Allison Tait
@allisontaitwriter.bsky.social
Bestselling MG author (The Mapmaker Chronicles, The Ateban Cipher, Maven & Reeve Mysteries, The First Summer of Callie McGee) | Co-host of Your Kid’s Next Read #podcast | More at allisontait.com
Pinned
About me
I write books for kids, talk about books for kids, read books for all ages, and enjoy procrastiposting.
My favourite people* in the world are writers and I like nothing better than talking about writing, which is easier than actually writing.
*Requisite 'outside the family' footnote
I write books for kids, talk about books for kids, read books for all ages, and enjoy procrastiposting.
My favourite people* in the world are writers and I like nothing better than talking about writing, which is easier than actually writing.
*Requisite 'outside the family' footnote
Reposted by Allison Tait
Voting is officially OPEN for Radio National's Top 100 Books of the 21st Century!
Select up to 10 of your favourite books published between 1 January 2000 and 31 August 2025
Vote now! top100books.abc.net.au
@austlit.bsky.social
Select up to 10 of your favourite books published between 1 January 2000 and 31 August 2025
Vote now! top100books.abc.net.au
@austlit.bsky.social
Top 100 Books of the 21st Century | Vote now
Vote now in Radio National's Top 100 Books of the 21st Century
top100books.abc.net.au
September 1, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Voting is officially OPEN for Radio National's Top 100 Books of the 21st Century!
Select up to 10 of your favourite books published between 1 January 2000 and 31 August 2025
Vote now! top100books.abc.net.au
@austlit.bsky.social
Select up to 10 of your favourite books published between 1 January 2000 and 31 August 2025
Vote now! top100books.abc.net.au
@austlit.bsky.social
Reposted by Allison Tait
Very late to the piece but I’m thankful to the organisers of Authors and Artists for Palestine to be able to offer a guided spotlighting trip as part of their huge online auction. Groups welcome (as long as you can all fit in my car!), bidding closes this Wednesday: airauctioneer.com/authors-and-...
Night-time trip to Badger Weir (Vic) to look for nocturnal animals with nature writer Harry Saddler
Nature writer Harry Saddler will take you and a small group of friends on a night-time trip to Badger Weir, in the Yarra Ranges National Park near Healesville, to look for nocturnal animals. Badger We...
airauctioneer.com
May 12, 2025 at 6:47 AM
Very late to the piece but I’m thankful to the organisers of Authors and Artists for Palestine to be able to offer a guided spotlighting trip as part of their huge online auction. Groups welcome (as long as you can all fit in my car!), bidding closes this Wednesday: airauctioneer.com/authors-and-...
In the latest edition of the Your Kid's Next Read newsletter, I've got tips on how to grow a story, Megan has new book reviews and we're celebrating 200 episodes of the YKNR podcast.
Check it out here: yourkidsnextread.substack.com/p/how-to-gro...
Check it out here: yourkidsnextread.substack.com/p/how-to-gro...
How to grow a story
Insider tips from inspiration to The End
yourkidsnextread.substack.com
May 8, 2025 at 12:09 AM
In the latest edition of the Your Kid's Next Read newsletter, I've got tips on how to grow a story, Megan has new book reviews and we're celebrating 200 episodes of the YKNR podcast.
Check it out here: yourkidsnextread.substack.com/p/how-to-gro...
Check it out here: yourkidsnextread.substack.com/p/how-to-gro...
New single from Joe Visser out now!
Perfect for Sunday morning listening. 😊
And yes, Proud Mum alert.
Spotify: open.spotify.com/track/6qKnpb...
Apple: music.apple.com/au/album/aft...
Perfect for Sunday morning listening. 😊
And yes, Proud Mum alert.
Spotify: open.spotify.com/track/6qKnpb...
Apple: music.apple.com/au/album/aft...
After Lucy's Party
Joe Visser · After Lucy's Party · Song · 2025
open.spotify.com
April 26, 2025 at 10:14 PM
New single from Joe Visser out now!
Perfect for Sunday morning listening. 😊
And yes, Proud Mum alert.
Spotify: open.spotify.com/track/6qKnpb...
Apple: music.apple.com/au/album/aft...
Perfect for Sunday morning listening. 😊
And yes, Proud Mum alert.
Spotify: open.spotify.com/track/6qKnpb...
