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

Behind the Scenes: Meet the Faculty Sue Whiting

You’ve met our Chief of Landscaping Services aka, Conference Director, aka Susanne Gervay. Now throw your petals in the air for Sue Whiting (who doesn’t really have the body of a dog).

Sue Whiting is an author and editor who lives and works in a small coastal village south of Sydney. Sue has written numerous books in a variety of genres: fiction and nonfiction, picture books through to YA, including the best-selling The Firefighters, and the award-winning A Swim in the Sea. Her latest books are Missing, a mystery novel for readers 10+ and Beware the Deep, Dark Forest, a picture book illustrated by Annie White. Sue loves sharing her passion for story and storytelling, reading and writing with people of all ages. Join her on her adventures in story at www.suewhiting.com.

Briefly state your conference role and conference responsibilities

General duties (aka dogsbody) / bookshop list coordinator / coordinator for the Celebrating Books event at The Children’s Bookshop, Beecroft, on Feb 24

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

Writing Missing. This was a very difficult book to write and I am proud that I stuck it out, persevered and managed to get Mackenzie’s sad story out of my head and onto paper. I am also very proud of the way this book has been received – especially by young readers. That has been indeed heartwarming.

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

Dancing to the SCBWI band at the Hughenden in 2014. So much fun! It proved what a great supportive, fun-loving community SCBWI is.

Name one thing you can’t live without

Once I would have said my dishwasher. Not long ago I would have said my laptop. Now, I think I could live without both of these. I even think I could live without my phone – though it would be a struggle. So apart from champagne, chocolate and pumpkin, I think the things I most cherish are not things at all, rather they are people – my family and close friends.

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

This is a personal one. SCBWI Sydney 2019 will be the first SCBWI conference I have attended where I won’t be doing manuscript assessments! What will I do with all that time? Hey, I might even be able to listen to some of the awesome speakers on the program! For those who have made an appointment for an assessment, take it from one who has been on the other side of the table many times – don’t be too nervous or worried, most publishers don’t bite, just use the experience as a craft development exercise that will get you a step (or three) closer to publication. Enjoy!

It will be fantastic to see Sue conferencing with us this year, not to mention on the dance floor. Look out!

Stick around for more behind the scene meetings and memories.

Till then, Happy Christmas from the RR team.

Rove ya’ later!

Dimity (Head Gardner)

#SCBWISyd