Great SCBWI night at the Hughenden in Sydney with:-
Linsay Knight entertaining SCBWI with her stories of becoming an independent publisher Pitt Street Poetry
- publishing what you want from kids’ books to the best of poetry to non fiction
- it’s about the love of it
The joy of :-
Deborah Abela – the ARA for SCBWI (NSW and ACT) – talented multi award winning author
Sarah Davis – Illustrator Coordinator SCBWI – talented multi award winning illustrator
Sharing brilliant books and news including:-
Felicity Pullman’s new historical novel published by HarperCollins ‘A Ring Through Time’
Nathan Luff’s ‘Bad Manners’ published Walker Books
Aleesah Darlinson and Jill Carter-Hansen (illustrator) Bearly There published by Windy Hollow
…. and so many more authors and illustrators with news.
Good food, good company, great speakers and networking.
The CBCA dropped in with a special hello to librarian Mike Botham and the girls from Sydney High School who love writing.
Next event is on Monday 17th June with guest speaker Margaret Hamilton one of Australia’s leading authorities on picture books, children’s books as well as adult books. If you visit the Blue Mountains drop into Pinerolo the children’s illustrators and writers cottage.
Eastside FM 89.7 fm radio station is located in the heritage Chauval Cinema and Paddington Town Hall buildings.
It broadcasts a mixture of jazz, arts, music and thoughtful comments on life and community. Of course the arts hotel, The Hughenden proudly supports East Side FM.
It was a feast of beautiful tracks complied by DJ and presenter Stuart Rubin from Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra, Diana Krall to Bing Crosby.
I was especially touched by the charismatic Louis Armstrong who came from such poverty- both physical and emotional. His father leaving and his mother a prostitute, being sent to a Boys’ Home and by 11 years old, he was on his own. However Louise Armstrong saw life as a gift where he pursued music, love, friendship and community. He was amazing.
He was taken in as a boy by a Jewish family, and although Catholic, he wore the Star of David until the day he died. He embraced all faiths. His talent was extraordinary and he broke barriers of racism – a trailblazer for Afro-Americans.
Thankyou Louis Armstrong for your music and for making the world a little better, especially at this time of Christmas.
Thankyou to Stuart Rubin whose love of music made the morning show on Christmas Eve so special.
Loved being a guest this morning.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to East Side FM – wwww.eastsidefm.org
89.7 fm
Eastside FM radio with Stuart Rubin and Susanne Gervay
It was special to see Louise Schofield’s husband Graham who flew in from Perth to catch up and stay at The Hughenden Hotel in Sydney.
We shared the joy of Louise living in the beautiful bush overlooking the dam and gardens, just outside Perth.
She loved their muscovy duck BALDRICK.
She loved writing and the Australian bush.
Author of 10 books including ‘Secrets of the Tingle Forest’ which won the WA Young Readers Book Award.
it has been a year since she lost the battle with cancer, but she’s always part of the Society of Book Writers & Illustrators Community SCBWI.
The 1st Louise Schofield for Outstanding Services to SCBWI WA was awarded to author Meg McKinlay.
SCBWI stars, stars, stars!!!!!!!
Starting with the Three Wise Writers – Nathan Luff, Deborah Abela, Wendy Blaxland – who came with ‘incense’ and song to the SCBWI Xmas Theatre sports.
It was a fabulous night of good food, good wine, good company of children’s writers and illustrators and publishers at The Hughenden Woollahra – and brilliant performances by Theatre Sports’ stars including:-
Sarah Foster publisher Walker Books
Sarah Davis illustrator
Marjorie Fairall-Crosby and more, more, more!
Come along to the beautiful Chiswick Gardens in Ocean Street Woollahra
All our welcome to the festivities with carols, barbecue, gifts and of course SANTA.
A silent auction with fabulous prizes from children’s books to dinner for 2.
I’ll be welcoming everyone from The Hughenden and community from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. tonight.
Tuesday 11th December.
Opened by the Mayor of Woollahra Andrew Petrie.
Let’s make this a beautiful Christmas Carols.
Brian lives in Queensland these days, even though he still calls himself a New Zealander. He was down in Sydney on a publicity tour for his Sci-Fi books.
His Recon Team Angel series is capturing a dedicated audience of fans. However I love Brainjack. It’s taken off in Texas would you believe.
It was good chatting to him at The Hughenden in Sydney, over coffee. The last time we caught up it was for a SCBWI catch up there.
