bonhoffen was a child, she has juggled, played the dead girl on the ghost train and the back end of the cow in the marquee of Bonhoffen's Seaside Pier. She adores her family - especially her uncles Rolo and Rindolf - but on her twelfth birthday, she stumbles on her family's remarkable secret. It's hard to accept at first, but when her new friend at school reveals a dangerous plot against the pier, the secret helps Aurelie confront the greatest threat her family has ever faced.
The Remarkable Secret of Aurelie Bonhoffen was shortlisted in the 2012 USBBY Outstanding International Book Awards (US) and the 2010 Aurealis Awards for Best Children’s Book. It was awarded the a Notable Book in the 2010 Children’s Book Council Awards.
Frustrated with Governments around the world and their denial about climate change, Deb’s 2010 cranky novel, Grimsdon was released. Grimsdon posed the question: What if we woke up and everything we knew had been changed forever? Introducing Isabella Charm, her best friend Griffin and her adopted family Fly, Xavier, Bea and Raffy. This story is about a city hit by a massive wave that left it uninhabitable. Isabella and her friends were left behind and must rebuild their new world. By creating flying machines and other inventions just to survive. But danger is not always scene and what lurks beneath the water might just be their biggest threat of all.
Grimsdon won the 2011 Speech Pathology Book of the Year Awards. Was awarded the 2011 Most Enthralling Junior Fiction Award, Kids Book Review and was shortlisted in the 2011 Aurealis Awards and REAL awards (children’s choice Vic, NT, NSW, ACT)
In 2014, the sequel to Grimsdon, New City was released. Just as exciting as the first this time Isabella and her friends have escaped the floodwarters of Grimsdon for the modern world of New City. But not all is as it seems.
In 2012, Deborah was nominated as an Ambassador for the National Year of Reading and also an ambassador for the Premier’s Reading challenge in NSW. Before that she was awarded by the Federal Government the title of National Literacy Ambassador she is also an Author Ambassador for Room to Read.
In 2013 Deborah received the Maurice Saxby Award for Services to Children’s Literature and recognition for Ghost Club through the 2013 Sisters in Crime Davitt Awards.
Deborah has travelled the world from Africa, America, Asia, Europe and the UK absorbing stories along her journey. Her website is packed with writing tips, entertaining book trailers and fascinating information about this gifted author.
I am lucky enough to have a shelf dedicated to Deb’s books in my reading room.
If you want to find out more about Deborah, visit her website: www.deborahabela.com
Deborah Abela - Interview (Dec 2014)
Deborah Abela - Interview (Dec 2011)
Or listen to my interview with Deborah on The Author's Shelf last year (SoundCloud): Interview
'I’m thrilled to be Creative Kids Tales author of the month.' 'I hope in some small way by me taking part, I might help and inspire young authors and artists to follow their own artistic path.' 'The key I believe is to seek to enjoy what you do. Even though doing your best is a constant challenge I find it is a worthwhile one. So, get drawing and / or writing.' Good luck ! - 
"What a wonderful website and wealth of resources. I wish I’d discovered it sooner - but I can still enjoy it now, and have added it to my list of resources for new writers."
'Creative Kids Tales offers new writers the joy of publication on their journey of craft and creativity.'
'Creative Kids Tales has inspired, encouraged and supported not only the published, but also us hopefuls still learning the ways of the publishing world. Thanks for providing not only an amazing site to scroll and learn through, but also providing friendship and a real sense of chasing our dreams.' - 
'The Creative Kids Tales site is great fun and full of information about authors and their books!' - 
'Creative Kids Tales is a fantastic resource for aspiring writers that showcases emerging and published authors and illustrators and provides links to publishers' websites, helpful hints and competitions.'
'If there's anything emerging authors struggle with (beyond the dreaded writer's block), it's receiving recognition or even acknowledgment of their work – battling for a slice of that incredibly elusive publishing pie. Georgie Donaghey has created a priceless promotional and networking station that allows new authors to not only share their work, but gain the courage and nous to take their work to a whole new level. Creative Kids Tales is a valuable addition to Australia's burgeoning children's book market.' - 
'The long-distance marathon of writing, illustrating and publishing usually begins along a very foggy road, in the dark, shoeless. But wait! What's that light on the horizon? A glowing little cafe, full of a bunch other runners plotting out mud-maps on napkins and exchanging anecdotes, warning about ditches and praising short-cuts. Stop for a while, have a cup of tea, maybe even a shoe-fitting, then get yourself back on the road for the long slog to sunrise.' - 
'Creative Kids Tales is a great forum for people who spend most of their working time alone. It is interesting and inspiring to see and hear what other authors and illustrators have to say.' - 
'Creative Kids Tales contributes a wonderful sense of community to the Australian kids’ book scene, from sharing insightful interviews, to writing competitions and now a conference. It’s a great organisation to follow online and be a part of!'
