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

Behind the Scenes: Meet the Faculty

Before any landscaping team launches into a new project, they need a sound and detailed brief from someone with a clear vision of how they wish their garden to grow. Coordinating a SCBWI conference is no different. It requires foresight, planning, creative vision and above all, an united team effort.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll endeavour to introduce you to a few of the movers and shakers behind next year’s 2019 Sydney Conference, the faulty as it were; the directors of our creative direction. This week, Susanne Gervay, SCBWI Australia’s Regional Adviser, reveals some of her conference fun facts. Wave your gladioli in the air for Susanne!

Susanne, briefly state your conference role and conference responsibilities

Conference Director – the glue between the many moving parts of the conference team with the incredible Marjorie, Sue, Jodie, Margaret, Sarah – and the enthusiasm of the coordinators of the chapters Victoria, Qld, SA, ACT, Tas, NSW and NZ, as well as the Roving Reporters and of course the fabulous delegates of the children’s book industry.

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

The nomination for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award representing Australia and receiving an OAM for children’s literature. Both mean the world to me, as my parents were refugees who came with only courage to Australia, to rebuild their broken lives. Their belief in Australia was validated through the recognition of my work in Kid’s Lit. They would be so proud. I am proud too.

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

It has to be meeting the incredible FONZ at the LA Conference. Henry Winkler wasn’t in his leather gear, which was a disappointment. His hair was a little grey and his motor bike missing in action, but he was charming and definitely hadn’t lost any of the FONZ charisma. We did talk about the Hank Zipster series, but really I was waiting for him to comb his hair. Ahhh.

Name one thing you can’t live without

My family. They fill my life with all the emotions and drive my writing.

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

It has to be the insanely enthusiastic dancing, singing, shouting at the SCBWI dance party in Sydney. The SCBWI band with SCBWI authors and illustrators centre stage – led by James Foley, Meredith Costain, Scott Chambers, when Dale Newman, Vair Buchanan and Karen Collum - all jumped in. Dale played a mean guitar. So much talent! Heaps of fun.

I think that moment will remain for us all who were there!

Visit again for more fun facts and behind the scenes revelations soon. Till then,

Rove ya’ later!

Dimity (Head Gardener)

www.dimitypowell.com

#SCBWISyd

Floral images courtesy Tania McCartney