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A plethora of picture books about Christmas are published each year. Some are froth and bubble, as unsatisfying as cheap tinsel. Others are excellent, and should be shared with children and families in the lead-up to Christmas Day or join the collections of  avid Christmas book collectors. Some standouts for 2014 that are already available […]

SCBWI stars, stars, stars!!!!!!!

Starting with the Three Wise Writers – Nathan Luff, Deborah Abela, Wendy Blaxland – who came with ‘incense’ and song to the SCBWI Xmas Theatre sports.

It was a fabulous night of good food, good wine, good company of children’s writers and illustrators and publishers at The Hughenden Woollahra – and brilliant performances by Theatre Sports’ stars including:-

Sarah Foster publisher Walker Books

Sarah Davis illustrator

Marjorie Fairall-Crosby and more, more, more!

It was packed with SCBWI authors, illustrators and librarians as everyone shared their children’s book news.

Jenny Stubbs the Director of the Story Arts Festival Ipswich, Book Links and Ipswich District Teacher Librarian Network shared  festival information and ideas from Romancing the Stars of children’s books to the brilliant CBCA Readers’ Cup for the kids of Queensland.

 Valerie Khoo Director of the Sydney Writers Centre was inspiring. Her generosity in sharing how writers reach their audiences through social media and creating a successful career was fantastic.

– And we’re all waiting for the mega Christmas party on 6th December with THEATRE SPORTS organised by our mega team of Nathan Luff, Deb Abela and Wendy Blaxland.

Bookings:- [email protected]

Thursday 6th December 2012

6.30 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Buffet with wine at $45 per person

Come ready to party, perform, laugh and share the Christmas spirit.

The SCBWI Australia and New Zealand has to be the BEST ever conference with brilliant and generous publishers from HarperCollins, Walker Books, Five Mile Press, RandomHouse …. and heaps more …

and US fabulous literary agent Jill Corcoran from the Herman Agency

award winning writers and illustrators from around Australia and New Zealand

and more, more, more.

So many highlights:-

- the perfect sunny winter day at the NSW Writers Centre with brilliant panels and the best of Australian publishers shared industry news – including Tegan Morrison from ABC Books, Lisa Berryman HarperCollins, Sue Whiting Walker Books, Sarah Foster Walker Books, Zoe Walton Random House, Jeanmarie Morison Random House, Karen tayleur Five Mile Press … and more

- award winning deeply passionate writers for young people shared insights including Sally Murphy, Frane Lessac, Meg McInlay, Belinda Murrell, Hazel Edwards and more, more, more

The illustrators showcase with 37 publishers coming to find their new illustrators lead by frane Lessac and Sarah Davis with the creative designs of Lesley Vamos and the illustrator committee of Andrea Edmunds, Marjorie Crosby-Fairall, Serena Geddes

Manuscript critiques, industry talks, authors offered contracts … the business of the children’s book industry and craft and news and partying too …

James Foley award winning WA illustrator as lead singer, with award winning author Meredith Costain on the baby grand, the guitars with writer Scott Chambers and Crystal Kite International Award Coordinator Chris Cheng – and SCBWI sang and danced and cheered – what a night.

A partner of the National year of Reading 2012, NSW Writers Centre, CAL – with huge thanks.

The SCBWI Conference has the best committee with lots of brilliant authors and illustrators contributing – some of the team at the committee meeting at The Hughenden in Sydney include:-

Wendy Blaxland – doing media;

Mark Thomason and Nathan Luff – stars organising the critiques which are really hard to do.

Margaret Roc – organising the masterclasses thank goodness.

Toni Brisland – delegate bags – a lot coming in with thanks.

The Illustrator committee – stars led by Frane Lessac, Sarah Davis, Lesley Vamos, Serena Geddes, Andrea Edmunds with a hand from Marjorie Crosby-Fairall

Authors, illustrators, librarians, publishers …. so many people gathered to celebrate Maurice Saxby’s contribution to children’s literature.

Professor Robyn Ewing gave the keynote:- ‘Story is at the centre of what we do – imagine.’

‘A creative work remains permanently unfinished.’ Shaun Tan.

Children’s literature promotes creativity, imagination and exploration. 

The inaugural Maurice Saxby lecture was the brainchild of Libby Gleeson, an Ambassador for the National Year of Reading. She was joined by other ambassadors – Chris Cheng, Libby Hathorn and me.

A national year of Reading event 

It was a wonderful evening in Sydney’s heritage Mitchell Library.

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.

How exciting to be welcomed with a huge window display at The Children’s Bookshop Beecroft  of ‘Ships in the Field’, a National Year of Reading event.

Anna Pignataro the brilliant illustrator of ‘Ships in the Field’ loved speaking to authors, illustrators, teachers, librarians, kids and friends. 

Anna shared her Italian-Egyptian background and how her parents were forced out of Egypt, while I shared my Hungarian refugee background – in ‘Ships in The Field’ – a story of finding home.

Fabulous authors like Wendy Blaxland, Wendy Fitzgerald, Belinda Murrell, Margaret Roc, Felicity Pulman, Isolde Martyn, tanka poet Beverley George …Maria Simpson creator of Bilby Theatre, librarians like the fantastic Claire Stuckey and friends came to celebrate ‘Ships in the Field’.

