This is what a Queensland Writers Centre/Allen & Unwin Manuscript Development Program looks like:

More or less, but usually not with pizza.


This is who was there:

Sophie Overett, Felicity Carter, Terri Green, Cathy McLennan, Sally Rippin, Erica Wagner, Pippa Masson, Frank Leggett, Jessica Miller, Vicki Stanton, and Robyn Osborne, all of whom are in the photo, also Sarah Brennan, Aimee Lindorf, Kate Eltham, Meg and Sarah and Imogen and... you can bet I've left someone out.


It was held mostly at the QWC offices in the state library in Brisbane and went like this:

Meet, chat, meet mentor and editors, chat, orientation, chat, eat, chat, sleep, chat, eat, chat, overview, chat, eat, consultation with editor, mentor consultation, debrief, chat, spa, chat, eat, chat, readings, chat, sleep, chat, coffee, chat, seminar, eat, chat, seminar, debrief, chat. So... mostly it was a great chance to chat about the industry of creating books for children.


But it was MORE than that. Just quietly, I've been kicking about a while, but this was the most I'd delved beneath the surface of what it is publishers, editors and agents actually do and how they work together with writers, the nuts and bolts, the nitty and the gritty. This was insight into their decision-making processes and the factors that they are governed by. I thought I knew a lot, but now I feel like I know almost everything.


But it was MORE than that. Because the editors at Allen & Unwin had chosen the eight manuscripts they wanted to see developed themselves, we were assured up-front that this was no mistake, our manuscripts were on track. We each had personal feedback on our manuscript from an Allen & Unwin editor and a request to see them once reworked. What an opportunity!


I don't think it's easy for an editor to give feedback on a manuscript to a fairly new writer. If they hit you with the good stuff upfront, you'll be overly excited and forget to listen to the negatives, the things that need changing, or, if they start with the things that need changing, a new writer could fall into a pit of despair, and never hear the good stuff. The editor is in a no win situation. Particularly with me. My editor started with the good stuff, and I was just thinking "yeah, yeah, get all that praise rubbish out of the way, where's the punchline? What's the kicker? Hit me with it. Tell me it's beautiful but there's no place in the market for it and get it over with!" But, I didn't get told that... Allen & Unwin are interested in publishing a novel like mine, if I can accomplish what they hope I can in the rewrite.


Being told that, is in itself quite paralysing. The technical difficulty of the rewrite at first seems daunting. Sorting out in your head what needs to be done is incredibly difficult when a little voice is crying, "you don't understand what needs to be done/you're not capable of that/you'll let this opportunity slide because you're just not smart enough!" Where did that ridiculous voice come from? Do all writers have unhelpful thoughts? I think it would be a very long search if I were to look for one person who thought I wasn't capable of this. If the past has taught me anything, it taught me the best way to silence a stupid thought is to press on and do the thing that it says you can't. Point by point, I addressed the things that need to be addressed, however daunting. The voice was silenced. I could breathe again, I stopped the furious back-peddling, pressed forwards and fully appreciated the opportunity.


You know the saying: "A fish must be ready to breathe before he can fly." I think that applies to new writers. And I don't mean the ridiculously new self-published writers pumping their fins furiously and coughing their gills out into the world screa

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This is a fairweather blog and the sun is shining again.

I was lucky enough to be given a spot in the Allen & Unwin/QWC Manuscript Development program to work on my children's novel "Rocket". It involves a long weekend in Brisbane working with editors and publishers along with seven other children's writers.

More about it here:

Queensland Writers Centre/Allen & Unwin Manuscript Development program

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If so, I encourage you all to buy this collection of short stories: Worlds Next Door

It's not very often you'll come across a collection of speculative short stories aimed at primary school children, and just look at the list of contributing authors! You can tell it's special before you even open the cover. Okay, I'm in there... but I'm impressed by the company and you should be too!

Right now, there is a prepublication special price you can take advantage of. Buy a copy for yourself and don't forget to show it to teachers at your child's school. A supporting website with lesson plans is in the making. Teachers often flounder when teaching genre writing to children unless they are fans themselves, and this book could be just what they're looking for.



ALSO...

Blake Ed have been updating their website and if you'd like to look inside the books I've had published in the last few months or (hint, hint) recommend them to your child's school, click the covers below:

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And this is what the covers will look like...

