Blog
What’s happening
May 09: A Passing Whisper
WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH PEARLIE ‘Meet Pearlie’ (book 1) and ‘Pearlie’s Pet Rescue‘ (book 2) have already been published and are available in the bookshops. I have just finished the final edits for book 3 ‘Pearlie the Spy‘ and am now working on the fourth and final book which is called ‘Pearlie’s Ghost‘. I do love ghost stories. As […]
“During Term 1 each year children across Victoria are asked to recommend their favourite Australian books to other children by nominating four Australian titles.
what’s happening
Apr 27: Booktalk
WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH PEARLIE ‘Meet Pearlie’ (book 1) and ‘Pearlie’s Pet Rescue‘ (book 2) have already been published and are available in the bookshops. I have just finished
Somerset Celebration of Literature is one of my favorite festivals to attend.
Qingming is a traditional Chinese festival where families pay their respects to ancestors by tending to the graves. As it is the beginning of spring,
Here’s the link to an interview I did with Zheng Yunfeng for his programme ‘Voices From Other Lands‘ http://english.cri.cn/7146/2014/03/20/2422s818281.htm
I recently returned from an exciting week in Beijing as guest of the Australian Writers’ Week. I loved every moment of the tour, meeting children and teachers, librarians and Australian Embassy staff.
Mar 20:
Fan Mail Letters
Dear Mrs Wang, I LOVE your books! I read the Pearl of Tiger Bay and I loved it! When I read the book, I assumed you were a young girl because you described perfectly through the eyes of a girl my age! Your writing talents are pure amazing! I must ask a question that has […]
From my sketchbook
Mar 17: Booktalk
From my sketchbook – My favourite architect is Antonio Gaudi and my favourite building of his is Casa Batllo in Barcelona. The moment I stepped
Mar 17:
Fan Mail Letters
Dear Gabrielle Wang My name is Audrey. I am 10 turning 11 (In 120 days!) I grew up in Sydney, Australia but I am currently living in Bali, Indonesia. I am writing to you because I LOVE your book The Wishbird! I find your writing inspiring and enchanting! The way you write just draws […]
I am inside my mind writing a night time ghost scene A lily petal drops on my table and I jump I look up, surprised at the bright summer day
Symbolism in Chinese Flowers
Feb 07: Booktalk
There are flowers and plants in Chinese culture, painting and poetry that represent qualities of the human soul. Here is an illustration in my sketchbook
I’m rather a superstitious person. It goes hand in hand with believing in magical things. So when Chinese New Year comes around or Spring Festival as it is called in China, I follow some of the superstitions but not all. I tend to
I never thought I’d ever make onto the New York Times. But here is proof. I was so pleased to see this wonderful review... “New York City, which has the largest Chinese population of any city outside Asia, will celebrate the Lunar New Year with a bang on Jan. 31, heralding the start of the Year […]
This is titled, Me and My Pets and is a tribute to all the pets I have owned through the years.
Jan 24:
Fan Mail Letters
Hi my name is Laura I am 11 years old and live in a small town in Tasmania called Bicheno. Recently I read the book A ghost in my suitcase. It is one of the best books I have ever read. I felt as if I was part of the book, especially when she was […]
Spongy brain day
Jan 21: Book News
My writing goal for the Our Australian Girl Pearlie books is to complete the first draft of a chapter per day. Usually I’m done by lunchtime which gives me the rest of the day to do whatever I like. I love setting writing goals. But sometimes the brain is dull and distracted. Today was one […]
Pearlier and Pearlier
Jan 10: Booktalk
I am on the home stretch with my new Our Australian Girl, Pearlie. I received advanced copies of Meet Pearlie (Book 1) and it looks lovely. It is always a thrill
Week 2 – ‘Kids’ Week 1 – ‘Eggs’
New Year’s resolution
Jan 03: BooktalkChinese painting
Dec 20: Book News
I had my last school visit for the year yesterday where I was at Melbourne Girls College. Here are some of the beautiful Chinese paintings the Year 7 students did. Thank you to Lucy Chen for organising this lovely workshop. ]
This is the best turkey recipe ever. It’s from the book “Ferment and Human Nutrition” by Bill Mollison, the founder of permaculture; but the description below is
The Small One
Dec 09: Poetry and Stories
This is my favourite Christmas story from when I was a child. It is about a little donkey called Small One narrated by the American actor Bing Crosby. It is sad and beautiful. It made me cry when I was a child and it still does. There is nothing quite like having a story read […]
Thanksgiving
Nov 29: Booktalk
My husband and both our children are Americans, so I thought we should finally celebrate Thanksgiving. I baked a pumpkin pie for the first time and it was
the things on my desk
Nov 25: Book News
As writers we spend much of our day at our desks. Our desks reflect who we are, what we’re working on at the time, what is happening in our lives. They are like three dimensional diaries. They encapsulate a moment. These are the things on my desk on Sunday November 24.
