Book 2: coming in 2012

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Indie bookshops we love


Throughout January Over the next little while :) we’ll thank some of the many individuals and organisations we've loved dealing with since The Fly Papers launch. 

Today - passionate, wonderful booksellers. (And the Widget to the left is from the brilliant Indie Bound campaign!)


The Children's Bookshop, Kilbirnie, Wellington
We've thanked them so many times already, we hope it doesn't get boring! But the whole book-loving team there are a delight to deal with – from both a small publisher's and an (ahem) enthusiastic buyer's point of view.

Marsden books, Karori, Wellington
This loyalty-inspiring bookshop has a beautifully curated selection for all ages. And owner Anna Hunt is passionate about giving books to children that engage, challenge, and above all, don't underestimate children's abilities and understanding.

Craft Country, Featherston, Wairarapa
Our closest stockist – and not a bookshop! But this wonderful, collaboratively-run venture, which sells all manner of hand-crafted goods, has been kind enough to stock The Fly Papers, in their ongoing efforts to support local and independent makers.

Almo's Bookshop, Carterton, Wairarapa
Owner Steve is always keen to support local publishers, writers and illustrators. Almo's has a nice children's section, and as an aside, one of the best selections for gardeners, crafters, and self-sufficiency folks that we’ve ever seen.

Next Page Please!, Takapuna, Auckland
This large, vibrant children's bookshop is owned by the marvellous Maria Elston who is on a mission to bring New Zealand children's books to as wide an audience as possible. A must-visit.

Poppies, Remuera, Auckland
Remuera Poppies owner Elise has been supportive from the start – before we even published. We like the Poppies franchise concept, too.

Young Reflections, Invercargill
We haven't had so much opportunity to meet South Island booksellers – yet. We were thrilled when we received an order from Young Reflections, the furthest south we've been stocked.

A exciting shop, with a great children’s section. We've enjoyed dealing with and meeting (at Dunedin Storylines) the owners and staff.

Children's Bookshop Christchurch
This beloved children's bookshop was devastated by the Christchurch earthquake, but they have survived and thrived.

As we write we keep thinking of more independent bookstores we have loved dealing with, but sadly – no room to name them all.

Right then. Next batch of thank-yous will be to that special breed, the independent book promoters ....

Monday, December 31, 2012

Happy New Year!


We want to thank everyone who has read The Flytrap Snaps - or supported us in other ways - and wish you a fanastic new year!

2012 started off excitingly for Walter, Johanna, and Sabrina when we heard The Flytrap Snaps had been shortlisted for the NZ Post Children's Book Awards

The excitement continued throughout the year with school visits, the Storylines Festival, a shortlisting for the LIANZA Esther Glen Award, inclusion on the Storylines Notable Books List ...

... and even some tentative interest from the international film industry!

We were also thrilled when the marvellous and highly respected Kathryn Carmody agreed to take us on as clients through her new NZ literary agency - Olive Books

All of this (and more) gave us less breathing space than we needed to get our second book out before Christmas - Book 2 in The Fly Papers series - The Sundew Stalks.

However, it's well on its way - look at the cover! And what this means is that we will bring out both Book 2 and Book 3 in 2013. 

Expect more blog posts with news, views and gratitude throughout January 2013 ...

Best wishes

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

LIANZA Children's Book Awards

We were so busy getting excited about it on Facebook, we forgot to blog about it. The Flytrap Snaps is now a finalist in the LIANZA Children's Book Awards - which have a long history and are given each year by librarians. We're ecstatic!

You can see all the finalists and read more about it here.

Friday, June 1, 2012

There were 24, now there are two ...


Nepenthes rigidifolia is a species of giant pitcher plant that grows in a single, small area of Sumatra, Indonesia. It's so endangered that there are thought to be only two left in the wild!

Twenty-four specimens have been discovered in the past, but habitat destruction has all but wiped them out.

More information here.

Thanks to Simon Eyre for the link.
Photograph by ma_suska, via Wikimedia Commons

Monday, January 16, 2012

A new carnivorous plant discovered!

A few scientists have suspected that the Brazilian plant Philcoxia could be carnivorous - now they've proved it.

It makes you wonder how many other plants in the world are carnivorous, without us realising.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Petals that pong

Recently the rare Devil's Tongue flower bloomed at the Wellington Botanic Gardens. It looks sinister, and smells like rotten flesh.

Here at Hinterlands HQ we had our own stinky flower, which you can see above. Carnivorous pitcher plant flowers often smell, er, interesting, but this one was especially overpowering - filling the room with clouds of cat pee stench.

Well, at least the flies liked it.