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The publisher panels were warm, funny, honest and provided inside information on what publishers are looking for and what they are publishing. The publishers were:-

 Lisa Berryman- HarperCollins

Leonie Tyle -Woolshed (RandomHouse)

Kira Lynn- Kane Miller USA

Maryann Ballantyne- Black Dog Books

Zoe Walton – Random House

Erica Wagner- Allen & Unwin

Jane Godwin- Penguin

Publishers are increasingly open to submissions via email – check out submission policies for Random House Australia who have published a number of books through this submission policy.

Pitches made by authors and illustrators, manuscript assessments, meetings created real interest from publishers in the delegates’ work in this industry conference.

The Friday night SCBWI International Conference Australia & New Zealand at The Hughenden dinner, introduced the SCBWI leaders- me and Chris Cheng co-RA’s, Frances Plumpton Literary agent New Zealand, Dianne Wolfer ASA Western Australia, Frane Lessac Illustrator Coordinator, Corinne King ASA Victoria, Peter Taylor co-ordinator Queensland and Executive Director of SCBWI worldwide film maker and author, Lin Oliver.

Sarah Foster Publishing Director for Walker Books Australia, gave a war, funny, celebratory speech about ‘Hank Zipster’ written by Henry Winkler (The Fonz) and Lin Oliver.

It has sold more than 3.5 million books.

Everyone loves the FONZ.

Hank Zipster is a funny, meaningful story inspired by The Fonz’ who had undiagnosed dislexia and faced difficult schools years. It’s a beautifully written series that gives kids a belief in themselves.

SCBWI Conference opened with a celebration of Alessah Darlinson’s ‘Totally Twin’s illustratrated by the talented Serena Geddes in the Hughenden Victorian lounge

Lin Oliver Executive Direcot of SCBWI, film Director and author of the 3.5 million best selling Hank Zipster written with Henry Winkler, flew to Sydney to be part of this international Conference.

Aleesah’s ’Totally Twins’ is the start of a series that will engage kids in the adventures, humour and reltionships of twins and all kids. Marc McEvoy Deputy Literary Editor of the Sun Herald launched the book with warm stories of the significance of reading and books.

Publishers, authors, illustrators  started with a great party to start a weekend of friendship and community in the world of kids writing.

www.nambook.org

‘Remember East Timor’  – I wrote the story and Frane Lessac illustrated it for ‘PEACE STORY’ – part of the Peace Children’s Festival on NAMI Island SouthKorea – where 22 authors, 22 illustrators, 22 countries participated in a unique anthology for Peace supported by IBBY Korea, UNICEF, YMCA … and the foreign embassies in Korea.

The anthology will be a beautiful book of art and story that is part of this festival that draws more than 400,000 visitors.

Frane Lessac just flew over from Western Australia to Sydney. We had a great breakfast at The Hughenden talking about this amazing experience. We’re featured on the programme – Frane is doing a special workshop – ‘Your own picture book’ and I am doing one called ‘Stop bullying’ – on my book I AM JACK that is translated into Korean as well as English.

Tom Neal Tacker who’s a fantastic travel writer. Check out his travel magazine – www.nakedhungrytraveller.com – The Naked Hungry Traveller.

He joined us as he often stays at the Hughenden, so it was fun to catch up. He’s going to Korea next week and plans to go to Nami Island and hopefully write about it.

Storytellers crowded into The Hughenden for fabulous stories:-

Love Playback Theatre’s Stephen Meagher and his Sinbad the Sailor swashbuckling into the show.

Playback Theatre is interactive improvisation with actors and musicians and audience.

www.playbacktheatre.com.au – at Newtown Theatre Sydney

Andrew Kwong told wonderful stories. His life story  of being a refugee boy fleeing China is part of the Picador anthology, ‘Fear factor: Terror Incognito’.  

Andrew just did a Varuna Residency in the Blue Mountains where he told the spooky tale of ghostly visitors at 3.37 am every morning, I’ve done a fellowship at Varuna Writers Centre in the Blue Mountains and loved the sharing with other writers, the fireplace in the evenings and the beautiful eucalyptus bush.

