iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

It’s Earth Day! Earth Overshoot Day this year is likely to fall on June 5 … the day we burn through more resources than the planet can regenerate in a year. Humans are living unsustainable lives. Australia overshot on March 23! It’s us! Look up! Take action. #earthday #sustainability

Child’s hand holding up a globe, continent of Africa forward, with the words Earth Day, it’s in your hands

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

The Paradise Generation by Sanna Thompson, winner of the NZCYA book awards in the YA section, self-published and quite excellent! #booksky 😍

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

Dogs are hardcore, aren't they? My dog was munching on a carrot, then performed some possessed acrobatics and spat out a molar (he's had $1000 of dentistry incl 15 teeth out - small dog mouths are shite - but they won't put him under since the raven fed him a scrap of 1080 - true story).

A black and silver mini Schnauzer with a green one eyed toy. Of course it's a schnauzer... mad as cut snakes every bloody one of them.

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

Alien fungi has landed in outback WA. We’ve seen the Day of the Triffids. We know what comes next!

Bulbus black fungi on stalk emerging from gravel.

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

Loved The Granite Skywalk north of Albany in WA. Steep climb but worth it!

Large boulder balanced upright on a granite mountain top

Bren pretending to hold back giant boulder

The skywalk on top of the granite mountain too

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

New contract signed for a contemporary YA novel with Freemantle Press! So pleased! 💕

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

As a Kiwi it is hard for me to say this… I never in my life, seen so many trees as on WA’s southern coast! Been driving through them for days!

Looking down on trees. Weird perspective!

A tree with an old person’s face. They call this one grandma Tingle but the boy one King Tingle. Bloody patriarchy, why can’t she be a Queen?!!

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

In grasslands shaped by fire one tree reigns supreme. The grass tree, Xanthorrhoea. Impervious to fire, it needs heat and soot to germinate seeds. Slow growing, many of these are 100 years old. The flower spikes contain resin used by the local peoples. Wanagarra Reserve, Wedge Island, WA. So pretty!

Majestic grass trees with flower spikes most with fire blackened trunks stretching across rolling grasslands covered in dry golden grass.

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 24/10/2025

Look what arrived in the mail! Only a little bent. So proud to be included in the shortlist! 😍 #booksky

Certificate from WA Premiers Book Awards for Book of the Year Shortlist for The Apprentice Witnesser. A bit bent because we only have a tiny PO Box.

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

A lovely evening down at the river.

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

Spring has sprung on the mid west coast of Australia. ☀️

Forecast for the rest of Tuesday Max 28C, Sunny, chance of rain 5%. This is for Kalbarri on the midwest coast of Aus.

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 24/08/2025

My last post about How to Bee being up in lights on a tower in Perth got so much attention 😂 I thought I’d follow that up by showing The Apprentice Witnesser up there too alongside other WA Premiers Award shortlisted books! #booksky #bookweek #kidlit #clifi

Western Australia Premiers Award shortlisted books in lights on a tower in Yagan Square in Perth including The Apprentice Witnesser!

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 22/08/2025

Are you in Perth?! Did you see a giant How to Bee on a tower???!!! #bookweek

Tower in Perth has a large image of How to Bee the children’s book on it!!

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

Photos from #NZCYA book awards. The finalists in the Esther Glen Award for Junior Fiction: Jane Arthur, Li Chen, Me, Claire Mabey, Rachael King flanked by Judge LJ Keegan and Sponsor O Wright from the Wright Family Trust. Li Chen won this section and Claire Mabey took out best debut book. #booksky

The books up for the Esther Glen award. Graphic novel Detective Beans took the award. Brown Bird, Ravens Eye Runaways took best debut, Violet and the Velvets and The Apprentice Witnesser.

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

Hey NZ! Especially Hamilton teachers, parents, kids, come along tomorrow morning to Books For Kids in Grey St! #booksky

Invitation to meet and greet with Bren MacDibble at 310 Grey St, Hamilton. 10:30am 16 August 2025.

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

What is Hopepunk and why do we need it in the classroom? Article at SchoolNews Australia: www.school-news.com.au/news/what-is...

