It’s been a huge year — or two, but who’s counting? — for our Little Legends and, well, the authors too. Adrian Beck and I have both spent approximately one million years (220 plus days) in various forms of lockdown, not to mention the many other levels of restrictions, which has made it virtually impossible to visit schools, or bookshops, or each other.

Despite this, we had a ball devising this series, and managed to send each book on its way into the wide world regardless. This is the whole set of the regular editions.

This is the Australia Reads Special Edition:

Like I said, it’s been quite a year.

So if you’re looking for the perfect Christmas gift for your own little legend, here’s a bunch you can choose from.

You can buy online, or check out your local bookshop, supporting local authors and bricks and mortar businesses, all of which have struggled under the weight of lockdown and restrictions, and general COVID chaos.

Hope you’re all safe and fully vaccinated, and if not yet, are on the verge of living your best lives.

Cheers,

Nicole

Time is a weird and woolly thing, isn’t it? We’re currently in lockdown Mark 2 – or is it 3? – in Melbourne, Australia, and the days, while full and busy, run together at the same time that they drag and slow. It’s odd and unsettling, but also, almost feels normal. We adapt, don’t we? In unexpected ways.

So I’ve tried to use the time to work productively, while also cutting myself some slack about off days. Days that fade before they seem to have started. Where energy flags, or life closes in, or the smallest of tasks seems impossible. There have been a few of those.

But that’s on me. Here’s what you need to know:

The latest Little Legends is out and the readers are loving it. Feedback has been lovely with a lots of questions about the next book in the series.

Hold on for the specifics, but it won’t be out before 2021. Hopefully, alongside an actual footy season? Global pandemics notwithstanding.

In the meantime, I wrote about writing for young people at the Australian Writers Centre.

You can read it here.

And I’ve been teaching and critiquing and offering feedback to other writers.

I’ve also been talking footy with my team at The Outer Sanctum — latest episodes here.

And I’ve been a guest panellist on Colour of Your Jumper with the gorgeous and brilliant Shelley Ware, and the erudite and entertaining, Osman Faruqi.

The latest episode is here, but go back and check them all out. Great chat, fun format, excellent guests.

And in between all that I’ve been writing my little heart out.

On what, you might ask? That’s a very good question. As soon as I know, I’ll tell you.

But in the meantime, check in with me on my socials:

Facebook: Nicole Hayes (author)
Twitter: @nichmelbourne

Don’t forget to mask up, wash your hands and keep your distance.

We’ve got this, people. We’re nearly there.

Nic xx

It’s finally here! The first of our AFL series, co-written with Adrian Beck, published by Hardie Grant Egmont. It’s available in all the best bookshops, and has already garnered some lovely reviews.

Check out Lamont’s review here:
https://www.lamontbooks.com.au/media/166232/april-2020-pf-ozzy-rules.pdf

You can get your copy here: https://www.hardiegrant.com/au/publishing/bookfinder/book/ozzy-rules-by-nicole-hayes/9781760505424

Due to a scheduling rearrangement, I have TWO new slots open for manuscript assessments or editorial consultation – for example, a structural or developmental edit. (Note: I don’t do copy edits.)

Message or ping me on Twitter @nichmelbourne

or on Facebook: Nicole Hayes (author)

So I can get a sense of what you’re after, or how I can help.

Now. Here’s a message from Brody:

Always great fun to hang with other writers and illustrators AND ALL THOSE KIDS! The YABBA folk do amazing work connecting us with our lovely readers, not to mention a fun afternoon. Huge thanks to Camberwell Girls Grammar School for hosting us.

Hanging with Michael Wagner at the signing tables.

https://www.facebook.com/meredithcostain/posts/10157843342769680