Duncan Ball was a fabulous MC with hundreds of kids, 40 schools, the best of Australian kids and young adult authors and illustrators at the annual Bookfeast in Sydney’s West.
The Q & A Session was fun with witty comments by:-
Andy Griffiths author of ‘The Day My Bum Went Psycho’
John Heffernan author of “Charlie Carter” series
Deborah Abela,of Max Remy Super Spy fame
Richard Newsome, journalist and author of ‘the Billionaire’s Curse’
John Flanagan of Ranger’s Apprentice series.
It was a feast of authors and illustrators – Oliver Phommavanh, Moya Simons, Anna Feinberg, Belinda Murrell, William Kostakis, Sadami konchi, Jacqueline Harvey, Gabrielle Lord of Conspiracy 365 success and more, more, more …..
With more than 30 schools Villawood North to Haberfield – and the kids were fantastic. 
Loved, loved, loved speaking at the fabulous Woollahra Municipal Council.
Only Noah would have come out – but brave supporters of books weathered the storm.
The kids asked fabulous questions.
Serena Geddes talented illustrator came along.
Moya Simons arrived with her hair frazzled from the wet.
Megan Light, school librarian from Cranbrook Junior School arrived to support Ships in the Field, literature and the National Year of Reading.
Friends, readers arrived – thankyou!
The Children’s and Young Adult Literature Festival at the NSW Writers Centre is different to other festivals in that the writing community, sharing, friendship, support of the creativity of authors and creators is at the heart of the festival.
The NSW Writers Centre located in the heritage Gary Owen House in the Parklands of Callan Park grounds give a feel of a fair as writers gather, share conversation and food, applaud the launch of a book, craft and the life of publishing children’s and young adult literature.
As the Chair of the Board of the NSW Writers Centre I opened the festival and was embraced by the warmth of the audience, personal interaction, welcome of novice to well published authors, publishers who generously donated their time, screen writers, playwrights, digital writers ….
There was a wealth of talent and commitment to youth creativity in a home of writers.
Loved it – thankyou to all the participants and especially to:-
Authors:-
Lisa Forrest, Sue Whiting, Dianne Bates, Kate Forsyth, Belinda Murrell, Moya Simons, Jacqueline Harvey, Sophie Masson, Aleesah Darlinson, Jeni Mawter, Michael Parker, Karen Robertson, Duncan Ball William Kostakis
Publishers/Agents/Reviewers:-
Lisa Berryman HarperCollins, Zoe Walton Random House, Brian Cook Literary Agent; Angie Schiavonne Symdey Morning herald Literary reviewer; Palmer-Higgs Publishing; Joel Blacklock Boomerang Books.
Screen writers:-
Gina Roncoli, Simon Hopkinson, Kym Goldsworthy, Samantha Strauss
Theatre:-
Monkey Baa Theatre for Young People and Director Eva Di Cesare.
This Festival supports PEN and PEN’s Empty Chair. This chair was empty, recognising a writer who is persecuted for their work.
At the Festival, the empty chair was for LIU XIA and SUPPORTERS oF Nobel Prize winner LIU XIAOBO 2010. Since the Nobel Committee announced its decision in October 2010, Liu’s wife, Liu Xia, a photographer and poet, has been held under de facto house arrest by Chinese authorities.
Lisa Forrest the multi talented inspirational children’s author, media personality, actor, Olympian and Commonwealth gold medallist and a Mum, was a fantastic keynote to a full house.
Some highlights:-
Monkey Baa Theatre’s Eva diCesare, author Duncan Ball and HarperCollins publisher Lisa Berryman were in conversation about the new play Emily Eyefinger to be performed at Seymour Centre Sydney
Jeni Mawter’s launch of The Snugglebump Jump with heaps of cup cakes and a hilarious demonstration of Michael Parker author giving birth to a baby boy – well, baby doll.
Bestselling authors – Aleesah Darlinson, Belinda Murrell, Kate Forsyth, Moya Simons, Jacqueline Harvey, Sophie Masson, William Kostakis, Karen Robertson and more.
Kids’ TV with fabulous script writers; social media and insights into independent publishing as well as mainstream.
Celebrating the Survivors, Carers
Commemorating those who have passed away
Joining together in the community of those touched by cancer.
Raising awareness, comraderie and funds to care for those -
with cancer, families and win against the disease.
THANKYOU TO FRIENDS WHO GAVE OF THEIR HEARTS & FUNDS.
The second Eastern Suburbs 2010 Relay For Life raised an amazing $150,406.72
There were 51 Teams and 655 Participants hit the track at the event and heaps of friends and families came by in support.
There were over 44 Survivors and I was one of them.
