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By Christopher Cheng
for Cynthia Leitich Smith's Cynsations

Every second year the SCBWI hosts a booth at the Bologna Book Fair...the biggest children's books exhibition and rights fair in the world. It's all about rights and networking and for SCBWI members who are at Bologna a home away from home!

Bologna, with its five halls of publishers and their books, can be mind boggling for the first-time visitor.

This year the SCBWI hosted a spectacular booth with eye-popping panels, and it was double the size of our previous booths. We were able to showcase our PAL member's books along with information on the rights available for each; to hold portfolio critiques; and display the finalists (and hold public voting) for our Bologna Illustrator's Gallery in a comfortable and very appealing environment.

The digital catalogue and also the Bologna Illustrators Gallery are now online, embedded in the SCBWI Bologna site showcasing our members' works to the world.

Our Dueling Illustrators was also once again a huge hit!

For an inside look at the 2016 Bologna Book Fair check out:

• Bologna - It Does Begin  
• Happenings  
• Time to Collapse  
• Food  
• Beautiful Buildings 
• Final Words...for now! 

and the Publishers Weekly article. 

Already planning has begun for our next SCBWI Bologna appearance which will be in 2018. Once again we will have our Bologna Illustrators Gallery contest, the digital catalogue of all the PAL books displayed, portfolio critiques, as well as a whole lot more.

Cynsational Notes

More on Chris Cheng

With more than 35 titles in traditional and digital formats, including picture books, non-fiction, historical fiction, a musical libretto and an animation storyline, Christopher Cheng is well experienced in Australian children's literature.

He conducts workshops and residences for children and adults and holds an M.A. in Children's Literature. He is a board member for the Asian Festival of Children's Content and on the International Advisory Board and co-regional advisor (Australia and New Zealand) for the SCBWI.

A recipient of the SCBWI Member of the Year and the Lady Cutler Award for services to children's literature, Chris is a devoted advocate of children's literature, speaking at festivals worldwide.

Christopher will be covering the children's-YA book scene in Australia, New Zealand and across Asia for Cynsations. Read an interview with Christopher.

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By Patti Buff
for SCBWI Bologna 2016
and Cynthia Leitich Smith's Cynsations

Christopher Cheng is the award-winning author of more than 40 children’s books in print and digital formats. The picture book New Year Surprise! is his latest publication. 

His other titles include the picture books One Child, Sounds Spooky and Water, the historical fiction titles New Gold Mountain and the Melting Pot as well as the nonfiction titles 30 Amazing Australian Animals and Australia’s Greatest Inventions and Innovations. 

His narrative nonfiction picture book Python, was shortlisted in the 2013 Children’s Book Council of the Year awards, and was listed as of “Outstanding Merit” in the 2014 edition of Best Books of the Year for Children and Young Adults, selected by the Bank Street College of Education Children’s Book Committee. 

In addition to his books, Christopher writes articles for online ezines and blogs, and he wrote the libretto for a children’s musical.

He is co-chair of the International Advisory Board for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), an International Advisory Board Member for the Asian Festival of Children’s Content (AFCC) and a recipient of the Lady Cutler Award for Children’s Literature. 

He is also the director of the digital publishing company Sparklight. He presents in schools, conferences and festivals around the world and he established the international peer voted SCBWI Crystal Kite Awards. He dwells with his wife in an inner-city Sydney terrace and is often heard to say that he has the best job in the world!

Welcome to the blog, Chris! With much more focus on diversity in children's books than has been in the past, how important of a role do you think book fairs like Bologna play in introducing young readers to children from other countries and cultures?

They are critical - we move in a global sphere but we don’t all dress the same or say the same things or behave the same way thus it is important for today’s children, no matter where they are in the world, to be exposed to the authentic literature from other countries and cultures who tell ‘their’ stories with an authentic voice.

Any tips for new Bologna visitors?
 
• It’s big so enjoy the experience.
• Plan out what you want to see, make notes ahead of time and follow your nose.
• Make notes of what you see, how the books are displayed, how the different publishers publish their content, look at the types of books that the publishers and other organizations have on display - can you find a continual link between their titles?
• Don't bug/hassle the publishers / agents / marketing folk etc. unless you have been invited.
• Don't rush home (this is especially for those of the authorial persuasion) and write the book that you have decided is the ‘happening thing’ at Bologna. It will have already been done and dusted by the time you get down to it.
• There is a lot of ‘paper’ at Bologna - you can’t carry it all … but much of it will be digital!
• Visit our SCBWI booth - we are your home away from home!
• And don’t forget to sample, no feast, on some of the amazing food that is available in Bologna.

Bellissimo!

You've had books published in markets all around the world. What do you think makes a book successful in all different types of markets?

Having a global theme, like peace/war/growing up, death, childhood, animals etc.

That said I know you can’t create a book that will fit all markets throughout the world. You have to create your own story!

I’ve read you do weeks and months of research for your historical fiction and that by the time you’re ready to write, the story has already been formulated in your head. Which I can imagine lends itself to easy drafting. 

