Min Barklin and the Silver Radiants

Min, is a lumin—a tiny, winged being full of youthful energy and a big dose of insecurity. She lives on the Eight Continent, in the canopy of a suburban eucalyptus tree with her loving mothers, brother, and their Bark clan.

Then Ottilyn, a megowl, arrives and reveals she is a rare Intuitor, able to make predictions through her wings and access many other extraordinary gifts. He also brings alarming news: the sacred Silver Radiants’ forest and its ecosystem are under threat from Zarklon, an underground power, and the Fearsome, a sentient fire-storming force unleashed by human meddling in the earth’s mantle.

At the same time, her wings begin to speak to her. Each with their own opinions, they argue between themselves and with her. Still, they persuade her to join Ottilyn and a select team on a perilous adventure to save the forest. Accompanied by Fitlin, (on whom she has a crush,) it isn’t long before they face great danger.

Min soon realises she and her wings have to align when she is thrust into a leadership role of the wider forest community.

But will Min’s strange new powers and her prescient wings be enough to save the forest and its inhabitants from the fast-approaching Fearsome’s inferno?

Set in the Australian wilderness, the story weaves a tale of resilience, friendship and the journey to trust one’s true self. It contains fantastical elements and echoes the diversity of our world, while delving into important environmental issues—all providing a colourful backdrop to Min’s blossoming sense of self-worth.

The idea for the book was born of my love for the natural world and a belief in young people to do what is needed to protect it. It is a stand-alone novel, but book two is underway, and I have an outline for book three.

My journey to authorship

In early 2020, when I had the idea to write a middle grade novel about a small winged being destined to save an ancient forest, I thought; ‘I’m a storyteller, this’ll won’t be hard.’Nothing could have been further from reality.

I wrote the first 10,000 words in a blistering few weeks, and completed the manuscript in a few months. Ready to publish!  I sent it to two publishers, confident I’d land a deal shortly. Even having the arrogance to suggest a good comparison title would be Harry Potter. I know. I’m blushing. I knew zero. Nada.

But luckily for me, one of them, an extraordinarily kind person ventured to give me feedback in his rejection letter.  Scott Zarcanis from Doctor Zed Publishing, wrote ‘There is a lot of ‘telling’ i.e. expository, rather than ‘showing’. The books that engage the reader the most are the stories that ‘show’ the reader what’s happening, allowing the reader to immerse themselves into the story and ‘feel’ what’s happening, as if they were really there.’  I had no idea what expository meant.

Soon after, I met Kylie Zeal, who was looking for a new author to work with on an assessment. The first question she asked me was, ‘What challenge does your protagonist face and how will she grow as she does?’ I was less then crystal clear in my answer. Since then, Kylie has taken my hand and walked me through a long and arduous process to understand just how you write to answer that question.

Then I had the great, good fortune to be invited to join a writers’ group.  I’m not sure that at the time I’d earned a place, but I am so indebted to Carolyn Tate (check out her fabulous new book, Brave Women Write, Di Percy, Kath Walters, and Yamini Naidu for coming on Min’s journey with me. Their encouragement, cheerleading and straight down the line feedback has kept me hard at the work in my efforts to become a middle grade author.

It’s an incredible journey. I had no idea of the work authors who are published put in to achieve that honoured status. Hats off to them all.

Now that I do know, would I put my metaphorical author’s quill down and walk away? Never. The exploration, mental gymnastics, creativity, fun, connection, and crafts-womanship that leads to good writing is one I wish never to relinquish.

In the process, if I can bring Min Barklin, my wee protagonist into the hearts of middle grade readers, so she brings them hope for their future, and encourages legions of them to become eco-champions, then that will be a magnificent bonus.

Min Barklin and the Silver Radiants is available for purchase on minbarklin.com