There's No Such Thing:


The Adventures of Zip Velocity:

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Loving this blog post by Kat Apel introducing us to Spiney Poetry.



Some people are so creative!

While we are on the subject. I also like this interview with Janeen Brian an Australian children's writer, artist and poet who really knows where her towel is with regards to producing wonderful work for children.

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I'm extremely lucky to have Ritva Voutila illustrating my next story. Not only is her style wacky and fun but she's brought the scenes alive. The skin tones, the movement, the colour, the sneaky alien tentacles that seem to be exploring everything tell their own story.

I've arranged for a sneak preview:




Pop over to www.ritvavoutila.com and have a look at Ritva's work.

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At least here are the covers they'll be wearing!

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Please go on in and have a great decade, because if we all survive 2012, 2020 is just around the corner!

I found this little gift for writers:




Have a great year!

Bren

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A couple more roughs of pages from Jan D'Silva for Go Go Gecko and your previewing pleasure:





If you want to see more of what Jan D'Silva is doing head over to the studio at Moving Ideas Animation

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Anchovy Circus is on the move! This is Connah's rough of anchovies mashed together to make an elephant. Love this elephant!


Copyright Connah Brecon 2009


And much less rough... the moment when things start to come alive in the circus. You can tell this is not a good moment. Love their flat noses!


Copyright Connah Brecon 2009

Mum and Dad come to sort it out (don't they look like 70s parents?):


Copyright Connah Brecon 2009

Remember, you can find Connah at www.connahbrecon.com and www.GetDead.Etsy.com

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Who in their right mind would think up a circus made of dried anchovies?

Anchovy Circus... it's the kind of story a mad person might dream up if they were sitting around one day putting random unrelated words together just to see if it would spark story ideas... oh, while we're on the subject, do you have any thing for Cosmic Lobster? No?

Anyway, some odd person made up a story called Anchovy Circus, and some extremely farsighted publisher thought it was a good idea and challenged a very talented illustrator to make the story come alive.

Connah Brecon is doing sensational things with anchovies and characters and I hope he's not cursing the storyline too much. It's about a boy who doesn't like anchovies and hides them under his bed, then he notices that as they dry out, they twist and stick together into strange shapes, strange animal shapes... so he makes a circus out of them... after that, things really get wacky.

Connah has very kindly lent me a few roughs to show you:


Copyright Connah Brecon 2009


Copyright Connah Brecon 2009


Copyright Connah Brecon 2009

If you like his funky style as much as I do, check out www.connahbrecon.com
and you can buy some of his artwork at www.GetDead.Etsy.com.

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The books I signed contracts for a few months ago with Blake Education are having life breathed into them courtesy of some very fine illustrators.

Jan D'Silva is doing wonderful stuff with Go Go Gecko and is one half of a partnership that runs an animation studio called Moving Ideas Animation.

I know you all want to see the dancing gecko so here is a sneak peak:







Gorgeous aren't they?

Thanks Jan!

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I received an online honourable mention from Ellen Datlow as part of her search for her Best of Horror 2009 collection for my short YA story "Being Bella Wang".

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I spend most of my time writing novels that never sell BUT I'm a lover of the short form and most of my short science fiction does find homes. The shortest of the shorts is flash fiction which is usually anywhere from 50 words to 500 words, and perfect for online reading.

Antipodean SF is a downunder online mag that specialises in flash fiction and can be found at antisf.com. Five of my flash publications were with them and are now archived at the National Library of Australia as part of their Pandora project.

Kim Stanley Robinson recently challenged 8 science fiction writers to write some flash set 100 years into the future. Now, while not all the novelists grasped the concept of flash, Geoff Ryman clearly didn't attempt it and just posted a mini essay (and that is fine, novel writing is a far cry from flash fiction and not everyone is talented in every area), there are still some fun quick reads here, and a contest if you want to have a go yourself. You have less than a month to come up with 350 words: New Scientist.

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I signed two more contracts for Sparklers with Blake Ed this month. Up two four children's books with Blake for this year so far.

Only just got around to posting it here because it's been such a busy month. Been working full time to cover for someone who was away at the company that I contract to as well as very busy at home and in my self-employed projects. I hate working all day, coming home, cooking, cleaning, and working all night... super suckky... it makes Bren a very dull girl... but it is the lot of the self-employed, I guess. It's not all perks.

