Focus on Books

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Children’s fiction sales on the rise.

New life for popular book. Should children's books have a ratings system?

new release non-fiction

new release children’s fiction


Contents 3 - the cover story - new life for popular book. Australian author George Ivanoff has signed with Morris Publishing Australia for a second edition of his popular short story collection, Life, Death and Detention.

4 - about the author - George Ivanoff. George Ivanoff is a writer and stay-at-home dad residing in Melbourne, Australia. He has written over 60 books for kids and teens, including novels, chapter books, short story collections, school readers and reference books.

5 - new release - Captured - book two in The Mystery of Nida Valley series. The story is educational as well as entertaining. It introduces the readers to Australian megafauna and dinosaurs, but in the guise of an entertaining, fictional, fantasy story.

6 - 5 things you didn’t know about - Elaine Ouston. After a career as a graphic artist, copywriter and marketing consultant, Elaine retreated from the rat race and turned to her long time dream of writing children's fiction. Read the interview to learn more about Elaine.

7 - news and reviews - children’s book sales on the rise - A new monthly industry snapshot report produced by the Association of American Publishers (AAP) confirms that there has been significant growth in the children's book market. Reviews Captured.

8 - featured author - Stephen Anastasi Australian author, Stephen Anastasi, has released two books at the same time, The Runes of Ire and The Druid - a concept that is very unusual - especially as they are both the first books in two different series.

9 - the books - The Runes of Ire: Take an exciting adventurous journey to the 41/2 th dimension. Let your imagination soar as you join Garney and his friends on a wild and rambunctious ride into a land of dragons, swarthymen, and magic. The Druid: Torn from the only life she has ever known, Titian begins an adventure into her worst nightmare.

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Contents 10 - news and reviews - should children's books have a ratings system? Hunger Games on the AOIF’s frequently challenged list. A recent study from Brigham Young University found that many children's novels that contain high levels of profanity can be purchased and read by any child. The film industry has a rating system to prevent underage individuals from watching movies deemed inappropriate but not, it seems, children's books.

11 - new release - Economic Vision by Kim Stedman. Imagine that you wake up a little while from now and realise that your home is your own, and you don’t owe anyone any money. At all! This book can help you reach this goal.

12 - meet the author - Kim Stedman. Kim lives on the outskirts of Perth, Western Australia at the base of the Darling Ranges. At 62 he’s had several demanding career paths including military service, working "on air" in radio, and as a financial planner.

13 - new release - Simply Brilliant Budgeting by Kathleen O’Dwyer. In this 'Simply Brilliant Budgeting' book, you'll find a wealth of great information to drive your dollars further. 14 - meet the author - Kathleen O’Dwyer. Kathleen grew up at the base of the beautiful Darling Ranges in the outskirts of Perth Western Australia. She went on to get her teaching degree, graduating in 1973. She taught over a 30 year span, touching many lives in a positive way.

15 - more books: GUNNEDAH HERO by Clancy Tucker THE MYSTERY OF NIDA VALLEY Book One by Elaine Ouston 16 - and more to come: Check out the list of coming titles for all ages and meet Australia’s debut authors. Here are just two. Melissa Wray

Hettie Ashwin

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the cover story Australian author George Ivanoff has signed with Morris Publishing Australia for a second edition of his popular short story collection, Life, Death and Detention. Life, Death and Detention was originally published in 1999. It was the first book for this now well known author. He has written over 50 books since. Despite being out of print for a number of years, this book has been on the Year 7 & 8 reading list for the Victorian Premier's Reading Challenge since its inception in 2005.

The book is being released with a bright new cover. But that is not the only change. George has revised the contents to bring them into the 21st century.

In his foreword for the book George has written, ‘It's nice to know that it's still being read. So I'm overjoyed to see this little collection being re-released in a new edition from Morris Publishing. The stories were all written between 1994 and 1998. This was a time before MySpace, FaceBook and Twitter. This was before most households had Internet access—and those that did were on dial-up. Mobile phones were few and far between. They were rather expensive and resembled bricks. Teenagers did not possess them. A lot has changed since the 1990s. Technology has leapt forward. Both my publisher and I felt that the stories in this book would benefit from a little updating. So this edition differs from the original in that the stories have been moved into the 21st Century. I have also taken the opportunity to fix up some unclear prose that was the result of my inexperience. I have resisted the urge to do anything else to the stories. I could easily have thrown the stories out and rewritten them completely. Not because there is anything wrong with them, but simply because I am a different person now to the one I was in the mid 1990s, and I

would write the stories differently. But that would defeat the purpose of re-publishing. These stories are a product of my state of mind at the time of writing. And they should remain so. I've enjoyed revisiting these stories. I hope that with this edition, they are able to find new readers to breathe new life into them—for every story takes on an existence of it own through the imagination of its readers.’ George Ivanoff - May 2012 The book can be ordered from: http://morrispublishingaustrlaia.com Or http://ww.w.dennisjones.com.au James Bennett http://www.bennett.com.au On line: http://www.thenile.com.au/

