Dawn Meredith

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About Dawn Meredith
Dawn Meredith has been a published author since 2000. She has written middle grade fiction and nonfiction, young adult as well as adult fiction, short stories and poems.
Some of her current titles include: The Wobbly Wombat, The Anything Shop, Rebel bk one of Flight trilogy, Letters from the Dead, Donald Bradman, Friend in a Shell, Phantom Spies, The Boy Who Went to War, 12 Annoying Monsters - Self Talk for Kids with Anxiety.
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Author Updates
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Blog postMy newest book, ELKWOOD, is available now! It's an urban science fiction novel exploring the idea of transhumanism. Does that sound a bit mad? Well, it may not be that far into the future. What does an ordinary teenage girl have to do with transhumanism, the evolution of the human species into something new? Well, you'll have to read the book to find out! Charlotte is an usual heroine because she is not that likeable at first. She is all about faking it - being popular, hig1 week ago Read more
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Blog postphoto sourceIt's always a dilemma, as either a parent or a teacher, how much to tell the child in your care about Covid and its effects. Children are naturally curious and with the saturation of TV, youtube, various other platforms such as snapchat (which I don't recommend for children under 16 anyway) and of course facebook its difficult for children to filter out what is real information and what is scary hype. That's where you come in! As an adult you have the life experience and m1 month ago Read more
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Blog postI am very proud of REBEL, my young adult/adult crossover book about a cocky 17 year old flying hero with a broken wing, set in the lush, mountainous region of Avendor. I love Tolkien's Middle Earth but have resisted the urge to include orcs and elves in this series. Couldn't exclude dragons though...
The Meer are a vicious, seafaring tribe who invade the beautiful valley of Avendor and force into slavery the winged inhabitants, Dragonkind. One hundred years later, after many failed att2 months ago Read more -
Blog postThe link between phones and anxietyI believe most adults understand that kids using phones contributes to feelings of anxiety, that the access to applications (apps) such as facebook, snapchat, tiktok etc, particularly in an unsupervised situation, can be harmful. Why is this the case? Children don't have the capacity to rationalise and discern what is suitable for their age group. They simply click on something interesting and follow the link. They can be approached by unsuitable adu11 months ago Read more
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Blog postExciting News!
I am part of a local writing group in Tasmania. We are a diverse bunch of people of all different ages and backgrounds. Many have not been previously published, but now they can say they have! Our 2021 anthology, Ideas Are Like Rabbits is now available online through bookdepository.
click here to see it and order!
Ideas Are Like Rabbits from Amazon
Ideas are like rabbits from Barnes and Noble
So, you may ask, why the strange tit11 months ago Read more -
Blog postI have almost finished the first draft of my current young adult novel, Runaway, which is the second in the FLIGHT series and my 14th book. The main character is Sye - a beautiful but troubled dragonkind girl with finely scaled golden skin and wings. She is trying to figure out who she is meant to be, what she is supposed to do with her life since the end of the war. She has a dark past and struggles to be close to people. Then a fearsome creature of legend asks for her help, (11 months ago Read more
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Blog postAs an author, I am interested in what format people favour for their reading. Is it ebook on your e-reader? Is it paperback, for that physical experience? Do you like hardcover, as opposed to paperback? As a voracious reader I don't really mind paperback or hardcover but I find ebooks rather tedious. So it's a last resort for me, if I can't get hold of the 'real thing.' But you may feel differently! I love the smell of a book, the feel of the pages, the weight of it in my hands. And I a2 years ago Read more
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Blog postI am SO EXCITED to share with you my latest book, for young adults, REBEL!
Here is the gorgeous cover! REBEL is about Reeve, a dragonkind youth. All his life he has been told it is forbidden for him and his kind to fly, despite them having the most glorious wings. The Meer, who are overlords in his country of Avendor, treat Dragonkind like slaves. But Reeve, being the daredevil prankster that he is, decides the law is STUPID and jumps off from Eagle Lookout to test his wings. Th2 years ago Read more -
Blog postAs a childrens' author I am constantly thinking of cool ideas to write about. Sometimes there's a bit of a traffic jam in my head as all the ideas start shouting at once! That's when I have to get organised.
I used to write everything in notebooks. Then I filled 18 of them and couldn't remember where I wrote things! So I switched to a totally different system - index cards. whatever idea that comes to me is jotted down, whether its a story idea, a character, a scene or random stuff2 years ago Read more -
Blog postHello!
