I'm reading a great book at the moment called a Cat called Q and the Magic Globe. It's written by Melody Horror. You remember Melody as a reporter in Adelaide and weather presenter on Telly as well, who's turned into an author. This is her second book, Melody Horror.

I'm reading a great book at the moment called a Cat called Q and the Magic Globe. It's written by Melody Horror. You remember Melody as a reporter in Adelaide and weather presenter on Telly as well, who's turned into an author. This is her second book, Melody Horror.

Good morning, Oh, good morning, Matthews. Or is such a treat to be here with you?

Good morning, Oh, good morning, Matthews. Or is such a treat to be here with you?

Thank you for coming on Meil. I'm loving the book. I got it yesterday. It came in the mail and I started reading it last night and I'm about halfway through and just loving the story. But it's not written for my age group. It's written for people quite a bit.

Thank you for coming on Meil. I'm loving the book. I got it yesterday. It came in the mail and I started reading it last night and I'm about halfway through and just loving the story. But it's not written for my age group. It's written for people quite a bit.

Younger, it is. It is, although I did write it with adults in mind. Are true in quite a bit of humor into that book that you'll probably come across if you haven't done so already, Matthew. That is a little adults humor, but difficult to pick up if you're a kid. So yeah, the book is actually aimed at eight to fourteen year olds really, so it's younger adults fiction. It's my first fictional book, and I had so much fun writing that book. After completing the memoir, you know a dolphin called Jock, which was pretty emotional heavy going at times. I was in lockdown as everybody was, and decided just to escape into fantasy and write a book that I thought up as a young girl. Actually, I'd always loved snow globes and I'd love fantasy, and I thought up this idea of what would happen if if you could actually go into the world that existed within a snow dome, and that idea never really left me, and of course during lockdown, I decided just to give it a crack and have a go at writing the actual book. And one of the main characters in the book, the Feline Hero if you like, is based on my own rescue cab I Wonder that Couldn't Resist. And you know, his actual title in the book is Quasar of the Cosmos, because you know, he travels to the end of the galaxy to try and find a decent sandwich because he's obsessed with sandwiches. But yeah, I really wanted to introduce the black cat because black cats get such a bad rap. They're the last ones to be adopted in shelters and people think that they're unlucky, and that's not the case, they're beautiful, So it was important for me to weave in those sort of themes of looking after the environment and finding bravery and caring for the natural world and finding magic in the natural world, as much as having a lot of fun with the actual storyline, the fantasy storyline, and introducing some really weird and wonderful animals into it that really just came out of my brain. It's been fabulous, a lot of fun.

Younger, it is. It is, although I did write it with adults in mind. Are true in quite a bit of humor into that book that you'll probably come across if you haven't done so already, Matthew. That is a little adults humor, but difficult to pick up if you're a kid. So yeah, the book is actually aimed at eight to fourteen year olds really, so it's younger adults fiction. It's my first fictional book, and I had so much fun writing that book. After completing the memoir, you know a dolphin called Jock, which was pretty emotional heavy going at times. I was in lockdown as everybody was, and decided just to escape into fantasy and write a book that I thought up as a young girl. Actually, I'd always loved snow globes and I'd love fantasy, and I thought up this idea of what would happen if if you could actually go into the world that existed within a snow dome, and that idea never really left me, and of course during lockdown, I decided just to give it a crack and have a go at writing the actual book. And one of the main characters in the book, the Feline Hero if you like, is based on my own rescue cab I Wonder that Couldn't Resist. And you know, his actual title in the book is Quasar of the Cosmos, because you know, he travels to the end of the galaxy to try and find a decent sandwich because he's obsessed with sandwiches. But yeah, I really wanted to introduce the black cat because black cats get such a bad rap. They're the last ones to be adopted in shelters and people think that they're unlucky, and that's not the case, they're beautiful, So it was important for me to weave in those sort of themes of looking after the environment and finding bravery and caring for the natural world and finding magic in the natural world, as much as having a lot of fun with the actual storyline, the fantasy storyline, and introducing some really weird and wonderful animals into it that really just came out of my brain. It's been fabulous, a lot of fun.