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Signed two contracts today for children's educational fiction with Blake Ed. They are part of the 'Sparklers' fiction series.

I already have three 'Gigglers' with Blake Ed. They are a sensational company to work with and the 'Gigglers' were top class books. Can't wait to see the finished product.

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I'm getting great reviews for "Being Bella Wang" in SHiNY mag I'd like to share:

The Fix

As If

Last Short Story. Tansy already had Being Bella Wang on her list of favs for 2008.

The Elephant Forgets - go down to 9 Dec.

That's 4 positives from 4 reviews. A new record for me.

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What happens when the marketing machine breaks down?

This is what. Blogs and emails go out to let you know about a great new book by a local author who is not only extremely talented, funny, and hardworking, but extaordinarily generous. Sherryl's given help to every other author she's ever met. So who could let a chance to pay back that kindness slip by.

Not only do you get a great story by one of the best children's writers in the country, it is beautifully illustrated by Tom Jellet. His illustrations are practically synonymous with fun Aussie books.

See Sherryl's email below:

From: Sherryl Clark
Date: 9 November 2008


Subject: The Littlest Pirate and me


Dear family and friends,
I'm trying out something new (well, it's new for me!) and would really appreciate your help. My new picture book, The Littlest Pirate, is out in time for Christmas gift buying, which is great. What's not so great is that nobody knows about it! No publicity that I can see.


So I thought I'd attempt something of my own. If you could forward this email to anyone you know who might be interested (e.g. people with kids and grandkids), that would be an enormous help. And if you have received this email from a friend, if you could forward it on as well, that would be fantastic. I guess I'm trying my own version of "internet marketing"! And hoping you will all help me.


The picture book is wonderful - full colour and in a hardback edition with a jacket. What's even better is that Penguin have priced it for the gift buyers at $19.95. (The average price of a hardback picture book these days is around $28.) It's a longer story, suitable for ages 3 up to 7.
I'm attaching a picture of the cover - it's pretty eye-catching!
I've been told by friends that it's in plenty of bookshops so hope you will consider it as a present for someone, or at least pass this on.
Many thanks.
Sherryl

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SHINY a YA SF mag is out now and one of its stories is mine.

Being Bella Wang is a short story where I got to combine a bit of Asian myth with a bit of science fiction and Australian values.

It was a case of writing what I wanted to write (I'd been thinking about writing stories set in SE Asia for years) and editors actually liking it.

Thinking about doing more of that, ignoring the market and writing what I want stuff. It's a lot more fun that way.

Get your copy here:
http://shinymag.blogspot.com/

Or here:
http://girliejones.livejournal.com/1142391.html


In sad news Sputnik 57 is no more. They had two of my stories there, the Clarion one about the Luggage Carousel, and that old odd slapstick SF, Delicacy. All rights revert to me... but what do I do with them?

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Reminder: Time for all you self-employed writer types to top up your super with your contribution so the government will match it because self-employed writer types are all low-income earners. Don't leave it till the last day like I usually do.

Pay your BAS for this quarter, start getting all those 07/08 invoices and receipts in a pile and wait for those little yellow slips to roll in from all your part-time jobs and the final BAS sheet to rock up and then you'll only have to put all the amounts into columns the night before you head off to the accountant to get all your tax back. Yes, you're a writer, you didn't make enough money this year, you should get all your tax back. If you don't, look at your record-keeping and ask your accountant what else you should be claiming.

I wandered into the movie room at MacDibble Hotel last night and a movie had already started. I waited till someone got up and stole a comfy chair and settled down to watch. Within five minutes I sat bolt upright and exclaimed: "I recognise that dialogue!" It wasn't a book I'd read, although it was a book I'd attempted to buy without success, so for me to recognise the dialogue was merely me recognising the writer's style. A quick crawl around the floor hunting for the remote in the dark, which cost me my comfy chair and caused a wail of protests as the blue info window partially obscured the movie, proved that the movie was Stardust by Neil Gaiman.

Until that moment, I hadn't registered that Gaiman's style was so distinguishable from other great writers. It felt very English in the movie, so that narrowed it down I suppose, and it was clearly a fantasy mix so that narrowed it down even further but it wasn't until I heard a bit of dialogue that the brain went "PING!"

