Master Classes are Open for all SCBWI Members!

As a special feature of the SCBWI International Conference, outstanding presenters conduct the optional 3-hour Master Classes on Wednesday 16th July 2014. Bookings have been opened up for all SCBWI Members but only a few remain in each class so Book Now!

The presenters are:

Connie Hsu
Senior Commissioning Editor, Roaring Brook USA

Connie Hsu accepted the role in 2014 of Senior Commissioning Editor for Roaring Brooks, an imprint of Pan MacMillan USA. While at Little Brown Books for Young Readers, Connie Hsu acquired everything from board books to YA. She loves books that give readers a visceral reaction, be it goose bumps, butterflies, or a surprised laugh. She has worked with award-winning and bestselling authors and illustrators such as Tom Lichtenheld (This is a Moose), Dan Santat (Crankenstein, The Adventures of Beekle), Nina Laden and Renata Liwksa (Once Upon a Memory), and Pseudonymous Bosch (The Secret Series, Bad Magic). She has worked with Australian authors such as R.A. Spratt (Nanny Piggins) and Simon Higgins (Moonshadow), and has a new YA novel forthcoming with Ransom Riggs (Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children). 

Bruce Whatley
Internationally and nationally acclaimed Australian illustrator

Bruce Whatley is one of the most highly regarded and talented authors and illustrators for children, both in Australia and internationally. Bruce started his working life in advertising as an art director and illustrator and since then he has created over 60 picture books. His books have won awards both in Australia and overseas, including The Ugliest Dog in the World, Looking for Crabs, Tails from Grandad’s Attic and Detective Donut, The Little Refugee, Whately’s Quest and The Wild Goose Chase.  He write and illustrates his own books as well as is part of the dynamic duo with Jackie French creating the multi million selling books in the Diary of a Wombat brand.

Meredith Costain
Meredith Costain is a commissioning editor, editorial consultant for publishing houses, reviewer, award winning children’s author. She commissiona and writes in a wide variety of genres including picture books, chapter books, novels, series in both fiction and non fiction in trade, commercial, educational and licensed material such as Dance Academy and Bindi. 

Master Classes – Wednesday 16th July

9am to noon:
Connie Hsu—Diversity in All Types of Books
Bruce Whatley—Crafting the Picture Book
Meredith Costain—Hooks to Keep Readers Turning Pages

1pm to 4pm:
Connie Hsu—Hands On Picture Book Intensive
Bruce Whatley—Advanced Techniques

Cost: $95—3 hour session—Bookings have been opened up for all SCBWI Members but only a few places remain in each class so Book Now!

More Portfolio Critiques—by Popular Demand!

As a special option for Illustrators who are attending the Sydney Conference 2014, Bruce Whatley and Stephen Axelsen are providing an opportunity for delegates to have a top professional critique of their work. By popular demand we have opened up additional time slots but places are limited so Book Now!

Bruce Whatley

Bruce Whatley spent the earlier part of his working life in advertising as an art director and illustrator but since 1992 he has written and/or illustrated over 60 children’s picture books published both in Australia and overseas. The award winning titles include The Ugliest Dog in the World, Looking for Crabs, Detective Donut and the Wild Goose Chase, Diary of a Wombat and Baby Wombat’s Week which took out the Australian Book Industry Award in 2010. Flood and The Little Refugee both were CBCA Honour books in 2012 and Nog and the Land of Noses a Notable book. His main inspiration has been his family, who feature in several of his earlier picture books. He uses a variety of illustration medium including gouache, pen and ink, pencil, oils, watercolour and more recently CGI software. He aims to entertain and surprise the reader with illustration styles that vary considerably depending on the text and the age group of the audience.

Stephen Axelsen

Stephen Axelsen was born in Sydney, Australia. He grew a lot of hair and went to university where he drew cartoons on folder dividers and earned a degree in Social Sciences. After university he fell into books and publishing more or less by accident. His first book was published in 1975 and he has worked in children’s book publishing ever since. He lives with his wife Jennifer, Waldo the dog, and Pippi the budgie. He used to have babies but they grew into great big people and went away. Stephen mostly writes and illustrates humour because he is a moderately funny person, in a serious sort of way.

Snap up a Prize—courtesy of Walker Books Australia!

You could win one of three prize packs consisting of a copy of The Croc and the Platypus as well as a limited edition Croc plush courtesy of Walker Books Australia! Look for The Croc and the Platypus flyer in your SCBWI conference bag. If your flyer’s unique code is called at the Walker Books SCBWI panel—From Submission to On the Book Shelf— you’ve won!

The Walker Books Group is one of the world’s leading independent publishers of books and content for children. This vibrant international group includes Walker Books UK, London; Candlewick Press, Somerville, Massachusetts; and Walker Books Australia, based in Sydney and Auckland. Renowned for its truly original publishing and outstanding quality, the Walker Books Group is home to books for readers of all ages. Award-winning authors and illustrators for the group include Kate DiCamillo, M.T Anderson, Patrick Ness, and Jon Klassen, and major brands for the group are Maisy, Guess How Much I Love You, Tilly and Friends, the widely acclaimed Judy Moody and the bestselling Where’s Wally/Where’s Waldo.