A bookish afternoon tea, there will be cake.

Anchors Aweigh Bed and Breakfast (5 Tilba St Narooma) will be hosting an exclusive pre-launch-launch for the young adult fantasy novel ‘life’ by Cassandra Webb. The official launch will happen at the Byron Bay Writers Festival in August, but as a Narooma local the author is putting on a special event, that everyone is invited to attend.

Hosted at the Anchors Aweigh Bed and Breakfast from 1pm to 4pm on Sunday the 28^th of June. People can order exclusive advanced copies online, or purchase on the day. All proceeds from the event will be donated to children with special needs. So not only do locals get to pick up a fantastic book, but they’re lending a hand to those in need too.

“I’ve been working on this book for several years, and I want it to find its way into reader’s hands; I want it to be loved. Paying the love forward by donating the proceeds to special needs children just feels right,” said author Cassandra Webb.

Pre-orders can be found on her website at: www.cassandrawebb.com

RSVP’s can be made to cas@cassandrawebb.com or 0488 235 555, but the organizers say the event is open to all readers, even the spontaneous, last minute type.

‘Life’ is the first in a young adult saga about a teen named Kemla who finds herself in various depths of magical and guy trouble and has to use her wit to keep herself safe. Which doesn’t always turn out well. The book has been available to read online for several years, but is now polished and printed through Sparkle Publications.

Here’s a taste of the first chapter:

My life is hiding, hunting and being hunted.

I try to ignore the new cramp in my foot as a group of men wander past. This is completely inconsiderate of them; they have no idea how long I’ve been waiting here – not for men, but for something to shoot. They should seek death elsewhere.

With swords drawn and darting gazes, the men move as if they’re about to be attacked. I’m in no danger from them, except perhaps of starvation if they keep scaring the wildlife away.

They stumble downstream, unaware that my loaded arrow is aimed at them. Not that I’m planning on shooting anyone, but they are food for something, and I don’t want to be next. They continue around the corner, but I just wait.

Pain strikes my ears and the sound forces my body flat to the ground. Armoured Dragons.

For more, come along to the party. A limited number of Cassandra’s children’s books will also be available. Pick up a signed copy for yourself, or to send off as a gift, and there will be cake.

The long weekend saw a convergence of writers and readers alike in Bateman’s Bay, extending into the night with live music, a glass of wine in one hand and a good book in the other. All celebrating the release of the Eurobodalla Fellowship of Australian Writers 21^st anniversary anthology, ‘Flights Of Fancy’.

The talent list in this work is extensive, from Batemens Bay to Narooma, and beyond, young and old, published writers to hobby poets.

Margaret Barlow

Susan Pryke

Cat Sheely

Leanne Williams

Robin Macpherson

Cassandra Webb (Cassie Webb)

Anke Ziergiebel

Rosie Tooth

Dianne Wiggins

Gillian Macnamara

Eileen Backhus

Barry Lake

Suzanne Newnham

Stafford Ray

Judy Turner

Jennie Mairie

Maxine McIlvenie

Jan Hanlon

Tony Maynard

Vicki Mennie

Yvonne Holt

“The night was a hit with upwards of 100 guests, and books selling like hot-cakes. I’m proud to be a part of it,” said local author Cassandra Webb, who was there signing books herself and also getting books signed.

The Fellowship of Australian Writers is a national organization, and the Eurobodalla branch has been going strong for 21 years, a big achievement for a not-for-profit made entirely from people with big imaginations and a love of words. Members don’t have to be striving for publication to join, and many come along for the company and conversation as well as a forum to share what they have written.

“Our group was formed after the foundation members had attended a short writing course and decided that they wished to continue writing. The bug had bitten and has been going strong ever since, some of the original members still attend,” said Louise Falcioni, a member from Moruya. “We are a non profit organisation that encourages creative writing. Giving back to the community is one of our aims and this is achieved by being involved with the Mayors Children’s Writing Competition. It is in its 7^th year and we have been helping to judge the many entries and awarding an encouragement prizes. I have been a member for 6 years. After writing some short young children stories I didn’t know where to go next, so I fronted up to the group and have enjoyed their friendship, expertise ever since. I have held the position of publicity officer and judged the Mayors writing comp for 6 years.”

If you dabble in words and would like to see what the Eurobodalla Fellowship of Australian Writers is all about, come along to a meeting at the Dr Mckay Center, Moruya, from 9.30am on the 1^st and 3^rd Wednesday of the month or in the board room of the Moruya Golf Club from 6.30pm on the first Tuesday of the month.

What would you do if you’re dream of publishing a fantasy novel came true? Donate your proceeds to special needs kids – or at least that’s what Cassandra Webb is doing during this years Byron Bay Writers Festival and at events in Ballina.

Special Needs Children will be the recipients of release sales from Cassandra Webb’s young adult fantasy novel Life. Cassandra Webb is a children’s and young adult author. Her first children’s book, Adorable Alice, released in 2014. Cassandra was inspired by the many hours of reading picture books to her three children. She spent six months working on the concept for Adorable Alice and waited twelve months for New Frontier to pick up the idea. It took another twelve months for the hardcover edition to hit the shelves.

“It’s been a roller coaster ride, but I’ve loved every minute of it,” Cassandra said. Recently Adorable Alice was released in soft cover for $14.99. Cassandra would like to invite you to purchase your copy from your local bookshop – they all stock it – or online at http://www.newfrontier.com.au/books/adorable-alice/900.html

And this author isn’t going to stop there. New Frontier has contracted her for another children’s book, as well Sparkle Publications taking on a third title. She also has a three book young adult paranormal deal with Driven Press and the first in her young adult fantasy series A Magical Saga is due to launch this year.

“The first title in my A Magical Saga series is called Life. It’s about a teenager in a medieval type fantasy world who finds herself in a lot of trouble. The kind of trouble that has her questioning her morals and pushing her limits to survive. There’s a bit of magic, her best friend is a horse, and there’s a cute guy who keeps saving her life.”

Life will release at the end of July 2015, in time for the Byron Bay Writers Festival and all money made by the author during the release will go towards the purchasing of art supplies at a Special School.

The book, Life, is set in a world where Magic is outlawed, but slave trading is a legitimate profession, which causes some problems for Kemla when she’s captured by slave traders and accused of possessing magic. This series is highly recommended for all the Tamora Pierce fans out there. With a strong female protagonist, who manages to get herself into a lot of trouble, and a cute male slave trader who keeps making sure she can’t escape.

“The book has strong themes of freedom,” says the author. “Story telling is a type of freedom, and so is making art. A way of setting your imagination free and I want to encourage every child to experience that freedom.”

To preorder your copy go to: www.sparklepublications.com.au or the ‘purchase’ tab at www.cassadnrawebb.com Just for the last week of July, 2015, readers can grab a free digital copy from smashwords, to get a taste for the story before snapping up the paperback. Just enter the code: QQ65C

We hope you love it, enough to then head over to www.sparklepublications.com.au and purchase a copy – if you haven’t already done so. All preordered copies will be signed by the author and delivered at the beginning of the launch, with the author’s proceeds going directly to special needs children.

The author is also looking forward to organizing a launch party in Ballina, which everyone is invited to.

“Chasing your dreams isn’t always easy, but I encourage everyone to keep at it. It’s worth the effort,” says Cassandra, who has her sights set on releasing many more books in the future.