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World Mental Health Day

Today is World Mental Health Day, and a good reminder to look out for others and ourselves. The pandemic has been a tough time for many, but I’m grateful for the positive experiences I’ve had over the last couple of years, and hope that we can try to support each other.
Author Matt Haig states in his beautiful book Reasons to Stay Alive, ‘Just as none of us are 100% physically healthy no one is 100% mentally healthy. We are all on a scale.’
I think that this is true, and that it’s unrealistic to expect ourselves to never be upset, unhappy, grief-stricken, or anxious. We’re capable of feeling turmoil and heartache — and peace and joy. We’re not machines; we’re gloriously messy humans, and let’s try to recognise that.
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ANOTHER UPDATE!

I’m stoked to have booked a table at Supanova Comic Con & Gaming‘s Brisbane event this year. I look forward to selling copies of Within the Ward and meeting lots of lovely people. I’ve attended Supanova a bunch of times over the years and love it!
What’s not to love?!
Colourful costumes – √
Happy, passionate nerds… ahhhh, my people – √
Conversations about Pokemon and D&D – √
All of the things to buy! Candles, clothes, artwork, and books, books, books! – √
Lunch with friends – √
The feeling that there’s been a tear (or maybe total dismantling) in the universe/space-time continuum, allowing multiple realities to collide. I mean, where else would you encounter Hermione Granger alongside Galadriel, Vegeta, and Darth Vader? (Oh, right… maybe in fanfaction.) Anyway… huge tick! (√)
This year, Brissy Supanova runs from Sat, 6 Nov 2021 to Sun, 7 Nov 2021 at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre. Hope to see you there (and in costume!). 😉
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Book launch at Avid Reader!

UPDATE! I’m delighted to hold a book launch for Within the Ward at Avid Reader Bookshop at 6:30pm on Friday, 10 December.
I look forward to answering questions about my novel and signing copies of the book, which will be available to buy. 😊
To attend, please register by checking out this link: https://wherethewildthingsare.com.au/…/emily-larkin…
Hope to see you there!
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Story Sampler

Rhiza Edge has released a Story Sampler. 🙂 The idea is to give a ‘sneak peek’ at recent releases or upcoming books. The first two chapters of my novel Within the Ward feature, alongside extracts from other YA titles. If you want to read the start of my novel, then check it out! Thanks! 😃
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Writing Workshop at Broadbeach Library

I had a lovely time running a writing workshop at Broadbeach Library on 19 June. The topic was writing dialogue, and this is something I’m really interested in. I think that the best dialogue sounds natural, but cleaner than real speech. (Authors cut a lot of the ums and ers.) Creating a back-and-forth between characters is tremendous fun, and helps to reveal who they are!
It was great to have Josh along for the day, and to meet fellow author KR Clarry, who attended the workshop. KR Clarry and I were both in a purple kind of mood! 🙂
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Novel publication

EXCITING NEWS!
Some of you already know, but I’m thrilled to announce that my young-adult novel Within the Ward will be published by Rhiza Edge in October. I began writing this novel in 2015, as part of my doctoral studies at USC: University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia. The upcoming release still feels surreal, because it’s a dream come true. A huge, heartfelt thanks to Rochelle Stephens and the Rhiza Edge team, and to Ross Watkins – Author & Illustrator, Paul Williams, and the BRAIDERs at USC. My family and friends are amazing, so thank you very, very muchly for all your support and love.
Within the Ward is about Paige Newell, a 17-year-old who is immersed in a dream reality to cure her depression. The novel stems from my love of narratives like The Matrix and Divergent, and from my desire to help overcome the stigma towards mental health issues through stories. Here’s the cover (artwork by the talented Tatiana Lawton). Stay tuned for updates about the launch!
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Sharing stories

On Friday, 5 May, 2017 I held my first ever book launch, at the University of the Sunshine Coast Art Gallery. It is incredible to think that this happened over a year ago.

Since The Whirlpool‘s release, I have been fortunate to present creative writing talks and workshops at Voices on the Coast, the CYA Conference, Romancing the Stars, and Where the Wild Things Are. I love talking about stories and learning from other writers.

The kids are fantastic. Let me just mention that. At this year’s Voices on the Coast (at the University of the Sunshine Coast), I talked to Year 4 and 5 kids about how animals in stories are always a little bit human. Animal characters are expressive and emotional; they often wear clothes or stand on two legs; they live in families or form strong connections, friendships and rivalries. The kids picked up what I was saying and ran with it. They drew their own animal characters, dressed them in hats, scarves (and, in one case, board shorts), and created rich backstories. They could tell me what their characters liked doing, what their favourite food was (answers varied from doughnuts to carrots), and whether he/she enjoyed school. One kid explained all about how his possum had a messy room (which his mum didn’t like), while another told me that her fox had formed an unlikely friendship with a very tall rabbit. Some of the animals had enemies; all of them had personality.

It makes me so happy to see kids become passionate about creating, and I’m excited to keep sharing stories and meeting the vivid imaginations of the future.