Well, we're nearing the end of 2019! I think I will concede defeat and start saying 'twenty...' instead of 'two thousand...' It seems simpler and less tongue twisty! What did you get up to over Christmas? We had a couple of gatherings and lots of great food! Harry loved his new toys. And the dogs' toys too!
We swam in the big dam for the first time since we moved here last year. That's now possible because of all the work hubby has done to clear away nasty thistles, bra3 years ago Read more -
Blog postI'm taking an online writing course at the moment (Neil Gaiman's masterclass) and one of the helpful suggestions is a kind of diary of things that you noticed today that interested you. I started yesterday.
Today I looked down at a photograph on my computer, of my step-grandparents in Norway taken on the 17th May many years ago. This is the national day of independence from Denmark. Everyone dresses up in suits and national dress, their best clothes. It's an amazing display of4 years ago Read more -
Blog postsourcePre-teens, Tweenies and Teens - whatever happened to kids?
We've all been pre-teens, even perhaps before the term was invented. Before 'Tweenies' were a thing. There seems to be a push towards breaking childhood up into so many different stages and groupings these days. I'm not sure it's helpful. Separating them into tinier groups has the effect of isolating them from each other, from what they have in common - the central fundamental principles by which all kids live. Kids, whatever4 years ago Read more -
Blog postChristina Booth and meRecently I attended a CBCA (Childrens Book Council of Australia) function here in Tasmania and met Christina Booth, author/illustrator, who was the guest speaker. Not only is she an amazing and talented author and illustrator, but a really nice person to boot! And quite funny! I can see why she enjoys writing for children so much and why they enjoy her workshops/visits.
Christina has written, authored and illustrated many books for kids, some winning awards, su4 years ago Read more -
Blog postI just finished Chris Andrews' new book, Divine Prey. Chris is an Australian author based in Canberra. He says this about himself in his bio:
Chris Andrews began his writing career when he boldly and ignorantly announced he could write a better novel than the one he’d just read.
You can read more about Chris here:
Divine Prey is the first book in the Noramgaell Saga series.
Lush world building, interspecies romance and a fast paced, perilous a4 years ago Read more -
Blog postsourceWhat is happening to our kids?
What we are seeing in the media and particularly on the news at university campuses is a rise in mental and emotional disorders among our kids and young adults. We all want our children to grow up safe and happy, don't we? But what if the way we are parenting is making them the opposite? In unpicking this tangle of an issue I want to focus on the influences on a child's life, how a child's brain is affected by their activities, what is making kids and y4 years ago Read more -
Blog postsourceAnxiety like never before
Is the situation worse now these days or are we just imagining it? There's no doubt our childhoods were different to those of our children. There are social pressures on our kids that we didn't have, such as (the big one) social media, cyber bullying, media images affecting body image, fewer stay-at-home parents, faster paced everything, dietary changes, less outside play and more.
Some level of anxiety is NORMAL. But a lot of kids seem to suffe4 years ago Read more -
Blog postsourceFirst Term Anxiety
It's the end of first term. How has it been for you? What about your little munchkin? If it's the first term EVER, life has changed radically for both of you. If it's the first term AGAIN, life can still be challenging if your child is prone to having anxious thoughts. School isn't home. The comforts of your own environment just aren't there. And when Mum or Dad isn't there, life can be a bit overwhelming. Teachers are great at dealing with these issues, but they d4 years ago Read more -
Blog postWe finally got to visit Wings Wildlife Park today. Its been owned and operated by the Wing family for 31 years and proudly has 8 generations of the family associated with it. It's a beautifully set out place, very professionally organised and the animals are in the absolute best care. Makes me worry sometimes that animals are kept for or amusement, but Wings has mostly surrendered or injured animals which cannot be released back into the wild.
Fern the orphaned wombatIn recent years4 years ago Read more -
Blog postsourceAnxiety and Food - is there a link?
Does the food we eat make us more anxious or do we eat certain foods because we're anxious? Is this a natural behaviour that evolved from survival 'in the wild' where we needed high calorie foods for energy to escape danger? These questions were explored through a study by Murphy and Mercer article published in UK completed in 2013. The results indicated the following:What a mother eats during pregnancy and while breast feeding can impact upon the4 years ago Read more -
Blog postsourceWhen the thunder booms I think its pretty cool and love to snuggle up, but when I was a child I was afraid of it. One night Dad sat me on the front verandah and explained the different types of lightning, how the sound is made when air pressure cells collide and how wonderful rain is for the Earth. I haven't been afraid of storms since.