'Congratulations to Georgie Donaghey for her hard work and enthusiasm in setting up a site that has been sorely needed to promote current Australian children's writing. Not just for the established, but for up and coming, Creative Kids Tales showcases talent and provides information essential for anyone in the industry.' - www.enterprisingwords.com.au
'Once you find an easily-accessible, up-to-date and vibrant source of writing help and encouragement, you should value it and use it! Thanks to Creative Kids Tales, that’s all available, just with the tap of your finger: 
'Emerging from one's chrysalis of anonymity into the prodigious world of creative children's writing and publishing is a daunting prospect. Georgie Donaghey's Creative Kids Tales is a superlative source of inspiration and information for the bourgeoning writer and illustrator. She has created an invaluable platform from which writers, both developing and established, can view, promote and share each other's work, and most importantly aspirations. A fun, friendly, and informative forum that everyone in the kids' lit industry can benefit from.' Keep it up Georgie! - 
'Creative Kids Tales is a lovely online meeting space brimming with support and ideas for writers.'
'Creative Kids Tales is an awesome resource you should totally check it out.' - 
'Thanks for being such a strong advocate for children’s literature, the power of stories, and reading.
'I love the grumpy cat videos, hahaha it's so grumpy ... oh, wait, wrong website. Ah yes, Creative Kids Tales. Brilliant! Getting published is an amazing, frustrating, brilliant, lonely, creative journey, and www.creativekidstales.com.au is awesome in that it helps both published and pre-published authors by providing support, inspiration, a community, and by allowing authors to learn from other authors, and who better is there to learn from .. .except maybe that grumpy cat, hahaha, hilarious.' - 
'Wow! Creative Kids Tales is a fantastic resource for writers, no matter what stage of their writing journey they are at. Congratulations, Georgie, on your attractive, easy-to-navigate website, your generosity to your fellow writers and your constantly evolving ideas. Thanks on behalf of all of us.' - 
Creative Kids Tales offers a brilliant platform for established and emerging creators to keep in touch and learn from each other. That is a great thing for this most isolated of all professions (apart from On-site Antarctic Penguin Imitators). - 
'Buckets of thanks to Georgie for creating Creative Kids Tales. There’s a wealth of wonderful information and resources for everyone interested in creating books for kids – and a warm sense of community.'
'Creative Kids tales is the perfect place to go for inspiration and to recharge the creative batteries.'
"Whether just starting out or with many books under your belt, Creative Kids Tales is the perfect place to go for all things writerly. Sharing the inner world is a wonderful thing for solitary writers, and it's all there on Georgie's website.
'What a great asset you are to the children's book industry, Georgie.
'If a website can be described as 'homely' or 'a friendly place for emerging writers to visit' then that's how I would describe Creative Kids Tales. It's probably the only Australian website for children's writers that I visit regularly and actually feel part of. When I need motivation, interesting writers to read about, or just a peek at my own 'baby steps' towards being a published writer, I visit the Creative Kids Tales family.' A big thank you to Georgie and Rod for a great website. - 
'CKT is such a valuable site for anybody wanting to learn a bit more about making children’s books. When time travelling becomes possible, I’ll steal all the info from this site and deliver it to my younger, aspiring self.'
'CKT is informative, relevant, recent and fun! It’s an exceptional resource for anyone involved in children’s literature.'
'Creative Kids Tales is ambitious, specific and professional - the Top Tips section alone is a must-read for every aspiring children's writer.' - 
'What a wonderful website Creative Kids Tales is, supporting and helping Australian authors in their quest through the dark thorny forest of the publishing world. Georgie should be congratulated for all her hard work and fearless leadership!' - 
'Georgie and the team at Creative Kids Tales have a wonderful passion for children’s stories, and this site is a wonderful place to visit to find and share ideas!
'I wish Creative Kids Tales had been around when I was first starting out! What a brilliant way to connect with other authors and find out about the lovely world of kids books.' 'Go Georgie! I think you're amazing.' - 
'Everything you need is here, on Creative Kids Tales! Oh, how wonderful this would have been for the young Emma Quay, knowing she loved children’s picture books but not knowing a soul in the industry. Down to earth, comprehensive, friendly, realistic and encouraging advice — this is an invaluable resource. Bravo!' - 
'I stumbled on to Creative Kids Tales by accident. I thought it was kid's tails. I'd been doing some research about goats and how their tails were actually a fifth leg, a very long time ago. Or did I just dream that? In any case, I was bitterly disappointed at first to find not tails, but tales. However, while I was at the site I had a wander around, and soon discovered that it was even better than a goat's site - no kidding! This is a brilliant haven for writers, new and not so new; a place to showcase their work and to learn from others.' Well done, Georgie. You've done a fantastic job. - www.enterprisingwords.com.au
'Creative Kids Tales is a brilliant resource – for established writers and those just starting out. I wish it had been around when I was a new writer. There are lots of invaluable tips and great advice.