TITLE: AUTHOR: ISBN: FORMAT: EXTENT: STOCK:

Life, Death and Detention George Ivanoff 978-0-9872444-9-9 Paperback 198 x 129. 140 PP. Cover: 250 gsm artboard celloglazed. Inside: 80gsm white bond paper. RRP: Paperback $15.95. PUBLISHER: Morris Publishing Australia. PUB DATE: July 2012. AUDIENCE: Juvenile fiction 12 - 16

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about the author GEORGE IVANOFF

George Ivanoff is a writer and stay-at-home dad residing in Melbourne, Australia. He has written over 60 books for kids and teens, including novels, chapter books, short story collections, school readers and reference books. He has books on both the Victorian and NSW Premier's Reading Challenge booklists and has won a Chronos Award for speculative fiction. He is best known for his Gamers series of novels — science fiction adventures set within a computer game world. In past lives, he has worked in a comic book shop, in an office, in a market research call centre, as a pamphlet distributor, and as a web development consultant. These days he mostly sticks to writing… although he has been known to occasionally moonlight as an actor. George has two cats, two kids, and one wife. He says, 'They put up with me, and I am very content.’

George is Patron Mentone Grammar Reading Ambassador for the National Year of Reading 2012 AUTHOR OF: Gamers' Quest (2010 CHRONOS AWARD WINNER) and Gamers' Challenge (2012 CHRONOS AWARDS SHORTLIST)

Life, Death and Detention is a collection of compelling stories about life in high school. Being a teenager can be fraught with difficulties. Not only do you have to deal with dysfunctional families at home, but with the weirdos at school as well. Sometimes funny, sometimes sad, sometimes disturbing—that's what life is like for the modern teenager.

Praise for LIFE, DEATH AND DETENTION “…what stories they are! They are bound to shock the reader, or bring cause for reflection, or leave him or her uncomfortable. They are stories to make their young readers think, to learn and to grow.” Reading Time “Dramatic, emphatic and explosive – the only words available to describe this collection of short stories. George Ivanoff not only has the insight to get into the heads of teenagers and know their every move and thought, but his writing style is short, clear and penetrating” BevsBookBlog

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new release Captured Book Two of The Mystery of Nida Valley series EXTRACT FROM A REVIEW OF BOOK ONE: Magic, environmentalism and nostalgia combine to make this a book that young readers will both enjoy and remember long after the final page. If you enjoy Famous Five and Blyton’s Adventure series, give this one a try. Karen Brooks. Author, social commentator, columnist, a c a d e m i c a n d p u b l i c s p e a k e r. . EXTRACT FROM A REVIEW OF BOOK ONE: “The Mystery of Nida Valley is a cleverly written adventure fantasy tale that I’m sure will entertain, inform and delight younger readers and leave them eager and impatient for the next instalment.” Michael Gerard Bauer author of: The Running Man – The Ishmael series - and much more.

SYNOPSIS:

Captured, Book two in The Mystery of Nida Valley series is a story of mystery, time-travel, and magic. Grundymere is still at large and seems determined to capture Meg. The elders of the Order that protects the valley, The Guardians of Nida, believe it is to stop her from following in her grandmother's footsteps and becoming the next Grand Leader of the Order – but the reason is much more sinister. . Follow their journey as Meg strives to control her escalating magic powers, stay out of the clutches of Grundymere, and sort out her relationship with Jack and Michael. As she and her friends continue the fight to discover the identity of the traitor in the valley, and save the animals from extinction, life for one of Meg's friends will change forever. The elders of the Order gather around Meg to keep her safe. But can they succeed? Only time will tell. INFORMATION: * The story is educational as well as entertaining. It introduces the readers to Australian megafauna and dinosaurs, but in the guise of an entertaining, fictional, fantasy story. Extensive research was conducted to ensure all factual information on the animals is correct. * The feedback from teachers, readers and librarians who have read book one has been very

positive. The librarian of a private boys school commented after reading the book, ‘The boys are going to love this story and the best thing is they will be learning something new and not know it. I love it!’ *Collector Cards with illustrations of and information on each animal are available. Several reviews of book one by leading Australian children’s authors and readers are posted on the site, along with teachers’ notes. TITLE: AUTHOR: ISBN: FORMAT:

Captured - The Mystery of Nida Valley. Elaine Ouston. 978-0-9872444-4-4 Paperback 198 x 129. eBook EXTENT: 244 PP. STOCK: Cover: 250 gsm artboard celloglazed. Inside: 80gsm white bond paper. RRP: Paperback $19.95. eBook $4.99 PUBLISHER: Morris Publishing Australia. PUB DATE: May 2012. CATEGORY: Fantasy Fiction. AUDIENCE: Children 9 - 16 WHOLESALE ND RETAIL ORDERS:

http://morrispublishingaustralia.com http://www.dennisjones.com.au James Bennett http://www.bennett.com.au or your favourite library supplier. On line: http://www.thenile.com.au/ eBook available from Amazon, Smashwords, iBooks and many online stores.