But I am afraid of wind tearing off the roof.
I have to admit, the screaming sounds and rattling of the windows and roofing iron4 years ago Read more -
Blog postI have to admit I was a huge Enid Blyton fan as a child. I even bought the entire set of Famous Five for my daughter. She gobbled up all 23 books in four months. We are now watching the TV series. Hopelessly addicted to jolly adventures and lashings of good food.
I also enjoy reading other children's authors' work, especially Cornelia Funke. Many try to emulate her and don't quite hit the mark, in my opinion. Perhaps it's that slightly different flavour due to being written in Germa4 years ago Read more -
Blog postI can't stop!
I can't stop watching it! It's past midnight, I have so much to do tomorrow (moving interstate in two weeks) and yet I struggtle to switch off because I just neeeeeed to find out what's going ot happen next!
A writer's dream
Isn't this what writers dream of? Viewers/readers who are so invested in the characters they can't stop. Marcy's heartbreaking quest to recover her broken memories of David, McClaren's journey to fatherhood brutally cut short, Phillip5 years ago Read more -
Blog postI read an article recently about famous books that were rejected dozens of times and went on to become best sellers or classics simply because that one publisher believed in the manuscript. Some ended up self publishing and found their way to film adaptations, some held on grimly to the hope of publication and submitted until it damn well got acceptance.
In my time as a writer I have published through big name companies such as Cambridge University Press, small Australian press such5 years ago Read more -
Blog postYup, just stop expecting that perfect family Christmas experience. It doesn't exist! Families are made of humans, after all. We all have our own interests at heart, even if it's just wanting some peace and quiet or for everyone to 'just get along.'
Instead, embrace the chaos! Plan what you can, but on the day just let the dysfunction happen. It's not about being the perfect host or providing the perfect food or the perfect presents. It's about enjoying each other's company. Here's a5 years ago Read more -
Blog postYep, it's that time of year again. As parents we may feel ambivalent about it because of the 'parent trap' - what if your precious darlings don't like the gifts you bought them?
Scenario #1 -
It's Christmas morning and you're enjoying a snoozy lie-in when suddenly you hear shrieks and screams and heartbroken cries from the lounge room. Thinking someone must be mortally wounded you leap out of bed, fall over the bedclothes on the floor, rush into the lounge room to find your ch5 years ago Read more -
Blog postLetters from the Dead
Dawn Meredith
Dingbat Publishing (2017)
ISBN 9781977720702
Reviewed by Sheri Hoyte for Reader Views (12/17)
“Letters from the Dead” by Dawn Meredith is a highly entertaining, fast-paced suspense novel featuring Delia Fox, a young adult with a unique ability. Delia is just your normal every day University student, until an accident at the café where she works changes her life forever. Chaos ensues when an explosion occurs in the ba5 years ago Read more -
Blog postLeading up to the end of the year some of us find ourselves having to move house. As renters, we often had to suddenly move at the end of the year, right at Christmas time!
Kids and moving - why is it such an upheaval?
I was always an anxious kid and we moved a LOT. I attended 11 schools in 12 years. For the 'average' child who doesn't suffer overtly and consistently with anxiety, moving this much would be a bit of a trial, but they would settle into the new environment and m5 years ago Read more -
Blog postFor a limited time only, you can read my debut novel for free by downloading the kindle app
click HERE for your 30 day free trial!5 years ago Read more -
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Blog postIn the lead-up to Christmas, which is supposed to be a happy time, many children begin to experience anxiety. Why? You ask. It's the best time of year! Here are some reasons you might want to consider:Lost loved one - Christmas happiness hinges on being around those you love. Has your family lost a loved one this year? Is this the first Christmas without them? Your child may be missing that person and not know how to express this. Parental problems - money. If Mum and Dad are arguing over m5 years ago Read more
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Blog postSo I recently had to upload one of my books to an award I was entering and didn't have the kindle/ebook version, just the PDF. What to do? Clearly, I had two choices: Panic a little.Search the net for a solution.I wanted a free program to see if I could do it without assistance and to avoid outlaying a large sum of money for a program I probably won't use very often. In my search I came across the very helpful article from Digital trends: How to convert a PDF to Ebook Once I had chosen the5 years ago Read more
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Blog postFINALLY! I am very excited to tell you that my debut novel, Letters From the Dead is out!
