We have some talented authors in and around Lane Cove, and ITC would like to introduce you to another talented writer – Lindsay Holliday. Lindsay has just released a new children’s book called Danger versus The Ranger. As Burns Bay Bookery has for other local authors, they are stocking her book (spoiler alert Danger outwits the Ranger).
We asked Lindsay to tell us a little about herself and her new book.
When Did You Start Writing Children’s Books?
I wrote and illustrated my first pre-school books, Puffy Pillow series, over 20 years ago. Yoram Gross Studios of Blinky Bill fame liked it and took it to the ABC for a possible preschool TV series. Unfortunately, the ABC said they had too much preschool material at the time and passed. The series was never published and is covered in dust! Since then, I have been writing on and off.
Bills had to be paid and my other career, a media and entertainment lawyer, kept me very busy and interested, such that my writing stayed an enjoyable extra.
And then in 2014, I knew I had to write a book. I finished two young adult manuscripts (still in draft), this first Danger series and some short stories for adults (a good learning exercise). My preference is to write for children.
What inspired you to write this book?
My first child, my son, is now 15. I wanted to write books he liked. He was not fond of the magical and fantasy style books and loved the ‘real-life’ stories. Ideas popped into my head when walking around our neighbourhood. I listened to the back-seat conversations of my children and their friends, and more stories evolved. And I have many more still swimming around in my head ready for me to write. I have the next two Danger series roughly planned and another special edition idea. They are all ‘every-day’ stories for the every-day kid.
What is Danger Versus the Ranger about?
It’s about eleven-year-old Danger who moves into his Gran’s house with his dog Jett, his Mum (a community liaison police officer) and Dad (a maths professor).
It’s the summer holidays and he ventures into the local Sydney neighbourhood to explore. He sees Kookaburra Island tantalisingly close and forms his first plan to buy a boat to get to that island. The trouble is he has no money. Undeterred he starts his first money-making job, dog walking for Jo, a local.
The Ranger, who he meets early on in his exploration and a stickler for rules and regulations, is keen to ensure that Danger follows the rules for dog walking and more so when he thinks Danger is running an “unlicensed” dog walking business.
With the help of new friends, Charlie and Jimbo (who Danger helped by standing up to the local teenage bullies) and Jo, he outwits the Ranger. Danger is well on his way to becoming an integral part of the local community and buying his dream boat.
Do you have plans to write another book?
Yes, very much so.
There are five books in the first Danger series. All have been written and illustrated.
They are
- Danger & the Good Book;
- Danger & the Blaster Wars;
- Danger & the Hub Cap Thief; and
- Danger & the Big Storm.
As mentioned above, I have the next two series planned in my mind and hope, with a little success of the first books, I can get writing the next series. I also have an idea to write a children’s book about flying Spitfires and WW2, but that’s for later…
What is Your Favourite Coffee Place in Lane Cove?
I am a self-confessed coffee addict, and I won’t drink a coffee if it’s a bad coffee…why waste my caffeine hit!! So the cafe has to serve good coffee. I love The Junction Coffee Co. The food is fresh, and the homemade soups are as good as the coffee. I also love La Provence Espresso Bar – good coffee with a slice of their flourless orange cake is a treat especially if I’ve just bought a book from The Burns Bay Bookery and want to start reading straight away!
What is Your Favourite Place in Lane Cove?
I love The Burns Bay Bookery…I can spend hours browsing, and I find Beatle, Karen and all the staff in the bookstore very helpful and knowledgeable; and the Library. We are lucky to have such an active library with its wide range of literature both for children and adults. There is a good audiobook section which is a great way to spend time in the car to and from schools!! They run a fantastic Literary Awards competition (sadly not happening this year for obvious reasons) that supports writers. I felt fortunate to be shortlisted in 2018 for my adult short story, A Woman’s Diary.
Find out More
In this day and age, all writers need a website, and I have one too…www.dangermedia.com.au which has information about the books, teachers notes, activities and fun stuff for kids; details of stockists and a Q&A with myself!
I have an Instagram account: danger_books_ on which I post cartoons and details of stockists as well as on my dangerbooks and lindsayholliday Facebook pages.
Danger Versus The Ranger is available to purchase at Burns Bay Bookery.
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