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5 things you didn’t know about ... ELAINE OUSTON Elaine’s second book in The Mystery of Nida Valley series, Captured, has just been released. . After a career as a graphic artist, copywriter and marketing consultant, Elaine retreated from the rat race and turned to her long time dream of writing children's fiction. Learn more about Elaine below. Tell me about your book: The Mystery of Nida Valley – Captured is book two in the Mystery of Nida Valley series. It is a story of adventure, magic, time-travel, and intrigue, with an educational element thrown in. Set in a hidden valley where dinosaurs (like the winged Pterosauradon that the children learn to ride) and giant, ancient creatures roam, it is an enchanting tale of a group of teens who discover it is their destiny to help preserve these animals and stop an evil group from exploiting the valley for financial gain. Did you always want to be a writer? I was always interested in writing, and it was one of the career choices my high school career guidance officer suggested. The other was art. I choose art, and studied graphic art. I worked in that profession for many years – working for advertising agencies, newspapers, and running my own advertising design business. During that time, I studied creative writing and marketing so I could offer my clients a complete service – design, art, copy-writing and marketing. I wrote advertising copy, press releases, and company profiles, etc. When I took a step back from that life, I turned to my long held dream of becoming a writer. I went back to university and completed a Master of Letters in creative writing. What was your first attempt at fiction for children? I wrote a short animal adventure novel for my grandchildren using the animals of Britain and Australia. The aim was to teach them about similarities in the living habits of British animals to Australian animals. That story is now published as Lost in a Strange Land. I was hooked on writing for children at that point, but it wasn't until about 5 years ago that I was able to devote time to my writing. The result was the

first book in the Mystery of Nida Valley series, published in 2011. Why fantasy? I have always had a love of fantasy fiction and after the phenomenal success of Harry Potter, it seemed to me that many children had the same love. The megafauna story, The Mystery of Nida Valley, was perfect for this genre. How did a story about very real, extinct Australian animals become a fantasy story? I asked a group of children what they knew about these creatures and discovered that they had no knowledge of them. Their interest in hearing about the animals fulled my desire to write the story. Some of the questions the children asked during our discussion shaped the story. For instance, 'Did they live with the dinosaurs?' and from a very cute four year old, 'Were there dragons too?' So I decided to include the three groups, megafauna, dinosaurs and mythical animals. It is a strange mix and it was interesting coming up with a way to make the valley's creatures credible. (Well, as credible as fantasy has to be). Elaine can be booked to conduct writing workshops, author talks, book signings, and other promotions at bookstores, schools and libraries. Bookings for these and other events can be made by contacting booking agents Ford Street Creative Net www.fordstreetpublishing.com/cnet or Morris Publishing Australia at, info@morrispublishingaustralia.com - or Elaine at elaineouston@yahoo.com.au or by phone at 0749 267171.

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news and reviews children’s fiction sales on the rise. A new monthly industry snapshot report produced by the Association of American Publishers (AAP) confirms that there has been significant growth in the children's book market. According to the latest data, total trade book

net revenue grew by 27.1% in January of 2012, compared to January of 2011. That growth was seen across all book sales categories — Adult, Children's/Young Adult and Religious categories. But kids' book sales counted for a huge percentage of the growth. They reported that Children's/Young Adult physical format in hardcover and paperback both saw strong double-digit growth (68.9% and 61.9% respectively) over the same period last year. The impressive surge in sales was attributed partly to the general economic improvement and the popularity of several new releases. But eBooks showed the most growth. According to the AAP's first monthly data on Children's/YA eBooks, sales showed a massive +475.1% increase from 2011 to 2012. 'Some publishers have attributed this to the availability of more options for devices aimed at those demographics as well as a number of popular new releases,' the report said. Whatever the reason, children are reading. And from the figures I have seen, much of what they are reading are fantasy stories or books about real life experiences.

Reader’s reviews - Captured by Elaine Ouston I like this book because it is a page-turning adventure/mystery that just doesn't slow down. The author has created a prehistoric world with animals such as; meiolania oweni, diprotodon, ichthyosaur, and muttaburrasauras. Then there are travel portals, stun guns, and lots of magic. The teenage heroine and her friends are portrayed perfectly through their mannerism and language. All the other character are also well defined. The author has created an intriguing and exciting story. I was sent on an adventure that I truly felt a part of. And that, in a nut shell, is the essence of good writing. Diane Robinson - St. Paul, Alberta http://www.dianemaerobinson.com/ I adored this wonderful book and will give it five out of five stars. Thanks for allowing me to go on this sensational journey with Meg Sealy and your adorable cast. Captured, by EJ Ouston, is book two of the Mystery of Nida Valley Series, and is the exemplification of its title, for from the first page of this incredible, whimsical novel, you are going to be captured by three things: Meg, Magic and a great read. Nida Valley is more than a story about a magical, mystical encounter by a girl who stands to inherit enormous powers; it's a family journey of love, history and about our own natural instincts to preserve our own history, as well as that of extinct animals. It's a story about prehistoric animals who roam the earth dependent on human preservation. And because of the presumed extinction propensity, reading this epic novel makes you want to preserve these species. Carol D. Mitchell - Author