ISBN 13: 978-1977720702 for print book
ISBN 10: 1977720706 for ebook
you can purchase your copies here:
Letters from the Dead by Dawn Meredith
Want to know more?
Delia Fox has a dangerous ability, a gift, to see the memories of the recently dead just by touching them. Despite her family's concerns she is communing with the Devil, consulting for the police to inves5 years ago Read more -
Blog postThere are some things which are sacred to me, and one of them is Enid Blyton's books, particularly Famous Five series. I wasn't good at sport. I wasn't interested in girly things. I loved being outdoors but I dearly loved reading above all else.
Unfortunately there are people in this world who persist in denigrating Blyton's work, focussing on the contextual issues, such as her use of the term 'golliwogs' and other racist references along with the sexist attitudes. But being focusse5 years ago Read more -
Blog postThe gender gap
So, your little boy was born and he was the cutest little man in your universe. He grew strong, he pushed through the boundaries of walking and talking. Now you have a mini-man in your house, but you seem to clash some times. Does he respect you? Is he going to respect other women? Are you running around doing things for him all the time but want him to be independent? Does he seem lazy? Unrepentant? Too impulsive? Easily angered? Too sensitive? Argumentative? Depressed?
5 years ago Read more -
Blog postI picked up my signed copy at Conflux 13 convention a couple of weeks ago and couldn't wait to read it. Here's my review:
Matters Arising from the Identification of the Body A Guerline Scarfe investigation by Simon PetriePeggy Bright Books 2017 ISBN 0992512521 Goodreads' summary:Tanja Morgenstein, daughter of a wealthy industrialist and a geochemist, is dead from exposure to Titan's lethal, chilled atmosphere, and Guerline Scarfe must determine why. I thoroughly enjoyed5 years ago Read more -
Blog postI was so pleased to visit Alex Kelly and her amazing staff today at their HQ in Romsey, Sussex. As research for my new book on social skills I wanted to touch base with her and see what her team gets up to. Wow, what a fantastic program! They make or publish many of their own resources in helping young people in the community with disabilities and communication difficulties. The place is so orgnaised and had a really relaxed and happy vibe. I met many of the clients and most of the staff. I was5 years ago Read more
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Blog postThere are some things which are sacred to me, and one of them is Enid Blyton's books, particularly Famous Five series. I wasn't good at sport. I wasn't interested in girly things. I loved being outdoors but I dearly loved reading above all else.
Missing the point!
Unfortunately there are people in this world who persist in denigrating Blyton's work, focussing on the contextual issues, such as her use of the term 'golliwogs' and other racist references along with the sexist att5 years ago Read more -
Blog postI sometimes receive emails from parents who have bought my book or who are part of a group who have recommended it. In reading it, they sometimes want more - more information, more suggestions, validation for their concerns, which are, believe it or not, apparently not legitimate according to some doctors and counsellors.
source
As parents, you know when your child is on the edge of hysteria. You've seen the signs many times and may feel powerless to stop it progressing to tha5 years ago Read more -
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Blog postThe yearly opportunity for Hardie Grant Egmont is here again! For emerging writers this is a fantastic way to launch your career. For first time novellists, this is your chance to make your mark in a new genre.
If you have never submitted before, it can seem daunting. But if you have a finished manuscript, why not give it a go?
click here for entry page on website
Here are my top tips for submitting:entries close July 28th 2017. DO NOT send after this date.make su5 years ago Read more -
Blog postThe yearly opportunity for Hardie Grant Egmont is here again! For emerging writers this is a fantastic way to launch your career. For first time novellists, this is your chance to make your mark in a new genre.
If you have never submitted before, it can seem daunting. But if you have a finished manuscript, why not give it a go?
click here for entry page on website
Here are my top tips for submitting:entries close July 28th 2017. DO NOT send after this date.make sure you5 years ago Read more -
Blog postSometimes I despair of womanhood. Despite being a woman!
There are just so many idiots out there who leap upon any new opportunity to push their stupid 'we're just as good as men' propaganda. It sickens me. Of course women are awesome! We're just not THE SAME as men. Duh!
Hence my rant about the new Wonder Woman flick and the pathetic 'feminist' types who zealously insist its a feminist film.
 5 years ago Read more -
Blog postI have an anxious child.
I was an anxious child.
And I have a huge library of books that have helped enormously, so I thought I would share a small selection of them with you.
