Midpoint of the Story Arc! - Conference Dinner Dance party

A night of fun, celebration, dancing and general hilarity until all hours!

Harry Lane performed his wonderful poem about our fearless leader Susanne to huge appreciation!

Presentation of Harper Collins Illustrated Portfolio Award

Winner gets a personal portfolio critique. Lisa Berryman said there was an outstanding range of entrants. (Donna Rawlins signed up 3 people from it!)

Winner:  Nicky Johnston

2016 Penguin Random House Award

Presented by Sarah Davis in lieu of Zoe Walton who was ill:

Winner: Sophie Blackhall–Cain

Andrea Pinkney Award

Judged by Claire Stuckey. She told us one entrant really stood out.

Finalists:

• Anna McGregor – Haircuts by Hernando
• Jenny Hale – Princess Cage
• Reena Balding – Not My Rice
• Sandy Fussell - Wraith

Winner: Dawn Meredith – Letters from the Dead

Book launches:

Terry Whitebeach: When I Was a Boy in Sudan

Author and historian – believes that everyone’s story is important – Australian stories that haven’t been heard. Protagonist refugee Saraphino, but book made for all children everywhere. Group effort to complete the book: everyone did it for their belief in helping Sudanese kids in Australia. Also: When I wasa Girl in Sudan

Also in this range of books:

Pascalina  illustrated by Gay Mackinnon

Young adult novel. Terry realised she had to go to see the Mahdi people . Lots of photos for Gay brought back. Etihad flew 300 kg donated books for free. Local refugees love the book. All donated money goes to South Sudan.

Book launch by Claire Halifax:

Christina Booth, Scholastic, writer and illustrator

Too Many Sheep

We were treated to a highly entertaining puppet show duet by Christina and Claire. The manuscript was first shown to Claire at the last SCBWI conference!!

Christina designed the cover first as part of 52 Week Illustrating Challenge.

Christina gave a highly entertaining reading of her book.

Deb Abela then made the thanks and presentations to Susanne Gervay, Regional Adviser Australia New Zealand. Deb reiterated that Susanne’s the reason we’re all here – she’s organised the amazing fruits of SCBWI. A massive contribution!

A very special card, made by Christina Booth and signed by everyone was given to Susanne. Plus a box of wonderful care essentials eg a ‘No!’ paddle to say no to requests because she’s hopeless at it! Plus slippers, sleep mask, relaxing candle, do not disturb sign, writing notebook etc. Also a beautiful charm bracelet to remind her of all her lovely books. And a pendant with a quote from Elephants Have Wings inside of it.

AND an amazing book engraved with a superb illustration of The Hughenden in the front, signed (and sometimes illustrated) by everyone.

Susanne said that our SCBWI is one of the special writing communities of the world.           

Evening rounded out by a rousing group singalong – a special song for Susanne song to the tune of Rawhide!

Then we danced the night away to the sound ofthe fabulous Beatknickers,  SCBWI’s own band. Thanks to a couple of intrepid ring-ins!

What a party!!!!!!

By Charlotte Calder

#SCBWISyd

Photos Courtesy of Denzo Alker, Leigh Roswen and Dimity Powell Rovers at large

What a party!!!!!!

 By Charlotte Calder

#SCBWISyd

Meeting Margaret Roc - SCBWI Conference Volunteer

Merry Margaret

It takes great skill and patience to herd cats as they say, perhaps even more so to coordinate large groups of hitherto over-zealous creatives. It is a task no single person should attempt alone. Fortunately for our SCBWI Conference organisers, there is a woman in their midst who is up for the job, Margaret Roc.

Who is Margaret Roc?  Author, co-author and editor of over fifty published fiction and non-fiction books for children and teachers, Margaret Roc is a forced to be reckoned with. Yet her demure manner and ever-smiling face belie not only her writing prowess but also her supreme ability to organise and coordinate, qualities required in galleon proportions when facilitating a conference as involved as the SCBWI Biennial Sydney Conference.

Her colleagues regard her as somewhat of a dynamo. Here’s what fellow Conference organiser and Assistant Regional Adviser, Marjorie Crosby-Fairall has to say:

 ‘Margaret has done an amazing job of very patiently organising around 130 critiques. She has had a mammoth job to sort through the schedule, availability and match appropriate assessors and fulfil requests where possible…all while crosschecking that participants aren’t double booked as roving reporters, volunteers or participating in pitches or other panels. In addition, she has been organising all the volunteers for things like timekeeping and registration and all the little things that go unnoticed…unless they are not done.’

 Let’s meet Margaret…

As a teacher and Teacher Librarian I especially enjoyed inspiring children in reading and imparting the love of books.

I began writing when my own children were born I have continued writing in my spare time ever since. Now I’m an author, co-author and editor of more than 50 books for children and teachers including picture books, early readers and non-fiction books.

Most of my picture books are light-hearted and amusing but deal with important themes like loneliness, friendship, family and belonging. I love writing about animals and many of my non-fiction books are about animals and the environment. My latest books Jellybean Goes to School (PenguinRandomHouse), Australia's Critically Endangered Animals and Australia's Deadly and Dangerous Animals and Plants (Heinemann) are on the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge.

Is this your first SCWBI Conference? If not how many have you attended, where?   

I have only attended Sydney SCBWI conferences and I have been actively involved as the Critique Coordinator in 2014 and 2016 conferences

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

Most amusing and frustrating record: It took 27 emails before I was able to answers all the queries for one delegate

Greatest fun: dancing and singing along to our wonderful Conference Beatnickers band

Greatest pleasure: hearing about our authors and illustrators who have picked up publishing deals through the Conference

Greatest admiration: for those amazingly talented brave souls who pitch their MSs

One of the many most memorable Conference experiences at the 2014 Conference: Bruce Whatley’s amazing session and the wonderfully amusing illustrator’s dual with Bruce Whatley and Stephen Axelson

On behalf of all the Conference delegates this year and past, thank you Margaret!

Well, it’s almost Conference time. Stick around, we’re going to squeeze in a bit more fun before we sail into Sydney Harbour. I hope you’ve packed your dancing shoes…

Rove you Later!

Dimity

#SCBWISyd

Roving Reporter - Maria Gill wins Gold!

This year’s SCBWI Sydney Conference Roving Reporter team are part of a collection of exceedingly gifted and talented volunteers. You have already met one of them, Maria Gill. Now, read all about her latest accolade, taking out the prestigious Margaret Mahy Book of the Year prize in the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. Hearty congratulations, Maria, Arww! You do us proud.

Maria Gill photo attributed to the NZ Herald

Here’s what the NZ Herald had to say about the win:

'A non-fiction book commemorating Anzac heroes from both world wars has taken out the top prize at today's New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults.

Maria Gill's Anzac Heroes was crowned Margaret Mahy Book of the Year at a ceremony at Wellington's Circa Theatre tonight.

It also won the Elsie Locke award for the best non-fiction book. Together the prizes are worth $15,000.

The competition's judges described the book as "simply stunning, with gold-standard production values".

Teacher-librarian Fiona Mackie, who convened the judging panel, said it "was impossible to put down".

Featuring life-like illustration by Marco Ivancic, maps, fact boxes and a medal room, Anzac Heroes "brings to life the people who risked everything, left everything and lost everything" including nurses, pilots, soldiers and spies.

The annual awards celebrate Kiwi authors' and illustrators' contributions to building national identity and cultural heritage, and are run in conjunction with the Hell Pizza Children's Choice Awards.

Hell Pizza's general manager Ben Cumming said the Kiwi-owned company was "really encouraged" by kids' responses to this year's awards.'

Read full article here: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11689629

#SCBWISyd