Of course, in a movie, all that's left of the writer's words IS the dialogue, unless there is a narrator. Anyway, fun movie, great dialogue, watch it and pay attention to that Gaiman style and think about your own style.

I've just completed a webdesign course through Chisholm Institute (92% on the final exam!), in the hope that making webpages for people will provide me with a little more income, and I'm back teaching science fiction in schools around Melbourne. I was teaching SF a few years ago and quickly got through all the children interested in science fiction, so I got a part-time job doing office work instead, but since I've been away, there seems to be a surge in interest in science fiction and other teachers have stepped in and picked up topics like space travel and alien creature building which were some of the things that I did with the kids. I was surprised, but the new interest of the children and other teachers reflected the publishers' interest at the CBC Con recently. Obviously science fiction appeals more people than it used to. I spent years thinking I was some kind of genre geek, when I was clearly just ahead of my time.

This is an argument for following your muse no matter how geeky it may seem at the time.

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The CBC conference was in Melbourne this weekend almost gone and I'd been looking forward to it for a while. I couldn't get to Sydney for the SCBWI conference earlier and had to listen to other children's writers rave about how great it was so I was pining for anything to do with children's books to come to Melbourne.

Imagine my disappointment when I found out the tickets to the CBC conference were $800. Welcome reception was an additional $38 and the conference dinner was an additional $125. Clearly these were not prices aimed at authors.

The guest speakers were Shaun Tan and Neil Gaiman and I'd already seen Neil speak at the Melbourne SFF Natcon a couple of years ago and seen Shaun's work at SF cons all over. Also, going through the list of what else was on offer via panels etc, there was a lot of similar stuff/speakers I'd seen elsewhere and with only a few panels I wanted to see, in short, I just couldn't talk myself out of $800.

Luckily, the keynote speeches by Shaun and Neil were open to the public for a mere $25 each and that gave the public entry to the trade room and the general areas and that was all I needed.

Admittedly, there have been SF cons where I've spent the bulk of the con in the bar chatting to other writers, editors etc, despite having paid for the whole con, so to set out to catch the keynote addresses and spend the rest of the time chatting in the general area was at least more honest. And it worked out brilliantly.

Shaun Tan's talk was absolutely gorgeous and I fell in love with every single one of his works instantly, and Neil was his usual articulate self... altho I think I like the speech he gave at the Natcon a couple of years ago better. It was more off-the-cuff two years ago. There was a lot of structure and poetry in today's speech which was beautiful but less personal.

I wandered the stands learning about the publishers and even had a few publishers interested in my work, which pretty much stunned me. Publishers asking me? Then I thought, surely, they'll run a mile when I say those evil words "science fiction"... and I was stunned again. They all seemed to like the idea of science fiction. How many years had I been waiting to meet publishers like this? I even saw a full-on SF terraforming YA novel in the Harper Collins stand. Four years ago I remember having a conversation with an editor at Harper Collins about how YA SF would never be their thing. It wasn't under a local imprint but still... it looks like the tide is turning. I don't know if the golden-age of SF is returning or if SF is joining the mainstream, but I smell opportunities in the air.

So if anyone wants to go to a con and just can't afford it, take advantage of any sessions open to the public or just locate the nearest bar and hang out, laid back and casual. You'll soon meet someone to chat to.

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But I have been busy.

A few stories are being held at publishers awaiting decisions, meaning that I heard the call for submissions, I did the writing and I met the deadlines. It's not always easy to get these three things right. I have high hopes... high and desperate hopes. The children's educational market in Australia seemed to slam on the brakes a couple of years ago, but, of course, Australian children need to read Australian-produced fiction, and I think the saving of ELR and PLR means that the government eventually realised that the industry needs a little support. Didn't we have to make a lot of noise before they heard, tho?

It's good to see the publishers moving forwards and calling for submissions. It's very exciting these days. No deadlines can be allowed to pass because they're so precious. The ASA recently published an interesting report on the state of children's writing in Australia, which lends facts and figures to the pinch we're all feeling. You can read it HERE.

