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Total books written: 7 Max Remy's and 2 Jasper Zammit (Soccer Legend)
Ages of readership:
Most typical wordcount per book:

Countries published in: Australia, America, England, Malta, New Zealand and Greece

Movie rights, merchandise or other exciting offshoots: I'm the proud owner of an official Max Remy backpack....I'd love for Max to be made into a film or TV show and to play Max....but I don't think anyone would believe I am 12.

Title of Featured Book: Max Remy Superspy: The Venice Job
Blurb: Venice is in danger and it’s up to Max, Linden, Toby, and Italian Spy Luca to save her. They must overcome bombs, escape from vats of spaghetti and, Max’s clumsiness in front of the good-looking Luca before Venice is lost forever.

Place where your book is set: Venice

Genre(s):Action/adventure/comedy/clumsiness

Extract from an independent review: Reviewed by Michael McGirr Spectrum, Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday Sept 24 2005

"Along with her young colleague, Linden, Max has been inside an active volcano; had overcome tarantulas, kissing bugs and raging waterfalls in the Amazon Jungle; and escaped a deadly portal room in a castle in Scotland."

What's the inside info about your life as a writer?
I love to travel, read and write. I think about stories and travelling all the time. I've just been to Malta where my dad was born and loved it! I really am Max deep down inside, love adventure, danger and am incredibly clumsy...and I would secretly love to be a spy too!

Do you have another job as well as being a writer?
I used to work in TV and was the producer of Cheez TV on network TEN for 7 years, before I decided to leave it all behind for the wonderful world of books!

Why do you love to write?

Because it feels like I'm travelling....the world is so fantastically big and is full of the most interesting people and places. When I can't travel, books are like my very own special thrill ride into other people's worlds and how they live and I love it!

What inspired you to write your book (or series which includes this book)

I love adventure, comedy and action. My favourite show as a kid was Get Smart...he was a clumsy, bumbling spy with a shoe phone, the cone of silence and terrible habit of blowing himself up. This was the first time I knew I wanted to write a comedy/spy series with my very own clumsy female action hero.

What surprised you during research, writing or publishing of this book?
How Venice really is in danger! The city sinks a little every year and there are lots of people and plans to try and stop this beautfiul and ancient city from one day disappearing into the ocean forever!

If students are doing assignments on this book, what special insight into
symbolism, metaphors, choice of title, characters or research can you
provide:

I tried to get to know the city really well before I write it....I went to Venice a few years ago and did lots more research about her before I began planning this book. It's very important to get to know your location, as well as your characters, before you begin to write.

Secret writing tip for students:

Write because you love to! There's nothing else like it. Believe in what you write and be prepared to edit your work to make it as great as you can.

Personal pet peeves:

Deadlines: I love them and hate them....it's sometimes hard to be as fussy about words and sentences as I would like, when I have lots of chapters to finish and get the book into the publisher.

When you were aged 8 to 15, what job(s) did you think you would have (if not a writer):

I wanted to accept an Academy Award for being a great actor....I would even practice my acceptance speech in front of the mirror, but that wasn't to happen.

What you're working on next: A secret project that I've almost finished about a 12 year old girl, a seaside pier, evil men with dark plans down by the docks and a couple of ghosts.

Are you available for paid school visits at ASA rates?: Yesiree.

Are you blue-card approved to conduct school visits in Qld: Yes

Are you available for free school visits in your local area during book launch months?: On special occasions.

Is your computer/internet connection set up to do online chats?: Yes

Do you speak/webchat in any languages other than English?: unfortunately...no