Behind the Scenes: Meet The BEATNICKERS!

Unable to extract themselves from an era of spiritual exploration and creative revolution, a handful of scribes and illustrators clung to the notion of the Beat Generation and morphed into The Beatnickers Band. For years, The Beatnickers have been gracing SCBWI AusNZ Conferences, enticing would be shakers and groovers onto the dance floors. And like a hippie left out in the sun too long, it’s a culture that seems to be assuming a life of its own. Join us now as we delve below the curdled mantle of The Beatnickers and their key members, starting with, James Foley.

James Foley makes picture books and comics for kids. He’s the author/illustrator of the S.Tinker Inc graphic novel series for middle primary: Brobot (2016) and Dungzilla (2017) starring Sally Tinker, the world’s foremost inventor under the age of twelve, and Joe Tinker, her stinky baby brother. The third in the series, Gastronauts, will be published in late 2018. James’ earlier books My Dead Bunny (2015) In The Lion (2012), The Last Viking (2011) and The Last Viking Returns (2014) have all scored several honours, including children’s choice awards, shortlistings in the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year awards, and selection to the International Youth Library’s White Raven list. James is an an ambassador for Books In Homes and Room To Read. He is a massive Marvel movie nerd. He comes from a long line of queuing enthusiasts.

Welcome, James! Briefly state your conference role and conference responsibilities

My role will be Chief Lyric Warbler in a band called the Beatnickers. The band members are all SCBWI scribblers and scribes (plus the odd scoundrel).

How long have you been part of the SCBWI Band and what made you sign up for it: the money, the notoriety, the free scotch finger biscuits?

I was unaware there were free scotch finger biscuits. This will be my third time singing with the band - have there been free scotch finger biscuits in the past? Meredith and Scott, did you know about this?? Did you eat my share of the biscuits?!?

Describe your most notable achievement or proudest moment in Kids’ Lit to date

The best thing is that I still get to do it. It’s not a stable job, it’s not a given - but it’s been 9 years since I started my first book, 7 years since my first book was published, and 5 and a half years since I started doing it full time.

What is the most memorable (SCBWI) Conference experience you’ve had to date, or hope to have?

The best part about SCBWI conferences is the chance to catch up with everyone from across Oz and have a party.

Name one thing you can’t live without

Scotch finger biscuits.

Provide at least one Fun Fact from a SCBWI Conference you’ve attended or played at (anywhere in the world)

I went to the 2012 NY winter conference, and Mo Willems was a keynote. He is quite good at throwing frisbees. I know this because he threw signed copies of his books into the audience. 75% sure they were softcovers.

Get to know James better by visiting his website: www.jamesfoley.com.au

If you’re keen to meet more Beatnickers scoundrels, er members, stick around, we’ve managed to lure them in with a mere half a packet of scotch finger biscuits! Till then,

Rove ya later!

Dimity (Head Gardener)

www.dimitypowell.com

#SCBWISyd

Behind the Scenes: Meet the Faculty Marjorie Crosby-Fairall

What better way to beat the summer heat than to settle back in your pool lounger and soak up some more cool behind the scenes snippets from our SCBWI team. Marjorie Crosby-Fairall is the Assistant Regional Adviser for AusNZ and one fine illustrator so strap on your swimming caps and welcome, Marjorie!

When Marjorie was a little girl she often escaped to the library, spending hours devouring picture books and minutely examining their illustrations. Consequently it was a surprise to no one that she decided to become an illustrator.

Marjorie has illustrated several children’s books and her magazine work includes The School Magazine and Australian Geographic. Her books appear on the Premier’s Reading Challenge lists and have been shortlisted and won awards, including the CBCA Eve Pownall Award for her first picture book.

Her picture books include Brothers from a Different Mother (Penguin Random House) and The Croc and the Platypus (Walker Books). She also has upcoming picture books with Susanne Gervay and Deborah Abela.

Released November 2016, One Christmas Eve (by Corinne Fenton for Black Dog Books an imprint of Walker Books) was the inspiration for the 2016 Meyer Christmas Windows in Melbourne.

Soak up more of Marjorie’s exquisite art here, www.crosby-fairall.com

Briefly state your conference role and conference responsibilities

I am the Assistant Regional Advisor Australia East & New Zealand which means I sort of run around behind Susanne—and along with the rest of the committee—try to put structure to all her irrepressible and enthusiastic ideas! As far as the Conference goes, my responsibilities include organising bookings, the website and general design.

