Having attended both Dubbo Public and Dubbo High School as a child, returning to the city that shaped her formative years is always special to award-winning author, Libby Gleeson.
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Visiting the city to promote her new book and as an ambassador for National Year of Reading, the author said any opportunity to come and talk books and literature with families, was an opportunity she did not like to miss.
Mrs Gleeson has written a staggering 40 novels and picture books. She is also launching her new book, Red, which is aimed at the 10 years and up market. The premise of the novel deals with a cyclone wiping out the eastern coast of Sydney. A female character wakes up face down in the mud and cannot remember anything about her past. The author describes the book as a search for self which she describes generally as a “metaphor for adolescence.’’
Mrs Gleeson admits she always had a passion for writing and after graduating as an English teacher, “fancied herself as a bit of a writer”.
While living in Italy in the 1970s and trying to learn the language, the author began writing small pieces that eventually grew into stories. After moving to London for a couple of years she joined a writers group where, with help, her stories were fashioned into her first novel.
In between “bits of work and having babies,” Mrs Gleeson’s writing career gathered momentum.
When asked if there was a stand-out book over the years, Mrs Gleeson said the first book published is the the one you have a soft-spot for.
“It’s the one you really laboured over and hoped would be successful,’’ she said.
In the year 2000 a book called The Great Bear won the prestigious Bologna Ragazzi Award. The award recognises the winner as having produced the best picture book in the world.
As the first Australian ever to win the award, Mrs Gleeson agreed the book has held a special place for her ever since.
While back in Dubbo, the author is also hoping to catch up with school friends she has stayed in touch with over the years.
Macqaurie Regional Library will host An Evening with Libby Gleeson tomorrow, starting at 6pm. The author will discuss the process of writing and the value of reading in our lives. She will also discuss literacy tips for parents.
Mrs Gleeson will also be signing copies of her new book, Red.