Had a fantastic time with over a hundred St Ursula ’s girls. They are enthusiastic and love music.
They wanted to know all about TORY and the music industry. They love Tory’s songs being part of our novel ‘That’s Why I Wrote This Song’.
Girls wanted to know how to get into the music industry. I told them it was about loving music, but also about getting to know people -
doing work experience at the music stations, magazines, music marketing companies.
Tory works in music now for SHOCK and they have huge bands.
Some of the bands she’s worked with include – but there are heaps more – 50 cents, Green Day, Chemical Romance:-
Check out TORY on my website: – www.sgervay.com
and my youtube channel to see the video clips of her songs – Psycho Dad and I Wanna Be Found:-
www.youtube.com/user/sgervay
New York is a surprise. Walked around the corner and ended up in the audience of the Today Show. The hosts Matt Lauer and Ann Curry were warm and funny, speaking to the crowds while we waved. I waved. Yes, I’m corny.
Did the New York things like the Statue of Liberty, harbour cruise, shopping at Macy’s with Tory. Well, she deserves it after giving me her songs for our book ‘That’s Why I Wrote This Song’.
Had dinner in the University area of Union Square with SCBWI authors Vicky Shiefman, Seta Toroyan, Nancy Lewis and Nancy Castaldo. They shared USA publishing news - there are so many cuts in publishing houses, take over of smaller presses. In fact that’s what happened to my US publisher Tricyle which is now an imprint of Crown which is part of Random House USA. It could be a good thing as Random House’s distribution seems strong and ‘I AM JACK’ is ‘everywhere’ - with announcements that it is coming out 13th October 2009.
There are lots of new literary agents who were editors and publishers. If you want a US agent this is the time to search. However it seems that the USA agents are much more creatively involved than Australian agents. They take a strong editorial role. With the publishing cuts in the USA, the SCBWI authors felt that there was a reliance on the agents doing some of the editorial work before the manuscript was submitted.
Gilbert Whyte singer songwriter, acoustic, fingerpicking guitar style
Escaping into the Royal Hotel on a wet and windy night, we lucked in with the acoustic sounds of Gilbert Whyte’s guitar and lyrical ballards. It’s worth listening to Gilbert’s myspace to hear songs that touch you, leaving you thinking about family, relationships and your place in the world.
www.myspace.com/gilbertwhyte
Gilbert Whyte and George Katralis new song writers
George Katralis was next, a song writer who’s different to Gilbert - more rocky. His songs about his dreams of being a Rock Star at 16; the mother stuck in a world without dreams; making it - were emtoional journeys. Watch out for his band VICTIMS OF SOUND.
You’ve got to be driven to be a creative artist. These are young guys on a hard but amazing trip. I know because I’m a writer. My last book, I wrote with my daughter Tory. Here are her songs:-
I Wanna Be Found - www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zw0JRQVht3E
Psycho Dad - www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ess-R0dHtX8
Tory songwriter and singer for 'That's Why I Wrote This Song'
Book Cover- That's Why I Wrote This Song
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zw0JRQVht3E
Hope you love this video clip. Photos were taken by a young photographer Rick Munitz.
Tory loves her music and shoes
Tory performing with Not Perfect the band
