How do you feeling about our crazy life?

Ask the PUG!!!!!!

Can any more events, parties, book fairs, get togethers …. be squished into the 4 weeks before December’s Christmas!!!!!!

It’s on … we’re heading for the turkey and an almighty crash!

Diary of November 2013:-

-  Celebrations of Hazel Edwards receiving an Order of Australia – YEAH!

- MC for SCBWI’s INSIDE STORY with our loved authors & illustrators at The Children’s Book Beecroft telling the inside story of creating their books including Deborah Abela, Tony Flowers, Yvette Poshoglian, Jan Latta, Christopher Cheng and more.

- Lunch with assistant editor of School Magazine - LOVE Sue Murray - a talented playwright as well as editor

-  Sharon Rundle editor and friend and I went off to the launch of  ’A Country Too Far’  at Glee Books- caught up with professor Elizabeth Webby and Tom Keneally, Rosie Scott and others.

-  brilliant theatre at the opening at The Ensemble of ‘Rapture Blister Burn’

- catching up with my favourite actor Tim McGarry to talk about the I AM JACK USA tour for 2014

- Society of Women Writers’ at the State Library – lunch and collect a prize for ‘Ships in the Field’ – lovely

- Christmas celebrations at the CBCA lunch Northern Branch – catching up with children’s laureate Alison Lester and fabulous illustrator Sarah Davis

-Unleased Writers Festival in Sydney – loved speaking about the journey of writing with the audience

- post Unleashed Festival shared the book industry over dinner with publisher Paul Collins and author James Roy

- I’m the prize on e-bay for the UNLEASHED FESTIVAL!  Talented author Mo Johnson won me – well a mini mentorship!

- Caught up with Sue Meyer at the Francis Keevil Gallery to se Sue’s beautiful art

- lunching with the fabulous authors Meredith Costain & Louise Park for Christmas cheer

- dinner with my wonderful publisher Lisa Berryman from HarperCollins to share news and my new book JACK 4 – yet untitled!

- coffee with Jesse Blackadder – love her last book STAY the last dog in Antartica -at The Hughenden  who’s down in Sydney for a minute meeting her publishers

- my darling friend Kim’s 40th birthday

- the Australian Publisher Association party – sooo good and caught up with the HarperCollins team there.

- speaking at my old school Daceyville’s Creative Writing Festival – aaahhhhh – memories

- Books in Homes committee meeting selecting books for indigenous & disadvantaged kids – great charity

- launching Margaret Roc’s ‘Jellybean Goes to School’ at the Lindfield Learning Hub – lots of jellybeans and love Margaret

- the SCBWI BOOK FAIR at The Hughenden with some of our best ever authors like Sopgie Masson. kate Forsyth, Belinda Murrell, Deborah Abela and the lsit goes on.

- at the BOOK FAIR supporting ROOM TO READ www.roomtoread.org – loved seeing Jennie Orchard, Wendy Rapee, Cathy and Margaret and the Room to Read team.

- MC for Susan Wyndham’s talk on her book she edited and contributed to   ’My Mother. my Father’ (Allen & Unwin) with authors Margaret Rice and Gerard Windsor – such great wrietrs  at The Hughenden. Buy the book for Christmas.

Phew – that’s November!

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 Alison Lester Children’s Laureate and Sarah Davies award winning illustrator and friend were the keynotes at the Children’s Book Council Christmas dinner. Heaps of authors and illustrators celebrated with the community of book lovers.

Society of Women Writers (SWW)  in the Mitchell Library – with its heritage sandstone columns and magnificent rooms – addressed by Professor Yerbury – introduced by historian and author Maria Hill, who’s the President of the Society of Women Writers.

Wonderful event.

Unleased Festival with festival convenor Jodie Wells Slowgrove – who organised a weekend festival of authors and publishers. it was a buzz!  Linda Jaivin gave insight into her travels and life in  China – she was so entertaining. Read her books!

Tim ferguson comedian author who manages his MS with style and humour.  Publishers including Paul Collins Ford Street Publishing, Zoe Walton RandomHouse, Heather Curdie Penguin.

But BEST fun was being won by Maureen Johnson (author of Boofheads and many other books)  to give her a mini mentorship. Love doing it and watch out for her new series!

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Insanely creative and hectic October zooms into November as we torpedo into December and these are a few of the things everyone’s celebrating:-

FUN & FABULOUS – INSIDE STORY – writers & illustrators across the world give the INSIDE STORY of creating their books to thousands in bookshops from Sydney to New York!

From Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver in the USA to our own stars. Tony Flowers’ illustrates the BEST dragons!