Shiny Mag like another sub of mine, and will probably publish it sometime this year. I'm really pleased with the feel of it. It's futuristic mythical YA set in Asia. I'd like to write more stories like this. I think it has a lot of appealing elements. If you like reading Australian-flavoured YA don't forget to pick up your subscription to Shiny. "The Sun People" by Sue Isle in Shiny Issue 2 recently won a Tin Duck so it's now an award-winning emag and still ridiculously priced.

I was one of the finalists in the Julius Vogel Awards announced at an easter weekend con in Wellington. I was beaten in the short story section by Lucy Sussex, and Paul Haines picked up an award for his collection of short stories and novellas Doorways for the Dispossessed. So we West Island Kiwis were suitably happy with the results. Well done Lucy and Paul.

I was interviewed recently at Sputnik 57 who seem unnaturally impressed with my writing abilities. You can read the interview HERE.

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The Pony Game (Lothian Books)
ISBN 978 0 7344 1005 4 QBD Bookshop

Welcome to Day 6 of THE PONY GAME Blog Book Tour!

You can revisit previous venues here:

Day 1 - Mon 10 Dec - Tina Marie Clark's What is Happening in my Office?
Day 2 - Tue 11 Dec - Claire Saxby's Let's Have Words
Day 3 - Wed 12 Dec - Sally Odgers' Spinning Pearls
Day 4 - Thu 13 Dec - Jacqui Grantford's JacquiGrantford.com
Day 5 - Fri 14 Dec - Sally Murphy's Scribblings

Bren: Welcome, Robyn, to the final day of your blog book tour.

Robyn: Thanks, Bren, for inviting me to your blog. It's great to be here.

Bren: How has the journey from blog to blog been?

Robyn: It's been great! Fantastic! All of the blog hosts have been wonderful. You are a bunch of friendly - I was going to say nice but I'm not fond of that word - supportive people and I feel honoured to have you as writing buddies. Answering the questions has been an interesting experience too. Your questions made me think - really think. Sure, we think about things ourselves but it's different when other people ask the questions. You've lead me off into different directions, new places I haven't explored before. Thank you for the experience. I appreciate the time and effort everyone has put into this blog tour. I recommend it and am happy to return the favour.

Bren: I like that The Pony Game is different to most pony books because the protagonist doesn't actually have her own pony even though a pony enters the story. I think a lot of children will relate to having to invent a Pony Game. You were also fortunate enough to have the talented and funky Elise Hurst illustrate your cover. Did you meet Elise or have any input into her design? How proud of this book are you? Is there any question you haven't been asked about the Pony Game yet?

Robyn: No, I haven't met Elise. But we now have the same literary agent. I hope to meet Elise one day and tell her how much I appreciated her being a part of "The Pony Game". No, I didn't get any input into her design. I loved her "rough illustrations" and thought she captured the story and characters well. It was almost as if she was in my head and childhood. I'm pleased that she illustrated the book and helped make it as beautiful as it is. So, yes, I'm very proud of it. I'm sure there are questions I haven't been asked yet. But I think we've done a good job, without going on and on forever and boring people to death. We don't want them to end up hating the sound of three little words - "The Pony Game".

Bren: The Pony Game is actually one book in a very busy year for you. You've had seven books published this year and already have six lined up for next year! A few books jump out at me. For instance, Child Heroes, a story about Iqbal Masih, a carpet factory labourer in Pakistan who spoke out about child slavery. What a fascinating and courageous boy. How did you go about putting his story together?

Robyn: This book has an interesting history. I was commissioned by Era Publications to write a book Child Heroes and include three child heroes, one being Anne Frank. It was the US publisher who works with Era that suggested this title and Anne Frank's inclusion. So, off I went to research child heroes on the Internet. I picked three with different backgrounds and themes - Anne Frank, iqbal Masih and The Tree Musketeers. The editor approved my choices and I went to work. However, I soon realised that Iqbal's story was so strong it was taking over the book. I did all my research on the Internet, spent hours poring over information and checking facts. During this time, I fell in love with Iqbal. He became my hero. I finished the manuscript and sent it to the Era editor, pointing out that Iqbal's story shone so brightly it made everyone else look pale in comparison. even though they had their own heroic stories. I didn't hear a word on the manuscript for months. Then I was called into the Era office. Uh-oh! It felt like I was being called to the Principal's office. The editor sat me down and explained that they'd decided to make the entire book about Iqbal. Was I surprised? No, Iqbal has that effect on people. Was I happy? You bet! Iqbal is an amazing boy. He is no longer with us, unfortunately, but I'll never refer to him in the past tense. He lives on. His bravery, selflessness, determination, belief - inspiration - is still part of our lives. As you can see, I'm passionate about Iqbal Masih. You can go HERE to view the cover and see this brave hero.