But once the editing starts, have you had to ‘change facts’ for the story’s sake and if so, how hard has that been?

Easy drafting for sure … not so easy for editing though! There has always been too much in the story. I don’t think I have had to change the essential facts at all to ‘fit the story’ as my historical fiction has always been based on the facts themselves.

The facts themselves are often what make the riveting story!

You write for a wide range of ages and over a wide range of subjects and genres. What advice can you give authors who’d like to branch out and diversify their writing.

Know your audience. Know the genre. Know what you are writing. If it is factual - know the facts and that goes for authors and illustrators.

Write your story, and if it doesn’t work, then try it in a genre you are comfortable with.

And finally, what are you working on now? Any surprises you can share with us?

My newest title, birthed Feb. 5 is New Years Surprise! It was written to tie in with an exhibition of paper art and objects, that is being held at our National Library in Canberra (our national capital) on the Celestial Empire.

At this exhibition, visitors experience 300 years of Chinese culture and tradition from two of the world’s great libraries - the National Library in China and our National Library.

From life at court to life in the villages and fields, glimpse the world of China’s last imperial dynasty and its wealth of cultural tradition.

The exhibition (and thus, by association, my book) is being launched by the Prime Minister of Australia. Woo hoo--will have the glad rags on for that! There will be lots of twittering and facebooking going on!

That’s wonderful, congratulations! Not every author can say their book was launched into the public by the Prime Minister. 

Thank you so much for joining us, Chris. Have a great time in Bologna!
 
Cynsational Notes

Patti Buff

The tenth out of eleven children in a family that took in hundreds of foster kids, Patti Buff found solitude in reading at a young age and hasn’t stopped. She later turned to writing because none of her other siblings had and she needed to stand out in the crowd somehow.

Originally from Minnesota, Patti now lives in Germany with her husband and two teenagers where she’s also the regional advisor of SCBWI Germany & Austria.

She is currently putting the finishing touches on her YA novel, Requiem, featured in the SCBWI Undiscovered Voices 2016 anthology.

The Bologna 2016 Interview series is coordinated by Angela Cerrito, SCBWI’s Assistant International Advisor and a Cynsational Reporter in Europe and beyond.

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It’s the start of 2014 & it’s drop in time before the crazy life of writing tours, events, festivals , school visits, media …. start seriously.

Where’s the drop in centre? You guessed it -The Hughenden.

I loved catching up with:-

-the award winning Albany (WA) Dianne Wolfer whose Lighthouse Girl (Fremantle Press) is a best seller!

- Monica Lizama the Chilean-Australian writer who dresses up as her character PAWS!

- Jennie Orchard with Margaret Wilcox from Room to Read who are developing the Writer Ambassador programme to raise awareness of the need to educate the kids of Asaa and Africa. SCBWI is on board with lots of our authors taking on the role of ambassadors.

- Libby Hathorn dropping in with her poetry books and she’s got a new book coming out with HarperCollins on ANZACS.

- Chris Cheng with Bini getting ready to head off to New York for the SCBWI Conference and then Bologna Book Fair  …. and other favourite creators!

Nearly ready to hit Las Vegas for the I AM JACK season at the Smith Center of performing Arts!

I’m staying at the EXCALIBUR HOTEL, so getting into princess gear … their could be some princes there. or toads!

The post Love, love, love the community of kids’ books!!! appeared first on Susanne Gervay's Blog.

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Cool, cool, cool – they danced, joked, wore fluffy hats, made the audiences laugh and cry and go … awwww …

SCBWI authors & illustrators were fantastic wowing the crowds at Black Cat Book Café Brisbane; The Little Bookroom Melbourne; and The Children’s Bookshop Beecroft in Sydney.

It’s INSIDE STORY and on the 1st weekend of every November from now on!

The School Magazine NSW is cool, cool, cool too – caught with the creative team in Sydney -bringing the best stories, fiction and non fiction and art to the kids of Australia since 1916!

Loved dropping in on Alan Edwards the editor, Sue Murray the deputy editor who’s also a writer and playwrite and the team.

 

The post Inside Story to School Magazine ~How Cool R Kids writers & Illustrators? appeared first on Susanne Gervay's Blog.

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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.

 

 

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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

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If you’re not away or flying back from Bologna or at festivals and conference, the SCBWI Network is:-

5-7 p.m.

Monday 2nd April

at The Hughenden

14 Queen Street Woollahra (near Paddington, Sydney).

I have been on a conference and festival trail where I have met kids, librarians, teachers, adults, even politicians from Queensland to Picton to the beautiful Dixon Room in Sydney’s heritage Mitchell Library overlooking our Botanical Gardens towards the Opera House.

I’ll be keynote at the Glouceter Festival , touring the USA with my ‘Butterflies’, visiting Taree, Melbourne ….and more ….. and I am looking forward to speaking at the IBBY Congress in London.  It’s crazy but the wonderful life of a writer.

