One Amazing Friday

This post is long overdue: I had the most amazing Friday in February. I got to have lunch with children's and young adult book author Candy Gourlay and her Philippine editor Ramón "Rayvi" Sunico. Aside from being a really great writer for young readers, Candy is the most down to earth person I have ever met. Rayvi is a pioneer in children's and young adult literature in the Philippines, and is a fountain of wisdom on reading and writing in general.

After our lunch, Candy gave a talk at the Ateneo de Manila University - Suffering in Translation: A Filipino Author's Writing Journey.


Here I am listening intently to Candy. I wish that every writer in the Philippines, not just the writers for young readers, had attended the talk. It was an inspiring reminder of the importance of hard work, patience, and perseverance in writing. Candy related her writing journey to the hero's journey.


The end of the talk was a real treat for the audience! Candy and Rayvi signed the contract for Candy's debut novel, Tall Story, to be published in the Philippines by Cacho Publishing House. (Tall Story will be published in the U.K. and in the U.S. by David Fickling Books.)







This is me and Candy talking with Rayvi - about books of course!


And here I am with both Candy and Rayvi. :o)


Here is the U.K. cover and dust jacket for Tall Story. I love how it is so multicultural!



For more information about Tall Story, click here to read my interview with Candy!

Thanks to Rayvi and to Candy's friends Frankie and Ricky for sharing all these pictures with me!