The storytellers loved the stories and the afternoon tea as they dug into clotted cream, berry jams and mouth watering scones that just came out of the over from The Hughenden kitchen

Thankyou Head Chef – Kat Medina  

from Stoyrtellers Guild NSW

It’s been a special journey opening The Hughenden Cafe Restaurant - 

   with 1850’s gold framed original paintings, Laurent’s 1930s paintings of beautiful cafe society women, Ralph Laurent lamps, the baby grand, heritage    with deep Chesterfields and antique armchairs, vintage silver spoons and crystal cake stands.  

 - a modern design cafe with eclectic artwork

- with quirky teapots, old books, new authors, wonderful food baked in The Hughenden kitchen

- my mother’s photo in an old gold frame. Veronika used to play the violin in the Victorian Rooms. 

- Bruce Glen parlour magic magician 

                                  Pre-launch run at The Hughenden Cafe Restaurant with

- Courtney Severini jazz singer working with the piano tuner on the baby grand

- Kat Medina Head Chef  preparing for the opening

-Jules Sevelson portrait artist whose painting of  Barry Humphreys is a signature of The Hughenden 

- thankyou to Jennie Orchard for being one of our first diners

Jennie heads  Room to Read one of my favourite charities – all kids have the right to read – support Room to Read and give hope to the world www.roomtoread.org

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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

 Courtney Severini is gorgeous, singing Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah on a baby grand piano -among the writers and music lovers at The Hughenden. I love it.

Leonard Cohen creates mystical and searching lyrics from his poetry, books to creating and singing some of the greatest songs of the world.

I was moved by Leonard’s music as I wrote my story on the impact of terrorism for  ’Fear Factor: Terror Incognito’  (anthology) published by Picador. It  was launched in the piano lounge. Many of the writers were there – David Malouf, Rosie Scott, Sharon Rundle …

Leonard is touring New Zealand and Australia Nov 6-24th.

Courtney Severini performs at The Hughenden on Thursdays and Friday. Drop by. Chat to Courtney. Share a glass of wine with me. I’ll be there if I’m in Sydney.

Check Courtney’s music – www.myspace.com/courtneyseverini 

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday to you

Loathing Lola is terrific

And so -oh are you!

Note the signed 21st bear – Illustrator Penny Azar signed with her own illustrated bear. 

Special news – Sue Walker has already received a 5 star review  of her ‘Arnie Avery’ published by Walker Books. I’m launching it at the Kids and Young Adult Literature Festival, NSW Writers Centre on 3rd July.  I read the manuscript at its early stage, so it’s especially wonderful.

Network  doubled up with the LITERATURE ALIVE team of Nina Rycroft, Aleesah Darlinson, Laurine Croasdale, Jeni Mawter,Sue Walker and me.

We’re going LIVE on July 22nd with our Literature Festival speaking to schools around the country via the TV screen.

Talented illustrator Nina Rycroft created the Literature Live Logo.

 There was so much great news at the Sydney Kids Writers & Illustrators Network at The Hughenden.

There are lots of launches, festivals, conferences, CBC event and new books coming out in Oz or travelling the world. Tristan Bancks  Mac Slater Cool Hunter has gone to the USA and the cover looks fantastic. More sequels are coming.

Kate Forsyth’s Wildkin’s Curse and sister Belinda Murrell’s The Ruby Talisman are featuring in lots of festivals – Sydney Writers Festival, Kids and YA Literature festival at the NSW Writers Centre and much more.

Oliver Phommavanh’s ‘Thai Riffic’ is launching at Gleebooks in June. Watch out for it.

Sue Walker’s ‘Arnie Avery’ (Walker Books) which got a 5 star review in Australian Bookseller and Author is being launched at the NSW Writer’s Centre Kids and Young Adult Literature Festival 3rd July. She showed an advance copy – it’s so good. 

My Always Jack to be published by HarperCollins is due for release in October. It’s a book dear to my heart about making it OK for kids to talk.  Here’s the draft cover.

There’re new books from Aleesah Darlinson, Dawn Hort, Stephen Measday’s ‘Send Simon Savage’ is selling through the roof…. lots of good stuff is happening.

