Packed, Professional and Inspiring—The Sydney Conference Program

The SCBWI Sydney Conference is zooming ahead and it’s going to be packed, professional and inspiring. The Conference only has 5 places left, so you need to get on board!  

Accommodation at The Hughenden is full with a waiting list. One recommendation for alternate accommodation is The Arts Hotel on Oxford Street (which is a 20 minute walk or a 5 minute bus ride.)

The Illustrators Showcase is open to all SCBWI illustrators delegates and non delegates. There are only a few places left and it cannot be extended once full. 

Please submit your pitch for a chance to Pitch to Publishers—it’s fun and good practice! 

Bring your latest book and business cards for the Author delegate book showcase.

The Conference Program is a mix of industry information including inside grant applications, publisher acquisitions, the impact of the Australian national curriculum and the US core curriculum on publishing. There will be book launches, pitching ideas, critiques, master classes, networking across Australia and New Zealand and the fabulous conference dance party. The Conference focuses on the industry, seeking to foster professional relationships and friendships within the community of authors and illustrators. 

It's Christmas in July—Win a Prize at the Sydney Conference!

Two beautiful signed limited-edition prints to win at the Conference, courtesy of Christmas Press

Two Trickster Tales from Russia

Christmas Press, Australia's newest children's picture-book publisher, is proud to support the SCBWI Sydney Conference by offering a fabulous prize to two lucky Conference attendees:  signed, beautiful limited-edition colour prints of two illustrations featured in its first two titles, Two Trickster Tales from Russia, retold by Sophie Masson and illustrated by David Allan, and Two Selkie Stories from Scotland, retold by Kate Forsyth and illustrated by Fiona McDonald.

The prints normally retail for $55 each but will be offered as prizes for a Facebook and Twitter Competition during the SCBWI Sydney Conference!

Facebook Prize—To compete for the Facebook Prize, simply put up three Facebook entries about the SCBWI Sydney Conference—July 13th to 15th at The Hughenden. Print out your best Facebook entry and submit it by 2pm on Tuesday July 15th to be in the running to win a Christmas Press Limited Edition Print. The Facebook entries will be judged by a panel of publishers and editors at the end of the Conference on Jully 15th.

Two Selkie Stories from Scotland

Twitter Prize—This is a competition for the most prolific use during the SCBWI Sydney Conference of #ScbwiSydney on Twitter! The most #ScbwiSydney used during the Conference wins a Christmas Press Limited Edition Print. Simply submit the number of hashtags sent and your name by 4pm on Tuesday July 15th.

Christmas Press was founded in 2013, and specialises in traditional tales from many lands, retold by well-known authors and beautifully illustrated. Based in the beautiful region of New England in northern NSW, the Press has already begun to make a name for itself in publishing, bringing back for a new generation of children the riches of a treasury of lively, enchanting tales from around the world, illustrated in classical, magical styles. The Press is publishing three books in 2014, with more to come in 2015 and beyond.

To find out more about Christmas Press, visit their website or Facebook page. Christmas Press will also be represented at the Conference, and its books and merchandise will be available for sale.

The 38-Week Flash Fiction Challenge - come join us!

Some might think we're gluttons for punishment, but I bet if you're anything like me you can't resist writing challenges ... like, you've manuscripts to finish, a work-in-progress that shrieks for attention, a SCBWI function to organise, members to email ... and what do you do? Set up a flash fiction writing challenge on Facebook.

That's what I did three weeks ago. I adore Flash Fiction, whether for adults or for children. (Flash Fiction is just that - short-short stories, usually between 50-500 words.) I wanted to build a community feel to writing them, like Tania McCartney has done in her amazing 52-Week Illustration Challenge on Facebook.

The 38-Week Flash Fiction Challenge page is now an OPEN GROUP on Facebook. Anyone can join. Posting stories here mean they're published - if you intend submitting a story for a competition, don't post it online. But, many writers just want people to read their words.

I've listed 38 topics/themes - one a week until the end of the year. This week's word was cabbage, a new one begins tomorrow.

The site now has 44 members - some children's writers, some who write for adults. Check us out. You're welcome to join us too!

If you've never written Flash Fiction, the site includes some useful articles to read. You don't have to post every week (although fanatical 'flash-fictionaires' like myself do). The main things are to have fun writing and reading the fabulous stories! And best of all, they only take a minute or so to read.

Tomorrow, Saturday 22nd March, we begin Week 4's word ... atone. Come join us!!

Posted by Sheryl Gwyther, author / SCBWI Australia E/New Zealand ARA (Qld)