Apple: music.apple.com/au/album/aft...
Reposted by Allison Tait
Thanks to Your Kid's Next Read & @altait.bsky.social for this fabulous interview about On Gallant Wings, the history behind it, how I juggle research with story, pigeon voices, character development & more!!
www.yourkidsnextread.com.au/podcast-epis...
#AustralianAuthors #Australianbooks #Writing
www.yourkidsnextread.com.au/podcast-epis...
#AustralianAuthors #Australianbooks #Writing
Episode 197: 10 minutes with Helen Edwards - Your Kid's Next Read Podcast
Helen Edwards chats to Allison about her latest middle-grade historical fiction novel 'On Gallant Wings', plus Megan has library tips
www.yourkidsnextread.com.au
April 9, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Thanks to Your Kid's Next Read & @altait.bsky.social for this fabulous interview about On Gallant Wings, the history behind it, how I juggle research with story, pigeon voices, character development & more!!
www.yourkidsnextread.com.au/podcast-epis...
#AustralianAuthors #Australianbooks #Writing
www.yourkidsnextread.com.au/podcast-epis...
#AustralianAuthors #Australianbooks #Writing
Reposted by Allison Tait
‘Some of her earnings were spent on riotous living, but Kerry gave a lot of it away without fanfare to those who really needed it: fellow authors down on their luck, impecunious neighbours and, above all, to charities.’ What a legend. Vale, KG.
We are heavy-hearted with news of the passing of accomplished author and lawyer Kerry Greenwood OAM, who was also a longtime member of the ASA.
We extend our condolences to her family, friends, readers and the writing community. Vale Kerry.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04...
We extend our condolences to her family, friends, readers and the writing community. Vale Kerry.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04...
Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries creator dies aged 70
Australian author Kerry Greenwood, who died following an illness, was best known for the Phryne Fisher detective series.
www.abc.net.au
April 7, 2025 at 6:37 AM
‘Some of her earnings were spent on riotous living, but Kerry gave a lot of it away without fanfare to those who really needed it: fellow authors down on their luck, impecunious neighbours and, above all, to charities.’ What a legend. Vale, KG.
Reposted by Allison Tait
The 2024 #AussieBirdCount results are in! Together, we counted 4,117,293 birds! 🐦
Read more: birdlife.org.au/news/2024-au...
Read more: birdlife.org.au/news/2024-au...
April 7, 2025 at 7:58 AM
The 2024 #AussieBirdCount results are in! Together, we counted 4,117,293 birds! 🐦
Read more: birdlife.org.au/news/2024-au...
Read more: birdlife.org.au/news/2024-au...
Reposted by Allison Tait
Re-boosting this for the knockoff hour. Please sign our petition & let Nine bosses know they can’t break their promises www.megaphone.org.au/petitions/fr...
April 2, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Re-boosting this for the knockoff hour. Please sign our petition & let Nine bosses know they can’t break their promises www.megaphone.org.au/petitions/fr...
Reposted by Allison Tait
Good news for fellow authors disheartened by your books being illegally used to train AI;
"If your book was used by Meta, you’re automatically included in the Kadrey v. Meta class action in Northern California..."
And @authorsguild.bsky.social has some practical steps you can take.
"If your book was used by Meta, you’re automatically included in the Kadrey v. Meta class action in Northern California..."
And @authorsguild.bsky.social has some practical steps you can take.
Meta's Massive AI Training Book Heist: What Authors Need to Know - The Authors Guild
Today, The Atlantic published a search tool that allows authors to check if their works are in LibGen, an illegal pirate site AI companies copied for their AI systems. This is a similar tool to the on...
authorsguild.org
March 21, 2025 at 3:36 AM
Good news for fellow authors disheartened by your books being illegally used to train AI;
"If your book was used by Meta, you’re automatically included in the Kadrey v. Meta class action in Northern California..."
And @authorsguild.bsky.social has some practical steps you can take.
"If your book was used by Meta, you’re automatically included in the Kadrey v. Meta class action in Northern California..."
And @authorsguild.bsky.social has some practical steps you can take.