The May Gibbs Fellowship Trust -  www.maygibbs.org.au      

The May Gibbs Fellowship is open again for applications for residencies in Canberra, Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Writers gathered for morning tea at The Hughenden to share their news and celebrate Felicity Pulman’s May Gibbs Trust Fellowship. She’s going soon to do the fellowship in Adelaide.

She’s got a book to write for the Fellowship,  as well as do lots of writing talks in Adelaide.

Other News: Vashti Farrer has really cute new book out with Scholastic; Laurine is writing another Aussie Bites; Jeni Mawter has a rhyming picture book coming out, Moya Simons is getting ready for the launch of her new book ‘Let Me Whisper Me My Song’, David Mulligan’s successful novel ’Angels Kokoda’ published by Scholastic is being reprinted yet again.

 I’m in a team for Relay for Life – supporting Cancer Council – join in the relay.  Sponsor Relay for Life on:-

http://www.relay.cancercouncil.com.au/team.create.html?relay_id=376 

I’ll be speaking at the NSW Cancer morning tea on 15th May at Centennial Parklands.

All good news - with everyone working on new books, marketing and zooming ahead. William Kostakis, the Boomerang Books brand manager is promoting kids’ books. He’s working on a new CBC website and his second young adult novel, following the successful LOTHING LOLA published by Pan MacMillan.

Deborah Abela’s beautiful book THE REMARKABLE SECRET OF AURELIE BONHOFFEN  received a Notable Award from the CBCA and has found a home in the USA. 

Alessah Darlison has 5 new books coming and was in Short & Scary, the Black Dog Books anthology.

Dawn Hort is getting ready for her May Gibbs Trust fellowship in Canberra and working on a younger series.

I’ve just finished my edit on ALWAYS JACK – my new book coming out in October 2010 for Breast Cancer Awareness Month – it’s one of the JACK books with the same humour and warmth, which I hope gives a voice to kids.  

Jan Latta just came back from Africa where she made a mini documentary on Acrican wildlife. Look at her website to see the video. it’s really good. www.truetolifebooks.com.au

……. lots of great news.

‘What’s really important in life is family.’ Malcolm Turnbull enthusiastically launched Danny Beran’s book today – a book about family and values and what is important in life.

More than 100 people gathered at The Hughenden – friends, family, guests, the Mayor of Waverly Sally Betts, Mayor of Woollahra Andrew Petrie, The NSW State Labor Member Paul Pierce, The NSW State Liberal Member Peter Debnam.

The MC was  Rodney Marks who had everyone laughing  – he told the audiecne that Danny Beran had a co-author, but he’d died. He is now a ghost writer, Ha, ha!!!!

You can buy Danny’s book online at www.10QuestionsYouMustAnswer.com

Bruce Glen is a member of The Magic Circle – the most elite magic society in the world.

His magic was warm, embracing, as he took The guests into the world of The Hughenden from the time it was the hopme of the Quaife’s – associated with Australia’s first philosopher – to the Riviere College an exclusive girls private school – to a dance hall – to a home for children’s writers and illustrators and a gracious hotel welcoming guests into the 1870s.

 If you wants some wonderful magic look at Bruce’s website: www.BespokeMagic.com.au

Diane Cilento is staying at The Hughenden in Sydney, preparing for her new show with Century Venues. She is an Academy Award winning nominee for Tom Jones, and former starlett with lots of style and beauty and charm.  She still is in different ways. 

She’s passonate about her  Karnak Playhouse and Rainforest Sanctuary - a spectacular amphitheatre with the backdrop of the Daintree National Park, one hour’s drive north of Cairns. She’s also committed to natural health and brought some big avocardos from Queensland. She’s funny playing around and added them to her chest.  It was a funny afternoon.

Nearly 150 people partied at The Hughenden for this grand celebration of 3 years of passion, committment and idealism to bring FEAR FACTOR: TERROR INCOGNITO to Australia at last.

This important anthology driven by Indian Professor Meenakshi Bharat and Australian academic Sharon Rundle, has connected Australia and the world through the commonality of us all when faced with terrorism. They sought to open discourse on terrorism as a pathway to peace.