Nov 23:
Fan Mail Letters
Hi Gabrielle! I am in the middle of reading your great new novel, The Wishbird. I am just wondering, what are the most important things in this book that makes it special to you? There are many things in this book that makes it wonderful such as the characters, they are all unique and interesting. […]
Here is the cover of my brand new Our Australian Girl. Her name is Pearlie. Isn’t it gorgeous? And isn’t Faye gorgeous too? Before my publisher
Amongst The Cliffs
Nov 11: Poetry and Stories
I like reading poetry before I begin my writing day. It sets the rhythm for words to flow. This beautiful prose poem was written by Han Yu (768-824) the most famous prose poet of the Tang Dynasty. The photo was taken in 1985 on Wu Yi Mountain in Fujian Province when I was studying Chinese […]
Nov 11:
Book News
Review of The Wishbird in Good Reading Magazine “When the paths of the two young people intersect, Boy bravely chooses to help the girl. Can they, together, hold off the barbarian hordes and overcome the darkness that has consumed the city? After all, even with Oriole’s magic, they are only children and the enemy is […]
A simple way to happiness
Oct 31: Booktalk
I went to the bank the other day. As I approached the teller she said, You look nice. This compliment is usually only ever made by friends and
Tomorrows are yesterdays
Oct 20: Booktalk
I was at a primary school last week telling my story about sneaking into the witch’s mansion. The adventure happened when I was nine years old.
Oct 17:
Fan Mail Letters
Dear Gabreille, I have just finished reading A Ghost in My Suitcase and I really enjoyed it. I was woundering if there will be another one were Ting Ting goes Australia? From Kristobel P.S You came to my school Boroondara Park and I was really inspired by your stories and drew my own peng and […]
About four months back I asked my Facebook friends for help with a plot dilemma. My problem was this: should I kill a dog in a novel for children? Everyone responded with a definite No. Years ago I saw a film from the 60’s called Old Yeller. At the end of the movie the young […]
The Noise Books Make
Oct 05: Booktalk
I dreamt about you last night Sue Lawson. I dreamt that you won an award for your novel. There were two other writer friends in the dream who were shortlisted for the same award, but I can’t recall their faces now. Each novel was accompanied by a song. Your song was the beautiful,
The story of the Autumn Moon
Sep 19: Booktalk
Today is the Autumn Moon Festival. Varying stories abound about how this festival came into being. In some Hou Yi becomes a ruthless ruler. While in others,
Sep 12:
Fan Mail Letters
Hi I’m Olive and this is my friend Annabelle. We love your book The Ghost In My Suitcase our whole class is reading it as well.I’m 9 and Annabelle is 8.We go to Palm Beach State School. Our class is known as Intermidiate Family Turquoise and we’re in year 3. We can’t wait to read […]
I am thrilled to receive this wonderful review of The Wishbird in the latest Magpies magazine. “There is not a word out of place in The Wishbird, a sweet, enchanting novel. In the city of Solace – known as ‘Soulless’ since its heartbroken king outlawed music and destroyed all the birds and trees – the […]
This is my favourite sponge cake recipe. I love the combo of ginger and chocolate but more importantly, it’s so easy to make!
Sep 06:
Fan Mail Letters
Hi Gabrieblle I love the ideas of your story’s and I want to write a book. What should I write it about and the resone i am asking you is that I love all your books and most 8-13 girls love them and they are great books pleas reply I loveeee your books From #1 […]
Sep 06:
Fan Mail Letters
My dad and I have read Meet poppy.I love them.I might get poppy at summerhill If I empty they dishwasher every day.Thankyou.I am 7. Emma
Get Caught Reading
Sep 04: Book News
I got caught reading to raise funds for Indigenous literacy via The Indigenous Literacy Foundation You can join in too: https://www.indigenousliteracyfoundation.org.au/get-caught-reading-intro
Gabrielle Wang Writing & Illustration Workshop Friday 6 September, 4-5pm Gabrielle Wang is an award winning author and illustrator of novels and picture books for children and young adults, including the Poppy books from the Our Australian Girl series. Join Gabrielle to hear where her inspiration for writing and drawing comes from and get the chance to […]
Today was my first day at the Melbourne Writers Festival for the year. Federation Square was abuzz with people attending sessions. Mine was at Artplay
Aug 23:
Fan Mail Letters
Thank you for coming to my school. You are a very nice person. I am very interested in reading your book called The pearl of tiger bay. Your drawings are great and you have a terrific imagination. Thank you for sharing this with me. Isabella
1. When did you first start writing your books? I started writing books in 2000. My first book The Garden of Empress Cassia was published in 2002. 2. Where do you get your ideas from your books from? From lots of different places – dreams, places, movies, childhood memories, the world around me.