I love this loss, the the writers, yeah, the fact that it's a snow globe as well, and the premise, without giving anything away, the premise is the image in the snow globe changes. And I did wonder as I got to that bit whether the book would have more than one adventure in it, and halfway through I've come to the conclusion the point i'm at it's probably just the one, although don't tell me if it's not. However, it raises the possibility of sequels either way.

I love this loss, the the writers, yeah, the fact that it's a snow globe as well, and the premise, without giving anything away, the premise is the image in the snow globe changes. And I did wonder as I got to that bit whether the book would have more than one adventure in it, and halfway through I've come to the conclusion the point i'm at it's probably just the one, although don't tell me if it's not. However, it raises the possibility of sequels either way.

It does. It's funny you should ask that, actually, because the publishers, which is a small indie publisher in the US, which I went with because they really have an environmental ethos. You know, it's a startup company. I really wanted to support them. Have asked me the same thing. You know, you're going to write a sequel, and I'd love to. I'd just have to juggle all the practicalities of working with indulging in my writing. I'd love to. But I think the sequel will probably include more marine weird and wonderful marine animals and the ocean, which of course, you know is my first love. Although Q will not want to get wet, which is going to be very interesting and makes a lot of fun. Yeah, so that's sort of brewing in my brain actually that you Yeah.

It does. It's funny you should ask that, actually, because the publishers, which is a small indie publisher in the US, which I went with because they really have an environmental ethos. You know, it's a startup company. I really wanted to support them. Have asked me the same thing. You know, you're going to write a sequel, and I'd love to. I'd just have to juggle all the practicalities of working with indulging in my writing. I'd love to. But I think the sequel will probably include more marine weird and wonderful marine animals and the ocean, which of course, you know is my first love. Although Q will not want to get wet, which is going to be very interesting and makes a lot of fun. Yeah, so that's sort of brewing in my brain actually that you Yeah.

Okay, very good, very good. The ecology is obviously important, and there's a theme there because the main character's dad is an arborist intent on saving trees. So you've got that theme running through, Yes, I have.

Okay, very good, very good. The ecology is obviously important, and there's a theme there because the main character's dad is an arborist intent on saving trees. So you've got that theme running through, Yes, I have.

That was important for me, as you know, I've really some of the themes in the book actually very similar to some of the themes in my memoir, you know, connecting with the natural world and the importance is caring for it and caring for animals actually, and trees and trees are important part of that book, and I wanted to include that theme. But I also, you know, wanted to include this whole idea of not hearing land for the sake of planting huge amounts of crops. In this case, I won't go into it, but it's something called a pirate pre But that came about because I was reading an article about this particular type of tree being cleared in Africa and the elephants no longer having any places to go, and all these trees were planted in their place, and it caused a devastation over there. And I've been to obviously Asia, where I've flown over plantations of palm oil, which is thousands of kilometers of palms, and so I do worry about the destruction of rainforest and you know, native plantations for agricultural crops and that type of thing. So yeah, it has that thing going through it as well, without it being too pushy. I didn't want to be, you know, I didn't. I wanted this book to be fun. I wanted it to be an adventure, but have those serious themes as an underlying things really not just not in your faith?

That was important for me, as you know, I've really some of the themes in the book actually very similar to some of the themes in my memoir, you know, connecting with the natural world and the importance is caring for it and caring for animals actually, and trees and trees are important part of that book, and I wanted to include that theme. But I also, you know, wanted to include this whole idea of not hearing land for the sake of planting huge amounts of crops. In this case, I won't go into it, but it's something called a pirate pre But that came about because I was reading an article about this particular type of tree being cleared in Africa and the elephants no longer having any places to go, and all these trees were planted in their place, and it caused a devastation over there. And I've been to obviously Asia, where I've flown over plantations of palm oil, which is thousands of kilometers of palms, and so I do worry about the destruction of rainforest and you know, native plantations for agricultural crops and that type of thing. So yeah, it has that thing going through it as well, without it being too pushy. I didn't want to be, you know, I didn't. I wanted this book to be fun. I wanted it to be an adventure, but have those serious themes as an underlying things really not just not in your faith?