I walked for my friends battling with cancer today with LOVE. You know who you are.
Our team the Road Runner Stunners was sponsored by The Hughenden Hotel.
Thankyou to writing friends from all over Australia – Authors Dianne Wolfer from Western Australia, Hazel Edwards, Corinne King and Meredith Costain from Victoria, Sue Walker, Moya Simons, Sue Whiting, Sandy Fussell, Wendy Fitzgerald and other authors from NSW and dear friends.
Thankyou to family far away in Singapore – Paul and Amanda – for caring.
Thankyou to family close to home – Bill, Jamie & Nadia, Tory, Len and Gracie, Ros.
If you want to be part of it – Register Now for next Season: www.relayforlife.org.au
I am working with the wonderful, care team from the Cancer Council with my new kid’s book ‘Always Jack’ to be published in October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. www.cancercouncil.com.au; and the National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre Australia. www.nbocc.org.au
By:
Susanne Gervay,
on 3/16/2010
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Where?: UTS Art Gallery, Sydney
What? An evening in discussion about the impact of terror on our lives
How? With a panel of 5 authors and 2 editors from the anthology ‘Fear Factor: Terror Incognito’
Who?
Panel Chair: Devleena Ghosh, Director of Transforming Cultures, Associate Professor Social Inquiry Program UTS
Editors: Professor Meenaskshi Bharat University of Delhi; Sharon Rundle, Lecturer UTS
Authors: Andrew Kwong, Susanne Gervay, Rosie Scott, Sujata Sankranti, Meenakshi Bharat
Audience: Academics, authors, students, general public.
Special guests: Authors Mabel Lee renowned translator of Nobel Prize winning Chinese author Gao Xingjian’s ‘Soul Mountain’
Authors: Hazel Edwards and Moya Simons
Storytellers: Sue Alveraz
Outcome?: Exciting discussion opening a wide range of views and emotions on terrorism from refugees by Rosie Scott, escape from China by Andrew Kwong, young people drawn into terrorism by Sujata Sankranti and recognition of the difficult and important journey by Australian editor Sharon Rundle and Indian editor Meenakshi Bharat to create an anthology that opens vital discourse on terrorism.
By:
Susanne Gervay,
on 9/23/2009
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Jenny Hale,William Kostakis,Kate Forsyth,Susanne Gervay
Bookfeast was abuzz with balloons, kids, teachers and the cream of Australian children’s authors and illustrators.
Haberfield school librarian, Michael Fraser’s annual event is unique in uniting the community of Australian children’s authors and illustrators with their audiences in a celebration of literature and reading.
Keynote speakers were:-
Richard Harland award winning and best selling fantasy author
Sue Murray Australia’s leading youth playwright
Sarah Davis - awarded best new young illustrator by the CBCA for ‘Mending Lucille’
Duncan Ball, Australia’s much loved and multi award winning author of Selby the Talking Dog and Emily Eyefinger.
It was a FEAST of talent including
Gus Gordon illustrator - look out for brilliant picture book WENDY
William Kostakis author - YA novel ‘Loathing Lola’
Moya Simons author - series ‘Walk Right In Detective Agency’
Emma Quay illustrator - adorable picture book ‘Bear and Chook’
Sue Whiting author - kids favourite the Firefighters illustrated by Donna Rawlings
Kate Forsyth world wide fantasy author - brilliant series Chain of Charms
Deb Abela author delights with - Max Remy Super Spy
Jenny Hale and her debut fantasy series JATTA which is already a best seller
Chris Cheng editor of a new Poetry anthology that is receiving acclaim
and many more - Felicity Pulman, Vashti Farrer,David Mulligan,Libby Hathorn,Alan Baille,Patricia Bernard,Vicky Morrison ….
It’s truly a FEAST
Sue Whiting and Sarah Davis' picture book 'Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy'
Kate Forsyth,Vicky Morrison, Deborah Abela
By:
Susanne Gervay,
on 7/28/2009
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Melina Marchetta, Libby Hathorn, Maria Boyd authors supporting Room to Read
Jennie Orchard the head of Room to Read Australia impressed the authors at The Hughenden, with the extraordinary work of Room to Read, bringing literacy to developing nations - from Nepal to India to Vietnam and now Africa.
Room to Read has:- built over 750 schools; created over 7000 bilingual librarues; donated over 5 million books; 320 local language titles; provided scilarships to over 7000 girls and brought books to over 3 million children.
Pam Cook organiser of Students Helping Students program and ambassador for Room to read author Markus Zusak
- Jennie Orchard and author James Knight
Duncan Ball was a fabulous MC with hundreds of kids, 40 schools, the best of Australian kids and young adult authors and illustrators at the annual Bookfeast in Sydney’s West.