Loved it!!!!!

The Northern branch of the Children’s Book Council is so joyous with lots of authors, librarians, readers at the Christmas.

The brilliant illustrator Kim Gamble created a Tashi artwork while Anna Feinberg read out their newest Tashi to be published next year.

Sarah Davis’  ’Sounds Spooky’ is zooming ahead with major sales. Karen Robertson has won the top position for her apps – Treasure Kai. Oliver Phommavanh has two new books coming out with Penguin in 2012. Wendy Blaxland’s Cooking series with MacMillan is cooking up a storm – sorry for my pathetic joke.

Jan Latta is back from yet another adventure crossing the globe taking wildlife photos for her Real life series of books – she’s off to China in February of course.

Jill Bruce was interviewed by Laurine Croasdale about her role as NSW judge of the CBC awards.

Jenny hale, Kate Forsyth, Lindy Batchelor, Jill Bruce, Serena Geddes, Aleesah Darlinson  … and lots of other authors and illustrators there.

So many success stories.

Wendy Fitzgerald is the new President of the CBCA Northern Branch Sydney

I launched Wendy’s series of 12 books ‘How are they Made?’ to hundreds of enthuisiastic Abbotsleigh girls dressed as their favourite book characters.

The research is huge, the books really, really interesting and fun on things around us – paper, pencils, plates & mugs,  sneakers, knives & forks, bottles and jar, jumpers, helmets, basketballs, guitars, cans -  I love the recycling focus too. 

Jacqueline Harvey coordinated the Abbotsleigh Literature Festival and was MC of the launch. She’s also the author of the popular series Alice Miranda -  boarding school adventures.  Such a great series. The teacher who dressed up as Alice Miranda was a huge hit with the kids. She bicycled into Wendy’s launch wearing a helmet – highlighting Wendy’s ‘Helmet’ book in the series.

 I loved speaking about Wendy and these fantastic books.

The pianist was playing, the food was good, the drinks flowing, the crowd enthusiastic at Berkelouw Book Shop Norton Street, as Jeni Mawter launched Toni Brisland’s first book:-

‘and now we have Demi Chat and the Kent Street Mystery’ Jeni announced to cheers.

A cat and dog detective team solving mysteries illustrated by  cartoonist and graphic illustrator Peter “Zane” Haywood.

Jeni spoke about the journey of writing ‘Wendy Blaxland and Susanne Gervay … and I were talking …about Toni (who) questioned the sanity of her .. journey as a writer. Well, today Toni, finally ….’ you’re published.  Congratulations!

Moya wrote ‘Let Me Whisper You My Story’ in commemoration of Anna Parnas who died in the Holocaust; Anne’s daughter Eve (Moya’s dear friend), a child survivor; and to advocate for those who suffer injustice and racism.

It was a deeply moving launch with Adrew Havas founder of Courage to Care, part of the worldwide benevolent society called B’nai B’rith, advocating for justice.

 Courage to Care goes into schools with facilitators like Moya and Holocaust survivors to talk about a better world.

There were a lots of authors and friends there to celebrate.

 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 

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

Carol Keeble President of the CBC put on a delicious lunch – love her vegetarian lasagna – to invite authors to share ideas with the CBC.  Topics on the agenda included -’ Book Week, authors and illustrators joining the CBCA, festivals and the regional CBC branches. There was enhtusiasm from the Sutherland Shire Branch and the Northern Beaches Branch of the CBC.

There were huge congratulations to Kate Forsyth and Belinda Murrell for their Book Week initiative in 2009, where the author-illustrator afternoon teas at four schools were a huge success. Hundreds of kids and teachers came to hear authors including Wendy Blaxland, Jeni Mawter, Kim Gamble, John Flanagan, Felicity Pulman  and others.

Authors at the meeting included Chris Cheng, Deb Abela, Wendy Blaxland, Belinda Murrell, Kate Forsyth, Susanne Gervay, Jacqueline Harvey, James Roy.  The CBCA Conference is to be held 18-19th June 2010.

British Carnegie Medal winner of young adult literature Mal Peet and USA Michael L Printz winner of young adult literature M T Anderson were funny, warm, engaging as they spoke to the Children’s Book Council dinner at The Hughenden Boutique Hotel.

Carnegie Medal Award winner Mal Peet

Michael Printz Prize winner M T Anderson

Susanne Gervay, Carole Keeble CBC President, Jessica Francis CBC

The GONG fans & authors

Jan Latta and Wendy Blaxland

Authors Wendy Blaxland & Chris Cheng

Great SCBWI meeting with exciting news from Chris Cheng about the development of the Oz SCBWI website, speakers directory, illustrator directory, youtube channel and the development of trailers.

SCBWI Australia supports Room to Read www.roomtoread.org

Specialist guest was Ron Jobe Professor Emeritus Language and Literacy Education at The University of British Columbia who had so many wonderful stories about authors and illustrators from around the world.

Sue Whiting, Wendy Blaxland, Margaret Roc and other authors and illustrators joined in and we ended up having the best lamb shank pie and soufle - specialities of The Hughenden - and great conversation and fun.

Sue Whiting looks happy joining new SCBWI members