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featured author STEPHEN ANASTASI Australian author, Stephen Anastasi, has released two books at the same time, The Runes of Ire and The Druid, a concept that is very unusual - especially as they are both the first books in two different series. When I asked him to explain the reason he wanted to release them together, he told me, “The Runes of Ire was the first of these two books completed. After I read it again, I realised that there was a back story to how the 4 ½ dimension world our hero Garney Barnicoat finds himself in was discovered, so I set out to tell that story in The Druid. Even though these books are the first in two different series, it seemed appropriate to release them together.” The Druid was shortlisted for a Varuna Award – one of Australia's most prestigious awards for emerging writers. Stephen regularly slips out of his writing space and falls into a world where there are teachers and students of science and mathematics. There, he does his best to make students believe that to a sufficiently advanced mind, physics, mathematics and magic are nearly indistinguishable. Stephen says, “Occasionally a student gets it—sees the greater reality—and goes electric with understanding. I like to think that these students will carry a torch to others.”

kilometres home. But mostly, he likes to write about the quirky side of life—funny, scary, odd; for example his other stories are; the true secret world of a cemetery manager (A Tale from the Crypt), the life of a rat dog trainer (Rat Dogs), the rise to sentience of a supercomputer (Carlisle's Mind), the world of a man who is never allowed to die because he knows too much (A Note from 23C), and the endpoint solution when the world is faced with an Easter Island scenario (The Brotherhood of the Apocalypse). He is also working on a book that will cause great controversy – his theory of evolution – a theory not supported by the many other books on the subject. These books are only the beginning for Stephen Anastasi. That he will become well known author is a given. You will hear much more of him in the future. His books are featured on the next page.

He says, “I write because it seems to be the only way in which I can walk other people through the unusual architecture of my labyrinthine mind. He says, 'I like to think that, like Jack London, or Harper Lee, when I'm gone, people will smile, or cry, or feel something special because of something I wrote.” The author has had a short story published; a true story of a man lost at sea who had to swim many

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the books The Runes of Ire Take an exciting adventurous journey to the 41/2 th dimension. Let your imagination soar as you join Garney and his friends on a wild and rambunctious ride into a land of dragons, swarthymen, and magic. At the 4 ¼ dimensional House of Two Rooms, the shared inheritance of all who have Pepper Barnicoat as their multi-grandfather, a mansion where everything is exactly nothing like it seems, Garney discovers that he is a descendant of one of the five Druidic families of Yore. Curiosity brings accident and Garney and his crippled cousin Eldeth adventure and misadventure their way to the walled city of Yore in the 4 ½ th dimension. But here they are stuck. Neither can ever return to Two Rooms unless one finds a talent for hyperlogic, mathemagic, can dazzle a Mystal, and preferably, redeem the Barnicoat name, besmirched by Mad Barnicoat four Yonks ago. So Garney must set things right, as best a twelve-year-old with the weight of a whole civilisation on his shoulders can do. TITLE: The Runes of Ire - AUTHOR: Stephen Anastasi ISBN: 978-0-9872444-2-0 - FORMAT: Paperback 203 x 127 & eBook EXTENT: 268 PP. - STOCK: Cover: 250 gsm artboard celloglazed. Inside: 85gsm creme bond paper. RRP: Paperback $17.95. eBook $5.99 PUBLISHER: Morris Publishing Australia. PUB DATE: April 2012. CATEGORY: Fantasy Fiction. AUDIENCE: Children 8 - 16 WHOLESALE AND RETAIL ORDERS: Morris Publishing Australia http://morrispublishingaustralia.com Ingram Book Company: http://www.ingrambook.com James Bennett http://www.bennett.com.au On line: http://www.thenile.com.au Amazon Books: http://amazon.com and many online stores