Reposted by Allison Tait
Over the moon that DOG BEACH by me, Annie White and the National Library of Australia team has been shortlisted for the Australian Book Industry Association's 2025 Small Publishers' Children's Book of the Year Award. 🎉#ABIA2025
March 20, 2025 at 5:25 AM
Over the moon that DOG BEACH by me, Annie White and the National Library of Australia team has been shortlisted for the Australian Book Industry Association's 2025 Small Publishers' Children's Book of the Year Award. 🎉#ABIA2025
Reposted by Allison Tait
The blobfish has just been named New Zealand's Fish of the Year! Hooray!
Children can learn more about this fascinating fish in CHEER UP, BLOBFISH! by me and Rachel Tribout, Affirm Press, 2024.
And there is so much to discover!!!
#blobfish #nzfishoftheyear #cheerupblobfish
Children can learn more about this fascinating fish in CHEER UP, BLOBFISH! by me and Rachel Tribout, Affirm Press, 2024.
And there is so much to discover!!!
#blobfish #nzfishoftheyear #cheerupblobfish
March 20, 2025 at 5:29 AM
The blobfish has just been named New Zealand's Fish of the Year! Hooray!
Children can learn more about this fascinating fish in CHEER UP, BLOBFISH! by me and Rachel Tribout, Affirm Press, 2024.
And there is so much to discover!!!
#blobfish #nzfishoftheyear #cheerupblobfish
Children can learn more about this fascinating fish in CHEER UP, BLOBFISH! by me and Rachel Tribout, Affirm Press, 2024.
And there is so much to discover!!!
#blobfish #nzfishoftheyear #cheerupblobfish
Reposted by Allison Tait
This week I’m celebrating the release of ‘Sunny at the End of the World’ 👏
What a gift, to have another story by Steph. It is every bit as funny, fierce and insightful as her.
Sending love to Danielle and Rhiannon Bowe. Thank you for sharing this with us.
www.textpublishing.com.au/books/sunny-...
What a gift, to have another story by Steph. It is every bit as funny, fierce and insightful as her.
Sending love to Danielle and Rhiannon Bowe. Thank you for sharing this with us.
www.textpublishing.com.au/books/sunny-...
March 20, 2025 at 5:57 AM
This week I’m celebrating the release of ‘Sunny at the End of the World’ 👏
What a gift, to have another story by Steph. It is every bit as funny, fierce and insightful as her.
Sending love to Danielle and Rhiannon Bowe. Thank you for sharing this with us.
www.textpublishing.com.au/books/sunny-...
What a gift, to have another story by Steph. It is every bit as funny, fierce and insightful as her.
Sending love to Danielle and Rhiannon Bowe. Thank you for sharing this with us.
www.textpublishing.com.au/books/sunny-...
Reposted by Allison Tait
Australia Reads has announced a new live literature initiative, LitUp! Supported by @copyrightagency.bsky.social and Creative Australia, this pilot program will connect authors to communities in regional and outer-metropolitan areas.
Find out more: australiareads.org.au/litup
Find out more: australiareads.org.au/litup
LitUp - Australia Reads
A new live literature initiative supporting author events in schools and communities across Australia LitUp is a new live literature initiative from Australia Reads, providing opportunities for more A...
australiareads.org.au
March 19, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Australia Reads has announced a new live literature initiative, LitUp! Supported by @copyrightagency.bsky.social and Creative Australia, this pilot program will connect authors to communities in regional and outer-metropolitan areas.
Find out more: australiareads.org.au/litup
Find out more: australiareads.org.au/litup
In today’s YKNR newsletter for paid* subscribers, I take some EXCELLENT writing advice from some of Australia’s top children’s authors and then give practical ways to use their tips with the young writers in your life.
yourkidsnextread.substack.com/p/write-the-...
*Free trial available
yourkidsnextread.substack.com/p/write-the-...
*Free trial available
March 13, 2025 at 11:04 PM
In today’s YKNR newsletter for paid* subscribers, I take some EXCELLENT writing advice from some of Australia’s top children’s authors and then give practical ways to use their tips with the young writers in your life.
yourkidsnextread.substack.com/p/write-the-...
*Free trial available
yourkidsnextread.substack.com/p/write-the-...
*Free trial available
Super excited to be on both the adult and kids’ programs at SWF this year!
www.swf.org.au/writers/al-t...
www.swf.org.au/writers/al-t...
March 13, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Super excited to be on both the adult and kids’ programs at SWF this year!
www.swf.org.au/writers/al-t...
www.swf.org.au/writers/al-t...