Bren: Another book I see coming up is Black Baron with Walker Books. Is that a full on glossy picture book? I understand that the protagonist is a racing cockroach. Of course! What an endless source of stories you could have about a racing cockroach. You could even add another story about his cousin from Queensland, the flying cockroach! (I hate how they fly). Tell me all about this new book: How stoked are you? Who is the illustrator? Why a cockroach? etc.

Robyn: "Black Baron" is a novel for 9 to 13 year olds. It will be one of the first books released in a new series, Lightning Strikes, by Walker Books due out in May 2008. I'm very excited about it. "Black Baron" is probably my favourite fiction book and my favourite fictional character. "Child Heroes: Iqbal Masih" is my favourite non-fiction title. It is a novel, so there aren't any illustrations. Why a cockroach? Hmmm... When I started "Black Baron", my aim was to write a funny story for boys. I love writing funny stories for boys. I thought about the things that boys liked and decided to write about bugs. I wanted to be different so I decided on a racing cockroach. At the start, I thought of cockroaches as dirty, stinking, rotten pests. Yuck! They have to die! Then I began writing and pretty soon I was in love with Black Baron. I was faced with a dilemma. My original idea and plot outline meant that Black Baron had to die... dirty, stinking, rotten... But I'd stopped thinking of him that way. Now I thought he was cute, wonderful - a champion racing hero. Did I kill him as I first intended? Or did I let him live? I eventually came up with a different ending I was happy with. You'll just have to read it to find out what happens to Black Baron - and his manager, Jake. I shudder at the thought of flying cockroaches!

Bren: I interviewed you a couple of years ago for my book, "How to Become a Children's Writer" in which you talked about other avenues of income for writers and balancing finding income with finding time to write. I have been fascinated with your career ever since. I think we both started getting children's books published in the same year but, of course, you are up to around 70 children's books now and have launched a career built around writing while I've pussy-footed around working conventional jobs and my mere 25 publications are in multiple genres, medias, and age groups. I feel like a butterfly in a blizzard next to the Rock of Gilbraltar. You seem to have tremendous focus and drive. How do you maintain that drive and what other ways do you bring in income to survive as a writer?

Robyn: Obsession! Honestly, I'm obssessed. Writing is my life. I'm a full time writer now. Having a "proper job" used to frustrate me because I wanted to write while I was at work and work got in the way - or the bosses did. There never seemed enough spare time to write. So I do have an advantage on you now, Bren, because I can commit myself to writing at least 8 hours a day. I think the more you write, the more obsessed about it you become. I never used to be this obssessed about writing. My partner is a writer too, so we talk about writing and writing related subjects a lot. We also work on projects together. We've just written a screenplay together, which felt more like spending quality time together than work. I don't have any children, though my partner does. So we do have child-distractions but on a part-time basis. I find it difficult to do anything other than write. Dragging myself to the supermarket is difficult. And forget housework!
My e-books and writing courses on the Internet bring in some regular income. I do author visits to schools and other paying gigs. Now, I'm working as a screenwriter too. ELR and PLR make a big difference. One of the reasons I can write full time is the fantastic lack of a mortgage. I own my house because, for many years, my husband and I invested in real estate and were able to use the capital gains to pay off our own home. The lack of a mortgage - any loans, actually - means I don't need a huge income to survive.

Bren: Looking through your list of books, it seems that you have very good relationships with some very busy publishers. I know that good relationships with editors has helped me, but, in an age when publishers are projecting themselves more through websites etc, it seems increasingly hard to get to know the people behind the company front and when the people change you can suddenly find yourself pushed away again. How important is the publisher/editor/writer relationship to you?