Photo of article at School News Australia about why students need hopepunk: https://www.school-news.com.au/news/what-is-hopepunk-and-why-we-need-it-in-the-classroom/

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

Climate-fiction for middle grade kids writer here. Available in the UK @oldbarnbooks.bsky.social Popular with TLs. Big themes, short books. My last book The Apprentice Witnesser, has been shortlisted for state (WA), national (NZ), science fiction and Environmental awards. New book at acquisitions!

Cover of The Apprentice Witnesser by Bren MacDibble. There is a scene on the cover of two kids running through the Queensland bush one with an instamatic camera, one with a doll's head and their pet mouse deer. In the background on a hill (it's set in the tablelands of Qld) is a castle shaped house. A raven flies in the sky. That whole scene is set into the cut out shape of a girl's head. Bastienne Scull is her name. She is the Apprentice to a glamorous witnesser of natural miracles. And they live together in the market square of the small town of Atherton. Probably not available on audio sorry.

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

New Review from @middlegrademusings on Insta: “Bren MacDibble goes 5/5 in a novel full of hope with a formidable female lead, heartfelt exchanges and a touch of thrilling adventure that subtly reminds us to take care of what we have now.” #booksky

Book cover of The Apprentice Witnesser by Bren MacDibble.

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

So excited to be shortlisted in the @statelibrarywa Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards. #booksky @allenandunwin.bsky.social

Cover of The Apprentice Witnesser with sticker of the shortlisting at the Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

Hey #booksky, check out the Wilderness Society’s shortlist for the Karajia and Environment Awards for Children’s Literature at eacl.org.au

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

Hey #booksky if you want to find out more about the #NZCYA book awards shortlist announced yesterday or are after pukapuka for your tamariki some in te reo Māori, hop on over to their website: www.nzbookawards.nz/new-zealand-... #booksalive

32 book covers of the shortlisted books in the NZ children’s and young adults book awards.

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

So many amazing books in the NZ CYA Awards this year including five by my publisher @allenandunwinnz.bsky.social #booksky #nzcya #booksalive

Images of the five shortlisted books in the Junior Fiction segment of the NZCYA Awards.

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

Thrilled to see The Apprentice Witnesser Shortlisted in a very strong collection of NZ Books for Children and Young Adults! ... #nzcya #booksalive @allenandunwinnz.bsky.social @allenandunwin.bsky.social

Graphic announcing NZ book of the year for young readers shortlistings

Images of the five books that make up the Wright Family Foundation Esther Glen Award for Junior Fiction The Apprentice Witnesser (mine), Ravens Eye Runaways, Violet and the Velvets, Brown Bird, Detective Beans.

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

A great day of hiking #murchisongorge #kalbarriNationalPark so very dry. Just the deepest pools remain.

A photo looking up the Murchison River. A white barked river gum in the foreground. Red rock walls and red rubble on the gorge floor.

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

So excited the #PandaBookAwards have shortlisted The Ravens Song 🐦‍⬛ written by me and Zana Fraillon for the kids in international schools across China to read and vote for this year. AND it has an international audio book which I know those schools will love thanks to Bolinda Audio. #booksky

Headline says Panda Book Award Older Nominees (the age group - not me) with 8 book covers including The Raven’sSong, the book I wrote with Zana Fraillon.

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

I’m sorry #booksky but is there a more gorgeous literary award in the known universe than the 30th anniversary #Aurealisawards?

A gorgeous curling glass sculpture reminiscent of an uncurling fern frond in red and blue against the backdrop of sunset and palm trees. It’s the Aurealis Award for best children’s book of 2024 for The Apprentice Witnesser. The Aurealis Awards recognise quality speculative fiction published in Australia.

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

It’s here! It’s made it across the Nullarbor in one piece and it’s gorgeous! Thank you #AurealisAwards #booksky

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

According to the #AurealisAwards who have been at this for exactly 30 years. Happy Birthday! The Apprentice Witnesser was the best children’s speculative fiction published in Australia in 2024! It was a brilliant shortlist. Read them all! #kidlit #loveozmg #sf

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

Very excited to see The Apprentice Witnesser as a finalist in the Aurealis Awards. Check out Facebook for the shortlists and tune in to the 30th Anniversary Awards hosted by Garth Nix on May 4th 2pm WA time or 4pm East Coast time. #aurealisawards #booksky #specfic #loveozmg #kidlit

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

This Earth Day think how you’ll vote to preserve our environment for future generations. “A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit.” #earthday #kidlit4climate

The earth nestled in a tree and the text World Earth Day.