Yeah, no, and they're not, but I did. I didn't know about the African situation, but certainly what I'm reading in the book did remind me of of Asia and the palm plantations, no doubt about that. So I think we've all heard about that and the that that's a terrible situation anyway, creating palm oil ultimately.

Yeah, no, and they're not, but I did. I didn't know about the African situation, but certainly what I'm reading in the book did remind me of of Asia and the palm plantations, no doubt about that. So I think we've all heard about that and the that that's a terrible situation anyway, creating palm oil ultimately.

Yeah, what we animal? Yes, well, you know, biodiversity is really important, not just for humans but for all the other species that we share the planet with. And I'm not saying that we shouldn't grow things at all, but I think it's really important to maintain biodiversity, and not just for the animals, but also for us ultimately, really, because we're all interconnected in some ways, shape or form on this place we call home.

Yeah, what we animal? Yes, well, you know, biodiversity is really important, not just for humans but for all the other species that we share the planet with. And I'm not saying that we shouldn't grow things at all, but I think it's really important to maintain biodiversity, and not just for the animals, but also for us ultimately, really, because we're all interconnected in some ways, shape or form on this place we call home.

Absolutely. Now, once again, like your first book, I am reading this thinking this would make a great film.

Absolutely. Now, once again, like your first book, I am reading this thinking this would make a great film.

C G. I again, maybe a great animated film. Look, of course I agree with you, Matthew, but you know, I've yet to have the approach, but you never know, I think it would be a lot of fun. And you know, what you can do with AI these days is quite remarkable. Although I have to say I'm really proud of the fact that the book contains hand drawn illustrations. None of it is generated by AI, and that's all been done by a wonderful Adelaide artist called Angelique Spelt who got maybe a longtime friend of mine and one others and she handrew all of the artworks. So it's really a wonderful collaboration and cut offs to her for really bringing it to life.

C G. I again, maybe a great animated film. Look, of course I agree with you, Matthew, but you know, I've yet to have the approach, but you never know, I think it would be a lot of fun. And you know, what you can do with AI these days is quite remarkable. Although I have to say I'm really proud of the fact that the book contains hand drawn illustrations. None of it is generated by AI, and that's all been done by a wonderful Adelaide artist called Angelique Spelt who got maybe a longtime friend of mine and one others and she handrew all of the artworks. So it's really a wonderful collaboration and cut offs to her for really bringing it to life.

Cute cover. I love the cover. So okay, now it must have been fun to write, as you say it has been. I can imagine that. And what a better thing to do in COVID than sit down and write a book when you're locked up there as you are and were in Melbourne obviously, so you're working on another project though? Is it another that? Do? Am I right in saying there's another book on the way?

Cute cover. I love the cover. So okay, now it must have been fun to write, as you say it has been. I can imagine that. And what a better thing to do in COVID than sit down and write a book when you're locked up there as you are and were in Melbourne obviously, so you're working on another project though? Is it another that? Do? Am I right in saying there's another book on the way?

Yes, you're right. It would have been three books in three years, so it's been quite a busy time for me. Yes. That book is called Sheltered and that's coming out in September and that's been published by Ultimate Press here in Australia, so a lovely company. And that is a book about real life love stories between people and their adopted animals. And it's really got the theme again of connecting with our animal friends and it's certainly in some cases actually being saved by them in some way. And you know, I love writing that book because I was listening to everyone's stories and I went on journeys with them and I cried and I laughed, And this book was really brought about because you know, the situation here in Australia with with shelters and animal charities, it's really tough. It's been really tough with in post COVID cost of living crisis, thousands and thousands of animals, you know, getting ending up in these places. And I wrote the book in the hope that it will encourage more people to consider adopting an animal. And we're not just talking about dogs and cats here. I've got berrets in their horses, donkeys, so really all companion animals. And so that book's yeah out in September, and I really do hope it will encourage others to consider adopting an animal.