Robyn: I think the publisher/editor/writer relationship is important. Publishers and editors have to enjoy working with you. In other words, it has to be a positive experience for them. Otherwise, they might think twice about it next time. But I think the most important thing is your writing/stories. It doesn't matter how well you get on with a publisher/editor if they don't like your writing or your stories don't fit their list. I have good relationships with lots of publishers - and they still reject my stories. These publishers like my writing and style. Sometimes I have to work harder to get the stories to fit publishing opportunities and lists. It really is the writing and individual stories that matter. Having said that, publishers do have to want to work with you too. I write stories that I enjoy and feel passionate about and that I think readers will also enjoy. I hope publishers want to publish my stories. If they do, I think you have to be professional and easy to get along with. You know, treat others the way you want to be treated, do the right thing etc. I once heard a publisher say that she didn't want to know a thing about the writer - she didn't care. She made her decision on the strength of the manuscript and writing.

Bren: Thank you, Robyn, for giving us some of your precious time (you could probably have written another book in the time it took to answer all these questions). I think you've worked so hard in the last few years that you deserve to be on a best seller list somewhere and I'm always amazed at your humbleness and your helpfulness towards other writers. I think you're a star. Good luck for the future.

Robyn: Thanks, Bren. I've gone a lovely shade of red. Clashes with my pink T-shirt though. I hope I can inspire others, like my child hero Iqbal Masih. Part of my enjoyment as a writer is being able to help others and give back to the community. A best-seller would be good. I'd like to be able to donate lots of money to the environment, animal welfare and education of children in developing countries. That's my dream. Best of luck with your writing and everything you do. Thanks again for letting me visit your blog. It's been a great pleasure.

Keep up with Robyn at her website: RobynOpie.com or her blog: Writing Children's Books with Robyn Opie

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Welcome to Day 1 of the Squeezy Book Blog Tour!

To celebrate the new children's picture book Squeezy Cuddle Dangly Legs we have sent the talented illustrator, Jacqui Grantford, on tour!

Review at Preschool Entertainment

You can follow the tour by attending these venues:

Day 1 - Saturday 10 November - Bren MacDibble's "Beast of Moogill"
Day 2 - Sunday 11 November - Sally Murphy's "Scribblings"
Day 3 - Monday 12 November - Robyn Opie's "Writing Children's Books"
Day 4 - Tuesday 13 November - Pemberthy Bear's "Pemberthy's Ponderings"
Day 5 - Wednesday 14 November - Claire Saxby's "Let's Have Words"
Day 6 - Thursday 15 November - Tina Marie Clark's "What is Happening in my Office?"
and a late host to join the ranks because you can never have too much of a good thing:
Day 7 - Friday 16 November - Sally Odger's "Spinning Pearls"

Jacqui Grantford, multi-talented artist, teacher, mother, illustrator and writer who has just released her sixth picture book: "Squeezy Cuddle Dangly Legs", welcome to the first day of your Book Blog Tour to celebrate this gorgeous new book.

Bren: Jacqui, this book is written by Peter Whitfield who is well-known for his "Zen Tails" and we all know that children, just before they fall asleep as well as 'at the darndest times', make almost zen-like statements, this would seem to match well with your style of realism but made brighter by the use of bright pastels. Was this an easy book to illustrate?

Jacqui: The appeal of ‘Squeezy Cuddle’ is its simplicity, but I think that can sometimes be more difficult. The trick is knowing what to leave out, but to still add a new dimension to the written word. This was my first book where I left lots of negative space, but I think it needs that to capture the feel of the text.

I used models as reference - Sophia, who co-owns New Frontier with Peter, and their daughter Grace. They flew down from Sydney especially so I could take photos.

Originally I had different models, but Peter and Sophia felt that the child was too old and we redid the layout. Sophia and Grace were naturals and you can tell how much they love each other which is so important in telling the story.

Bren: This is the sixth picture book you've illustrated (Jacqui has illustrated six other texts as well) and I've noticed you possess a wide range of styles. You've used a similar style in this new book to "Pemberthy Bear" and "Wishes for One More Day", more sombre colours for "A True Person", a completely different style for "Shoes News" and there's a certain baroque-feel to "Various Faerious" (I love the illustration of the faerie foot with the ring on the toe, btw). Are you conscious of choosing a style to suit the story and how did you choose the style for "Squeezy Cuddle Dangly Legs"?

Jacqui: I’m very conscious of choosing a style and it’s something that I want to develop even more. Colour choice and medium are so important in the story telling. And the fine details in the background also add an extra dimension and clues to the narrative.

