Year 12 Loreto College student Chloe had always dreamed of becoming a writer, but never thought an inquiry with a Ballarat publisher about the process would result in becoming a published author.
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Chloe visited Ballarat Fidelity Club Kindergarten, where she attended 13 years ago, to read her published book Splish, Splash, Splosh to children on Wednesday.
The children sat on the floor listening attentively, pointing at pictures and repeating back 'splish, splash, splosh' as it appeared throughout the story.
The book tells the tale of Chloe's puppies adventuring in the mud and having fun making a mess in the house, with mother dog cleaning up after them every step of the way.
Chloe said she wrote the story in Year 9 wanting to capture the memory of watching her dogs have a fun day.
They wanted to see the story and really liked it and wanted to help me get published.
- Chloe, author of Splish, Splosh, Splash
She said it took two years of refining and editing before she gained the confidence to contact Ballarat's Shawline Publishing Group.
"I have a friend who has a young nephew and she read it to him and said he really loved it," Chloe said.
"Initially I was going to contact the publishers out of curiosity to see what the process would be like after school when I was a bit older.
"They wanted to see the story and really liked it and wanted to help me get published."
Chloe said it was 'surreal' and 'exciting' to see the physical copy of her book for the first time in January, with beautiful illustrations by Tess Dowling.
Chloe's own kindergarten teacher visited Fidelity Club Kindergarten on Wednesday to take part in Chloe's reading of her book and see her success.
Chloe said she was not sure what she wanted to pursue as her career, but she hoped to write more children's books and young adult's books in the future.
Shawline Publishing Group's Jodie Kellett said it had been rewarding to work with Chloe and see the support of the Ballarat community, including at her book signing at Collins Booksellers in Bridge Mall.
Shawline Publishing Group is opening a new independent bookstore on Skipton Street in the coming weeks and will stock Chloe's book and other books they have published for sale.
Splish, Splash, Splosh is also available at Collins Booksellers in Bridge Mall.
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Rochelle Kirkham
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
