Self-published author Kristine Fitzgerald is finally having an in-person book launch after her debut offering was released during lockdown.
The Belmont writer will hold a small launch for the second book in children’s series at home with family and friends this weekend.
The first book, ‘The Ring of Toadstools’ was enthusiastically received and Kristine hopes ‘The Birthday Wish’ is just as popular.
‘The Ring of Toadstools’ follows eight-year-old Annie, who has no friends and meets a fairy named Tia.
In ‘The Birthday Wish’, Annie meets a new girl at school, Sophie. Although Annie is enjoying her friendship with Tia and her visits to fairyland, she longs to have a friend at school, but Sophie has made other friends and Annie doesn’t seem to have a chance. On Annie’s birthday she wishes that Sophie will become her friend but there are many challenges that have to be overcome before that is possible.
“I originally wanted to write a book for adults,” Kristine said.
“I spent a year or more preparing my ideas but when I went to write it, I couldn’t get started. I felt I had too much expectation on myself and I set my standards too high.
“So I decided to write something just for fun – not for anyone else to read – just me, to get some writing practice and I decided to write about fairies.”
Kristine said writing for a young audience still has its challenges.
“You have to capture the ideas as soon as they pop into your head,” she said.
“This may be at quite inconvenient times, so it’s important to jot any ideas down. I have a notebook where I record my writing ideas. It can take a bit of sorting out later but at least I know I haven’t forgotten anything.”
The third book in the series has been written and Kristine is even working on a new series about a young girl, Harrie, who is a wheelchair-bound detective and likes to solve mysteries.
“This was inspired by my five-year-old cousin Piper who is in a wheelchair,” Kristine said.
“There are not many toys or books available that normalise disability, so that’s what gave me the idea initially to have my central character carry a disability.”