The Druid SHORTLISTED FOR THE VARUNA AWARD. Torn from the only life she has ever known, Titian begins an adventure into her worse nightmare. Join her as she embarks on a perilous journey of self-discovery and danger. Exiled from her tribe for making a Druidic staff, Titian and her dying friend, Myriam, are taken in by the Clan and Kindred. But theirs is a turbulent world, edged with war. Kidnapped by the Swarthymen, she escapes to, and is lost in a cave where she feels she is travelling 'sideways, ever sideways'. Not knowing she is being pursued, as her old world seethes in turmoil, Titian begins a perilous journey—into an unknown destiny—to find the mythical Fragrant Moss, the only thing that might save her friend. Legend says it grows only in the Land of the Rainbow'd Sun. This is a beautiful, exciting, elegant book that you will love. TITLE: The Druid - AUTHOR: Stephen Anastasi ISBN: 978-0-9872444-3-7 - FORMAT: Paperback 203 x 127. eBook EXTENT: 160 PP. - STOCK: Cover: 250 gsm artboard celloglazed. Inside: 85gsm creme bond paper. - RRP: $15.95. eBook $4.99 PUBLISHER: Morris Publishing Australia. PUB DATE: April 2012. CATEGORY: Fantasy Fiction. AUDIENCE: Children 8 - 16 WHOLESALE AND RETAIL ORDERS: Morris Publishing Australia - http://morrispublishingaustralia.com James Bennett: http://www.bennett.com.au On line: http://www.thenile.com.au/ Amazon Books: http://amazon.com and many online stores.

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news and reviews SHOULD CHILDREN'S BOOKS HAVE A RATINGS SYSTEM? Hunger Games is on the American Office for Intellectual Freedom’s list of ‘Top ten frequently challenged books.’

A recent study from Brigham Young University found that many children's novels that contain high levels of profanity can be purchased and read by any child. The film industry has a rating system to prevent underage individuals from watching movies deemed inappropriate but not, it seems, children's books. The study found that profanity that ranged from extremely offensive to mild, occurred in over 50% of books on the New York Times 40 best-selling adolescent (ages 9-14) novels. The profanity was then broken down further into categories - such as the Federal Communication Commission's seven dirty words, sexual words, and words referring to human waste (i.e. crap). Dr Sarah Coyne, the article's author said, "Some of the books in our sample had extremely high levels of profanity - one book had over 180 instances of the f-word alone. lf these were made into movies, then there would be no question that they would be rated R: however, because they are in a book, we are somehow okay with adolescents being exposed to profanity in this degree. This is inconsistent and deserves discussion." The research found that the books most likely to be read by students in 4th or 5th grades were least likely to contain offensive kinds of profanity. Many of those books contained no profanity at all. But some monitoring of children’s books does exist in America. In April 2012, the American Library Association announced AOIF’s top ten frequently challenged books for 2012. These books included, To Kill a Mocking Bird, Hunger Games, and the Gossip Girl book series. These books all contained either high levels of violence or profanity. The books analysed by Dr Sarah Coyne and her colleagues include the Harry Potter series, the Twilight-series, the Gossip Girl series,

Percy Jackson and the Olympians, and more. Many of these novels have now been adapted to both film and television. However, the level of concern over these books in America is not reflected by our own watch-dog. The watch-dog for Australian books in the public domain is the Australian Government's Classification Review Board. Even though the website says that under the Code, classification decisions are to give effect, as far as possible, to the principles outlined e.g. That adults should be able to read, hear and see what they want and that minors should be protected from material likely to harm or disturb them, it seems that not all material in the public domain comes to their attention. Their website lists this information on what they classify: “The Classification Act states that the Classification Board should classify only 'submittable publications. The definition of a submittable publication does not cover all publications, rather it refers to publications that contain depictions or descriptions that are likely to cause the publication to be classified RC; ... or are unsuitable for a minor to see or read. Only a small section of publications fit the definition of a submittable publication, so it is unlikely to find classifications on items typically sold in bookstores or available in library catalogues.” So it seems that unless someone makes a complaint and submits a book for classification, then Australian children will have access to whatever their parents let them read. But the question of whether there should be a classification label on children's books to help the parents choose is still relevant. Dr Coyne's article titled, “A Helluva Read: Profanity in Adolescent Literature, was written and researched by Drs Sarah Coyne; and Mark Callister, as well as Laura Ann Stockdale, David Nelson, and Brian Wells, all from Brigham Young University. It appears in Mass Communication and Society, Volume 15, Issue 3, 2012.

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new release ECONOMIC VISION SYNOPSIS:

Imagine that you wake up a little while from now and realise that your home is your own, and you don’t owe anyone any money. At all! What’s more, there’s enough in just one of your bank accounts and from passive income to pay any accounts that may come your way, and pay for your cost of living. This is the situation that you can create for yourself. Then you may have the experience where you can’t describe the feeling, but if you had to choose one word, it would be peace. Former financial planner and radio presenter Kim Stedman has experienced the highs and lows of finance. He says, ‘I’ve been rich and I’ve been poor, and I know which I would rather be’. In this no nonsense approach, Kim speaks from a wealth of both knowledge and experience on the thinking and actions behind achieving the peace of financial freedom. EXTRACT FROM A REVIEW: Financial stress is one of

the greatest single causes of the breakdown of relationships of all kinds. While this helps lawyers, it does nothing to help society function fully. The vision and passion in this book provide direction, support and encouragement to enable the ultimate objective of financial freedom. It has the capacity to change lives, relationships and communities. Brett Davies - Brett Davies Lawyers, a private tax law firm. A MESSAGE FROM THE AUTHOR: Economic Vision contains the essence of everything I've learnt about financial freedom. The Economic Vision programme was originally launched in 2002. By reading the book or attending a workshop, you will come to understand that all it takes are seven simple keys to change your entire life. These are

seven positive keys that have been used and proven for centuries by those who wanted financial freedom. The knowledge contained within Economic Vision can change your life so powerfully and permanently, you'll hardly believe it! You don't need to have a background in finance to change your life, what you need to know is contained in Economic Vision. If you have a desire to get off the treadmill, then Economic Vision will add immeasurably to what you already know. Kim Stedman TITLE: AUTHOR: ISBN: FORMAT:

ECONOMIC VISION. Kim Stedman.

978-0-9872444-6-8 Paperback 152 x 230.

eBook EXTENT: 266 PP. STOCK: Cover: 250 gsm artboard celloglazed. Inside: 80gsm white bond paper. RRP: Paperback: $22.95. eBook $9.99 PUBLISHER: Morris Publishing Australia. PUB DATE: May 2012. CATEGORY: Non - fiction - Finance AUDIENCE: Adult WHOLESALE AND RETAIL ORDERS: http://www.morrispublishingaustralia.com James Bennett http://www.bennett.com.au On line: http://www.thenile.com.au/ Ingram Book Company: http://www.ingrambook.com

eBook available from Amazon, Smashwords and many online stores.

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meet the author KIM STEDMAN Kim Stedman has just released his new book Economic Vision. A personal guide to creating financial freedom. Kim lives on the outskirts of Perth, Western Australia at the base of the Darling Ranges. At 62 he’s had several demanding career paths including military service, working "on air" in radio and as a financial planner. His country roots provided a fertile learning ground. Even at an early age his aptitude for math was apparent. His passions include taking the seeds of ideas and making them a reality, and coaching others in core disciplines of personal improvement. His diversified interests include a passion for preserving heritage and history as well as the integrity of the environment and rural communities. As a grandfather he takes a deep interest in his grand children. Saying being around them keeps his thinking young; and that they are our future leaders. Kim's very strong sense of self identity stems from strong family ties and the examples of the generation who experienced both the great depression and World War II.

His first book, ‘The Road Home’, was a compendium of poetry penned in the early 1990's and published in 1997. It is being revised to become a motivational work. Currently Kim is working on his first novel exploring the impact of war on the lives of girls and women. THE SEMINARS The vision for Economic Visions’ future is a global forum to create financial freedom through education, encouragement and support. Working in conjunction with author Kathleen O’Dwyer, Kim also offers a seminar on the contents of the books. These workshops have proven popular with schools, libraries, community groups and financial businesses.

With a background of military service, an ‘on air’ radio career that spanned fourteen years, and a financial planning career spanning fifteen years, he has experienced the responsibility and commitment of providing quality service to others.

As a book launch offer, for the cost to you, or your members, clients or staff, of a copy of the books Economic Vision and Simply Brilliant Budgeting for each attendee, just $39, you can have a bonus seminar valued at $400 free. This offer is limited to groups over 26 people, in Perth and surrounding areas. Anywhere else in Australia, please add the cost of airfares and accommodation.

His writing was inspired by the poetry of his late father and encouraged by his widowed mother. This was further enhanced in copy writing as a part of his radio career.

These seminar can be booked by phoning Elaine on 0749 267171 or emailing submissions@morrispublishingaustralia.com. Or Kim Stedman - kim@economicvision.com.au

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new release SIMPLY BRILLIANT BUDGETING SYNOPSIS: In this 'Simply Brilliant Budgeting' book, you'll find a wealth of great information to drive your dollars further. The author, Kathleen O'Dwyer was no stranger to doing it tough when studying for her career and later raising her children single handed. From both her experience and desire to create a solid financial footing, she developed and used many of the common sense strategies that are outlined in this fun book. This powerful but light-hearted look at money management really turns on some bargain basement ideas that will both surprise and encourage you. Even if you think you're doing all right now, there are ideas and strategies that can make things simpler, more effective, and improve your overall financial situation. By choosing to run with these ideas, you can add some fun to the family life too. Kathleen's desire to help people was a driving force behind creating the book. These ideas served her well and enabled her to survive through the tough economic times of the late 1980's. Her tried and proven ideas can also help you. A MESSAGE FROM THE AUTHOR:

By implementing these simple techniques, you may reduce your outgoing expenditure

and thus increase your left over income, or even create one. This gives you a starting point towards being in control of your personal finances. And all without compromising your lifestyle! TITLE: SIMPLY BRILLIANT BUDGETING AUTHOR: Kathleen O’Dwyer. ISBN: 978-0-9872444-5-1 FORMAT: Paperback 129 x 198. eBook EXTENT: 84 PP. STOCK: Cover: 250 gsm artboard celloglazed Inside: 80gsm white bond paper. RRP: Paperback: $14.99. eBook $4.99 PUBLISHER: Morris Publishing Australia. PUB DATE: May 2012. CATEGORY: Non - fiction - Finance Budgeting AUDIENCE: Adult WHOLESALE AND RETAIL ORDERS: http://www.morrispublishingaustralia.com James Bennett http://www.bennett.com.au On line: http://www.thenile.com.au/ Ingram Book Company: http://www.ingrambook.com eBook available from Amazon, Smashwords and many online stores.