'This site is such a wonderful resource for writers and illustrators at every stage of the journey. I've learned more about some of my favourite people in children's literature here, but also had the joy of discovering whole new worlds of talent.' - 
'Congratulations on a brilliant site, and a superb first year!'.
'Creative Kids Tales deserves all its accolades. Thanks to its creator, the site provides brilliant support, inspiration and encouragement for anyone who loves creating children's books. I have no hesitation in passing on your link.'
'This is a great website. Nowadays, when getting published is so hard and staying published not much easier, everyone needs all the help they can get. And here's Help with a capital H!' 'Go Georgie! Creative Kids Tales is an inspiration for all writers of children's and YA fiction.' - 
'The thing I like about the Creative Kids Tales website is that the authors come across as real people who face the same problems that beginning writers do and that there’s plenty of practical advice.' - 
'I would have loved to have had access to creativekidstales.com.au when I was starting out! It's an invaluable source of information, inspiration and encouragement for both emerging (and fully-emerged!) writers.' - 
'Creative Kids Tales would’ve been mighty handy to know about back when I was sitting about drawing and writing and having no idea what to do with any of it! Go explore and create knowing you have such an amazing resource at your back!'
'Creative Kids Tales is a treasure trove of resources and insights, compiled with dedication and enthusiasm. A wonderful resource for anyone who is interested in picture books and children's literature.' - 
'CKT is like the friendly and helpful colleague I could have done with when I started out. Back then I didn’t know anyone who was a writer or illustrator of books.'
'Creative Kids Tales will jump-start adults seeking to become writers!' - 
Writing can be a lonely profession. By necessity, you need to work alone much of the time. But it is wonderful to have a website which eases that by connecting creators with each other and with a wealth of information and resources.
'It's easy to feel alone when writing, and clueless about what happens next. Creative Kids Tales offers answers and community - invaluable resources.'
'It's about time that we had something like Creative Kids Tales. It's a treasure trove for information and news, plus it showcases talent from aspiring writers. It's a wonderful springboard for anyone who wants to dive into the Children books world!'
'Thanks for having me on Creative Kids Tales. It's a great resource for emerging writers and illustrators and I hope it will have a long future.'
'What a great site! We all tend to work in isolation in our own little caves. It’s great to see all the other cave dwellers out there and realise we are not alone. What a great resource!'
'Creative Kids Tales provides such a valuable service. Writing can be a lonely business at times, and seeking publication can be daunting. So it is especially wonderful for writers to be able to access such a comprehensive site where information, experiences and the ups and downs of writing for kids can be shared.' Well done, Georgie! - 
'Creative Kids Tales is such a great website for navigating this industry – not just for authors and illustrators, but for parents and teachers and librarians and publishers and kids and storytellers of all sorts. It’s awesome!' - 
'Georgie Donaghey’s Creative Kids Tales is deservedly going gangbusters! What a wonderful forum and multi-storeyed resource for shiny new authors, legends of the industry and every writer in between!'
'Having been a publisher and an author and now proprietor of Pinerolo, the Children’s Book Cottage, I am passionate about promoting children’s books. Creative Kids Tales is such a welcome part of this network and I salute them for their support and their inspiration to so many. On their seventh birthday I wish them many, many happy returns.'
'Creative Kids Tales is a fabulous community of passionate, hardworking and committed writers. If you're looking for new and exciting talent that's dedicated to the children's book industry - look no further than CKT!'
What a terrific, enthusiastic, informative and creative resource - of value and interest to so many people.
'CKT is a great resource for both established and emerging authors. I like the way you're always coming up with new and exciting initiatives at your site. And I love reading the fascinating journeys and achievements of the writers you profile here.' - 
'What can I say? Well if you have clicked this far and uncovered these words you KNOW that this (Creative Kids Tales) is a terrific resource full of ideas and connections.
'The details available on this site, for emerging writers (or those emerged) is incredibly helpful. From creating stories- plotting, dialogue and character building- to the support writers can seek for their work, be it mentoring or seeking a publisher, it’s all there. An excellent easy-to-access writers’ site!'
'Creative Kids Tales is a unique and valuable online resource for new and established authors. The site provides a wealth of information and insight into the children's writing world.' 'Thanks for all your support, Georgie, and keep up the good work.' - 
'Creative Kids Tales is great. You can pick the brains of people who make stuff without having to stalk them or do anything illegal.' - 
'Wow! What a wonderful resource.