Long before I was an ‘officially published’ writer, I used to produce my own 12-page pocket books. Some of my most popular titles were a practical-joking guide called Just Tricking!, a self-help book called How to Stop Yourself from Becoming a Slug and an action-thriller called The Day My Bum Went Psycho.
I used to sell these little books at markets and bookshops around Melbourne for $1 each. On a good day I could make around $30 to $40, but the real reward was that I started getting feedback on my writing—both positive and negative—which helped me to improve much faster than I might have done otherwise.
Some of my self-published pocket books
Pocket books are a great way to present your writing to other people … and they’re really easy to make! All you need is an A4 sheet of paper, a pair of scissors and a stapler, and you’re ready to go.
I always like to start by designing a front cover. The process of writing my name, drawing a picture and thinking up a fun title to match helps to get me in the mood. Pocket books are also fun to write because you only have to write a few words on each page. Pictures are good, too. Here’s a cartoon story called ‘Superfinger’ (from The 13-Storey Treehouse) laid out as a pocket book.
TRY THIS
Make a pocket book
Making a pocket book is one of my favourite writing-workshop activities and it seems to work for writers of all ages and abilities. Fold an A4 sheet of paper into three strips. Cut along the folds. Fold these pieces and staple (see diagram on page 225).
If you want to make a larger book with fewer pages, cut an A4 sheet of paper into two strips (not three). This will give you an eight-page book with more space on each page for words and pictures.
One of the best things about pocket books is that your writing can be in any form you like. It can be a story, a list, an instruction manual, an illustrated guide, a recount, etc. Almost all of the writing activities in this book could be presented in the form of a pocket book.
Use some of the story titles below to help get you started:
• 9 ways to annoy your brother/sister
• 9 things you should know about (insert your favourite place/subject/activity here)
• 9 things I hate!
• 9 things I love!
• How to have fun in (insert the name of the place you live here)
• How to play football
• How to cheat at Monopoly
• The day I …
• The day my cat went shopping
• Super-ninja granny
• The day my sister put a cotton bud up her nose
• 9 terrifying facts about turtles
• How to kill a bug
• The tomato monster
• How to be a REAL man
• How to be a REAL woman
Use the Random idea generator on pages 336–7 to help you come up with other titles.
The Naked Boy and the Crocodile is a collection of pocket books made by children in remote Indigenous communities. (You can order copies from www.indigenousliteracyfoundation.org.au)