In Australia Black Cat Book Café Paddington in Brisbane; The Little Bookroom in Melbourne, and The Children’s Bookshop Beecroft in Sydney splashed illustrations and dragons and story through the community. yeah to books!

Celebrations for our Hazel Edwards famous author of There’s a Hippopotamus Easting Cake on the Roof, Antartic explorer stuck in ice writing those stories of icebergs and adventurers, defending authors rights and so much more  - received her ORDER OF AUSTRALIA to huge cheers from the Australian writing community.

Engrossed in the brilliant theatrical performances of the outstanding play ‘Rapture. Blister, Burn’ by Gina Gionfriddo cut into the heart of relationships at the Ensemble Theatre – one of the world’s most picturesque theatre nestled into the harbour overlooking sailing boats and bushland in Kirribilli.

SCBWI Room to Read’s writer ambassadors celebrating books for kids across Asia and Africa where they build a library every 4 hours!

As writer ambassadors, Deborah Abela and I were at Berkelouw’s Paddington – but there were SCBWI authors everywhere like Kate Forsyth, Belinda Murrell, Oliver Phommavanh, Sarah Davis – illustrator extraordinaire at Berkelouw bookshops through Sydney … and more.

Deb and I dressed up as a sheep and pig - we got HOT heads and a few PATS!

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Inner city Sydney bookshop, Glebe Books was packed at the launch of   ‘A Country Too Far’  (Penguin) – a collection of  writings on asylum seekers by some of Australia’s most renowned authors – edited by Tom Keneally and Rosie Scott.

I sat between Professor Elizabeth Webby, who is at the heart of Australian literature, and Sharon Rundle editor of the anthology ‘Alien Shores’ published by Brass Monkey. I had the privilege of contributing a story to ‘Alien Shores’  which also welcomes discussion and debate.

Rosie Scott and Tom Keneally were moving as they spoke about A COUNTRY TOO FAR:-

Elliot Pearlman writes: -’It took me almost six years  to research and write… The Street Sweeper’, a novel that deals with … racism.’

‘Tom Keneally writes: One hundred and seventy thousand displaced persons came to Australia between 1947 and 1952, bearing their United Nations Displaced Persons/Refuge identity cards.’

Geraldine Brooks writes: ‘I am pretty sure that for  much of his life my father was an illegal immigrant.’

Bella Vendramini.writes: ‘I was seventeen years old when I got locked up in a Spanish jail.’

It’ll make you think, cry, hope, feel in this powerful and moving anthology which opens debate about escape from terror to find a safe place.

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Cool, cool, cool – they danced, joked, wore fluffy hats, made the audiences laugh and cry and go … awwww …

SCBWI authors & illustrators were fantastic wowing the crowds at Black Cat Book Café Brisbane; The Little Bookroom Melbourne; and The Children’s Bookshop Beecroft in Sydney.

It’s INSIDE STORY and on the 1st weekend of every November from now on!

The School Magazine NSW is cool, cool, cool too – caught with the creative team in Sydney -bringing the best stories, fiction and non fiction and art to the kids of Australia since 1916!

Loved dropping in on Alan Edwards the editor, Sue Murray the deputy editor who’s also a writer and playwrite and the team.

The post Inside Story to School Magazine ~How Cool R Kids writers & Illustrators? appeared first on Susanne Gervay's Blog.

Across the world on the 1st weekend in November, SCBWI kids’ authors & illustrators and specialist bookshops are giving the INSIDE STORY of our books.

When?  2nd November

Time: 2 p.m. at  Black Cat Bookshop Paddington(Sydney);

3 p.m. The Little Book Room Melbourne;

10 am Black Cat Bookshop Paddington (Brisbane).

The celebrity authors & illustrators are performing, signing, enjoying fun, food and company.

There’s champagne at the Children’s Bookshop Beecroft too.

Come along and see Sarah Davis, Serena Geddes, Pamel Rushby, Krista Bell, Hazel Edwards ….. heaps of authors & illustrators.

I’ll be the MC in Sydney

Angela Sunde is the MC  in Brisbane

Corinne Fenton is the MC in Melbourne.

Love to see you there.

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For 40 years the Westpac helicopters have been rescuing people from the bikie gang war in Milperra,  Sydney to Hobart yacht race to the fires now!

I was proud to celebrate them tonight at the Hordern Pavilion.

Gail Kelly CEO Westpac Group spoke compellingly and so did the head of the service.

Moved by the family of fisherman with 2 young boys whose boat went down and who were saved by the Westpac helicopter. YEAH!

We rocked to Daryl Braithwaite and had a brilliant night of giving and thanking them.

