Boorowa local author and illustrator Hayley Apps is preparing to release her first children’s book on August 10, marking the end of a long but rewarding journey.
“The inspiration for this story actually came from lived experience,” she said.
“We had a pet chicken a few years ago that my eldest daughter nicknamed Unfriendly Henny. The reason behind the name was that ‘Unfriendly Henny’ was a chicken that would peck anything and everything in sight. You couldn’t walk outside in a pair of thongs unless you were prepared to have your toes pecked.”
Hayley said some elements of the story were changed for dramatic effect, but the heart of the book remains deeply personal.
“I wanted to write a story to show that sometimes there is a meaning behind certain behaviours and that not everything is always as it seems,” she said.
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“The story explores the theme of forgiveness and encourages readers to consider that there may be a reason behind the behaviour.”
The path to publication was anything but straightforward.
“The journey to getting this book published has been a long one,” she said.
“I wrote this book several years ago and just had it sitting there waiting to be illustrated. I eventually decided to send it to a couple of traditional publishers just to see what would happen, but unfortunately, I was unsuccessful. So, I decided that I may as well have a go at self-publishing. I followed a course that took me through every step of the process and now I can’t believe that I have successfully published my first book.”
Hayley said holding the finished book in her hands was a surreal experience and offered words of encouragement to others with a dream of writing.
“I encourage anyone that has ever wanted to write a book to just do it,” she said.
“It is such a surreal, but amazing feeling to finally hold your finished book in your hands.”
Hayley’s book will be available from August 10, offering young readers a thoughtful story about understanding, compassion, and second chances.
