What a crazy, busy few weeks, but I can’t let them pass without mention of attending the fantastic SCBWI Australia NZ Conference in Sydney July 13-15th.
Some of the wonderful crew from SCBWI Vic (Photograph courtesy Dimity Powell)
What an amazing gathering of creators, publishers and industry professionals all communing and exchanging ideas, knowledge and inspiration. All brought together by our amazing SCBWI Regional Advisor and leader Susanne Gervay and her incredible team over three days at the gorgeous Hughenden Hotel in a packed program of publisher info sessions, pitches, book launches and insights into the international market.
Despite Jetstar’s best efforts to keep me (and a couple of colleagues) from the opening day and changing my return flight (again!), insisting I leave before the close, I enjoyed a wonderful couple of days and came home recharged and inspired. Who could not be seeing the wonderful, diverse works being produced out there in the kid lit world and wanting to be part of it?
Here’s a few reflections I shared on Twitter @chrisbellwrites on gems gathered.
- Louise Park Publisher Paddlepop Press “Don’t orphan your product – it needs you.”
- Lisa Berryman Assoc Publisher @HarperCollinsAU “Poignancy can make a book a classic.”
- @Zoe_Walton Publisher Children’s &YA Random House sub advice “no marketing manifesto, we have a team to do that.”
- Bruce Whatley deletes all illust notes “illlustrator needs to find their own visual narrative.”
- Louise Park Publisher Paddlepop Press “If you’ve got a top product – leverage – write three more.”
- @Zoe_Walton Children’s & YA Publisher Random House “Never underestimate the value of food in kid’s books.”
- “Historical fiction with a genre twist can sell.”
- @MissConnieH Connie Hsu Commissioning Editor Roaring Brook Press “Character driven picture books still reign supreme.”
- Karen Tayleur Five Mile Press poss rej reason “nothing special to lift it to top of pile”.
Lisa Berryman Children’s Publisher Harper Collins introducing the amazing Bruce Whatley
Absolute thrill to be there Chris and rub shoulders in passing. :-)
Me too, Dimity. Just wish I’d had more time for catch ups. Though when not listening, there was lots of chat. :)
Thank you so much for insights Chris. Made me feel as if there just a little.
Xxx
Ah, but a brief post and taster, Alison. You can find lots of fabulous, more detailed, reports on the various sessions and pics on the SCBWI blog at http://www.scbwiaustralianz.com. xx