Deborah Abela, Serena Geddes, Lesley Vamos, Christopher Cheng … are just back from Bologna Book Fair; and

shared a fabulous time with heaps of brilliant authors and illustrators in Somerset on the Gold Coast like Jacqueline Harvey, Michael Wagner, Oliver Phommovanh, Ursula Dubosarsky, Tristan Bancks, Karen Brooks, Leigh Hobbs, Scott Westerfield, James Roy, Georgia Blain and the brilliant list goes on.

Frane Lessac, Mark Greenwood, Sally Murphy, Norm Jorgenson, A J Betts, Dianne Lawrenson, Samantha Hughes …

….and all those WA writers and illustrators are on the move throughout WA and NT at festivals and reaching remote indogenous communities.

Sarah Davis and Deborah Abela have flown to Alice Springs to join them. Love it.

Aleesah Darlison is back from Hong Hong; Jan Latta just back from China speaking at festivals; Jacqueline Harvey is doing her Alice-Miranda tour in the USA and UK.

Sue Whiting’s at All Saints in Perth which I loved when I spoke there last year

This is the coolest community ever!

If anyone is in Sydney on Monday 2nd April, there’s a great talk by Wendy Blaxland on non fiction writing; catch up with SCBWI Conference information on 29th June-2nd July and networking at The Hughenden.

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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.

 

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Margaret Wild is a leading Australian children’s author. She has more than 70 picture books  with so many awards that I’ve lost count.

The adaptation of her brilliant multi award winning  picture book FOX illustrated by Ron Brooks and adapated into an opera by Monkey Baa Theatre www.monkeybaa.com.au was one of the great experiences of theatre.

The Lady Cutler Award gift of an illustration by the beautiful illustrator Julie Vivas will be deeply loved.

Edward Coffey who established the Lady Cutler Award which was sponsored by Hodder Publishers spoke about the importance of recognising those who contribute to children’s literature.

In 2011 Edward Coffey Chairman of  Peribo www.peribo.com.au has become the new sponsor.

Kate Forsyth and Belinda Murrell award winning fantasy authors spoke about their great-great-great-great mother who wrote the first Australian book ‘A Mother’s Offering’

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Celebrations at The NSW Writers Centre for the BIG birthdays of award winning and best selling illustrator Sarah Davis and her husband mathematician Dave were filled with music lead by Sarah’s muso brother and a band of wild and woolly musicians.

Dave sang a wonderful love song to Sarah …… delicious. Every woman’s dream.  

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The love, memories, friendship washed over and into us as Australian children’s authors and illustrators celebrated 15 years of The Children’s Writers and Illustrators’ Network at The Hughenden Woollahra Sydney.

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Hundreds of kids poured into the quasi-theatre at Woodlands. They were spellbound at times, laughing at other times and ethusiastically applauding.

 I loved the kids and teacher librarians and teachers from Bethany School, Hattonvale State School, Jundalee State School Fervale, WMAC and IESS – all fabulous!

Crowds of kids and teachers wandered around the Ipswich Festival at Woodlands. Loved the art stalls with the workk of talented illustrator Lachlan Creogh and upcoming ilustrator Christian Bocquee.

 

 

Post talks, authors & illustrators are loving the community of children’s writers and hang out at Woodlands -Christopher Cheng, mark Wilson, Kerry Borwn and Gus Gordon

 

 

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Sooooo….. much excitement with our own Lesley Vamos winning the illustrators’ pitch with her fabulous; Sarah Davis & Chris Cheng making a splash with ‘Sounds Spooky’; gifted Priscilla Burris illustrator and Illustrator coordinator SCBWI, talks by the greatest children’s authors & illustrators; friends from all over the world.

Love the Internationals from france, Hong Kong, Germany, Canada, Mexico — everywhere.

Time out has been cool to – my secret escape to Orogold – pure decadence of a moment of LA stardom – and I looked good aftrewards -www.orogoldcosmetics.com – nearly as good as Frane taking a pit stop on the poolside banana lounge.

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Wandering through the Reading Room exhibiting children’s illustrations  by wonderful artists such as Cathy Wilcox, Sarah Davis, Shaun Tan, Donna Rawlings, Nina Rycroft, the Children’s Book Council gathered in the warm candle-lit sun lounge of The Hughenden.

Everyone was waiting for Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir, Governor of NSW and patron of the Children’s Book Council.

Carol Keeble Pesident of the CBCA (NSW), Maurice Saxby a father of Australian children’s literature and Margaret Hamilton  former President of the Children’s Book Council, the CBCA Foundation and a leading literary figure in Australia welcomed the Governor.

It was a wonderful evening of fine food, the company of authors and the children’s literary community.

Some of the authors included J.C. Burke, Christopher Cheng, Sue Whiting, Mary Small, Jill Bruce, Margaret Roc joining the President of the CBCA NSW and supporters to discuss books, listen to an address by Jill Bruce the new judge of the CBCA Awards and Wendy Smith the outgoing judge.

Fabulous night with everyone lingering on to share good company, food and celebrate children’s books.

 

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This is a special post for me, as this honor was given to me and my cohort and friend, Sara Easterly, last year. 

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