Reposted by Allison Tait
Erin Middleton is an in-house editor at Walker Books Australia, where she edits picture books, early reader, middle grade and young adult titles. She will be running online picture book and chapter book/YA writing bootcamps on April 5th and 6th.
Find out more at www.CYAConference.com/bootcamp
Find out more at www.CYAConference.com/bootcamp
March 2, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Erin Middleton is an in-house editor at Walker Books Australia, where she edits picture books, early reader, middle grade and young adult titles. She will be running online picture book and chapter book/YA writing bootcamps on April 5th and 6th.
Find out more at www.CYAConference.com/bootcamp
Find out more at www.CYAConference.com/bootcamp
Reposted by Allison Tait
Join the talented Serena Geddes for an inspiring and immersive full-day online Illustration Boot Camp. Dive deep into the art of storytelling through illustrations, refine your skills, and gain valuable insights from Serena’s extensive experience in the industry.
www.cyaconference.com/bootcamp
www.cyaconference.com/bootcamp
March 2, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Join the talented Serena Geddes for an inspiring and immersive full-day online Illustration Boot Camp. Dive deep into the art of storytelling through illustrations, refine your skills, and gain valuable insights from Serena’s extensive experience in the industry.
www.cyaconference.com/bootcamp
www.cyaconference.com/bootcamp
Reposted by Allison Tait
Congratulations to the inaugural winners of The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers, Elizabeth Bourke and Lydia Schofield! 🎉
Both winners will receive $1000, a 20-hour mentorship and a professional development package worth $200.
stephboweprize.com
#LoveOzYA
Both winners will receive $1000, a 20-hour mentorship and a professional development package worth $200.
stephboweprize.com
#LoveOzYA
March 1, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Congratulations to the inaugural winners of The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers, Elizabeth Bourke and Lydia Schofield! 🎉
Both winners will receive $1000, a 20-hour mentorship and a professional development package worth $200.
stephboweprize.com
#LoveOzYA
Both winners will receive $1000, a 20-hour mentorship and a professional development package worth $200.
stephboweprize.com
#LoveOzYA
Reposted by Allison Tait
Did you know that of Australia's total population of First Nations peoples, a massive 8.6% are Torres Strait Islanders?
As a minority within a minority, what do you even know about the Torres Strait? Remedy the situation with an easy read. 'Spirit of the Crocodile' is out next week. Can't wait!
As a minority within a minority, what do you even know about the Torres Strait? Remedy the situation with an easy read. 'Spirit of the Crocodile' is out next week. Can't wait!
February 28, 2025 at 5:16 AM
Did you know that of Australia's total population of First Nations peoples, a massive 8.6% are Torres Strait Islanders?
As a minority within a minority, what do you even know about the Torres Strait? Remedy the situation with an easy read. 'Spirit of the Crocodile' is out next week. Can't wait!
As a minority within a minority, what do you even know about the Torres Strait? Remedy the situation with an easy read. 'Spirit of the Crocodile' is out next week. Can't wait!
In ep 190 of the YKNR podcast, we're stepping inside the School Library!
We look at how school libraries are changing, the role of Teacher Librarians, how kids can engage with their school library – and what to do if you don’t have one.
www.yourkidsnextread.com.au/podcast-epis...
We look at how school libraries are changing, the role of Teacher Librarians, how kids can engage with their school library – and what to do if you don’t have one.
www.yourkidsnextread.com.au/podcast-epis...
February 19, 2025 at 5:52 AM
In ep 190 of the YKNR podcast, we're stepping inside the School Library!
We look at how school libraries are changing, the role of Teacher Librarians, how kids can engage with their school library – and what to do if you don’t have one.
www.yourkidsnextread.com.au/podcast-epis...
We look at how school libraries are changing, the role of Teacher Librarians, how kids can engage with their school library – and what to do if you don’t have one.
www.yourkidsnextread.com.au/podcast-epis...
