Last weekend I was fortunate to participate in a writers' workshop hosted by the Featherston Booktown committee. And I met Joy Cowley, one of the most influential NZ writers in children's literature and my hero.

Joy Cowley started writing in the seventies when her son was having difficulties learning to read at school. She sought help from the teachers who gave her the word lists he needed to learn and from these Joy wrote 64 books which became the foundation of our reading programme in NZ.

 Joy has presented at conferences overseas- in the UK and US. She is very well respected and very humble. The workshop last weekend was probably the last one Joy will present because she is having so much difficulty with her sight- she has lost vision in one eye and has only a third of her sight in the other. 

On the flight back on Sunday I was thinking about inspiring our children to become published writers. I've had journal stories and books published - and it is such a thrill to see your name in print. From this week we will be publishing children's stories for you to celebrate - the STM writer's awards.