I love Aussie YA. I love reading books from authors that live in the same country as me, that know things that people out of Australia might be so confused about. I love how sometimes they can incorporate this into their book and it is fabulous. 

So in saying that, I have decided to start a new feature on Angel Reads spotlighting Australian YA Authors. Each Friday for the next couple of months, I am going to interview an OZYA Author. I thought it would be a fun way to share my love for Australian Young Adult authors with not only fellow Aussies, but everyone around the world. I want more Australian YA books to be read, because they are amazing. 

First week I interview Sarah Ayoub, then Fleur Ferris, followed by Will Kostakis, then Shivaun Plozza, and Gabrielle Tozer, followed by Jay Kristoff and Kylie Fornasier, A.J Betts, Megan Jacobson then Christopher Currie and Steph Bowe and last week Tim Sinclair

This week is Meg Caddy, author of young adult novel, Waer (2016, Text Publishing) 

Hi Meg, welcome to Angel Reads. First can you introduce yourself to everyone? Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hi there! Thanks for having me. I’m Meg Caddy, and I’m a YA fantasy/historical fiction author. I’m also short, bespectacled, bookish, geeky, (currently) red-headed, and a devoted tea-drinker. I work part-time at Dymocks in Perth, part-time at a boarding school, and part-time as an English tutor. I don’t get a lot of sleep.

What has your writing journey been like? When did you start? Why?

I’ve always enjoyed reading and writing stories. I’ve been very lucky to have a lot of support and encouragement from my family. Two of my three brothers are professional musicians and the third might well go the same way. Our parents have always encouraged us to read, to learn, and to pursue what we love.

As for how I started writing Waer…well, that’s a rather geeky tale. When we were fourteen my best friend Jenn and I had a…well, simply put, it was a two-person live-action roleplay. We both had characters, and we only spoke to each other as those characters for about a year. My character was Lycaea, and I started writing Waer as Lycaea’s backstory. I wrote throughout my highschool years, and was lucky enough to be mentored by the wonderful Juliet Marillier. Once highschool was finished, I started to edit in earnest.

What was the process of getting your first book published?

When I was twenty-one, my Dad told me about the Text Prize, an annual YA novel competition run by Text Publishing. I entered the prize and was shortlisted. The lovely Mandy Brett, an editor at Text, called me shortly after and offered me a publishing contract. That was in 2013. Waer still needed some work after that so, with Mandy’s guidance, I kept editing until it was ready. We had the launch in February this year, and it hit the shops on March 1!

What was your journey as a debut YA author in Australia? What was the hardest thing?

This is a difficult question to answer, as I feel I’ve barely started my journey as a debut YA author. I’m only just putting my jacket on! I’ll start with the good things, though.

My family and friends have been incredible. They are all-in, all the time. They come to my signings, they keep buying copies of Waer, and they celebrate each milestone with me. It’s made the journey much easier – I know that if I have a signing event or a talk, at least a few people will show up!

I also have to mention the writing community in WA, which is unique. I joined SCBWI (Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) once my book was accepted, and I’ve been a member of the KSP Foundation (Katharine Susannah Prichard) for years. The members are professional, warm, and relentlessly passionate about their craft. They constantly inspire me to do better. The booksellers in Perth are amazing as well (and I swear I don’t just say that because I work with some of them!). Everyone is so excited to support local authors. It is honestly the best part of writing in WA.

On the other hand, the hardest thing about being a debut YA author in Australia, especially in WA, is looking to the future. The writing industry has suffered several devastating blows recently, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to get better any time soon. It’s a scary time, especially when you’re just starting out.

You are an OZYA author, what are some of your favourite Aussie YA books?

Oh I love this question. I’m glad of it, because my last answer ended on rather a grim note. Do I make a list? I’ll make a list.

• Zac & Mia (AJ Betts) This book took my heart out, stomped on it, then mended it and gave it back.
• Day Boy (Trent Jamieson) It’s an Australian post-apocalyptic vampire novel. What more could you want?
• The Minnow (Diana Sweeney) Reading this felt like being underwater. Everything was surreal and beautiful, and I hardly breathed between page 1 and the end.
• Wildwood Dancing (Juliet Marillier) Juliet Marillier’s classic blend of myth, fantasy, and amazing characters. Elegant and enchanting, like everything she writes.
• The Book Thief (Markus Zusak) I don’t know if I could live with myself if I didn’t include this book. I can’t read it as often as I’d like, because it makes me ugly-cry for days.

The astute amongst you may have noticed that three of these titles are from Text Publishing. I’m not biased, I swear.

I haven’t had the chance to pick up Waer yet, but I love werewolf books and since (I am letting you onto something now) I am writing a werewolf books,  I like to see what is out there. You can find Meg at her twitter at @MegCaddy1, her website and don’t forget to add Waer to your goodreads. 

Waer by Meg Caddy

Pages: 320
Publish date: March 1st 2016
Publisher: Text Publishing
ISBN: 1922182214
Purchase: Book Depository – Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU –Dymocks