Highlights:-

Melina Marchetta’s speech launching Fear Factor: Terror Incognito

David Malouf generously signing and relating to fans

Andrew Kwong’s story of escaping as a boy from the Chinese Cultural Revolution

Rosie Scott’s passion for social justice

Support from so many divergent groups

-including writing groups, teachers, authors, the media – from ABC radio to 2UE

Sharon Rundle summarised the feelings -  ‘It was a magical event’

It was lovely when Sydney Weekender rang me to ask if they could film at The Hughenden, because it’s the most pet friendly, hotel, cafe and restaurant in Sydney.  Centennial Parklands is across the road great for dogs to have a play.

The McLaren’s were in with their puppy Monte, and Zara dropped by with Duke the cattle dog and Rosie the cute maltese terrior.

Sir Victor was playing – how’s the doggie in the window – for Rosie and the very happy cattle dog DUKE – on the lounge in the sitting room of The Hughenden.

We’re had a part snow leopard-pussy cat stay for a few days – goregous but scary.  There are mainly dogs who stay including our favourite labrador who comes with the writers’ group. I’m not allowed to pat him. 

SCBWI Meeting at The Hughenden, this Wednesday was packed with authors and illustrators sharing great publishing news from:-

Nina Rycroft’s picture books being sold in the UK and USA,  Mark Thomason’s short listing for the WAYBRA Awards, Wendy Blaxland’s second series of 6 beautiful hardback books How are they Made? Macmillan Young Library with another series coming selling in Australia and the USA to Serena Geddes’ illustrations for  new picture books for New Frontier Publishers, with new books coming from Sue Whiting, Deborah Abela, Jeni Mawter, Chris Cheng  … and much more.

Last year there were nearly 150 published books by SCBWI Australia and New Zealand members.

There’s so much SCBWI Australia & New Zealand news

-the new Silver Kite Awards for regions outside the USA

- the Bologna Book Fair where Australia & New Zealand is represented at the SCBWI Conference by Sarah Foster Publisher Walker Books Australia, Frane Lessac Illustrator coordinator and Frances Plumpton NZ literary agent. 

- Dianne Wolfer (WA) and Corinne King (Victoria), authors  are doing a brilliant job organising the programme of countries presenting at the SCBWI stand at the Bologna Book Fair.

- the Speakers Directory for illustrators and authors on SCBWI Australia & NZ

- and the MAJOR NEWS that the SCBWI Biennial International Conference is at The Hughenden 17-19th September with Kira Lynn USA Publisher for Kane Books being flown in from the USA , Lin Oliver President of SCBWI International, film maker and children’s author and Australian publishers at an event that will promote the community of children’s writers & illustrators.

Look at the SCBWI website for more information: www.scbwiaustralia.org

HEAPS of NEWS from Network Authors & Illustrators:-

Jeni Mawter has a younger picture book accepted and coming out next year about Kids & their JOY

The fabulous fantasy sisters – Kate Forsyth and Belinda Murrel – have books coming out in June 2010 – Ruby Talisman by Belinda and The Wild King’s Curse by Kate Forsyth and they’re going to launch them together with different publishers – Random Hosue and Pan MacMillan – it’s very cool.

Aleesah Darlison has 5 contracts for 5 books for the next 2 years – I call that major.

Sue Walker’s book ‘Arnie Avery’ to be published by Walker Books is out this year

and there’s MUCH more ….  Sadami Konchi with her illustrations for Rigby Publishers; Jenny Hale who is working on her sequel to Jatta – more werewolves expected!!!!!

 Jan Latta who is going on trek in Kenya with a documentary film team as a wild life photographer

Janice Slater is a renowened music score writer whose writing film scripts and inspiring young people with teaching them music

Dawn Hort has a fellowship to Canberra for May Gibbs ….  there’s so much energy and support for each other.

David Morris is taking Rotary by storm with his books.

I love it. By the way my ALWAYS JACK (HarperCollins) will be published October 2010. Monkey Baa Theatre for Young People will be touring I AM JACK in 2011.

