Just So Stories

As it happens an assortment of books all geared to writing – for kids and for others, so do enjoy!

The Story Writer’s Handbook – Katrina Nannestad. Illustrated by Cheryl Orsini.

Harper Collins Australia

September 2025

• ISBN: 9780733344008
• ISBN 10: 0733344003
• Imprint: ABC Books AU
• List Price: 26.99 AUD

It was completely unintentional to leave this one so long but it sifted down between others and so was overlooked until this past week. But it’s never too late for a really good thing – and this is a REALLY GOOD THING!

Having coordinated and facilitated Write a Book in a Day at more than one school and on more than one occasion, and also hosting writing clubs in my libraries, I know how many young ones are truly interested in creative writing.

From around Year 3s to seniors, we were never short on those who dreamed of being successful authors like their literary heroes or who just wrote because they couldn’t not write – it was as natural to them as breathing.

For those who are looking to hone their skills or expand their repertoire, this is a perfect gift book but it will also serve to be in your library collection for inspo too. It is a very practical and also fun work book so that your budding wordsmiths [my favourite of all the writerly nomenclature] can either work their way through it or just dip in and out according to whim or mood.

Katrina brings such joy to the whole art of writing, something that is always so evident in her own books, that even youngsters lacking in confidence will be moved to try out some of the ideas. Partnered again with Cheryl Orsini’s delightful illos, this is a particularly lovely gift for a young person who is always scribbling, or as an adjunct to your collection.

Also, I would certainly be bringing it to the attention of your teaching staff as a useful title to have on their own classroom shelves. It’s a definite 5 🖊️🖊️🖊️🖊️🖊️ rating from me. And yes, I am going to play with it myself!

By contrast, these next two are more your primers – or references – for serious writers looking to tighten up their writing craft to a highly polished level.

The Little Red Writing Book – Mark Treddinick

New South Publishing

9780868408675 / September 2006

RRP: $32.99

Now in its 6th reprint, this is not just a book for writers to check on stuff – as in, crafting the scintillating sentence or planning the perfect paragraph – this is another spur into raising the standard of one’s writing to its greatest standard and enjoying it while doing so.

Chapter headings such as: Grace, Poetics, Attitude, Shapely Thoughts are just part of this package which not only promises but delivers on an extremely useful excursion on how to improve one’s writing. I particularly enjoyed sections such as ‘Question everything they taught you at school‘ which really resonated with me.

Frankly, I was considered an excellent writer through primary, secondary and later university of both creative and non-fiction writing, but it is only as an adult that I have truly found my own style and voice in writing and it is that, I believe, that has taken me forward into other avenues of writing – both paid and unpaid – with a pleasing level of success and recognition.

This is not just informative but inspirational and philosophical, all of which has huge appeal for me. It is an enjoyable read and not in any sense does it resemble a textbook, so do yourself a favour and make sure a copy is close to hand for your writing endeavours.

The Little Green Grammar Book – Mark Tredinnick

New South Publishing

9780868409191 / September 2008

RRP: $32.99

Complete your writing reference bookshelf with the grammar companion. Now this is a godsend in itself. Those of us of a certain age have a pretty firm grasp on most aspects of grammar simply because it was drummed into us repeatedly over many tedious English lessons.

But for others – and since I’ve done some editing for folks, most noticeably – especially younger bods, there are even basics that elude the most gifted creative e.g. when to use a comma or the possessive apostrophe [how many times in one week do you cringe over the misuse of this?]. I particularly love David Astle’s comment on the book: ‘Semicolons are an endangered species; they need your support. Or at least your understanding, as only Mark Tredinnick can offer, illuminating each mystery of how to make sense on the page.’ – David Astle.

These two are staying firmly on my shelf. Now that I find myself writing more in a professional capacity, I am the first one to admit that there are times I second-guess myself and need to look something up! And rather than risk the intervention of AI for an answer (so often wrong!) I now have a very comprehensive, authoritative resource at my ink-stained fingertips [ok, poetic licence alright?].

Both of these fully deserve a 5 🖊️🖊️🖊️🖊️🖊️ rating – the latter two would be superb additions to any secondary English classroom particularly for your Senior Lit students as well as for personal use, support for WaBiaD events and those hoping to develop a career in writing of any kind.