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What’s a SWOFTY?  Susan Saradon, Christie Brinkley, Sheryl Crow are that and more -

SINGLE WOMEN OVER FIFTY – living life just like travel writer Jayne Zakheim who follows adventure and art and writing across the world..

www.havefunflysafe.com

We caught up in Sydney and checked out Bondi, graffiti art, the harbour,  Centennial Parklands and The Hughenden Hotel – had a ball and she fell in love with SYDNEY. I’m already in love with SYDNEY.

Check out her travel blog.

The post SWOFTY’s Susan Sarandon, Christie Brinkley, Sheryl Crow – Jayne & me – living life! appeared first on Susanne Gervay's Blog.

Come on and join us – in a celebration of books, authors, kids at Berkelouw Bookshops

10.30-noon on Sat 26th October

Room to Read is supported by many of Australia’s top writers for children and young adults. On this occasion

Susanne Gervay and Deborah Abela will be at Paddington;

Kate Forsyth and Belinda Murrell at Balgowlah;

Sarah Davis at Leichhardt;

Oliver Phommavanh at Mona Vale;

John Larkin at Dee Why

James Knight at Rose Bay

Pamela Cook will be at Cronulla with her hugely successful romance novel, Blackwattle Lake.

The post AUSTRALIAN AUTHORS, BERKELOUW BOOKS SUPPORT ROOM TO READ & KIDS’ LITERACY appeared first on Susanne Gervay's Blog.

COME & JOIN  SCBWI AUTHORS & ILLUSTRATORS

SATURDAY 2nd NOVEMBER 2013

The Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators SCBWI  in conjunction with specialist bookshops launch across the world

INSIDE STORY

Where acclaimed children’s authors and illustrators give insights into the inside story and support books & bookshops.

A FUN, FREE, FANTASTIC EVENT CELEBRATING BOOKS!

Authors & illustrators include Katherine Battersby & her famous BRAVE SQUISH RABBIT; Yvette Poshoglian & her adorable ELLA and OLIVIA; Tony Flowers & his cool dinosaurs of SAURUS STREET; Meredith Costain’s gorgeous MY FIRST DAY AT SCHOOL; Sherryl Clark & her moving RUNAWAYS, Sarah Davis’ TOUCAN – very, very, very brightly coloured – and so many more outstanding authors & illustrators… from Sarah Davis, Alexa Moses, Marjorie Crosby-Fairall, Kate Forsyth …. a festival of authors & illustrators!

When:  Saturday 2^nd November 2013

10 am -  at BLACK CAT BOOKS, Brisbane

179 Latrobe Paddington Qld 4064 Phone : (07) 3367 8777 : info@blackcatbooks.com.au

 at LITTLE BOOK ROOM, Melbourne

759 Nicholson St Carlton North Vic (03)9387 9837; books@littlebookroom.com.au

2 pm – THE CHILDREN’S BOOKSHOP, Sydney

6 Hannah St, Beecroft, ph(02)9481 881; staff@thechildrensbookshop.com.au

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You are a successful YA Science fiction author. What inspired you to change from YA to adult literature with The Beckoning?

A) Actually, it’s the other way around. I wrote The Beckoning over 30 years ago when I was writing for adults. I was having great success with selling short stories, but my novels were slow to take off. I sold a collection called The Government in Exile plus a YA crossover called Cyberskin, but that’s about it. I then wrote two novellas and sold them to Parteach. They promptly went broke and disappeared (don’t blame me – they hadn’t published my books!) so I figured perhaps I should be writing for a younger audience. The Wizards’ Torment sold to HarperCollins and The Earthborn sold to TOR in the US. So away I went.

Your YA trilogy, The Maximus Black Files http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3S-eKDYqpEs has received great acclaim as edgy, powerful, violent. The brilliant hero, Maximus, a master of disguise and technology on the quest to uncover the weapon caches of the Old Empire, has a strong fan base.   Fans are waiting for The Only Game in the Galaxy, the third book in this science fiction trilogy.  Do you believe these fans will read your new entry into adult fiction with The Beckoning?

A)   I  somehow doubt you’ll find The Beckoning in schools, so if any young adults do want it, they’ll have to go to the effort of finding it on Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/ny6urwy. Of course, young adults become adults, so if they really like my books for younger readers, there’s no reason why they wouldn’t seek out anything I’ve written for adults. Most writers of books for kids don’t venture into the adult market, so in this case I’m somewhat a rarity.

What is the difference between your YA science fiction trilogy and an adult horror story?

A) The genres are completely different, of course. One is contemporary, the other science fiction. My style has changed considerably since I wrote The Beckoning. Oddly enough, I think the adult book is an easier read than the young adult trilogy. Simply in terms of technology. The Maximus Black Files http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FDJXF0K is bursting with it, although I think in a self-explanatory way. In other words, you don’t need to be a geek to understand what’s going on. The trick when writing SF if you’re not a geek is to make it seem like it’s reality – in other words, suspend disbelief.

