Aimee's new Grand Slam - The Champion's Trophy

Where did the inspiration from your book come from?

The Champion’s Trophy is based on the true story of Billie Jean King and her fight for equal pay for women at the US Open tennis Grand Slam. By lucky coincidence the book has been released at the 50 year anniversary of the WTA. I was very excited to see it on sale at the Australian Open Grand Slam, where Billie Jean and her colleagues were acknowledged on Rod Laver Arena Centre Court.

What is your favourite childhood book, that most influenced you as a writer?

It’s hard to have just one, but I recently launched an exhibition called Juvenilia. It displays the early childhood writings of Australia children’s authors and illustrators. When I was reading my own Juvenilia I realised I was heavily influenced by the work of Enid Blyton. I wrote a lot about cottages, picnics and every story had a happily ever after ending.
 

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

Yes. I cannot remember a time when I wasn’t trying to write stories.


How long did it take you to write your book?

The Champion’s Trophy came really quickly. I had an idea as I was driving home from a holiday. Within a few hours I had plotted it all out in my head. By the time I got home, I typed it all out and it was done! Some books (not all books) are just like that.

 

What is the most challenging thing about writing?

Believing in yourself. It is hard to become a published writer. And once you are published, it is hard to make enough money to earn a living. So to continue to write, you must have a strong belief in your writing and that it’s worthwhile putting out into the world, even if publishers reject it, even if it never gets printed, even if you never get paid.

 

What do you hope young readers take away with them after reading your book?

Standing up for what you believe in is so important for kids and I wanted the readers to takeaway the message from The Champion’s Trophy that activism is not just about self interest. Poh Kim doesn’t campaign to raise enough money to upgrade her own trophy but to upgrade the trophy of other little girls in the future so they won’t have to experience what she experienced.