Paul Collins is the author of around 150 books
for both children and adults. He is the publisher at Ford Street Publishing and
CEO of Creative Net Speakers’ Agency.
He organises literary festivals in
schools and PD seminars. Paul’s latest book from Hybrid is James Gong – The Big Hit.
Which
children’s book are you currently reading?
I’m
currently reading a new book from Cheree Peters called Time Vaulter.
Can
you tell us in two sentences what the book is about?
Thea must escape her enemies and the
death of a beloved friend, the betrayal of someone even closer, and the
destructive abuse of an enemy even more evil than Corbin.
A war is brewing with unlikely
allies, and Thea is in the middle of it.
How
much did you enjoy/are enjoying this title?
It’s the final book in the trilogy. It ties up
all the loose ends quite admirably.
What
made you choose this title? Was it a review, advertising, the cover, the blurb,
the author/illustrator, or the subject/genre?
The cover’s quite brilliant. It’s by Marc
McBride, the Deltora Quest
illustrator. Main reason for reading the book was to conclude the trilogy.
First titles were Time Catcher and Time Warper.
What
other titles are on your bedside table /To Read Pile?
I have a new picture book by Chris McKimmie
called Colin Cockroach Goes to Caloundra.
Quite hilarious and the art is unique. The humans have declared a state of
emergency due to a cockroach infestation and roach bomb the house. So Colin
joins the humans on their holiday in their suitcase.
How
did you come by these titles: personal choice/request, publisher’s review copy,
or other?
The books were sent to me by the authors for
review.
Do
you have a favourite genre? If so, what is it, and why do you prefer it?
I prefer science fiction and fantasy, mainly
because of the imagination used in writing these genres. Contemporary, for
example, happens to us in real life. I like to be taken away from reality when
I’m reading.
Do
you read from printed books or some other medium? Please expand a little on the
why of your choice.
I won’t read on screen. People often ask if they
can send me files to read via email. One reason I decline is because I look at
the computer screen seven days a week. The last thing I need is to read
manuscripts on screen. The amount of manuscripts that arrive every week
prohibits my printing them out.
