The Gastronauts book tour was a gas

I’ve just been on a book tour, celebrating the release of my new junior graphic novel called Gastronauts. From Sept 26 to Oct 14, I had 23 events across three states.

I started in my hometown of Perth, then visited Sydney and Melbourne. We had four book launches, heaps of cartooning and comics workshops, and I got to deface decorate the windows at a few bookstores too. It was a brilliant trip, but I’m very happy to be back home with my family, and gearing up to work on some new projects.

Fun fact: Gastronauts is probably the first book in the world to be launched via a giant nappy. It will probably also be the last, as I don’t recommend it. Too messy. Watch what happens in the video below.

Here’s my favourite photos from the trip.

Gastronauts are go!

A giant nappy, hanging from a tree

Release the nappy!

Signing books at Paper Bird bookshop, Fremantle WA

Comics workshop at Thornlie Library, WA

Ready to draw at Dymocks Subi

Drawing on the window at Dymocks Subi

The window at Dymocks Subi

Signed books at Better Read Than Dead, Newtown, NSW

Berkelouw Books, Leichhardt, NSW

Drawing on the window at Berkelouw Books, Leichhardt

Meeting Sarah (the manager) and Steinbeck (pupp-lick relations) at Berkelouw Books Leichhardt

Launching Gastronauts at The Children’s Bookshop, Beecroft, NSW

Incredibly mature authors and illustrators being incredibly mature

Drawing demo at the Gastro launch, Beecroft

Eat cake, get Gastro!

Signing books at Beecroft

Matt Cosgrove wins the James Foley cosplay competition

Filming at Channel 9

With Adrian the Book Guy Beck on the set of Kids’ WB

Drawing demo at Collins Bookselers, Croydon, VIC

Cartooning workshop at Collins, Croydon

Signing books at Collins Croydon

Signing books at Dymocks in Melbourne CBD

Launching Total Quack Up with Adrian Beck and Sally Rippin at Kids’ Book Fest

Live illustrating ‘Who Blocked Up the Dunny’, my favourite story from Total Quack Up. It’s written by 12yo Ella Wallace

Who Blocked Up the Dunny?

At the inaugural Kids’ Book Fest, organised by Australia’s oldest children’s specialist bookshop, The Little Bookroom

Launching Gastronauts

Stretching out the dummy book for my junior graphic novel, Brobot

Drawing on the windows at Readings St Kilda, VIC

Thanks to everyone – bookstore owners, librarians, teachers, kids and parents – who came to events. And big thanks to my publishers Fremantle Press who helped organise the tour.

Gastronauts

Buy local – find your closest bookshop

Or order online:
– Booktopia (Australia and NZ only)
– Angus and Robertson (Australia only)
– QBD (Australia only)
– Boffins
– Dymocks
– Book Depository

Author: James Foley

James Foley makes children’s books for children who read books. If you’re a child and you’re eating his books, you’re doing it wrong. His books include Brobot, Dungzilla, Gastronauts, Chickensaurus, Toffle Towers, My Dead Bunny and There's Something Weird About Lena. James lives in Perth with his wife, 2 kids, and a labrador. He is a massive Marvel movie nerd and comes from a long line of queuing enthusiasts. Follow him on FB/twitter/insta/youtube @jamesfoleybooks, or at www.jamesfoley.com.au . View all posts by James Foley