Are you tempted to move now totally into adult writing? If so why? If not, why?

A) To be honest, I’ve moved somewhere away from writing in recent years to concentrate on Ford Street Publishing www.fordstreetpublishing.com and Creative Net www.fordstreetpublishing.com/cnet. Having said that, I’ve just sold a six book series called Lucy Lee to Macmillan http://www.macmillan.com.au/primary31/site/libraries/Search+results?open&template=domPrimary&query=Paul%20Collins. Add another two chapter books and it’s been a busy year. So for now I’ll be taking a break from writing. Mind you, I do have another six book series out with a publisher right now, so I might be breaking my word on that if it gets accepted!

You are a recognised, award winning Science Fiction writer. What attracts you to Science Fiction?

A) I fell into science fiction quite by accident. I was working at the Breakfast Creek Hotel in Brisbane in the early 70s and a fellow waiter suggested I publish a science fiction magazine because there wasn’t one in the country. I only vaguely knew the name Asimov, so I enlisted the help of many well known SF writers of the day. These included A Bertram Chandler, David Lake, Jack Wodhams, Frank Bryning, Wynne Whiteford and others. Somehow I bluffed my way along. Then I published Australia’s first heroic/epic fantasy novels along with a series of science fiction books. The fun thing about SF is that you can predict things and have fun doing it. And let’s face it, most of today’s tech was written about by SF writers long before it became reality. Who knows, some of the tech I used in The Maximus Black Files might one day become commonplace.

Your books are known for high-level excitement and action in The Maximus Black trilogy. Is this the same driver as in The Beckoning? 

A) People who read my books do so because my writing is plot and action-driven. Characters I think find their own way. As a reader I get bored quickly is nothing happens in a book. Give me an action-packed book for relaxation any day. The last adult book I remember reading was Peter Carey’s Oscar and Lucinda. I don’t think I finished it. It might’ve won a truckload of awards and garnered more critical praise than all of my books put together, but I don’t think a book is well-written if people don’t finish it. And I know a lot of people who couldn’t wade through the mire. Not as much action happens in The Beckoning, simply because it’s not that type of book, but for those who love horror, I’m sure they’ll enjoy the ride.

Where is your Science Fiction going?

A) Nowhere right now LOL. I’ve moved back into fantasy, if anything. The six book series I mentioned is a fantasy called Broken Magic. I also have a Jelindel novella waiting for a second draft, if I get some time to work on it. I have no immediate plans to write SF, not unless I get commissioned to write something.

 How would you describe the main characters of the trilogy versus The Beckoning?

A) As you can imagine the characters in a science fiction book can be shall we say superheroes, simply because they’re augmented with all sorts of tech wizardry. They scale walls, jump higher (Anneke was born on a high grav planet), are hyper knowledgeable due to being wired into mainframes, super-fast due to enhancements. Nothing is impossible so long as the writer suspends disbelief and shows how it’s all just every-day simple. With a contemporary novel such as The Beckoning, about the only suspension of disbelief is that the dead can rise and can be beckoned from another dimension. For those who believe in psychic phenomena, there’s not much in The Beckoning to disbelieve. So we’re talking everyday mortals who can die from stabs wounds, gunshot, and no augmentation is going to save them. Writing a contemporary book is way more limiting than writing within the realms of science fiction and fantasy.

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Room to Read -  giving children in developing countries in Asia and Africa have access to schools, libraries, books and literacy instruction.

Booktober celebrations in Sydney with Berkelouw events and booksignings with writer ambassadors for Room to Read – watch out for Deb Abela and me  10am-12.30 am  Saturday 26^th October at B erkelouw’s bookshop Paddington.  During ‘Booktober’, it would be great if could ‘like’ and ‘retweet’ Room to Read and spread the word:-

“Like” Room to Read Australia on Facebook / http://www.facebook.com/roomtoreadaustralia

•  “Follow” Room to Read Australia on Twitter / (http://Twitter.com/RoomtoRead_Oz)

 Berkelouw Booktober  – Writer Ambassadors’ e vent Schedule

Saturday October 26, 10.30am to 12pm at various Sydney locations. Authors will speak at 11am. 

