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In Australia we’re in the midst of Summer, although here in Melbourne we’ve already had all four seasons in one, sometimes even in one day! A great way to familiarise children with all that the season encompasses is through engaging language experiences. That means providing children opportunities to see, do, touch, listen, read and think […]

The CBCA NSW had the BEST AGM ever – exciting, enthused, networking with publishers, writers, authors, teachers, librarians, readers and so many organisations including Society of Women Writers, Stephen Wilson PETA,  branch Presidents from Wollongong to Northern beaches Sydney, NSW CBCA judge Jill Bruce …. and of course Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

SCBWI was thrilled to support the CBCA and our brilliant authors and illustrators who presented about the exciting projects they are doing:-

Nathan Luff – watch out for his new series published by Walker Books

Sue Whiting – fabulous author of books from her best selling picture book Firefighters to award winning YA novel Cooper Jones

Sarah Davies -   extraordinary illustrators of the fabulous FEARLESS among so many other works

Serena Geddes – so talented and who will be illustrating the joyous Gracie and Josh – our picture book. celebrating kids and endorsed by VARIETY

Patron: Professor Marie Bashir, CV AVO Governor of NSW

The President and Committee of The Children’s Book Council (CBCA) NSW Branch cordially invite

EVERYONE who loves Reading to

The unveiling of the exciting new look CBCA NSW, with

A SCBWI Author-Illustrator Showcase

with Serena Geddes, Nathan Luff, Susanne Gervay, Sue Whiting and Sarah Davis

followed by the AGM  & Gourmet Afternoon Tea Celebration.

Date: Saturday 22^nd September 2012

Time: 2pm for 2:15pm sharp start

Where: NSW Writers’ Centre

Callan Park, Balmain Road, Rozelle NSW 2040

2  for 2.15 p.m. Saturday 12^th September

(ACCEPTANCES ONLY PLEASE)

Email: [email protected]

please place ‘AGM’ in the subject line

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.

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.