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meet the author KATHLEEN O’DWYER Author of Simply Brilliant Budgeting Kathleen grew up at the base of the beautiful Darling Ranges in the outskirts of Perth Western Australia and is was the second child of five, the eldest daughter of a talented artistic mother and a father with mathematical genius who worked in the Public Service. She went on to get her teaching degree, graduating in 1973. She taught over a 30 year span, touching many lives in a positive way. With an exceptionally enquiring mind she has a variety of interests, some of which are, alternative healing modalities, environmentalism, psychology, anthropology, sociology and organic gardening. Her desire to be a full time mother had her financially challenged for over a decade, yet by using her innate skills to simplify, organise and plan, she maintained control over her finances and led a happy yet simple life. She is now passing on to anyone who needs it, the skills and strategies she learnt during this time. .

10 things you didn’t know about Kathleen ... 1. Describe your book in five words or less. A practical, simple book on budgeting. 2. How did the ideas for your book come to you? They came from practical experience. 3. Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp? Get rid of the credit card, be aware of what you're spending, and take responsibility for your own finances.

4. How did you become a writer? I have written poems and songs for my own pleasure, and another book on my experiences with stress, which will be published soon, then I got asked to write this book. So this is actually my second book. 5. Why did you choose to write this book? A friend asked me to write it, as he knew that I did it tough and survived. He felt that my experience might help others. 6. Is there something that sets this book apart from others in the same field? It's simple and gives real ideas that may be applied immediately. Plus it's from real experiences. 7. When did you begin your writing journey? I started with poems and songs in 1992. 8. What's next for you? To publish the first book I wrote. Then maybe a book of poems that has a specific purpose. 9. Other than writing, what else do you love? Gardening, doing spa facials, time with family, going to the movies, listening to music and talking with friends/entertaining/relaxing. 10. Describe your perfect day. Get up when I want, spend time with my spiritual side of life, go out with a good friend for lunch, catch a movie, spend time talking with someone who needs help, spend time with family.

June 2012 Focus on books 14


other books GUNNEDAH HERO by Clancy Tucker TITLE: ISBN:

Gunnedah Hero - AUTHOR: Clancy Tucker eBook: 978-0-646-56847-8 - Paperback: 978-0-646-55733-5

FORMATS:

eBook: ePub - Kindle - PDF - Paperback

EXTENT: RRP:

280 pages eBook: $5.20 Paperback: $18.50 PUBLISHER: Morris Publishing Australia - PUB DATE: 2011 CATEGORY: Historic Australian adventure - AUDIENCE: 9 to YA WHOLESALE AND RETAIL ORDERS: Morris Publishing Australia - http://www.morrispublishingaustralia.com eBook available on Amazon, Smashwords and many online stores This is a wonderful coming of age story for boys. It is set in the Australian bush and parallels the lives of two boys – one a present day lad of 14, and the other, his great-great-grandfather at the same age. The story is based on a manuscript left to the present day lad that tells the story of his great-greatgrandfather’s heroic journey to save the family’s cattle property during the 1910 drought.

THE MYSTERY OF NIDA VALLEY Book one in The Mystery of Nida Valley series. AUTHOR: Elaine Ouston. ISBN: Paperback: 9780987061270 - eBook: 9780987244405 FORMATS: Paperback 198 x 129 - eBook: ePub - Kindle - PDF EXTENT: 224 PP. PAPERBACK STOCK: Cover: 250 gsm artboard celloglazed. Inside: 80gsm white bond. RRP: Paperback $14.99 - eBook $2.99 PUBLISHER: Morris Publishing Australia. PUB DATE: Paperback May 2011 - eBook second edition December 2011. CATEGORY: Fantasy Fiction. - AUDIENCE: Juvenile 9 - 16 WHOLESALE ORDERS: Dennis Jones and Associates: http://www.dennisjones.com.au Morris Publishing Australia: http://morrispublishingaustralia.com James Bennett http://www.bennett.com.au - On line: http://www.thenile.com.au/

Synopsis: While saving her best friend Amanda, fourteen-year-old Meg Sealy and her older cousin Jaiden, stumble upon a secret valley where time stands still. The three friends are thrust into a dangerous world of magic, time travel, and creatures they believed extinct. Here they learn that it is their destiny to use their new magic skills to join the fight to save the valley from an evil break-away order, bent on exploitation. Follow their journey as undercover villains threaten Meg’s life, and they fight to save the animals from extinction.

