Rebecca Fung

The Septopus book launch day arrived, all that anxiety, preparation, anticipation. We got down to Book Face St Ives early to set up, thinking we were there extra early, no problems. We’d have AGES to set up. We started getting a table out for the signing and another two for the refreshments (yes, two for the refreshments – guess what had priority?) and in a few minutes already a guest had arrived! Were we that slow in setting up a couple of tables? No, this young girl and her Mum had arrived super-early because they wanted to see the book and offer their help. It was so sweet of them and one of the things I loved about the day was finding out how much goodwill and kindness people showed – pitching in, showing support – it was a day absolutely brimming with positivity.

I signed this girl’s book ahead of time and lucky, too, because pretty soon I was signing books and being run off my feet (not that I use my feet to sign books but maybe I should learn how!)

I left the rest of the Owltitude Press crew to set up the yummy nibblies and sadly I didn’t get to partake as I heard later they got cleaned out except for the anchovies (which luckily I love so I ate them after). But lollies, chocolates, fruit, crackers and dip and especially the amazing Septopus gingerbread – all gone!

It was fantastic to see many of the girls from Ravenswood who had also been my pen pals from the Author Pen Pals program who also turned up to this event. There was also an absolutely adorable girl whose mother told me she just loves books about octopuses. A girl after my own heart!

In a little speech, we talked about how this was our first Owltitude Press book and the amazing contribution made by the illustrator, Kathy Creamer. We also had a bit of fun using a balloon with ribbons as a model septopus and letting the children count its arms and legs!

Thanks to everyone who made it such an amazing day.

My book has launched! But if you were like many people at my book launch, what was most interesting to you were the fantastic ocean-themed snacks. Not only did we sell out completely of Septopus books on the day but we were cleaned out almost completely of Septopus food (there were some baked anchovies left … I’m not sure why … anchovies are delicious! I snacked on them later).

Here are some of the things we had:

Soft drinks (different colours)
Fruit skewers
Beach jelly lollies
Sea snake lollies
Seaweed crackers with hommus dip
Seashell chocolates
Baked anchovies

but the real star of the show was … Septopus gingerbread! Individually wrapped and iced with a picture of a septopus, the delicious gingerbread could be enjoyed now or taken home for later (and I’m sure some people tried to take one for now and one later!)

Have a look and tell me if you don’t consider those absolutely mouth-watering!

Did I say my new book was being published in October? Yes, I did and I hear you say, it’s October and WHERE’S YOUR NEW BOOK?

Here it is, I tell you! It just came back from the printers. “The book is back from the printers” – some of the sweetest words in the world to an author’s ears!

I received the books and it was a fantastic moment to see all those Septopuses in the box – real, actual books I could touch and feel, and lift out. The Septopus is truly out into the real world everyone!

My book is published under the imprint Owltitude Press which is my new publishing venture and so we’re very busy – it’s not just “now the book’s published, let’s sit back”. It’s even more work from here as we get the books out to those who’ve pre-ordered (thank you to those who are supporting us – and for those who’d like to order mail owltitude@outlook.com – it’s free postage within Australia if you order before the 26 October 2024, and you can order Princess Hayley’s Comet from us too (same deal, free postage before 26 October 2024!). All books will also be signed.

Look at all the books stacked up ready to be shipped out! (That owl is just guarding the packages – we’re Owltitude Press and we keep the owl, thanks!)

Of course, you could also come to the book launch which is on at Book Face St Ives (Berkelouw), 166 Mona Vale Rd St Ives at 11am on Saturday 26 October 2024. There’ll be free refreshments, and a free shark pen for anyone who buys a book.

Stanley the Septopus is feeling particularly joyous today!

An exciting announcement! My next book, Septopus, is coming out this October. I can hardly wait …

Septopus is about a seven-tentacled octopus called Stanley. Seven tentacles, you say? Don’t octopuses have eight tentacles?

That’s right, most do. In fact all of them do … except Stanley. That’s why Stanley’s life is a bit difficult. It’s hard to live in a world that’s built for the eight-tentacled when you’ve got only seven. Even though you and I would think “Seven tentacles – that’s a lot!”, octopuses look at Stanley and think “You haven’t got enough arms and legs, Stanley!”

But Stanley’s just trying to live a normal life – sport, finding friends, going to parties, working out school and figuring out his family. That is, if only other sea animals would stop trying to remind him that he’s not their idea of normal.

This cover was illustrated by the fantabulous Kathy Creamer, who also illustrated my first chapter book, Princess Hayley’s Comet, and I’m sure you’ll agree it’s amazing!

Earlier last year I did a little interview about myself and A Very Special Moon Mission with Helen Edwards. Helen writes a blog with all sorts of Australian authors and I was very lucky to spend some time with her. I also introduced to the world my sister’s dog, Cherry.

Helen and I discussed a bit about what I enjoyed about my work and what keeps me writing. For instance, I love strong emotions in stories and I’m always asking questions – this helps me keep writing as it makes me want to know more about my story! There’s always more to explore. Every question brings up answers but it also brings up more questions!

Here is the link to Helen’s fantastic blog. You can read about some other authors there, and a little bit more about me! I’m also adding the picture of Cherry and me to this post.

Rebecca and Cherry

You may have this idea that authors do all the illustrations for their books. That sometimes happens if the author is very good at drawing AND writing but that’s not me. I needed a talented artist for both my books.

You might have some image, then, of author and illustrator working side by side. Writing and drawing and sharing hot mugs of cocoa. The author saying “I know what could happen to the characters!” and the illustrator yelling out “Hey, I’m drawing it write now!” and then the illustrator saying “Look at this picture I want to put in the book” and the author saying “That’s so perfect – it’s made me think of a WONDERFUL story I want to write to go with it – just let me jot it down!”

Then they would take lots of nice breaks, ambles among the trees and by the beach. There would be cake and chocolate. Lots of cake and chocolate. And spotting of cute owls along the way.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t work quite like this though many of us wish it would.

My gorgeously illustrated book, A Very Special Moon Mission, was illustrated by the talented David Allan and it was published and I didn’t meet him. I thought I wouldn’t.

Then last year, at a Book Fair in Sydney, David and I met. It was a lovely opportunity and David is as friendly and nice as he is a great artist. We had to take a photo of this (actually quite rare) occurrence!

While there wasn’t a lot of owl-spotting, David was making some dragon toys at the Book Fair so there was dragon-spotting – not a bad substitute!

There is a  new review for A Very Special Moon Mission on ReadPlus!

Yesterday, A Very Special Moon Mission was published! It is now available to buy – yes, actually to be handled by your fingertips which has to be one of the most exciting things about writing a book – actually making a something that is real … and yet very unreal too. Because you can do anything in books.

In this adventure, Phoebe and Elliot are best friends who go to a Space Station and meet astronauts in training. They are joined by a not-so-popular girl, Julia, and “accidentally” launch a spaceship to the moon with the help of a rather cheeky supercomputer, IMP. Of course, getting to the moon seems like lots of fun … then they realise the big problem is … getting back to Earth!

As it’s school holidays, there’s also time for activities. There are teacher’s notes and fun activities to go with the book like how to make your own rocketship out of a bottle, or a space-based word search. And I have my Goodreads page for the book if anyone would like to review it!

One of the biggest comets ever to be spotted by scientists is headed towards Earth. It can now be spotted by small telescopes and should be closest to Earth on 14 July. However, on 13 July 2022 a supermoon will be brighten the sky and this might make it harder to see, so it’s probably better to try to look for it now – or even a bit after – it might even be visible up to September.

The catchy name for this comet is C/2017 K2. I am sure Princess Hayley would have loved it.