Reposted by Allison Tait
Cathy Vallance from UQP will do online assessments of Chapter Books, Early Readers,Junior Fiction, MG, YA manuscripts at CYA.
www.cyaconference.com/assessments
#CYA2025 #CYAConference #WritersCommunity #writing #YALit #FictionWriters #WritingTips
www.cyaconference.com/assessments
#CYA2025 #CYAConference #WritersCommunity #writing #YALit #FictionWriters #WritingTips
February 12, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Cathy Vallance from UQP will do online assessments of Chapter Books, Early Readers,Junior Fiction, MG, YA manuscripts at CYA.
www.cyaconference.com/assessments
#CYA2025 #CYAConference #WritersCommunity #writing #YALit #FictionWriters #WritingTips
www.cyaconference.com/assessments
#CYA2025 #CYAConference #WritersCommunity #writing #YALit #FictionWriters #WritingTips
Reposted by Allison Tait
The deadline for entries to The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers has been extended to 15 February 2025.
Enter now for the chance to win $1000, a 20-hour mentorship with an award-winning YA author, and a professional development package worth $200!
www.stephboweprize.com
#LoveOzYA
Enter now for the chance to win $1000, a 20-hour mentorship with an award-winning YA author, and a professional development package worth $200!
www.stephboweprize.com
#LoveOzYA
February 10, 2025 at 7:16 AM
The deadline for entries to The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers has been extended to 15 February 2025.
Enter now for the chance to win $1000, a 20-hour mentorship with an award-winning YA author, and a professional development package worth $200!
www.stephboweprize.com
#LoveOzYA
Enter now for the chance to win $1000, a 20-hour mentorship with an award-winning YA author, and a professional development package worth $200!
www.stephboweprize.com
#LoveOzYA
In the Feb YKNR newsletter, we're looking at the changes to the teaching of reading in the Australian curriculum. What does it look like in the classroom? What does it mean for parents?
Find it here, with a link to full chat on the YKNR podcast: yourkidsnextread.substack.com/p/getting-re...
Find it here, with a link to full chat on the YKNR podcast: yourkidsnextread.substack.com/p/getting-re...
February 5, 2025 at 10:30 PM
In the Feb YKNR newsletter, we're looking at the changes to the teaching of reading in the Australian curriculum. What does it look like in the classroom? What does it mean for parents?
Find it here, with a link to full chat on the YKNR podcast: yourkidsnextread.substack.com/p/getting-re...
Find it here, with a link to full chat on the YKNR podcast: yourkidsnextread.substack.com/p/getting-re...
Reposted by Allison Tait
🌟MY BOOK IS OUT, MY BOOK IS OUT🌟
Grinning like a loon here 😄 ALL SHALL MOURN is out in the world.
This book that was orphaned by my publisher, then supported by readers so much that I released it myself...It's finally arrived 😊
Hope you dig it🖤
linktr.ee/allshallmour...
Grinning like a loon here 😄 ALL SHALL MOURN is out in the world.
This book that was orphaned by my publisher, then supported by readers so much that I released it myself...It's finally arrived 😊
Hope you dig it🖤
linktr.ee/allshallmour...
February 4, 2025 at 8:52 PM
🌟MY BOOK IS OUT, MY BOOK IS OUT🌟
Grinning like a loon here 😄 ALL SHALL MOURN is out in the world.
This book that was orphaned by my publisher, then supported by readers so much that I released it myself...It's finally arrived 😊
Hope you dig it🖤
linktr.ee/allshallmour...
Grinning like a loon here 😄 ALL SHALL MOURN is out in the world.
This book that was orphaned by my publisher, then supported by readers so much that I released it myself...It's finally arrived 😊
Hope you dig it🖤
linktr.ee/allshallmour...
Reposted by Allison Tait
The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers is now open 🎉
Unpublished Australian YA writers under 25 can now submit. The winner will receive $1000, a 20-hour mentorship to develop their manuscript, and a professional development package worth $200.
Visit www.stephboweprize.com to enter!
Unpublished Australian YA writers under 25 can now submit. The winner will receive $1000, a 20-hour mentorship to develop their manuscript, and a professional development package worth $200.
Visit www.stephboweprize.com to enter!
February 3, 2025 at 9:19 AM
The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers is now open 🎉
Unpublished Australian YA writers under 25 can now submit. The winner will receive $1000, a 20-hour mentorship to develop their manuscript, and a professional development package worth $200.
Visit www.stephboweprize.com to enter!
Unpublished Australian YA writers under 25 can now submit. The winner will receive $1000, a 20-hour mentorship to develop their manuscript, and a professional development package worth $200.
Visit www.stephboweprize.com to enter!