June 2012 Focus on books 15


there is more to come ... JULY Crossroads by Melissa Wray: Crossroads is a story of decisions and consequence. It is a poignant real life journey of one teen dealing with divided loyalties of a broken home. Audience: Young adult. Mask of Deceit by Hettie Ashwin: Imagine a world after carbon trading, after conglomerate GM food production, after the global warming crisis. This powerful, Melissa Wray suspenseful novel explores a future our great grandchildren may face – a future where government and moral corruption reign. This is a novel not be missed. Audience: Adult. Hettie Ashwin

AUGUST Opal Dreaming by Jennifer Crane: An adventure story for horse lovers. This is the first book in a series that traces the history of horse riding from the Bronze Age, in 3000BC, on Eurasian Steppe, through the eyes of a thirteen year old girl. Audience: 9 - 14 years Calvus by Darryl Greer: A crucified body in St Albans England, ancient coffins, 2000-year-old skeletons, Latin writings and an old pair of sandals—it is an investigation that baffles even the tenacious Australian DI Chris O'Rourke. In a story that spans three continents and two thousand years what O'Rourke eventually discovers is about to send shockwaves around the globe. Audience: Adult.

SEPTEMBER Crowing of the Beast by Hettie Ashwin: In a world where justice is often denied, two Jewish lawyers defend the rights of one man. Set in Paris, The Crowing of the Beast follows the course set by George Nozette and Bernard Simeoni as they are thrust into a high profile case to defend Heinz Tag, a Neo-Nazi supporter, for the murder of a Jewish protester. A powerful page-turner, you won’t be able to stop reading this book. Audience: Adult.

OCTOBER CATastrophe by Robert Favretto: A fun story for kids of all ages. Rhys's teacher, Mr Shakespeare, wants him to write a story. But it's no easy task - especially when he's got writer's block and doesn't get along with his teacher. Throw in class pest Alex, and a time out, and he's got a recipe for disaster. Audience: Early readers.

NOVEMBER Who Stole Santas’s Mail by Dimity Powell: A fun Christmas story for young readers. You'd better not shout. You'd better not cry. You'd better watch out. I'm telling you why… somebody's coming to town and it isn’t Santa. He's naughty and not very nice. And he wants to destroy Christmas. When the post boxes of Bramblebury mysteriously begin to disappear, Sam has just weeks before the biggest day of Santa's year to discover what's happening to all the Christmas mail. But worse than that, his little sister has gone missing too. Will he be able to find his sister and save Christmas along with Santa's reputation before the Delivery Book closes for the year? What he needs is a Christmas miracle. Audience: Early readers.

DECEMBER On the Nose by Robert Favretto: On the Nose is a fun and entertaining read that I'm sure would be enjoyed by young primary school kids who love the Just books and the Captain Underpants series. This story is along the same lines: crazy, funny and entertaining – everything a nine-year-old boy loves in a book. Someone or something has dropped a stink bomb in the city of Aroma – and the stench is devastating! Can Justin's amazing nose sniff out the mystery of the phantom smell? Audience: Early readers.

June 2012 Focus on books 16


40 Wigginton Street, Frenchville, 4701, Australia. Phone: 07 49267171

Morris Publishing Australia

Website: www.MorrisPublishingAustralia.com Email: info@MorrisPublishingAustralia.com

Retail Price

Wholesale price @ 45% discount

ISBN: 978-0-9872444-2-0 The Runes of Ire

$17.95

$9.88

ISBN: 978-0-9872444-3-7 The Druid

$15.95

$8.78

ISBN: 978-0-9872444-4-4 Captured- The Mystery of Nida Valley Book two

$19.95

$10.98

ISBN: 978-0-9872444-5-1 Simply Brilliant Budgeting

$14.99

8.25

ISBN: 978-0-9872444-6-8 Economic Vision

$22.99

$12.62

ISBN: 978-0-9872444-9-9 Life, Death and Detention

$15.95

$8.77

$14.95

$8.22

$18.50

$10.17

Current Publications

t h e w o r l d j u s t g o t b i g g e r

Also available from Dennis Jones and Associates http://www.dennisjones.com.au

Also available from Dennis Jones and Associates http://www.dennisjones.com.au

ISBN: 978-0-9870612-7-0 The Mystery of Nida Valley Book One Also available from Dennis Jones and Associates http://www.dennisjones.com.au

ISBN: 978-0-646-55733-5 Gunnedah Hero

Terms: Account - payment in 30 days - for sale or return 3 months from date of purchase for registered businesses. Delivery 5 -7 days. http://www.morrispublishingaustralia.com

Books are also available from Rainbow Books, https://rainbowbooks.com.au/ James Bennett http://www.bennett.com.au - Ingram Book Company: http://www.ingrambook.com On line: http://www.thenile.com.au - eBook available from Amazon, Smashwords and many online stores.

June 2012 Focus on books 17


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