Goldie
Alexander has authored 75+ books for adult and young readers of all
ages. This month, Goldie celebrates the release of her latest novels for readers aged 9 to 12 Neptunia and Cybertricks 2043, and the junior novel Gallipoli Medals. In part two of this interview, Goldie shares her experiences with the publishing industry.
Q.
You
write a weekly Blog for Emerging Creators (www.goldiealexander.com/blog). Your blog covers Board Books and
goes right through to Young Adult and Non Fiction. How long has this blog been
running, and what major points do you cover in your advice? Have you had
positive feedback to your blog?
Thankfully
I have lots of feedback, or I wouldn’t bother keeping up. I also enjoy
interviewing other creators. Some weeks turn into fortnights because I run
out of time. I have taught creative writing in one form or other for 18 years
and have mentored through the ASA, some excellent emerging authors. I love
teaching almost as much as I adore writing and am happy to continue doing this
until everyone gets tired of me. I also add comments on my blog about books I
have recently read. Sometimes feedback comes in Chinese, or another language,
and is badly computer translated. I do enjoy reading these. My blogs try to
cover all the rules a writer should know before they throw them out the window.
Right now I am running some fascinating interviews with other authors.
Q.
Often creators who use small publishers have little chance of winning literary
prizes. How does an author continue a creative flow with this knowledge
hovering in the background?
Yes,
it is discouraging as so much emphasis is also placed on the quality of the
actual hard copy, the editing, paper, illustrations, the typeface, the
thickness of the cover and whether the author and the company are well known.
Small
companies have to invest a lot of cash and mostly this doesn’t come off. For
example, a book may cost a small company anything up to $10 for each copy. To
enter the CBCA awards, they must post 10 copies and a cheque for $99.00 – a
further four copies and another $99.00 to enter the information award. Let’s
say a company has put out half a dozen books. The costs become astronomical and
the gamble akin to playing the pokies. Also, as committees must agree, it is
always easier to pick a company and a name no one will disagree with, so the
same people tend to pick up the same prizes. This is not meant as sour grapes,
merely an observation.
The
invention of the ebook has set the cat amongst the pigeons. Few awards so far
permit ebooks to enter apart from perhaps the Aurealis Science Fiction. Their
argument is that not every school has computers, but I think this is no longer
valid. Perhaps judges find it hard to read online. Many adults do. Then how do
you judge the presentation of a book when there’s nothing to hold apart from
your iPad or Kindle?
Q.
How do you see the future of children’s books, and your own adaptability, in
light of the current publishing climate?
If
I haven’t already created an army of enemies by my above comments, I think all
books will gradually ease into ebooks as young readers continue to use
computers. I come across toddlers reading and playing on their mothers’ iPads.
Imagine what this generation will do when they are old enough? Hopefully, there
will still be a place for beautifully presented literary and coffee table
hard copies. However, there is surely room for both, certainly in the story
picture book area which is undergoing a splendid revival.
Q.
Editors play a huge role in a writer’s success story. Have they played a
specific role in your writing career?
Some have and some haven’t. However, a good
editor is worth his/her weight in gold. Too many have lost their jobs or are
underpaid. Also, it seems the better known an author becomes, the more s/he
refuses to accept criticism. I wish I could edit some of the books I come
across. Can we introduce the pinch test? More is not always better, though I am
talking more about adult rather than books for kids. Thank God the novella is
returning. There is one lesson every children’s author knows - once your
audience loses interest, they will never return.
Q.
You have covered many genres in your writing. What other areas of writing have
you covered in your career?
I
have tried everything apart from film scripts, adult plays and graphic
novels. I co-wrote with Hazel Edwards
numerous plays and non fictions including The Business of Writing for Young
People. Lots of my adult short stories and non-fiction pieces have won prizes
and appeared in print and on the web. Some of my adult work has been heard on
radio and some recorded on CD’s. My monologues have been performed on stage.
Q.
Is there anything more you would like to add that I haven’t touched upon?
Only in that I would love readers to look up
my website and blog, both newly created by Jin Wang. And please write to me via
my blog or email address which you will find on my website www.goldiealexander.com. If you are a teacher I would love to be invited to talk to your
students. There are lots of potential topics and workshops on my website. If
you know an adult club that might be interested, please do the same.
Gallipoli Medals: ADCC@anzacday.org.au
Thank you for the interview, Goldie. All the best with your new books and future projects.
Best Book Ever written by Robyn Opie Parnell 