Also caught up with Linsay Knight who has just edited a fabulous series of Stories for5, 6, 7 and 8 year olds – 4 books with stories written by some of Australia’s best authors – funny, sad, clever, smart and more – by Andy Griffiths, Paul Jennings, Jaccqueline Harvey, Ursual Dubosarsky, Sophie Masson, John Larkin, Bill Condon, Belinda Murrell – a feast of our best authors. Published by Random House – it’s great from Christmas.
Looking forward to a year where we can be part of a world community promoting literacy in developing counties like Room to Read – www.roomtoread.org or in Australia like Books in Homes www.biha.org.au
It’s the National Year of Reading which is launched February 14 in libraries across Australia. Call your library and find out how you can celebrate.
I’ll be at the State Library in Macquarie Street Sydney as an Ambassador for the National Year of Reading.
The Cancer Council’s Relay for Life is a community celebration of those living with cancer and working towards its eradication. Join in – walk the circuit, barbecue those sausages, enjoy the bands and festivities in your local area.
Writers can pursue their inspirations – participate in your Writers Centre, Children’s Book Council, SCBWI – see the meetings across Australia.
I’ll be running the SCBWI events at The Hughenden Hotel in Sydney and am Festival Director of the Kids and young Adult Literature Festival 30th June at the NSW Writers Centre – come along.
Support the brilliant Monkey Baa Theatre which adapts the best in Australian children’s literature – www.monkeybaa.com.au
The Alannah & Madeline Foundation working against school bullying – love them.
So many fantastic things to do, enjoy and celebrate.
Let’s make 2012 count.
By:
Susanne Gervay,
on 2/4/2012
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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.
Wendy knows so much from the first idea to publication.
Non fiction involves a lot of research which Wendy LOVES but which you need to be careful not to overwhelm you.
She’s one of our most successful non fiction children’s authors.
Love her Cooking around the world series!!
Great to see Wendy Fitzgerald there, President of the Northern branches of the Children’s Book Council. it’s going from strength to strength.
Great to see author Nathan Luff who has just been published in Germany there.
Great to see Jan Latta, Andrea Edmonds, Mark Thomason
nd others at this seminar.
By:
Susanne Gervay,
on 4/27/2012
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Libraries, libraries, libraries – you’ve got to LOVE them.
They’re spreading the reading message and as an ambassador for The National Year of Reading, I’m speaking at writers’ festivals, book launches, libraries, schools, bookshops.
Is it fantastic? YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Here’s a snapshot of my May tours for The National Year of Reading - www.love2read.org
4-6th May ~ Keynote at the Gloucester Writers festival – www.gloucesterwritersfestival.com
6th May – Launch at Gloucester Festival of ‘Alien Shores’ an anthology of refugees narratives that reach into struggles, humour, life of finding home with authors including speaking Sharon Rundle and Andrew Kwong. I’ll be speaking about my story.
17th -18th May -Coff’s Harbour region speaking at schools and the Catholic Diocese of Lismore in Northern NSW Teacher-Librarian Conference
20th May – Melbourne for the launch of Alien Shores by the Human Rights QC Julian Burnside with authors, Arnold Zable, Sharon Rundle, Professor Meenakshi Bharat, Susanne Gervay at 6 p.m. Readings Bookstore Carlton. http://www.readings.com.au/review/alien-shores-by-sharon-rundle-meenakshi-bharat-eds
22nd May – Launching Alien Shores in Sydney at The Hughenden Hotel with authors Linda Jailin, Sophie Masson, Sharon Rundle, Rosie Scott with the Consul General of India www.thehughenden.com.au
23rd May- Randwick Library in Sydney for Simultaneous Reading Time where ambassadors will read to parents and littlies across Australia – can’t wait, it’s going to be gorgeous! http://www.alia.org.au/nss/
24-May – Taree Library speaking about ‘Always Jack’ for the Biggest Morning Tea in support of the Cancer Council at Taree Library brought up by the Australian Library and Information Association
25th May -Halliday’s Point Library on North Coast NSW
28th May – speaking at 10 am in Warringah Library in Sydney’s Northern Beaches about my first picture book ‘Ships in the Field’.
29th May – Teacher Librarian Conference at Maroubra Junction Public School Sydney
That’s my MAY spreading the National Year of Reading Celebration of Books!
Love you to come along and chat to me, or log onto the www.lovetoread.org website and joi
By:
Susanne Gervay,
on 5/20/2012
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Desperately on Sunday morning at 9 am, I rang Berkelouw’s Bookshop Paddington and IGOR answered.
