Watch out for the announcement in the next few weeks.
Check out the SCBWI Australia and new Zealand facebook pagewebsite.
It’s a first come first served basis – so when it opens you need to book quickly as it’s a small intimate conference Australia wide and new Zealand.
Some tid bits:-
Jill Corcoran literary agent from the Herman Agency New Yorkmaximum of 100 delegates.
Major Australian publishers have come on board including Lisa Berryman HarperCollins, Laura Harris Penguin, Zoe Walton Random House, Sarah Foster Walker Books …..
There are wonderful authors and illustrators coming including Sally Murphy, France Lessac, Pamela Rushby, Meredith Costain, Hazel Edwards …. have a great time with the children’s writing community …. more news coming soon.
The Children’s and Young Adult Literature Festival at the NSW Writers Centre is different to other festivals in that the writing community, sharing, friendship, support of the creativity of authors and creators is at the heart of the festival.
The NSW Writers Centre located in the heritage Gary Owen House in the Parklands of Callan Park grounds give a feel of a fair as writers gather, share conversation and food, applaud the launch of a book, craft and the life of publishing children’s and young adult literature.
As the Chair of the Board of the NSW Writers Centre I opened the festival and was embraced by the warmth of the audience, personal interaction, welcome of novice to well published authors, publishers who generously donated their time, screen writers, playwrights, digital writers ….
There was a wealth of talent and commitment to youth creativity in a home of writers.
Loved it – thankyou to all the participants and especially to:-
Authors:-
Lisa Forrest, Sue Whiting, Dianne Bates, Kate Forsyth, Belinda Murrell, Moya Simons, Jacqueline Harvey, Sophie Masson, Aleesah Darlinson, Jeni Mawter, Michael Parker, Karen Robertson, Duncan Ball William Kostakis
Publishers/Agents/Reviewers:-
Lisa Berryman HarperCollins, Zoe Walton Random House, Brian Cook Literary Agent; Angie Schiavonne Symdey Morning herald Literary reviewer; Palmer-Higgs Publishing; Joel Blacklock Boomerang Books.
Screen writers:-
Gina Roncoli, Simon Hopkinson, Kym Goldsworthy, Samantha Strauss
Theatre:-
Monkey Baa Theatre for Young People and Director Eva Di Cesare.
This Festival supports PEN and PEN’s Empty Chair. This chair was empty, recognising a writer who is persecuted for their work.
At the Festival, the empty chair was for LIU XIA and SUPPORTERS oF Nobel Prize winner LIU XIAOBO 2010. Since the Nobel Committee announced its decision in October 2010, Liu’s wife, Liu Xia, a photographer and poet, has been held under de facto house arrest by Chinese authorities.
Lisa Forrest the multi talented inspirational children’s author, media personality, actor, Olympian and Commonwealth gold medallist and a Mum, was a fantastic keynote to a full house.
Some highlights:-
Monkey Baa Theatre’s Eva diCesare, author Duncan Ball and HarperCollins publisher Lisa Berryman were in conversation about the new play Emily Eyefinger to be performed at Seymour Centre Sydney
Jeni Mawter’s launch of The Snugglebump Jump with heaps of cup cakes and a hilarious demonstration of Michael Parker author giving birth to a baby boy – well, baby doll.
Bestselling authors – Aleesah Darlinson, Belinda Murrell, Kate Forsyth, Moya Simons, Jacqueline Harvey, Sophie Masson, William Kostakis, Karen Robertson and more.
Kids’ TV with fabulous script writers; social media and insights into independent publishing as well as mainstream.
Watch out for the announcement in the next few weeks. 
There are wonderful authors and illustrators coming including Sally Murphy, France Lessac, Pamela Rushby, Meredith Costain, Hazel Edwards …. have a great time with the children’s writing community …. more news coming soon.
