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Frane Lessac flew in from Perth to Sydney on a 5 hour flight.

We screamed and ran into each other’s arms at Sydney International airport – yes, we are corny.

We’re ready to start our Korean adventure. Duty free ’shopping’ first – that means hitting the perfume and cream counter and trying all the samples!

Bought Korean money as we plan to SHOP!!!!

Squished into economy class and seriously stuffed up the video – ate, talked, disturbed the guy next to us by jumping over him to get to the aisle heaps of times - 10 hours.

Seoul looks like orange and pink lights from the air sprawing over sea and hilly land. 17 million people live in Seoul.

We’re here!!!!!!

Angie welcomed us from NamBooks. It’s over an hour into the city- crossed a pink lit bridge, passed sparkly sculptures, shops, restaurants, little alleys – booked into the Somerset Palace Hotel – modern and squish in an old part of the city – ended up eating German sausages with Angie. How funny is that- but delicious.

Thought the pouring of the red into huge glasses was stylish. That’s us stylish – as if. 

Meeting Frane Lessac illustrator and friend this morning at Sydney International Airport to fly to Nami Island, South Korea.

It’s for the NamBook Literature Festival dedicated to youth and peace.

Our story – I wrote ‘To East Timor- from Australia’; Frane illustrated it – it’s part of  a special illustrated anthology “Peace Story’ – where 22 authors, 22 illustrators; 22 countries writing for peace in this beautiful anthology by IBBY with support of UNESCO & international community.  www.nambook.org

Australia and East Timor have a special relationship with many Timorese living in Darwin and with Australian support helping rebuilding East Timor after war.

See website – www.nambook.org

Frane and I are off to Seoul tomorrow – 3 days in the capital, then 3 days on Nami Republic on an island near Seoul – it’s going to be special.

Kira Lynn Publishing Director of Kane Miller specializing in children’s books from other countries is a wonderful advocate of new ideas.

She inspired the packed SCBWI Conference at The Hughenden in the historic area of Paddington-Woollahra - with her excitement about embracing books that bring the world together through a commonality of values, yet have unique differences.

She’s published many of Australia’s books including:-

 Gabrielle Lord’s hugely best selling series – ‘Conspiracy 365′;

Alison Lester’s picture book ‘Are We There Yet?’;

Sally Odgers’ ‘Jack Russell: Dog Detective’ series

….and many of my friends and colleagues.

I was excited to see Nina Rycroft’s beautiful illsutrations at Kira’s presentation from “Boom Bah’ written by Phil Cummins. 

Nina’s illustration of penguins dancing from ‘Ballroom Bonanza’ hangs in The Hughenden Reading Room. Drop in anytime to see it and the works of other fabulous Australian illustrators such as Sarah Davis, Donna Rawlings, Shan Tan, Frane Lessac.

I was equally excited to see Anna Pignatoro’s illustrations on the screen – her sensitive, gentle, emotive work touches people. She’s illustrating my new picture book ‘Ships in the Field’ to be published by Ford Street in 2011. 

Thankyou Kira for coming to Australia!!!!

Flew to Perth and talented author and friend Norm Jorgenson met  illustrator Ann James and me at the airport. He drove us The Fremantle Gaol – now the Fremantle Kids Literature Writers Centre run by the enthusiastic Lesley Reece.

Met Kirsty Murray there doing a 3 week literature tour  with Lesley.

There’s not enough room in the Fremantle Prison for both Ann James and me. So Ann is bedding down in the prison with visiting ghosts.  I’m at a heritage bed and breakfast across the road and loving it.

Did the tourist thing with Ann James in Freo – the harbour is beautiful and lots of restaurants.

Ended the day in the gorgeous, colourful, artistic historic home of talented illustrator-author team Mark Greenwood and Frane Lessac. Frane’s artwork decorates the wals with arts and crafts handing from the ceiling to hidden in the bathroom next to the claw bathtub. Do I love it? Yes.

From October 1 to November 14, the Nami Island Festival welcomes publishers, writers, children, readers, international delegates from all over the world in a celebration of literature, the arts and peace.

The festival is publishing Peace Story with support from the United Nations.

Peace Story  has come from the spirit of this festival which invited authors and illustrators from 22 countries to write about peace and create a unique picture book for the world.

Much loved authors and illustrators from countries including Austria, Bolivia, Turkey, USA …have participated.  I was invited to represent Australia.

The award winning illustrator Frane Lessac has illustrated my story ‘Remember East Timor – with love from Australia.’

It is one of the most beautiful projects.

Frane and I will be in Nami Island from 2 to 8 th November for the Festival. Join us if you are there.

For morel information – www.nambook.org

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

Finally the Hope Cards from the children’s illustrators and authors of the world to the children of the Australian bushfires, have been finished.

A huge thanks to Jan Latta, wildlife photographer, author, publisher, who did the design and layout. It was weeks of endless emails, changes, discussions- and it’s now at the printer. 

The book of the Hope Cards is beautiful.

Thankyou to the generous and talented authors & illustrators of the world. Here’s a snapshot of some of the work inside the Hope Cards:-

Logo created by Frane Lessac

 It’s the end of the year and the chance for SCBWI Australia & New Zealand authors and illustrators to catch up, share news, network and find out what everyone is doing and party to celebrate the end of the year.

SCBWI Australia & New Zealand

NSW Chapter

CHRISTMAS DINNER 2009

 Feature: SCBWI in conversation with author

Deborah Abela

Publishing out there across Australia

and the World

Venue:The Hughenden, 14 Queen Street Woollahra

Time & Date: 7:00pm - 10:00pm, Wednesday 9 December, 2009

Tickets: $40 for buffet meal

For Bookings contact The Hughenden, 14 Queen Street Woollahra NSW 2025

email: [email protected]

www.thehughenden.com.au

fax: 02 9362 0398

Bring your books to sell and swap and get autographed - great Christmas presents and see what everyone else is up to. There are heaps of new books by SCBWI authors & illustrators

Hope to see you there. 

Frane Lessac, awarding winning illustrator, sent her love to the kids of the bush fires for the SCBWI HOPE card, with her painting filled with colour and children participating in life.

Frane Lessac and her husband Mark Greenwood collaborated on their last picture book - Simpson & His Donkey (Walker Books Australia) -to receive numerous awards including the prestigious Honour book award for the Children’s Book Council Australia Award (CBCA).

Logo Frane Lessac created for SCBWI Australia

Frane Lessac Hope Card from Western Australia

Some llustrations by Frane are on display in the Australian children’s book illustrations exhibition at The Hughenden Sydney

www.franelessac.com; www.thehughenden.com.au

New York is a whirlwind with all the publishers, theatres, restaurants and people everywhere. Times Square is party time all the time.

Borders and Barnes & Noble have brilliant Teen sections. The standard of YA books is very high and well displayed. They have a YA section that adults go to as well as teens. Checked out the Australian authors and found - Markus Zusak, Randa Abdul Fattah, Catherine Jinks all face out.

Exciting news was to see Mark Greenwood and Frane Lessac’s picture book. Saw Frane’s New York, New York - displayed at the front of a Barnes & Noble store. Good one Frane!