‘Help’ – I have a book launch of ‘Alien Shores’ at The Hughenden Hotel this afternoon except there are NO books for sale.
Igor organised the Berkelouws’ bookshops to help me out. I drove from Mona Vale, to Balgowlah to Rose Bay to Newtown collecting ‘Alien Shores’ books on the way.
The Book launch was saved – and all the books sold out at the event too!
The Consul General for India, editor Meenakshi Bharat and Sharon Rundle, authors Linda Jaivlin, Rosie Scott, David Malouf, Andrew Kwong, Mabel Lee, writers, readers and people packed the Hughenden sun lounge for readings that moved us about those who are dislocated by war and poverty to seek new lives.
Roanna Gonzales writer was the MC for the event.
It was a fantastic launch with sweet treats baked by The Hughenden chef and plenty of talking and celebrations.
Great little reviews in Sydney’s Sun Herald and Melbourne’s The Age:-
‘This collection is overall strong and affecting.’
By:
Susanne Gervay,
on 6/17/2012
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SCBWI Conference Talent, talent, talent – illustrators coming out of your ears and eyes – a feast of established and new illustrators are showcasing, speaking, sharing the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators at The Hughenden in Sydney.
Showcase: Friday 29th June
Open to Industry 4.30-5.30p.m. for an exclusive viewing
14 Queen Street Woollahra
Lead by our brilliant Illustrator Coordinators:- Frane Lessac and Sarah Davis,
supported by the Illustrator committee – Lesley Vamos, Serena Geddes, Andrea Edmonds, Majorie Crosby-Fairall. Invitation created by Lesley Vamos.
Some of the brilliant illustrators showcasing and speaking:-
Nina Rycroft
Frane Lessac
Lesley Vamos
Lachlan Creagh
Majorie Crosby-Fairall
Sarah Davis
Betty Sargeant
Wendy Binks
Follow the SCBWI Conference Blog – http://scbwiaustnzconferenceblog2012.blogspot.com.au
A National Year of Reading partnership with ambassadors for the NYR ambassadors Hazel Edwards, Frane Lessac, Deborah Abela, Christopher Cheng and Susanne Gervay are part of the SCBWI Conference.
www.love2read.org.au
By:
Susanne Gervay,
on 6/25/2012
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I’m flying back from the USA Convention where I launched ‘I AM JACK’ in the USA, to celebrate and network a the fabulous, fantastic, favourite – SCBWI Australia & New Zealand Conference in Sydney.
It’s going to be amazing with:-
- the best illustrator showcase ever with the best and brightest
- the best publishers and top agents
- amazing authors and illustrators
- NSW Writers Centre Kids and YA Literature Festival
-pitching and partying
and Meredith Costain author extraordinaire at the baby grand on Saturday night- bring allow your best singing
It’s a conferences of STARS – delegates and speakers !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Partner of National year of Reading – NSW Writers Centre and SCBWI with ambassadors of National year of Reading 2012 – Hazel Edwards, Deborah Abela, Frane Lessac, libby Gleeson, Christopher Cheng and Susanne Gervay.
By:
Susanne Gervay,
on 10/28/2012
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The best ever picture book creators retreat was organised by the Australian Society of Authors (ASA).
It was a total immersion in creativity, experience, friendship inspiring new works.
Highlights:-
Sculpture by the Sea walk along the coast of Bondi to Bronte.
Tohby Riddle’s dinner talk about his brilliant new book – Unforgotten.
Award winning illustrator Bruce Whately’s workshop – he is innovative and inspiring
Brett Whitely Studio on Sydney Harbour – Wendy Whitely welcomed the creators.
Dr Seuss Gallery near The Hughenden, in Paddington
Centennial Parklands’ inspiration.
Award winning illustrator Ann James’ critiques and guidance
Creative and fun dinners – loved the tapas night.
Lisa Stewart illustrator and musician entertained everyone with her violin – loved it.
There was so much talent there from Gabrielle Wang, Donna Gynell, Janeen Brian, Christina Booth …. and talent, talent, talent.
They came from Tasmania, South Australia, Melbourne … Sydney.
Congratulations to Laurine Croasdale who organised this brilliant retreat at The Hughenden.
By:
Susanne Gervay,
on 7/9/2010
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Excited, with everyone being amazing - talented Deborah Lacey-Smith creating the design of the Hughenden Cafe Restaurant.
