Alicia helps inspire 'The Project'

25/2/2018

A series of emails led the producers of The Project to writer Alicia Young, who was interviewed for a promo for a week-long series on infertility and baby loss starting tomorrow.

I have it on good authority that Alicia is very proud to have played a part in starting a national conversation on these topics.

You can click the image above to view the promo on Facebook.

An Honourable Mention From North And South

18/2/2018

Flash Fiction is very short fiction, generally between around 50 - 1000 words.

North and South magazine recently ran a flash fiction competition, and I'm thrilled to have been given an honourable mention for my entry Paperwork.

You can read my story, and the other winning and shortlisted entries, online.

Read the 2018 North and South flash fiction stories.

Bruce Finds A Home Dunedin Book Launch!

17/2/2018

Thank you so much to everyone who came to the Dunedin Bruce Finds A Home book launch. I had a fabulous morning getting to know these little creatures, which at the time I thought were cats but upon closer inspection look rather fox-like.

I ran a Kickstarter crowd-funding campaign to help fund the book, and as part of the campaign 73 people donated books to the Animal Rescue Network Dunedin. Today I was proud to deliver the 73 books to the network, and I hope they assist with fundraising.

Bruce Finds A Home is now available in all good New Zealand book shops. You can also buy it online here:

Win a copy of 'Bruce Finds A Home'

15/2/2018

The New Zealand Woman's Weekly is giving away four copies of 'Bruce Finds A Home'. Check out the magazine for entry details.

Bruce Finds A Home Auckland book launch!

13/2/2018

Kathryn van Beek's 'Bruce Finds A Home' book launch

Thank you so much to everyone who came along to the Auckland book launch for Bruce Finds A Home - and to everyone who helped me organise it. An extra big thank you to the lovely ladies at The Dorothy Butler Book Shop who made the experience so special.

I'm looking forward to the Dunedin book launch this Saturday 17 February at the University Book Shop from 10.30am. All welcome!

A present for the 'first baby'

9/2/2018

We've succumbed to Jacindababymania over here at Bruce HQ, and put a little something in the post for the PM and her first bloke.

My first newsletter

3/2/2018

You're invited to the

Bruce Finds a Home book launch

Hello and welcome to my first newsletter! I promise I won't send these very often, but I do have some big news which is that my children's book Bruce Finds A Home is officially being released from next week - and you're invited to the launch parties! There will be face painting at both events for the kids ... and of course the opportunity to get your books 'pawtographed'.

The books will be in all good New Zealand bookstores from 11 February, and overseas readers will be able to order books from brucethecat.co.nz. The story is based loosely on the true story of my famous cat Bruce, who I found on the side of the road when he was one day old.

Auckland book launch
11am, Sunday 11 February
Dorothy Butler Children's Bookshop
1 Jervois Road, Ponsonby.
Join the event on Facebook.

Dunedin book launch
10.30am, Saturday 17 February
UBS (University Book Shop)
378 Great King Street, Dunedin.
Join the event on Facebook.

Kickstarter rewards

I ran a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign to raise the money to publish Bruce Finds A Home (thanks so much to those of you who supported the campaign). As part of the Kickstarter I offered a range of rewards including pet portraits. I've really enjoyed drawing and painting a variety of beloved pets, including the very dashing Jerry pictured here. I've finally finished all the portraits, and now I'm wondering ... what will I draw next?

Other writing

I also write to help raise awareness of miscarriage. The Spinoff published my recent piece When Jacindababymania Hurts, and it was later picked up by The NZ Herald! You can read more about that on my website if you're interested.

I am advocating to have miscarriage included in The Holidays Act as a reason to take bereavement leave. I had a very encouraging meeting with Dunedin South MP Clare Curran about that this morning.