Not just a piece of cake being an author

Visit your local bookshop or these online retailers have copies available now – just click through on the direct link and you can purchase online:

• Booktopia

Hippo DIY dressup one from 2023 Book Week

OAM talk by Hazel Edwards OAM “Not Just a Piece of Cake; Being an Author”

 AUDIBLE   Audio of memoir .Recorded by Voices of Today and narrated by Erin White

A memoir is only a slice of a life.

Of interest to:

• Nostalgic fans across three generations
• Aspiring writers & creators
• Those interested in the realistic process of creativity
• Family/worklife time/energy balance

‘Not Just a Piece of Cake’  takes the reader behind the books. It’s about risk-taking: intellectual and physical. This quirky memoir shares the diverse workstyle of a long term author, who also has a family. And who writes for adult as well as child audiences.

Collaborating with illustrators, performers, co-authors and even family. Heart tugging fan mail. Literary speed dating with characters. Dealing with the Plateau of Boredom and the Map of Serendipity. But also sharing ‘the process of the process of writing’ and why storytelling matters culturally, and personally. And why a 6 year old knew she wanted to be an author.

Audiobook sample on Youtube.

Australian Book Lovers podcast  re ‘Voices of Today’ audio recording of ‘Not Just a Piece of Cake’.

Challenges and satisfactions from producer, author and narrator viewpoints.

Spin-off Words and Nerds Podcast The Regular interviews Hazel with Voices of Today producer Sarah Bacaller about the audio-book. Listen here.

Copyright Agency Newsletter: Audio recording from author and producer perspectives. PLUS Garry Ginivan’s Hippo music intro.

 Hazels_Audiobook_Links.pdf (792.16 KB)

Includes being beset in polar ice while researching on an ANARE Antarctic expedition to Casey Station.

And some fun hippo intro music.

Leaking roof inspired hippo. Original trio of hippo story creators.

English:Understand how content, structure,voice and perspective in texts, shape responses and interpretations.

‘Not Just a Piece of Cake’…Chapters include:

• Anecdultery
• Deadlines
• Back to School Day
• Literary Speed dating
• Plateau of Boredom
• Story Stealing
• General Store and the Cobwebs of Ideas
• Fan Mail
• Highlights of Hippo History….100 memories
• Choosing Apt Titles
• Come and Meet My Camel
• Is Writing Your Family Trade?
• Domestic Survival; Being a Parent and a Writer
• Mentoring Minties and Hazelnuts
• Do You Put Real People in Your Stories?
• Banned
• Trekking in Nepal
• Antarctic Writer on ice
• Ideas Addict
• Why Collaborate?
• Charitable Overload
• On Tour
• Not Just a Piece of Cake.

Good Reads reviews

‘…quest to master the art of intrinsic motivation ,so vital to a creative life.’ Anne Ryan

‘Realistic for aspiring writers.’ Megan Higginsons

‘Practicalities of juggling family life with creative time.’ Felicity Marshall

‘Encouraging friendships within the book world…’.Mich Layet

‘Breaking Down Stereotypes  … ‘ Anna Ciddor

‘A must- read …Should be read by anyone who loves good anecdultery.’  Shauna Hicks historian.

‘Inspires those who wish to begin the author’s journey and those on that journey.’

Susanne_Gervay  Buzz Words

‘An easy to read biography ...’Robyn Floyd . Amazon.

‘memoir of an author… .’ Pauline Luke . Amazon.

‘…a rather unusual book…’The Senior   Review

‘how to find inspiration…’..’ Lynette Williams. Amazon

George Ivanoff  Literary Clutter, …’…a lovely conversational tone…

Jam-Packed  with sage advice. Mark Carthew. Booktopia.

..shares creative process via anecdultery.pdf  Kids’ Book Review. Anastasia Gonis

Booksbywomen ‘ Situation Vacant.Writing my Memoir pdf ‘ candid process.

Firebirdfeathers …thoughtful interview by Sophie Masson re memoir.

Lee Kofman’s The Writing Life: Guest Blog on Mapping Creativity and the Plateau of Boredom.pdf