With ‘Squeezy Cuddle’, I was sent a copy of ‘Playmates’ by Jane Tanner, so that became my inspiration to a degree. I deliberately kept the pencil lines rough to give it a drawn feel despite the realism. I felt that would add to the innocence of the manuscript.

Bren: You are also the author of two books you have illustrated, "Various Faerious" and "Shoes News". Obviously you must be proud to be solely responsible for the creative content of these books, but you've also illustrated socially important books like "A True Person", and books by other excellent writers. Which book is your favourite so far, why, and what is special about "Squeezy Cuddle Dangly Legs"?

Jacqui: I don’t think I could say that I have a favourite. They’re all special in their own way. ‘Various Faerious’ was my first and I love the fact that my children are in it. ‘Pemberthy Bear’ I love because Pemberthy is such a great character and kids that I read it to simply adore it. ‘A True Person’ is special because it’s such an important topic and has the capacity to do great good.

I read ‘Squeezy Cuddle’ to the kids I teach at Hampton Primary the other day and they loved it. The said the words along with me almost straight away, and got so excited by the bedtime rituals. I think ‘Squeezy Cuddle’ could become a bedtime regular with lots of small children.

Bren: Obviously you're a very talented artist as well as an illustrator. Your painting of Bud Tingwell was not only on display at the Archibald exhibition but also on the cover of the catalogue and invitations. How did you get started in children's picture book illustration and did that help with getting your own two books published?

Jacqui: I owe the start of my career with children’s book illustration to the two Anns at Books Illustrated. For those unfamiliar with Books Illustrated, it’s a wonderful shop and gallery for children’s books in Victoria and is run by Ann James and Ann Haddon. Ann James recommended that I speak to Lothian, so I then had a springboard to approach publishers with.

Bren: What advice can you give to the beginning children's writer and/or illustrator?

Jacqui: If you’re Victorian based then certainly visit Books Illustrated and speak to the Anns, or visit Dromkeen and chat to Kaye Keck. She’s been championing picture books for years.

Persistence is a big thing – keep sending your work out to publishers and go to events to meet with other illustrators or publishers. And if you can find a network to chat to others in the industry then that can be great as well.

PIO is an online newsletter that has heaps of information about the industry and competitions, advise etc for new authors/illustrators. You can email Jackie Hosking at jackiehoskingATaapt.net.au for more information. I’d highly recommend it.

And of course, reading terrific blogs such as this one will also give heaps of tips and ideas.

Keep writing, writing, writing, drawing, drawing, drawing, and sending, sending, sending. Never give up.

Bren: What's in the future for Jacqui Grantford? Are you still writing your own stories or has the increase in demand for your illustrations swallowed up all your writing time? If you're still writing what themes interest you?

Jacqui: The illustration side has seemed to have taken over a little. But I am definitely trying to find time to write still. I love it. I’m developing an idea at the moment, but I’m hopelessly superstitious, so I can’t say anything about it till it’s finished. Silly I know.

I’m hoping to collaborate with you one day on something, Bren. That would be fun. Something very science fiction and quirky.

Bren: Definitely. I was very impressed with the alien characters in your children's gallery. I'm sure that if we teamed up we'd get science fiction quirk standing on its head! Make a note of that idea because I suspect that you'll be terribly busy keeping the big publishers happy with your glorious illustrations for a long time. Thanks for taking the time to visit, Jacqui, and good luck with your multi-creative career.

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"Shiny" mag Issue 1 is out now.

"Shiny" is an e-magazine of short speculative young adult fiction. Big on story and low on price, Issue 1 has three great stories:
'Small Change' by Trent Jamieson
'Close to Death' by Eugie Foster
'The Sun People' by Sue Isle

These are getting great reviews, and I'm sure most readers agree with me when I say, I wish 'The Sun People' was a whole novel worth of reading. How all that mood, backstory and ideas got packed into a short story, I'll never know.

"Shiny" will run three issues this year and then decide about next year when it gets here. So don't wait, or you may miss out.

Hotel MacDibble Inmates: 3
Projects of the Week: gardening
Critiqued this week:
Reading this week: Elysium - Catherine Jinks
Writing this week: Bella Wang (YA)

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