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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.

Authors & Illustrators network at The Hughenden Hotel in Sydney’s heritage Paddington-Woollahra, where they share publishing, festival, writing news – offering support when there’s a rejection or celebration with a new book, leads for new work, humour and lots of coffee and friendship.

Open to all published authors & illustrators – just turn up and you’ll be welcomed.

It meets the first Wednesday of every month (except January) 10.30-12.30 with optional lunch at The Hughenden.    For directions -  www.thehughenden.com.au

Christmas Network – celebrations and Christmas cheer – 10.30-12.30 – need to book for brunch $15 – just respond to contact here.

SCBWI Conference opened with a celebration of Alessah Darlinson’s ‘Totally Twin’s illustratrated by the talented Serena Geddes in the Hughenden Victorian lounge

Lin Oliver Executive Direcot of SCBWI, film Director and author of the 3.5 million best selling Hank Zipster written with Henry Winkler, flew to Sydney to be part of this international Conference.

Aleesah’s ’Totally Twins’ is the start of a series that will engage kids in the adventures, humour and reltionships of twins and all kids. Marc McEvoy Deputy Literary Editor of the Sun Herald launched the book with warm stories of the significance of reading and books.

Publishers, authors, illustrators  started with a great party to start a weekend of friendship and community in the world of kids writing.

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday to you

Loathing Lola is terrific

And so -oh are you!

Note the signed 21st bear – Illustrator Penny Azar signed with her own illustrated bear. 

Special news – Sue Walker has already received a 5 star review  of her ‘Arnie Avery’ published by Walker Books. I’m launching it at the Kids and Young Adult Literature Festival, NSW Writers Centre on 3rd July.  I read the manuscript at its early stage, so it’s especially wonderful.

Network  doubled up with the LITERATURE ALIVE team of Nina Rycroft, Aleesah Darlinson, Laurine Croasdale, Jeni Mawter,Sue Walker and me.

We’re going LIVE on July 22nd with our Literature Festival speaking to schools around the country via the TV screen.

Talented illustrator Nina Rycroft created the Literature Live Logo.

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