Dear Virginia,

Thank you so much for taking an interest in my books and for remembering my ms from all those years ago. It's always inspiring to receive feedback like that. And I am always thrilled whenever I see my name mentioned in your newsletter. I regard myself as one of your 'graduates'.

I was unpublished when I came to you. In fact that was one of my earliest steps in becoming a writer. I always believed that part of the learning process was a wise investment of money in appraisals, subscriptions and conferences and time in critiquing and workshopping.

I learned a great deal from your and Jen's comments and you might recall I was fortunate enough that you both appraised The Last Dodo - so I received not only extra advice and feedback but two different points of view - which was to prove a valuable experience for the years ahead. After The Last Dodo I wrote White Crane which Walker picked up and from then on they have to date taken everything I have shown them. So far I am very lucky.

The Last Dodo is a story I have rewritten many times since we worked on it together - searching for just the right spin - I call it the book of my heart. I think I may have found my way but some extent although am still grappling with the two points of view - the girl and the Dodo.

I am also always grateful for the encouragement you gave me. You helped convince me I was a writer back in the days when the dream seemed so impossible. Love Sandy

Sandy Fussell, children's author www.sandyfussell.com

Sandy's blog http://www.sandyfussell.blogspot.com

* Samurai Kids 3: Shaolin Tiger CBCA Notable Book 2010
* Polar Boy Shortlisted CBCA 2009 Younger Readers Award
* Coming soon: Samurai Kids 5: Fire Lizard (Walker Books Australia Sept 2010)
Walker Books Australia, Walker Books UK, Candlewick Press US