Deborah Abela and Susanne Gervay at Berkelouw Paddington
19 Oxford Street, Paddington (9360 3200)

Pamela Cook at Berkelouw Cronulla

29 Cronulla Street, Cronulla (9544 4790)

Sarah Davis at Berkelouw Leichhardt
70 Norton Street, Leichhardt (9560 3200)

Kate Forsyth and Belinda Murrell at Berkelouw Balgowlah
24/215 Condamine St, Balgowlah  (9948 1133)

James Knight at Berkelouw Rose Bay
708 New South Head Rd, Rose Bay (9371 5500)

John Larkin at Berkelouw Dee Why

3/11 Howard Avenue, Dee Why (9982 3568)

Oliver Phommavanh at Berkelouw Mona Vale

12/14 Park Street, Mona Vale  (9979 2112)

The Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators SCBWI Australia and new Zealand endorses Room to Read

www.berkelouw.com.au 

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Just finished the last talks, events for BOOK MONTH – it’s always exhilarating.

Had a brilliant day at Brewongle -in the bush past Windsor – communing with nature, writing, kids and brilliant authors – in 1876 school house! with:-

Simon French, Richard Tulloch and Lisa Forrest – and fabulous staff -educators who are committed to the environment, education & kids.

LOVED IT!

Last school was Coogee South in Sydney – thankyou to the great librarian Michael, teachers and the hundreds of kids who love JACK’s Little Red man joke!

Room to Read meeting at Berkelouw’s Bookshop today was great catching up with the Room to read team – and a huge thankyou to Berkelouw for supporting kids reading across the world!!!!!!!

Room to Read is having a great party bringing ROOM TO READ and the writer ambassadors to Berkelouw’s across Sydney with -SCBWI authors Deb Abela, Kate Forsyth, Belinda Murrell, Oliver Phommavanh, …… and more …. and I’m one of the writer ambassadors too.

When? Saturday 28th October!

10.30 am at Berkelouw bookshops – join in the fun for balloons, bookmarks, Zac the Yak free books …. and celebrate with writer ambassadors – your authors – to support kids who ALL deserve to read!

See you there.

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The flu!!!!  Cough and splutter – it’s been awful. I’m at the end of it – but worth getting to LUNCH with the STARS at the stunning ICMS gothic sandstone heritage buildings in Manly, overlooking the sea.

There were so many kids and teachers, authors, CBCA volunteers … and books!

Caught up with my friends – other kids authors and illustrators – the talent in one Grand Hall was over whelming:-

Keynote: Gabrielle Lord crime writer of Conspiracy 365 – the TV series is pacey and gripping.

Keynote: Serena Geddes: former Walt Disney animator, now acclaimed illustrator of Belinda Murrell’s best selling LULU BELL series.

I loved sharing her beautiful illustrations in our picture book ‘Gracie and Josh ‘ published by Ford Street Publishing with everyone.

Jesse Blackadder – author of STAY: The Last Dog of Antartica

Wendy Blaxland – playwright, author, producer and vivacious personality.

Toni Brisland – author of DemiChat and the Kent Street Mystery

Laurine Croasdale – author of Surf School and Surf School Sisters

Nick Falk and Tony Flowers – the brilliant hilarious and talented pair who created the fabulous dinosaur series – Saurus Street series.

Wendy Fitzgerald – President of the CBCA Northern branch and author of Bollywood Dreams and wonderful MC of the lunch.

Kate Forsyth – multi talented fantasy author of The Wild Girl and Bitter Greens.

Jacqueline Harvey – best selling author of Alice Miranda and Clementine Rose.

Jan Latta – amazing wildlife photographer and adventurer.

Peter Macinnes – historian and scientist – fabulous non fiction – watch out for The Big History Book – history of Australia.

Jeanmarie Morosin – 1st ime picture book writer – ‘To Get To Me’ (RandomHouse).

Yvette Poshoglian author of the loved Ella and Olivia series

Felicity Pulman – author of fantasties and historical novel and Ghost Boy

Lisa Stewart – illustrator of beautiful Mummy’s Kisses and Bushland Lullaby

Mark Thomason – author of Moonrider and sequels – wonderful reading.

Lesley Vamos – freelance illustrator and joy!

And the brilliant JOHN FLANAGAN whose multi million selling series RANGER’S APPRENTICE thrills kids everywhere!

Special thankyou to the brilliant CBCA Northern Beaches branch and Belinda Murrell, author extraordinaire for  arranging such a special literary lunch.

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I am proud to accept the role as PATRON of the Australasian Mobile Library Network .

Truck driving librarians bring books and civilisation to remote regions, in small towns, city areas across Australia and new Zealand.

As the child of refugees, whose parents spoke limited English, my mother’s weekly excursion to the mobile library was significant in bringing books and literacy to my family and many others.

Mobile libraries have a tradition of exploration, purpose, community bringing reading and hope to distant places.

Proud to be an Author Ambassador for Room to Read (www.roomtoread.org) who started its journey  bringing books on donkeys to remote Nepalese villages.