1. is of course the book I wrote 12 Annoying Monsters - Self Talk for Kids with Anxiety.
This book teaches children what anxiety is, how it manifests in the body, how they can learn to ignore pesky, negative voices in their head that stress them out and not let anxiety stop them5 years ago Read more -
Blog postI know, it took me a while to finally see this movie. Pacific Rim Thank goodness for Netflix, is all I can say. This movie had one, cool, all consuming passion of mine - ROBOTS! So I had to watch it.
It started out brilliantly, if a little on the predictable side, but that's Hollywood for you. You want the tropes, they got 'em: Guy in dangerous job loses partner/brother, goes off the grid for a while, sought after to fight new, even more dangerous conflict, reluctantly agrees, reluc5 years ago Read more -
Blog postInception remains one of the best movies I've ever seen. The twists and turns of a dream within a dream wrapped up in a dream totally blew my mind. I'm not a huge fan of Leo DeCaprio, but he was perfectly suited to this story.
I'd love to see this as a TV series, wouldn't you? There's so much scope to expand the technology and storylines. I'm just wondering who would make a good leading man...5 years ago Read more -
Blog postI've just started watching Travellers this week. OMG! I wish I had started sooner. Don't know why I put it off... Maybe it looked just a bit cheesey. After Continuum I struggled to find a decent Sci Fi show on netflix that got my attention every episode. This show has it all.
The last surviving humans discover how to send consciousness back in time to the 21st century. Inhabiting seemingly random people, the "travelers" work together to try to save the human race.
<5 years ago Read more -
Blog postMy background
So, I've worked with lots of different types of kids over 27 years as a high school teacher, Special Education Teacher, Childrens Counsellor and childrens author visiting schools.
Types of kids
Some kids are obnoxious, but suffering with poor confidence underneath. Some are highly anxious and get into conflict with everyone. Some are hyperactive and no one knows who they truly are. Some struggle to make and keep friendships going and yet are sweet lit5 years ago Read more -
Blog postSo, years ago I attended a workshop in which Michael Hauge's resources were shared. Michael is a screenplay writer, novellist and teacher who shares amazing resources on his website. http://www.storymastery.com/
Once I found Michael I downloaded everything I could find, printed and bound it all in a book. It's now a sort of novel writing bible I use to make sure my structure actually works, thus getting me the contract.
One of the most useful and quick references5 years ago Read more -
Blog postWhat is 'normal' anxiety for children?
Sometimes as parents we worry that our child is coming home with fears or anxieties which seem abnormal - worse than other kids or having greater impact upon our child than the normal cares and worries should. Bed wetting may follow, tummy ache, crying fits, screaming fits, refusal to go to school - what's normal and what isn't? Do we need to DO something?
A simple tool that may help
This little questionnaire is a terrific tool to5 years ago Read more -
Blog postI just saw an author talk about her new book claiming anxiety 'can be beautiful.' While I agree that anxiety has been diagnosed as a disorder, making it shameful in a way, it is simply a different way of thinking some of us have. Anxiety is a natural response to our environment, keeping us safe and observant. The problems arise when it becomes too persistent and disrupts our life with intrusive thoughts we struggle to control.
My book for kids is written with a slightly sneaky agend5 years ago Read more
Titles By Dawn Meredith
Suitable for readers aged eight and over, this book details:
the reasons for anxiety symptoms
how the body protects us in times of real danger and
helps children figure out what thought processes are causing these over-the-top reactions.
By assigning a 'monster' (such as the 'Bad Stuff Always Happens To Me Monster') to negative thoughts, a child can put the message as an influence outside their head and thereby learn to ignore it.
The funny thing about this book is that adults will flick through it and exclaim out loud, 'Oh, this one talks to me!' There are ways of thinking which are inherited, as personality, and therefore run in families. In this way, the book can stimulate conversations between parents and their children.
12 Annoying Monsters: Self-talk for kids with anxiety is highly recommended by counsellors, psychologists and parents.
Why Dawn Meredith wrote 12 Annoying Monsters
Dawn has been working with children and their families for 25 years. After noticing how many kids suffer with panic attacks, feelings of misery and helplessness, she decided to put all her tips into this fun book as a way of helping other children and their families.
A wounded flying hero struggling to accept his destiny, a shy girl of dark, mysterious secrets unaware of the power within her and a lonely youth out to prove himself worthy of his warrior father. Flight is a high fantasy novel which will appeal to readers of Twilight and fans of Avatar and Thor.