Q&A with picture book author, Amy Dunjey!

Amy Dunjey is a children’s author who writes picture books, short stories and poetry. Also working as a speech pathologist, Amy is a massive hot-chip enthusiast and avid rare book collector. Her two picture books are Dancing with Dragons from Larrikin and The Billabong Bush Dance from Five Mile. More picture books from Amy's pen are set to be published into 2025! 

Visit Amy online at Instagram www.instagram.com/amydunjeywrites and her website at  amydunjey.com 

1.  Amy, I'm so pleased to chat with you. I absolutely love your latest picture book, a beautifully gentle and sensitive and soulful story called The Billabong Bush Dance, illustrated by Tyrown Waigana and published by Five Mile in late 2023. 
Can you please share your process in bringing the book to fruition from original idea to publication? How did the process differ, as this is now your second book, your first being Dancing with Dragons? 
Thanks so much Brenton! I wrote this story years ago and I recall tossing around a few different Australiana concepts before settling on this idea. I chose a platypus as the protagonist as I felt there were less stories out there about this particular Aussie animal. I tend to be a 'pantser' when I write - where I don't have the whole story planned out before starting and I work it out as I go, which was the case for this tale. Once I had finished this story, I got feedback from my lovely critique group and refined it some more. I started submitting it to publishers and was lucky enough to be offered a contract with Five Mile. Five Mile then found the wonderful Tyrown Waigana to illustrate, who is also from Western Australia! From contract to publication, I think the timing was around 18 months, which is relatively quick for a picture book! The process wasn't too dissimilar from my first book, in terms of the overall process.

2. You work as a Speech Pathologist. And you collect old books! How does being a speech pathologist help and inform your writing? And, any favourite old books you'd like to share with us? 
I think my speech pathology background sometimes influences my writing in terms of the words or concepts I use. I love to try and incorporate elements of early literacy skills. I also love writing in rhyme! I feel particularly passionate about promoting early literacy skills and families reading together, because we know how important this is for influencing later literacy skills. In terms of old books, my most interesting one recently was gifted to me by my Nan. It is called The Jackdaw Rheims, by Thomas Ingoldsby, illustrated by EM Jessop. It is an illustrated version of a ballad by Ingoldsby and was published in 1883!

3. Is there any one thing, or multiple things, you know now about writing and publishing that you wish you knew when you began? 
I wish I knew about rhyming metre when I first started! I had no idea about the concept of metre and that rhyming was about more than just rhyming words. I spent a long time learning about this concept and I think it will be a lifelong learning journey! I spent hours on the internet reading about metre. I did a course. I met like-minded rhyming writer friends!

4.  Your first picture book is the lively sweet story about adventure and dancing (in rhyme, too!), called Dancing with Dragons from Larrikin House. What was the process of publishing this book like for you? How did your writing and publishing journey first begin? 
The beginning of my writing journey is a common one, in that I had dreamed of writing my whole life, but didn't start until I had my children. I spent the time that I was up at night with my babies, tapping away in the Notes section of my phone. Over time, I learned more about the publishing industry and attended my first conference, which was the CYA Conference (online). I was fortunate enough to place second with my 'Dancing with Dragons' manuscript in the aspiring authors competition. I later submitted this story to Larrikin House and was thrilled when they offered me a contract. Jesus Lopez, a talented illustrator from Spain, was the illustrator. From contract to publication was around two years.

5. Can you share anything in the pipeline? What is next for you? 
I have two picture books coming out soon with Five Mile. I also have a picture book being published in early 2025 with Affirm Press, which I'm very excited about.

6. You are a self-proclaimed hot chips enthusiast! So which is your go-to hot chip condiment? Which of the three would you choose...
-Chicken salt
-Tomato sauce
-Barbecue sauce?
What an excellent question! I am a huge fan of the hot chip. From this list, I would choose the classic: tomato sauce, but my favourite go-to would have to be plain salt and vinegar!

7. And a bit of a fun but tricky question for last, to make you really think! If you could put 3 other Australian picture books in a time capsule, to give future generations the best understanding of great Aussie kids books, which 3 titles would you choose and why?  
Oo this is a tricky question, but here are my three:

• Wombat Stew by Marcia K. Vaughan and Pamela Lofts: This one is hard to go past as a classic! I loved it as a kid and my daughters love it now. It so cleverly engages children with the storyline and the funny ending. The 'wombat stew' song is one that most Australian kids can recite.
• Miimi Marraal, Mother Earth by Melissa Greenwood: This is a beautiful, gentle love letter from mother to child, with the most gorgeous illustrations!
• Magic Beach by Alison Lester: Another timeless classic. This book conjures up memories of my childhood summer holidays by the sea.