Aug 16:
Fan Mail Letters
to Gabrielle Wang, hi, my name is Brianna and I am a year 5 student at black rock primary school. I am 11 years old. I have just finished reading ‘the wishbird”and right now I am reading ‘the pearl of tiger bay’ in the with the wishbird I love how oriole and boy(hero) went on some […]
This is the third year in a row that I have conducted Chinese painting workshops with the Year 7’s at Luther College and I am constantly amazed
Aug 05:
Fan Mail Letters
Hey Gabrielle! I LOVE the Poppy books and I really enjoy the story about Poppy finding her brother. She has a really cool character that makes the reader want to know more too. And I was wondering, are you going to write the Pearlie books for 2014? Because when I saw the picture of the […]
Yesterday the launch of The Wishbird was held at The Little Bookroom in Melbourne. My friend Cath Crowley gave the most beautiful launch speech. Her words shone and glittered and flew around the room. This is what she said:
My interview with Daniel Browning about The Wishbird on Books and Arts Daily, Radio National. You can listen to the interview HERE
This is an open invitation to the launch of my latest novel THE WISHBIRD
I heard a radio program about luck the other day. Some people don’t believe in it. They believe that you create your own luck. Then there are others who possibly believe in it a little too much. I am Chinese, so of course I believe. But being Chinese
Jun 30:
Fan Mail Letters
Dear Gabrielle, My name is Sarah. I have just finished reading The Garden of Empress Cassia, it was amazing! I love it so much. It is a great story and I want to let you know that I love that you used so many descriptive words. It made me feel Mimi’s emotions and it was […]
Today I welcome Allison Lloyd to How Writers Work!
A Writer’s Duty
Jun 23: Booktalk
William Faulkner had avoided speeches all his life. ‘I’m just a farmer who likes to tell stories,’ he once said. This is his acceptance speech when he travelled to Stockholm to receive the Nobel Prize in
The Wishbird Cover Art
Jun 07: Booktalk
I received the final cover art for my new novel, The Wishbird. It is the first time my own illustration has appeared
Within the home, the serving of food was subtly geared to the status of the person in the family. The killing of a chicken was an event. In a household of perhaps two or three dozen people, only the more important and elderly people, or a visitor, were
Here are the dates and events I’ll be appearing in at the Melbourne Writers Festival Schools Program Saturday August 24 Chinese brush painting at 12.30 Learn the secrets and traditions of Chinese brush painting from author and illustrator Gabrielle Wang
May 17:
Fan Mail Letters
Hi I just finished reading Little Paradise and I loved it! I adored every single character, both primary and secondary. I’d just like to ask you a few questions: What happens to Rose, Dave, Jock, Murray, the Hartmanns and Stefan? Edward and Chrissy? I teared up when the Hartmanns left for Australia. Does Mirabel ever […]
I collected these pieces of Nature from my garden yesterday. Autumn always reminds me of my childhood – the smell of burning leaves, the sound of crackling and crunching underfoot, the fresh misty mornings.
Interview for Paper Tigers
May 01: Book News
Here is a bit of the interview I did with Marjorie Coughlin. Interview with author and illustrator Gabrielle Wang After she left school, Australian author Gabrielle Wang studied and worked in Graphic Design before deciding to delve deeper into her Chinese heritage, which led her to study Chinese painting and calligraphy in Taiwan. She lived […]
Almost home
Apr 25: Booktalk
I have written seven novels but I think The Wishbird is my best so far. Still, I don’t want to jinx myself by saying that.
Sometimes while I’m busy writing and being distracted by other things, I turn around and find these curious little drawings on my desk. It must be time for a doggie walk.
Bicycle Memories
Mar 26: Book News
I bought a new bicycle. It reminds me of when I was young. It smells of clinkers, sherbert bombs, snakes and honey bears,
When I was studying Chinese painting in China I spent most of those years copying, stroke for stroke the paintings of the old masters. What I thought in the beginning would be tedious and boring, quickly turned into study on a much much deeper level, profound in many ways.
Drawing Birds
Mar 02: Just Thoughts
Hairy birds, Missoni birds, Batman birds, chicken pox birds, holey birds and stripey birds.
Thirty years ago psychotherapist and author Pat Williams, asked a number of high achievers if there had been any stories that were their favourites in childhood.
HAPPY YEAR OF THE SNAKE
Feb 10: Book News
Today I welcome Alice Pung to How Writers Work HOW DID YOU FIRST GET PUBLISHED? My first book
1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you. Im scared of injections.
MY AUSTRALIA DAY STORY
Jan 26: Just Thoughts
I was walking down Swanston Street in Melbourne alone one day, near the old City Baths, (I was about 15 years old) when I saw a homeless man coming towards me. He looked rough – dirty clothes, unshaven face, scraggly hair, the type of man whose age has been obliterated by hard times.