An Aussie political scorecard created by aycc.org.au/scorecard

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

So excited to see The Apprentice Witnesser on the shortlist for the Aurealis Awards for Best Children’s Fiction. It’s a stunning list! Congratulations everyone! #booksky 🙌

The announcement of the shortlist for the best speculative fiction of 2024. Full list at aurealisawards.org

This reads like a who’s who of Australian Children’s authors! Emily Rodda, our queen! Karen Foxlee and Freda Chiu, Jude Rossell, Lily Wilkinson and Lavanya Naidu, Gabriel Bergmoser and me, Bren MacDibble. So pleased to be on this list!

Cover of The Apprentice Witnesser by Bren MacDibble designed by Jo Hunt

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

Look, I think Autumn is cancelled. You can blame me... I put aside this week to clean windows. Can't clean windows when they're hot, sadly.

The forecast for Kalbarri showing Tuesday 25 Mar at 39C high 24C low, Wednesday 26 March at 40C high 25C low and Thursday Friday Saturday with similar results. Won't be cleaning windows in that!

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 23/03/2025

How does the forecast of a week of dry 39C sit with the radar images of the weather sitting off the coast of Carnarvon right now? Like are we in a dome?

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

Why? Was this an attempted colonisation and would we have been better off under the Dutch than the English. Both have terrible track records. We have a yellow submarine in Gero, but it does not look very seaworthy. Is it yours?

An ancient yellow submarine which mostly just looks like metal panels riveted together with perspex square windows, so it does not look very water tight but it has a bit of a funnel thing on top and a propeller out the back so it's definitely submarine shaped, it now sits in Geraldton on the foreshore near the main industrial wharf. I think it's just an ancient project and not anything of historical significance hence no one minds if it gets painted yellow. I doubt it lasted long at any depth looking at it!

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

My latest book is 20% off today at The Nile an Aussie online bookshop or shop locally and support your favourite bricks and mortar shop.

Cover of The Apprentice Witnesser. No audio book yet sorry… Australia needs to up its game there!

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

This is my book that came out in May 2024. #TheApprenticeWitnesser I have found it takes about a year for readers to find my books & I know that’s not the marketing trend wah wah. But if you focus ALL your energy on creating great books … it takes a year for the world to clock on. Have you read it?

Cover of The Apprentice Witnesser by Bren MacDibble, features two girls in a tropical bush type landscape one is older and has a camera on her arm the smaller girl holds a skull by its hair. In front of them waits their pet mouse deer behind them on a hill sits a castle house. Look its unusual. Okay?

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 01/02/2025

Many of you have no idea what the coral coast (aka midwest aka shipwreck coast) of Aus looks like but I actually get to live here. This is Nanda Country (thank you Nanda and Yamatji Peoples): (📷gobeyondtravels)

Large scrub covered dune in foreground with surf breaking to the left. Zig zag river mouth in front. Tiny town spread out left off the dunes and up the near side of the river. On the far side of the river scrub covered dunes stretch away into the distance. All the way to Dirk Hartog Island 300kms away in fact. 300kms of no people. Relaxing, huh?

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

Look, there may not be a roundabout or traffic lights for 150kms but some times the traffic here can be a nightmare!

The nightmare traffic is a massive silo which takes up both sides of the road being towed by a tractor but there’s no way to see it through the silo. It’s on a double white line so there’s no way to pass it yet even though oncoming traffic has to get into the gravel verge. Also no indicators to tell me if it might turn off to a paddock soon.

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

Took minutes off my life trying to figure out these emu tracks… obviously it’s two emus. They do not hop like roos and do not like to hang out alone.

Emu tracks on the sand. Large centre toe two smaller toes either side.

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Bren MacDibble @macdibble.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

Dear trans lovelies, I'm sorry you're being treated like a political punching bag in several countries at once. My wish is for you to live your lives free from the veiny eyeballs of hatred and with all the gender affirming care you need. 💕

The pink and blue trans flag with You Are Loved on it in black, bc people don't say that enough.

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