New chapter for WA children's book author Sharon Giltrow

With the Cook Labor Government's support, Western Australian children's author Sharon Giltrow is about to release Toby King and the Utility Belt, the second book in her engaging middle-grade series, The Utility Belt.
  • Western Australian author launches second book in Utility Belt series
  • Book's completion and publication made possible thanks to $14,860 State Government grant
  • Exciting launch events planned for young readers in November

With the Cook Labor Government's support, Western Australian children's author Sharon Giltrow is about to release Toby King and the Utility Belt, the second book in her engaging middle-grade series, The Utility Belt.

This new adventure continues the story of Toby King, a character full of imagination and magic, as he navigates a world filled with excitement and creativity.

The book's completion was made possible thanks to a $14,860 Arts Under-15k grant received in 2021.

The funding allowed Sharon to work closely with local editors, develop promotional materials with the help of a talented WA photographer, and create a dedicated website for her works.

The funding also allowed her to participate in author talks at libraries, bookstores, and writing festivals across WA, sharing her passion for storytelling with young readers.

Sharon's hard work has paid off, securing a publishing contract with the renowned US-based publisher Clear Fork Press.

The upcoming release of Toby King and the Utility Belt marks a significant milestone, not only for Sharon but also for WA's literary community.

Two events are scheduled to be held where people can join Sharon to celebrate the launch of her latest book:

Comments attributed to Minister for Culture and the Arts David Templeman:

"Supporting local writers like Sharon Giltrow shows the great talent we have in WA.

"Grants like these help to create stories that inspire and connect young readers throughout the region.

"Sharon's talent for engaging young readers with her fun characters demonstrates what our arts community can achieve with the right backing. It's fantastic to see local authors being recognised here and beyond.

"It's exciting to see how our Arts U-15k grant has allowed Sharon to not only share her stories, but also inspire young minds in important ways."

Comments attributed to Belmont MLA Cassie Rowe:

"I am so pleased to hear that author Sharon Giltrow will be at the Belmont Hub on Saturday, 2 November to talk about her new book.

"It is great to see someone making such good use of the Arts U-15k grants program and benefiting so many young readers in the process." 


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