There are many extraordinary mobile libraries across the world:-

The donkey mobile library crossing Zimbabwe with books for villagers.

Bihar Bal Bhavan, a unit of the education department in Calcutta, running a chalant pustakalay (mobile library) stacked with 500 hundred books to the children of the slums.

A fleet of mobile library trucks crossing the sub-Saharan Africa.

The travelling camel library service in in Kenya near the border with Somalia bringing thousands of books in English, Somali and Swahili to communities without books.

The donkey library in Columbia reaching rural villages.

The library ships serving small communities in Western Norway.

The elephant library in Thailand, trekking through rugged territory to remote villages.

In the small nation state of Guyana South America the two mobile libraries reaching remote communities.

The mobile libraries in the shanty town of Arequipa Peru.

   ‘Vicki Olds, director of outback mobile, drives thousands of kilometres a year in far west NSW in a 4WD  … dropping into properties and remote towns … families come from all around …’ ( http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-30/sach-toylibray-outback/4722996)

Mobile vans take books across New Zealand, UK, Australia, USA, Canada, the Middle East, Kazakhstan, Africa, South America, Asia, the Pacific and beyond. What are they really bringing? Literacy, ideas, community, friends, exploration, freedom.

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Ensemble Theatre
78 McDougall Street
Kirribilli Australia 2061

Box Office: (02) 9929 0644; www.ensemble.com.au

5 stars out of 5

Brilliant, sexy, scintillating, hilarious, cruel, witty, Theresa Rebeck’s SEMINAR is a clever expose of the ambitions, fragility and hopes of four young writers challenged by their abrasive, opinionated writer/tutor played powerfully by veteran actor William Zappa.

For would-be writers and writers, it is a must-see.  For those who want to get inside the motivations and behaviours of writers and human nature, it gives cutting insights. SEMINAR shreds the illusion of writing as a ‘civilised’ preoccupation, revealing the obsessions, games, struggles, heartbreak, egos, ambitions, personal exposure to get published.

Set in an exclusive Upper Westside New York apartment, it is the perfect ‘sophisticated’ setting for the edgy dialogue and cutting relationships of the four writers and their tutor. Powerfully directed by Anna Crawford, the actors give stunning performances with dynamic dialogue, physical interaction and dramatic tension.

Martin, played by Matthew Zeremes is the poor but very talented young writer struggling to survive. Kate played by Matilda Ridgway is the unsure, well-educated writer struggling to find her voice. Izzy played by Michelle Lim Davidson is the beautiful Asian girl who plays sexual games at all levels in her limitless ambition for writing notoriety. Douglas played by Felix Gentle, pretentious, educated, initially lauded as the ‘talented’ is stripped bare of his pretensions.

You’ll come out of SEMINAR talking, thinking, discussing, debating the cost of ambition, despair, creativity, power, courage.

See it!

Seminar by Theresa Rebeck

Director: Anna Crawford

Assistant Director: Rachel Gordon

Designer: Ailsa Paterson; Lighting Design: Ross Graham

Wardrobe Coordinator: Margaret Gill; Dialect Coach: Natasha McNamara

Cast: William Zappa, Felix Gentle, Michelle Lim Davidson, Matilda Ridgway & Matthew Zeremes

Running time: 90 mins- no interval

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It’s hectic, emotional, wonderful as writers and illustrators hit the road travelling across Australia.

LOVED Blaxcell Public School speaking to girls and boys:-

from 5 year old ankle-biters about Gracie and Josh who sang Incy Wincy Spider with gusto;

to 12 year olds about I AM JACK – did I love them? YES!

The girls were delightful at Meriden School in Strathfield. They loved until they cried as I told the LITTLE RED MAN joke from I AM JACK.

I   Caught up with author Aleesah Darlison who’s written the Unicorn Riders talking at Meriden too.

Caroline Chisholm High School is nearly at Wallacia – it was lovely getting out of the city – and the girls and librarian were warm and welcoming.

I’m heading to the Central Coast on Monday to speak at the Adventist School and the Rudolf Steiner School  - so its a country jaunt for me and they’re great kids and teachers.

Love being an author ambassador for ROOM TO READ brining literacy to the children of the developing world! www.roomtoread.org,au

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Do I LOVE The Children’s Bookshop Beecroft?  YES!

Do I LOVE the fabulous illustrators there ? YES!

Illustrator Tony Flowers drew the best ever dragon with a red haired boy for my Sebastian – yes, Sebastian has red hair!

Mega selling Yvette Posholigan was surrounded by fans of ELLA & OLIVIA (Scholastic)

Illustrator Lisa Stewart did drawings of her beautiful ‘Bushland Lullaby’.