India is on the cusp of launching into a new era of children’s writing. 

I had the privilege of being invited by the head of SCBWI India, writer Jyota Singth Visvanath to launch SCBWI India at the British High Commission Library, Delhi. 

Jyoti has been published in the prestigious magazines Highlights and Cricket in the USA, and has had a hugely successful series of non fiction children’s books with sales of 1.5 million books.

I spoke about publishing, writing for kids and young adult with the Sayoni Basu Managing Director of Scholastic India and the synamic Anita from a significant Indian publisher. There were wonderful Indian authors and illustrators there. Swati Roy Bookseller from EUREKA, The Bookstore for the Young  is so enthusiastic about youth literature.

Siddhartha Sarma was in the audience. His YA novel, ‘the grasshopper’s run’ published by Scholastic is a powerful book set in 1944 exposing the imperial Japanese Army’s invasion of British India. It’s a wonderful book, a sign of the talent in Indian youth writing.

The event was enthusiastic, enquiring and filled with the energy of new ideas and passion for writing.

There was interested discussion on young adult literature and censorship.  While Indian teens were reading Twilight and all sorts of literature, there is difficulty in schools and parents accepting ’search for identity’ YA literature.  I discussed my YA books and opened discussion on ’The Cave’ and censorship.

Thankyou to Sujata and husband for their hospitality in their home and a fabulous Indian dinner. The white marble floors keep their house cool and beautiful. I loved the Ganesha Hindu Elephant Gods in her home. The God of wisdom and success.

Love Sujata’s  book, ‘The Warp & the Weft’ a collection of short stories published by Srishti India. Meenakshi Bharat, Professor of Literature University of Delhi wrote – Sankranti’s stories are ‘a celebration of the complexities of human existance.’

Sharon Rundle Writer and Editor Australia wrote, ‘they are an absolute delight to read.’ I agree. Sujata will be in Australia for the launch of ‘Fear Factor: Terror Incognito’ on 21st March at the Hughenden in Sydney.

Sujata is softly spoken, a lecturer at the Unievrsity of Delhi, and a Princess of Serala. Today her palace is a State Heritage Site, but she was born there. She’s happy that people can visit it and see her heritage and the Indian heritage.

Meenakshi Bharat, Professor of Literature at the Sri Venkateswara College in the University of New Delhi, organised that I’d speak to a hall of Literature students. It was wonderful. The students were very interested in what and why I write. They are studying Australian Literature. Their questions and interest was very thoughtful and they were keen to read my books. I left a set in their library. Unfortunately, HarperCollins Australia doesn’t distribute to India.

The University of Delhi is filled with students in both Western and traditional Indian dress. It’s a modern university. It was really nice when the principal invited  us to have morning tea with her in her sitting room that’s part of her office.

Sujata Rao, a Commonwealth short story prize winner and writer; and Sharon Rundle an academic, writer were there too. They are both involved in the anthology, ‘Fear Factor: Terror Incognito, published by Picador India. Of course, Meenakshi and I are also innolved with ‘Fear Factor: Terror Incognito.’ Meenakshi is btoerh a contributor and the co-editor.

Snapshots of exotic Goa, Indian scholars and writers, an experience that I will always remember with special people.

Tropical gardens, coconut palms, a balmy night and dancing under open skiies to open this conference of friendship, literature and Indian-Australian reltions.

The anthology Fear Factor:Terror Incognito with stories by Sir Salman Rushdie,Tom Keaneally … me .. was launched at the IASA Conference in GOA.

The audience included many professors from universities throughout India, the Australian Assistant High Commissioner to India, Indira Gandhi National Open University and the eminent academics Professor Santosh Sareen and Professor D Gopal.

Sujata read from her story in the anthology and I read from Days of Thailand, my story in the anthology. Meenakshi Bharat and Sharon Rundle, the Indian and Australian editors receieved applause and accolades for their commitment to an anthology which opens discussion on terrorism in a real way and connects India and Australia in the commonality to a peaceful world.

Fear Factor Terror Incognito, the Australian edition will be launched by Picador at The Hughenden 21st March 2010