In this special interview, we chat with Allayne L. Webster, who recently published her tenth novel, Selfie. In Selfie, we meet year 8 student Tully, who is shocked to find herself the new best friend of teenage influencer Dene Walker.
We chat about teenage friendships, the impact of social media on trust and identity, and the importance of staying true to yourself. Allayne reflects on her publishing journey, and shares her love for the Australian writing community. The first half of the episode is spoiler-free!
Show Notes
About Selfie
Dene Walker picked me to be her best friend. She had the whole of Tonsley High’s year eight to choose from—and she chose me. Me!
Tully can’t believe her luck. Dene is famous. Everyone loves her. She has thousands of followers online and hundreds of sponsorship deals. Being best friends with Dene Walker is a dream come true.
Tully is soon hardly aware that her long-time bestie, Kira, exists, as she shapes her own interests and cares to be the person worthy of Dene’s attention. And she’s not prepared for the heartache and confusion when Dene’s friendship is not all she imagined it to be.
Released April 2023 with Text Publishing.
About the author
Allayne L. Webster is an internationally published Children’s and Young Adult author who lives in South Australia. She is a multiple arts grant recipient and a South Australian Premier’s Reading Challenge Ambassador. She’s served on literary boards, and her novels have been listed for various awards.
Most recently, her novel Sensitive was shortlisted in the 2020 Australian Speech Pathology Awards. It is a 2023 Outstanding Book for Young People with Disabilities – awarded by IBBY – International Board on Books for Young People.
Find Allayne via her Instagram, Twitter or website.
Allayne’s recommendations
- Australian author Vikki Wakefield
- Allayne also recommended a bunch of #LoveOzYA and #LoveOzMG authors and shared her love for the Australian writing community – check out these communities for recommendations and links.
Novel Feelings 