Author John Larkin was sitting in the shopfront window on a 35 hour writing spree – raising funds for cancer – as well as being a stoic.

Anna Fienberg who wrote TASHI read to the children too.

I had fun sharing my JACK books and picture books – ‘Gracie and Josh’ and ‘Ships in the Field’ – with adults and kids.

Everyone had FUN – books, sausage sizzle, story telling, authors & illustrators and BOOKS!

THANKYOU Paul MacDonald for organising this fabulous event.

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One of the best plays I have seen – see Bombshells – twice.

‘Bombshells’ is a risky title, offering reviewers huge avenues for witty or unwitty sarcasm. But there’s nowhere that a reviewer can lift that poison pen.  ‘Bombshells’ is  dynamite, ripping inside women’s lives, exploding with vivaciousness, realism, hilarity, wit, music, dancing on an underlying  seam of ‘quiet desperation’. But there’s ‘the song still in them’.  (Henry David Thoreau).

The acclaimed playwright Joanna Murray-Smith, goes to the heart of the lives of women in six vignettes of seemingly very different women at different ages and stages: – a stay-at-home wife and mother with a baby and toddlers; a divorcee with her passion for cacti; a school girl’s ambitions for stardom in the school talent show; a bride on the pathway to disintegration; the widow and hope for love; and the come-back cabaret diva capturing audiences, singing her story of love and life.

The pianist and talented musical director Lindsay Partridge takes his place on the stage as the pianist in the final scene accompanying the diva. However, it is in essence a one-person play.  Sharon Millerchip, the multi-talented award winning actor is extraordinary. Her energy, versatility and ability to change persona quickly, takes the audience on the journeys of these diverse women. She is extraordinary, as she captures the audience immediately with fast paced dialogue, bitter-sweet characterisations and emotive themes of entrapment.

The audience is rolling in the aisle as Millerchip races across the stage as a frenzied mother  madly juggling breast feeding, school lifts, shopping, kids’ demands, cooking dinner and her guilty indulgence of real coffee and a few minutes for herself.  The pathos hits deeply when she says that at dinner she has nothing to say to her husband, because she’s done nothing.

Each vignette holds insights, challenges, laughs, insights, be it the cacti obsessed fanatic or the bride in love with her dress rather than her groom.  Sharon Millerchip, dances and sings across the stage. Her comedy is hilarious. Her tragedy moving.  Her humanity warm and real.  No one goes away untouched and everyone is energised by her outstanding performance.

The Director Sandra Bates and choreographer Nicole Buffoni have beautifully directed Sharon Millerchip with perfect pacing and interchange between vignettes. Marissa Dale-Johnson’s set design successfully melds into the stories changing as the scenes change.

‘Bombshells’ deserves to have huge success. Sharon Millerchip is outstanding, captivating and truly one of Australia’s great actors.

Rating: 5 stars plus.  See ‘Bombshells’ at The Ensemble.

www.ensemble.com.au

Leaders across the world from politicians to pop stars have been bullied at school and are speaking out against it including -

Eminem

Lady Gaga

Tom Cruise

President Clinton

Kate Winslet.

Taylor Swift

Yeah to them.

Kids and communities are crossing the world with NO TO BULLYING.

(Thankyou Frane Lessac for the photos of the anti bullying bus in the USA.)

I’m madly working on my film script adapting my 3 JACK books into a script driven by NO to BULLYING.

I find it  emotional that my son being bullied has lead to:-

the book “I Am Jack; Super Jack and Always Jack

adaptation into a play by Monkey Baa Theatre

translations into languages from Slovenian to Korean

USA release by Kane Miller Books

speaking across Australia & internationally

and has become part of that new consciousness across the world that:-

everyone has the right to be safe

no one has the right to target another person

power abuse is a crime both personally & globally

Reaching kids at school can change culture.

Room to Read, The Alannah and Madeline Foundation. Life Education Australia, Courage to Care – all say NO to School Bullying and endorse I Am Jack.

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The post No to School Bullying- from Oz to USA to the world appeared first on Susanne Gervay's Blog.

My kidneys and liver and lungs are HEALED!!!!!!

LA has the special Chinese district of healing feet and healing bodies

- and I had the lot with Harry and Mary Jane and friends in a communal massage hall!!!

So cool!

We had the most amazing food from pork belly to exotic fish to soup in a dumpling.

Ok, Ok, I think Harry Ufland is an amazing producer – check out his last movie:

- The BIG WEDDING with Robert de Niro and Diane Keaton.

OK,OK Harry did package the all time classic movie BLADE RUNNER

OK, OK Mary Jane is not only a gifted producer but she’s now working with the homeless – I LOVE her.

