Indie bookshops we love

Throughout January Over the next little while :) we’ll thank some of the many individuals and organisations we've loved dealing with since The Fly Papers launch. 

Today - passionate, wonderful booksellers. (And the Widget to the left is from the brilliant Indie Bound campaign!)

The Children's Bookshop, Kilbirnie, Wellington

We've thanked them so many times already, we hope it doesn't get boring! But the whole book-loving team there are a delight to deal with – from both a small publisher's and an (ahem) enthusiastic buyer's point of view.

Marsden books, Karori, Wellington

This loyalty-inspiring bookshop has a beautifully curated selection for all ages. And owner Anna Hunt is passionate about giving books to children that engage, challenge, and above all, don't underestimate children's abilities and understanding.

Craft Country, Featherston, Wairarapa

Our closest stockist – and not a bookshop! But this wonderful, collaboratively-run venture, which sells all manner of hand-crafted goods, has been kind enough to stock The Fly Papers, in their ongoing efforts to support local and independent makers.

Almo's Bookshop, Carterton, Wairarapa

Owner Steve is always keen to support local publishers, writers and illustrators. Almo's has a nice children's section, and as an aside, one of the best selections for gardeners, crafters, and self-sufficiency folks that we’ve ever seen.

Next Page Please!, Takapuna, Auckland

This large, vibrant children's bookshop is owned by the marvellous Maria Elston who is on a mission to bring New Zealand children's books to as wide an audience as possible. A must-visit.

Poppies, Remuera, Auckland

Remuera Poppies owner Elise has been supportive from the start – before we even published. We like the Poppies franchise concept, too.

Young Reflections, Invercargill

We haven't had so much opportunity to meet South Island booksellers – yet. We were thrilled when we received an order from Young Reflections, the furthest south we've been stocked.

University Bookshop, Dunedin

A exciting shop, with a great children’s section. We've enjoyed dealing with and meeting (at Dunedin Storylines) the owners and staff.

Children's Bookshop Christchurch
This beloved children's bookshop was devastated by the Christchurch earthquake, but they have survived and thrived.

As we write we keep thinking of more independent bookstores we have loved dealing with, but sadly – no room to name them all.

Right then. Next batch of thank-yous will be to that special breed, the independent book promoters ....

Happy New Year!

We want to thank everyone who has read The Flytrap Snaps - or supported us in other ways - and wish you a fanastic new year!

2012 started off excitingly for Walter, Johanna, and Sabrina when we heard The Flytrap Snaps had been shortlisted for the NZ Post Children's Book Awards. 

The excitement continued throughout the year with school visits, the Storylines Festival, a shortlisting for the LIANZA Esther Glen Award, inclusion on the Storylines Notable Books List ...

... and even some tentative interest from the international film industry!

We were also thrilled when the marvellous and highly respected Kathryn Carmody agreed to take us on as clients through her new NZ literary agency - Olive Books. 

All of this (and more) gave us less breathing space than we needed to get our second book out before Christmas - Book 2 in The Fly Papers series - The Sundew Stalks.

However, it's well on its way - look at the cover! And what this means is that we will bring out both Book 2 and Book 3 in 2013. 

Expect more blog posts with news, views and gratitude throughout January 2013 ...

Best wishes

Hinterlands

Fly Papers Fact #9

A planned new coal mine threatens the Denniston plateau - a rare and beautiful landscape on the West Coast of the South Island. The plateau is home to many endangered species - and we hear it's also one of the best places to see New Zealand's native carnivorous plants in the wild.

Help save this precious place.

Fly Papers Fact #7

Is your Venus flytrap looking sad ... withered ... shabby?

Don't despair. They often look that way in winter. They need the rest so they can burst back into life in spring.

There are basic instructions on growing a Venus flytrap here. (It was written in America though, so remember their seasons are at different times of the year from ours ... November is roughly the start of their winter; March the start of their spring.)

There are handy instructions for growing a Venus flytrap at the back of The Flytrap Snaps, too.

Fly Papers Fact #6

It's not our usual kind of fact ... but did you know you can take a photo of yourself reading a book, enter it in a competition, and be in to win a box of chocolate fish?

We like this kind of fact.

More info at the Booksellers NZ website.

Fly Papers Fact #5

Bladderworts look innocent, but beneath the surface of the soil or water they grow in, they set the most sophisticated traps in the carnivorous plant world - little vacuum sacs with trapdoors! When a bug triggers the trap, the door opens, the bug is sucked in, and the door shuts behind it, all in milliseconds.

New Zealand has several native bladderwort species. More about our native carnivorous plants here.

Photo of NZ bladderwort copyright Phil Garnock-Jones.

Fly Papers Fact #2

Compared to some countries, New Zealand doesn't have many native carnivorous plant species.  But we do have amazing native sundews.

Sundews are a kind of carnivorous plant with rounded or tentacle-like leaves, covered in hairs. On those hairs are droplets of oozy, glistening, sticky stuff - sticky enough to trap insects - which the plant then slowly digests.

More about NZ carnivorous plants here!