Describe your most notable achievement or proudest moment in Kids’ Lit to date

There have been so many highlights but one that was certainly unique was illustrating One Christmas Eve by Corinne Fenton, which was the inspiration for the 2016 Meyer Christmas Windows in Melbourne. More recently, I’ve had the opportunity to illustrate upcoming picture books with both Susanne Gervay and Deborah Abela. What a treat it has been to collaborate with my friends!

What is the most memorable (SCBWI) Conference experience you’ve had to date, or hope to have?

So many! I had a wonderful and exhausting time at the Winter Conference in New York. And I’ve loved being able to meet the various SCBWI members who I’ve only previously known via email. But most of all I’ve enjoyed all the fun we have as a committee working to organise the Sydney Conference, culminating in that final sigh of relief when it’s all over and we can fall into an exhausted heap.

Name one thing you can’t live without

A good book.

Provide at least one Fun Fact from a SCBWI Conference you’ve attended or organised (anywhere in the world)

Four of my most recent book contracts came from a Portfolio review at the last Conference.

There’s more to come so come back again for another refreshing behind the scenes look. And remember…The 2019 Sydney Conference is ALMOST SOLD OUT!
Yes, that's right. The conference is ALMOST sold out. Here's what we have left:

• 5 conference tickets

• 5 dinner dance tickets (dinner is optional and not included in the conference ticket price)

• Due to popular demand, we have opened places in Zoe Walton's Masterclass. Please click here to book but be quick!

• 3 international manuscript critiques (all other critiques are sold out)

• a few places in Masterclasses with James Foley and Dianne Evans.

Hope on line now to secure your everything!

Rove ya later!

Dimity (Head Gardener)

www.dimitypowell.com

#SCBWISyd

Behind the Scenes: Meet the Faculty Deborah Abela

Deborah Abela is not only the Assistant Regional Advisor of SCBWI NSW but is a pocket rocket of unimaginable energy and verve, which is useful if you’re on the Conference Committee for the SCBWI Sydney Conference 2019. Grab a bright bloom and wave it around for, Deb Abela!

Deborah has always been short and a bit of a coward, which is why she writes books about spies, ghosts, soccer legends and kids living in a flooded city with sea monsters and flying machines. Her 24 novels include Grimsdon, New City and Teresa A New Australian, which was inspired by her dad who lived through the devastation of WW2 before migrating to Australia. Her latest book is The Stupendously Spectacular Spelling Bee. Deb’s won awards for her books but mostly hopes to be as brave as her characters. She is an ambassador for the Premier’s Reading Challenge and Room to Read. www.deborahabela.com

Briefly state your conference role and conference responsibilities

I am the ARA for SCBWI NSW and part of the magnificent SCBWI leadership team that operates under the guidance and steam of Susanne Gervay. Anyone who knows Susanne knows she is a powerhouse of energy and generosity and enthusiasm...they'll also know that if you're standing near her for too long, you'll have volunteered for something. That's how our relationship has worked for over a decade.

Describe your most notable achievement or proudest moment in Kids’ Lit to date

Being part of the kids' lit world has been a feast of magnificence since my first book was published in 2002. There have been so many highlights....launching Teresa a New Australian with the president of Malta at her palace, being named a Koala Legend in 2017, but one of the loveliest times was when a teacher wrote and said she'd read my novel to her class and when she finished the last page, the entire class got to their feet and clapped. I was very teary.

What is the most memorable (SCBWI) Conference experience you’ve had to date, or hope to have?

Ahhhh again there are so many....the dancing, the lunches, meeting lots of new people, and the flopping down exhausted on a coach with my fellow lovely SCBWI team at the end....I loved every minute.

Name one thing you can’t live without

Hope

Provide at least one Fun Fact from a SCBWI Conference you’ve attended or organised (any where in the world)

One conference we gave Susanne Gervay a table tennis paddle with the word 'no' plastered on both sides, to try and get her to stop saying yes to everyone and anything people ask.

…I think that worked for six minutes or less!

We’ve still got lots of lovely memories and behind the scene facts to unearth around the potting shed. Come back again soon to discover them.

Rove ya’ later!

Dimity (Head Gardener)

www.dimitypowell.com

#SCBWISyd