They really connect with my I AM JACK books in every way – so generous.

And to add to all this we had dinner with Hollywood film and book agents, two up and coming film graduates from Chapman Uni

- and SUE HA!

Couldn’t believe it but Sue is an I AM JACK fan and uses it with international Chinese students across the world.

Ahhhhh – what a fabulous night,

Thankyou to the coolest LA couple Harry and Mary Jane.

LOVE LA. LOVE  YOU!

The post Foot massage with Harry and Mary Jane UFLAND! appeared first on Susanne Gervay's Blog.

Love, Love, Love catching up with SCBWI authors from everywhere.

Bunking in with the fabulous best selling author Deborah Abela – also ARA for Australia East & New Zealand

-seeing my fabulous mates Priscilla Burris illustrator extraordinare and SCBWI Illustrator Coordinator

- July Goldman author and Regional Advisor Mexico

- Michelle Corriel author from Montana and Regional Advisor

- we are working on the brilliant the website for SCBWI the world including OZ

- partying at Steve Mooser (President of SCBWI) and Sally Crock (Conference Guru)’s cool home in LA.

- sharing books news – so many published authors and illustrators

- huge and hilarious welcome by Lin Oliver Executive Director of SCBWI

The post From Nevada, Switzerland, Mexico, Texas, Japan … come the United Nations of SCBWI appeared first on Susanne Gervay's Blog.

Hey Deb Abela – go for it – advocating for ROOM TO READ!!!!

We’re all on board – bringing books to kids.

Great night at The Children’s Bookshop Beecroft

– thankyou to Jennie Orchard and the Room to Read team – you’re brilliant

- thankyou to the COOL authors who spoke

-  pocket dynamo Deb Abela author of best selling MAX REMY series and more

- picture book creator GUS GORDON  who’s taking the USA and Europe by storm

- I spoke too because KIDS OF THE WORLD DESERVE to READ!!!!!!

There were other author ambassadors there – Oliver Phommavanh best selling author of the THAI-riffic series

John Larkin – hilarious books who’s doing a 36 hour write a thon in the shop window to raise money for kids and cancer 10th August!!!!!! WOW!!!!

Colourful Wendy Blaxland whose play Blaxland’s Crossing has had rave reviews and is having yet another season.

BUT most exciting is that kids’ authors are out welcoming kids, teachers, parents, everyone to join the campaign to bring education to the kids of the 3rd world.

www.roomtoread.org

LIKE TOOM TO READ AUSTRALIA on FACEBOOK and Join to move for the KIDS OF THE WORLD!

The post Join in – LIKE ROOM TO READ AUSTRALIA on FB! appeared first on Susanne Gervay's Blog.

The kids of the world are OUR kids.

ROOM TO READ has given education and hope to more than:-

8 million children in developing countries

from Vietnam to India to Nepal.

Establishing more than:-

-1600 schools

-15,000 libraries

- 900  kids’ books on 22 local languages

- 20,000 scholarships to girls

I am PROUD to be an author ambassador for ROOM TO READ

along with my friends and fellow authors – Deborah Abela, Gus Gordon, Oliver Phommavanh, John Larkin, Tristan Banks, Melina Marchetta

Society of Children’s Book Writes & Illustrators Australia and New Zealand SCBWI  is PROUD to support Room to Read.

The Hughenden Hotel is PROUD to support Room to Read

I am PROUD that Australians are supporting Room to Read:

Become involved – LIKE Room to Read Australia on Facebook

Follow Room to Read Australian on twitter  “roomtoread_oz

If you’re in Sydney on Monday 29th July – join me for champagne at The Children’s Bookshop Beecroft:-

Just email and book – it free and friendly – meet me, Gus Gordon and Deborah Abela and the wonderful Room to Read Oz team

The Children’s Bookshop…

6 Hannah Street, Beecroft

New South Wales 2119 …

Ph: (02) 9481 8811

Fax: 9980 7361 Mob: 0407 414 261

staff@thechildrensbookshop.com.au

Our kids deserve a chance.

Love

Susanne.

The post EDUCATING OUR KIDS – Room to Read – Author Ambassadors reaching out! appeared first on Susanne Gervay's Blog.

Our Aussie talent, singer Alexis Fishman, brought up in Sydney, won New York’s ‘Next Broadway Sensation’.

Her performances at the Seymour Sydney direct from her sell out cabaret debut at New York’s City’s 54 Below brought the house down.

Alexis was sensational with a brilliant voice that took the audience from humour to pathos with wit and charm.

It was a fabulous night at the Seymour! Watch her rising career!

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The post Sydney Girl Brings the House Down – Alexis Fishman appeared first on Susanne Gervay's Blog.