The Magical Mists of Varuna
Jan 23: Book News
In my two weeks at Varuna I achieved all that I set out to do. I finished editing The Wish Bird and created 6 new illustrations which will go inside the book.
Today I welcome author and publisher Paul Collins. How did you get your first book published? I didn’t read as a kid — in fact, there wasn’t a book in our house. Well, there was one. A green-spined Penguin mystery that would appear
VARUNA, THE WRITERS’ HOUSE
Jan 05: Book News
I have been privileged to receive a two week writing fellowship at Varuna, the writers’ house in the Blue Mountains. Varuna was the former residence of writers Eleanor and Dr Eric Dark. Through its various programs Varuna offers writers and illustrators some alone time to concentrate on their work in progress. For me it […]
I was standing on the train platform staring at some street art on the other side of the tracks, when I read these words,
KEEP YOUR GOALS TO YOURSELF
Jan 01: Book News
On this first day of 2013, (or New Year’s eve for those in the northern hemisphere), we all like to make New Year resolutions. Derek Sivers says it’s best to keep goals to ourselves. The same thing, I believe applies to writing fiction.
GOOGLE BUNS
Dec 19: Booktalk
I was gazing lovingly at the cover of my 1962 edition of The Folk of the Faraway Tree, the one I’ve kept since I was a child hence the torn dust jacket, when to my surprise I see the words Google Buns painted on the side of a jar.
THE THINGS ON MY DESK
Dec 14: Book News
Having finished the structural edit for The Wish Bird, I’m putting it away for a while. When I get back to the story next week I’ll hopefully see it with a set of fresh eyes.
Dec 05:
Fan Mail Letters
Dear gabrielle, I love your books! At school i am reading the Garden of Epress Cssia and just finished your book the hidden monastery and loved it!!! Your books capture me so much and you make me feel like i am in the story! At school my favorite subject is writing and think I write […]
How did you get your first book published? It was very good Luck! I had a weird collection of surrealistic black and white drawings
Dec 05:
Book News
This is gold! In 1959 Alan Watts made this short documentary on Chinese thought – Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism and how we should adopt this way of thinking in the West, especially in our attitude towards Nature. It is even more relevant today.
These fantastic illustrations were drawn by Sweet after she read A Ghost in My Suitcase.
THE NEW YORKER
Nov 26: Booktalk
These NEW YORKER dog covers are simply GORGEOUS!
THE GREEN PAVILION
Nov 22: Book News
Where is her green pavilion? ‘Tis high up among the blue clouds. Her precious mirror hangs like the autumnal moon; Her silk gown weighs lighter than the spring breezes.
Now that almost all my school visits are over for the year, I thought I’d make a list of what I think makes a successful school visit for an author/illustrator.
Today I welcome Sherryl Clark to talk about her journey into writing, her books and other things.
PaperTigers 10th Anniversary: Two Top-Ten picks of Chinese-themed Australian books compiled by Chris Cheng
Nov 12: Book News
I am very honoured to have The Race for the Chinese Zodiac included on the list for picture books. And The Garden of Empress Cassia and A Ghost in My Suitcase included on the list for junior fiction.
Whenever I read this extract from Cheryl Strayed’s “Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar” I cannot help but tear up.
1. When still a child, make sure you read a lot of books. Spend more time doing this than anything else. 2. When an adult, try to read your own work as a stranger would read it, or even better, as an enemy would. 3. Dont romanticise your vocation. You can either write good sentences […]
POPULAR children’s author Gabrielle Wang dropped in to Stonnington Primary School to share her love of reading and writing. Wang’s visit was part of the eighth annual Premiers’ Reading Challenge, which encourages students to discover the magic of books.
The Open Spaces picture book creators’ retreat run by the Australian Society of Authors was fantastic! We spent a fun packed and inspiration filled four days learning, sharing, collaborating, renewing old acquaintances and forming new ones. Here are just a few of my impressions.
These are my favorite cookies. They are crunchy and delicious.
Yesterday I was chased by an angry swarm of bees. I disturbed them when I lifted the lid of the compost bin. I ran like the devil waving my arms about my head trying to get rid of the bees
Good fengshui
Oct 14: Book News
“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” ~ William Morris
I recently returned from Perth. It was my first visit and the only capital city in Australia that I hadn’t visited. My daughter lives there now so it won’t be my last time. Whenever I visit a new place I like to buy a small momento.
Oct 10:
Fan Mail Letters
I have not started reading the hidden monastry yet but i am looking forward to reading it alexandra
I was at the hairdressers today and the lady who washed my hair asked me where I had been and what exciting thing I had done this morning. I wanted to tell her that only an hour ago I was in an ancient walled city with rat infested alleyways. That I was a ten year […]