James Foley

The 2024 Perth Festival Writers’ Weekend program is here!

2024 is just around the corner (how did that happen??). Which means it’s almost time for Perth Festival and it’s wonderful Writers’ Weekend.

I’ll be on a panel with Kylie Howarth and Bec Newman talking about all things kids books!

Presented in association with Writing WA

The creative minds of Kylie Howarth (Crocs Stole My Socks), Rebecca M Newman (Right Way Down) and me, James Foley (Secret Agent Mole), come together for an exhilarating conversation hosted by Writing WA Chair Lesley Reece AM. Join us as we delve into the secrets of crafting engaging stories for young minds and celebrate the wonders of storytelling.

DATE: Saturday 24 February, 2024
WHEN: 10am
WHERE: State Library of WA, Perth CBD
AGES: all ages
TICKETS: pay what you can (recommended price, $25)

Head to the Perth Festival Writers’ Weekend program for more info on this and many other sessions.

October/November events

I’ve got just a handful of events left for the rest of the year – the Scribblers Family Festival on October 28-29, and the Fremantle Arts Centre’s 50th birthday celebrations on November 26.

Details below!

Special Agent Dana Skunky, reporting for duty

Need another sneak peek into Secret Agent Mole book 2: The Boar Identity?

Introducing Special Agent Dana Skunky (a.k.a. our favourite Helena Hippo, undercover in the FBI).

Unfortunately, her trenchcoat comes with a super accurate skunk-like smell: enough to make a gorilla faint! Luckily Max and Bug don’t seem too affected by the unpleasant odour (perhaps they’re used to bad smells?)

See below for a teeny tiny excerpt from The Boar Identity, when Max and Bug first get a whiff of Helena’s stinky trenchcoat, leading them to give it a more appropriate nickname.

In the latest instalment of Secret Agent Mole, Star Division has discovered a magical meteorite with anti-gravity powers – and Dr Nude will stop at nothing to get his naked little hands on it, including brainwashing a Star employee!

Can Max Mole, Helena Hippo and June Bug stop Dr Nude’s evil plans? Make sure you pick up a copy of Secret Agent Mole 2: The Boar Identity to find out.

🌏 *SIGNED COPIES* – PAPER BIRD

🇦🇺 🇳🇿 LOCAL INDIE BOOKSHOPS

Casa Del Libro (Catalan)

Break-in news: Dr Nude is back!

Here’s a sneak peek of the latest instalment in my Secret Agent Mole series -watch out Neil Hamstrung!

Can Max Mole, Helena Hippo and June Bug stop Dr Nude’s evil plans? Make sure you pick up a copy of Secret Agent Mole 2: The Boar Identity to find out.

🌏 *SIGNED COPIES* – PAPER BIRD

🇦🇺 🇳🇿 LOCAL INDIE BOOKSHOPS

Casa Del Libro (Catalan)

Upcoming events – Sept/Oct school holidays

I’ve got multiple workshops coming up, plus a very special live-comics reading event!

Details below.

Term 3 all wrapped up!

Between Book Week, the release of Secret Agent Mole Book 2: The Boar Identity, and a Sydney tour, Term 3 has been absolutely packed. Here’s everything I’ve been up to!

Book Week 2023

I visited a bunch of schools and libraries across WA for Book Week this year. It was great to meet so many readers and teachers! Thanks to everyone for having me.

It’s not every day you get to cuddle a Kindy class’ two pet mice, AND draw them as astronauts! ⁠Thanks to the Kindy students at Landsdale Christian for introducing me to Marlee and Lavender. ⁠(P.S. Those are little cashews floating inside their helmets).

Secret Agent Mole book 2 out now!

It’s official … Secret Agent Mole book 2: The Boar Identity is now in bookshops.

Freo book launch

We launched the book in secret agent style this past Saturday. Thanks to the incredible staff at Paper Bird Books in Fremantle for hosting; to the 99 to my 86, Renae Hayward, for prepping the snacks; and to all who braved the wild and wooly weather to come celebrate with me.

Hear me read Stellarphant on Nova with Nathan, Nat and Shaun

Yesterday I got to hang out with Nova Perth’s breakfast team and talk about my favourite part of the year, Children’s Book Week! I also got to chat a bit about the making of Secret Agent Mole, and read Stellarphant aloud on air (with running commentary from the team – you won’t find that in an audiobook).

Thanks heaps for having me in the studio, Nathan, Nat and Shaun! And huge thanks to Chasze the tradie for helping me out when I’d left my phone at home. Champion.

Click the link below to listen to the chat.

INTERVIEW
Book Week 2023 (mp3 file)
Nova 93.7 Perth Breakfast show
with Nathan, Nat and Shaun

I got to chat with Brenton McKenna for ALIA Graphics

Back in May I had the great privilege of yarning with my bud Brenton McKenna for ALIA Graphic Novels and Comics. ⁠
⁠
Brenton and I interviewed each other about our newest graphic novels (including Secret Agent Mole: Goldfish-Finger), our processes and our inspirations. Brenton is the creator of the Ubby’s Underdogs trilogy and has a new series out called Hairy Holes, all about some hairy creatures that live in the Australian outback. It’s hilarious! ⁠

You can catch our chat here on YouTube.

P.S. ALIA has a massive treasure trove of videos, all about graphic novels and comics. Make sure you check it out!

Book Week costume ideas – and free printable masks!

Stuck for a CBCA Book Week costume idea? Here’s how to dress up as Max Mole, Helena Hippo or Bug from my series, Secret Agent Mole.

And scroll down for free printable masks of Max, Helena and Bug!

Printable masks

You can download all three of these masks in one handy pdf.

Tips:

Each is designed to print out at A4 paper size; they’ll work best of printed or glued onto thick card.
Cut out the black eyeholes, and cut around the thin outline on the outside edge of the mask.
Add colour if you wish.
Don’t forget to add string or a paper loop so that you can attach the mask to your face.
And don’t forget some antennae for Bug – you could use thin strips of paper or card, or pipe cleaners.

Download the 3 masks