Kat Medina – who’s trained by Bill Granger and worked for Bill for nearly 9 years just walked into The Hughenden and announced - ’I'm here’.
Guess what? Kat is an artist, pyschologist and a chef who loves creating dishes.
I thought pasta was from the supermarket. No way – Kat creates from first principles. She is so talent and a purist – everything is inspired by her creativity and soul. I love Kat.
The kalaga represents the heart of The Hughenden – created in Burma-Thailand from the goods brought by British traders during Victorian times. This exquisite tapestry inspired by Buddhism and Hindism - weaves elephants, birds, dragons into the fabric - symbols of beauty, peace and hope.
Artists, writers, film makers, musicians, creators are part of it . It’s a natural home for thinkers and creators as Barzillai Quaife Australia’s first philosopher lived on Queen Street and watched his son Dr Frederick Harrison Quaife build The Hughenden.
Look for Dr Frederick Harrison Quaife’s portrait in the Victorian Rooms.
The Hughenden Cafe Restaurant is opening and it’s real, welcoming and creative. Just love to see you there.
From Susanne
Storytelling in the Victorian Sun lounge at The Hughenden, over Devonshire Tea with scones straight out of the oven was a warm Christmas end to the year by the Storytellers’ Guild at The Hughenden.
There were 8 storytellers including visiting Welsh storytellers. Loved Jo Henwood’s dramatic science fiction story and Sue Alvarez’s ‘fishy’ story!
Favourite story was the BIG Fir Tree who wanted to be a Christmas Tree, but no one picked him because he was too big.
Then his friends in the forest secretly decorated the tree. He woke up and loved it. Then he realised that friends was the most important thing.
Award winning storyteller ANNA CONOMO
S is coming 13th February at The Hughenden.
Another day at The Hughenden:-
- a gathering of authors including Moya Simons, Vashi Farrer, Mary Small, Patricia Bernard to celebrate Felicity Pulman’s final 2 books in her historical romances Janna Mysteries www.felicitypulman.com.au
- a meeting with Stephan Wellink the Executive Producer who is working on a feature film of my JACK books.
- lunch with Mara Williams in transit from a Feminist Conference in Adelaide stopping at The Hughenden before she heads home, the daughter of US author and friend Suzanne Morgan Williams www.suzannemorganwilliams@charter.net
- in it’s early stages, I read Suzanne’s manuscript of her moving expose of soldiers coming home to rural USA in the award winning Bull Rider – Margaret K. McElderry Books
- dinner with my favourite psychic Susan Taylor who does readings at The Hughenden and is here for some media www.susantaylor.com.au/
- enjoying the music of pianist Tom Marr on the baby grand over dinner
- the famous Hughenden passionfruit souflee left everyone speechless!!!
&nbs
By:
Susanne Gervay,
on 10/3/2011
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PINK SUNDAY – JOIN IN – IT’S FREE ~SUPPORTING BREAST CANCER AWARENESS!
A Celebration for All Children’s Activities Arts and
Crafts Information Stalls Trees of Life Pink Silhouettes
Prizes and Surprises Winners of Creative Art Exhibition
and Best Dressed Pink Window Display will be announced
THINK PINK DRESS PINK SHOP PINK EAT PINK
FREE FUN FAMILY & FRIENDS ~ Come along ~16 October 11:00am-2:00pm
111 Queen Street & Dorhauer Lane, Woollahra KIDS & TEENS CREATIVE ART EXHIBITION
Celebrities with ~ 11:00am Official Opening by The Hon. Gabrielle Upton MP,
Featuring:-
Storytelling with Susanne Gervay, Creative Art Activities with Cyndi Freiman,
Belly Dancer & DJ and ~SHE IS THE KING
~Award winning Female Elvis Tribute Artist, Jacqueline Feilich
Come along and join in the Sunday fun and support Mums, Kids and Community.
End of year festive sharing and friendship for SCBWI:-
Where: The Hughenden Boutique Hotel
Address: 14 Queen St, Woollahra
(Crossroad Oxford St – near Paddington Markets)
Parking on Queen Street or Oxford St
Time: 5-7 p.m. sharing news and views
7- 10 p.m. Party with gourmet pizza and nibbles
Cost: $25 plus buy your own drinks
Booking: reservations@thehughenden.com.au
PH; 02 9363 4863
Great SCBWI night at the Hughenden in Sydney with:-
Felicity Pullman’s new historical novel published by HarperCollins ‘A Ring Through Time’