Yes, you're right. It would have been three books in three years, so it's been quite a busy time for me. Yes. That book is called Sheltered and that's coming out in September and that's been published by Ultimate Press here in Australia, so a lovely company. And that is a book about real life love stories between people and their adopted animals. And it's really got the theme again of connecting with our animal friends and it's certainly in some cases actually being saved by them in some way. And you know, I love writing that book because I was listening to everyone's stories and I went on journeys with them and I cried and I laughed, And this book was really brought about because you know, the situation here in Australia with with shelters and animal charities, it's really tough. It's been really tough with in post COVID cost of living crisis, thousands and thousands of animals, you know, getting ending up in these places. And I wrote the book in the hope that it will encourage more people to consider adopting an animal. And we're not just talking about dogs and cats here. I've got berrets in their horses, donkeys, so really all companion animals. And so that book's yeah out in September, and I really do hope it will encourage others to consider adopting an animal.

All right. In the meantime, a cat court named Q that's out now available in board bookstores.

All right. In the meantime, a cat court named Q that's out now available in board bookstores.

It's available online actually that publishers in Australia, so anyone can go to the publisher's website, twelve Willow's Press, but you can actually just type in the name of the book and it comes up everywhere. Excell So take your choice. Of course, you can order, you know, as an need book called paperback. But and I actually am working to get it into some bookstores here in Australia. It is a bit tricky because it is a US publisher, but I think some independent bookstores will take it up. And if not, well it's certainly available everywhere online. And yeah, it's a lot of fun. There's a bit of escapism, but with a slightly serious men.

It's available online actually that publishers in Australia, so anyone can go to the publisher's website, twelve Willow's Press, but you can actually just type in the name of the book and it comes up everywhere. Excell So take your choice. Of course, you can order, you know, as an need book called paperback. But and I actually am working to get it into some bookstores here in Australia. It is a bit tricky because it is a US publisher, but I think some independent bookstores will take it up. And if not, well it's certainly available everywhere online. And yeah, it's a lot of fun. There's a bit of escapism, but with a slightly serious men.

Yeah, yeah, no, it's good. It's, as I said, thoroughly enjoyable. Mill and a cat Nam Q. So that a US publisher. Is it available in the US then in bookstores there because you know it's great?

Yeah, yeah, no, it's good. It's, as I said, thoroughly enjoyable. Mill and a cat Nam Q. So that a US publisher. Is it available in the US then in bookstores there because you know it's great?

Yes, yeah, he's actually the publishing company. As I said, it's a small independent company, but they're working with bookstores around America to get it in there and in fact online. This morning I had a look and it's in Walmart. Wow, that's a big time Yeah, yeah, Walmart. It's is great.

Yes, yeah, he's actually the publishing company. As I said, it's a small independent company, but they're working with bookstores around America to get it in there and in fact online. This morning I had a look and it's in Walmart. Wow, that's a big time Yeah, yeah, Walmart. It's is great.

It's terrific, as great as getting it into Aussie bookstores gus. I mean, that's wonderful. But gee, if you crack that market, you're in the big league.

It's terrific, as great as getting it into Aussie bookstores gus. I mean, that's wonderful. But gee, if you crack that market, you're in the big league.

Well, we're working on it, mate, working on it. The working progress, like everything else.

Well, we're working on it, mate, working on it. The working progress, like everything else.

Melody, great chatting with you again. Look forward to having a talk with you on your next book as well, in a couple of months time. That'll be tremendous. But this is a so far one hundred and twenty six pages, I think from memory last night I got into it and looking forward to the rest of it. About that many to go, so I'll look forward to finishing it off today or tomorrow. A cat named cue Melody horraor great speaking with you again.

Melody, great chatting with you again. Look forward to having a talk with you on your next book as well, in a couple of months time. That'll be tremendous. But this is a so far one hundred and twenty six pages, I think from memory last night I got into it and looking forward to the rest of it. About that many to go, so I'll look forward to finishing it off today or tomorrow. A cat named cue Melody horraor great speaking with you again.

Lovely chatting with you with Thourys Matthew. Such a treat. Thank you so much for your ongoing support.

Lovely chatting with you with Thourys Matthew. Such a treat. Thank you so much for your ongoing support.

All the best. We'll chat again, Melody Horror

All the best. We'll chat again, Melody Horror