A bit about SCBWI critique groups...

With thanks to Shaye Wardrop for her words.

DID YOU KNOW… SCBWI has online critique groups you can join?

Yep! The wonderful admin team of SCBWI Australia East/New Zealand has set up a FREE online critique group system for SCBWI members. Shaye Wardrop (SCBWI ACT committee member) recently joined, and here’s what she said about the experience.

Why did you decide to join a SCBWI critique group?

I wanted to get feedback on my work on a regular basis. I also really liked the idea of getting lots of opinions on the same piece of work at the same time. If everyone likes something, you know it’s likely working. If everyone thinks it’s not quite right, you know you need to take a closer look.

What do you like most about the SCBWI critique groups?

I love that it’s all online; this makes it really easy to fit into my schedule. I also like that the groups are small (max of 6 people), so we all get to submit our work regularly.

There are guidelines to help with setup and management (super helpful), but I also really like that groups can make changes to meet their own needs. For example, my group critiques on a fortnightly schedule (rather than a weekly schedule) because it suits everyone better.

Was it easy to join?

Extremely! You simply go to scbwiaustralianz.squarespace.com/online-critique-groups, read the information there and register to join a group. You’ll get an email when enough people are on the waiting list to form your critique group. 

Anything else to add?

There are groups for authors, illustrators and author/illustrators to join. So no excuses!

Shaye Wardrop, pitching at the the recent SCBWI ACT Level Up conference. 

Children's Book Creators Rock The Tasmanian Readers and Writers Festival

With the theme of Other Worlds, Other Stories, the recent Tasmanian Writers and Readers Festival hosted an impressive line-up of local CYA talent.

Much kudos to Soncha Iacono, who, at the suggestion of SCBWI TAS, organised a visually beautiful and well-patronised Book Nook for children aged 0-12. This provided reading and book sales opportunities for local children’s writers and illustrators. Readings included The Moonlight Bird and the Grolken by Anne Morgan, illustrated by Lois Bury, When I was a Boy in Sudan by Sarafino Enadio, Terry Whitebeach and Gay McKinnon, When I was a Girl in Sudan by Paskalina Eiyo, Sarafino Enadio, Terry Whitebeach and Gay McKinnon, Underneath a Cow by Carol Ann Martin, The Bunyip’s Song by Soncha Iacono, Hairy Mollet by Tania Walker, Animal Eco-warriors by Nic Gill, Katie and the Red Rubber Ball by Jenny Fitzgibbon, The Moonbow by Fiona Levings and Daniel the Devil by Steve and Marion Isham and Verity Croker read from her book, Cyclone Christmas.

Other festival highlights included Christina Booth illustration workshop for little kids, ‘Let’s Draw Too Many Sheep’ and Nicole Gill and Bradley Trevor Grieve’s hilarious presentation, The World Is Great and I am Small.

Another highlight was the touching launch by Arnold Zable of Trouble Tomorrow by Terry Whitebeach and Sarafino, published by Allen & Unwin.

Launch speeches celebrated Sarafino Enadio’s life journey from boy refugee to UNHCR Peace Educator and his subsequent life as an educator in Tasmania. They also commended Terry Whitebeach’s remarkable writing and research skills and outstanding dedication to her craft, despite severe health challenges that would have daunted any other writer.

The Festival also included the launch by Christina Booth of Free Diving by Lorrae Coffin, illustrated by Tasmanian Bronwyn Houston and published by Magabala Books.

Storylines National Children’s Writers and Illustrators' Hui

King's School, Remuera, Auckland, Friday 6 - Sunday 8 October 2017

Interested in honing your writing or illustrating skills for children?

Come and be a part of this exciting hui with keynote speakers Brian Falkner, David Hill and Tessa Duder, and a host of acclaimed writers and Illustrators, including Joy Cowley, Gavin Bishop, Donovan Bixley, David Elliot, Kate De Goldi, Kyle Mewburn and Stacy Gregg, all sharing their experience and knowledge in workshops, master classes and panels.

New workshop added to programme

As some workshops are now full, Tessa Duder presents a new workshop on 'the structure of story' - see programme.

Pitch Slams

Writers and illustrators can participate in one of two pitch slam sessions where registrants have five minutes with an author or an agent. Only hui registrants will be sent the contact email for applications to attend these sessions. All hui attendees who have expressed an interest in attending these sessions will be sent an email so you can rank your preferences. Preference rankings close on Friday 30 September.

Please note publishers and agents' preferences for meeting writers or illustrators:

Publishers:

• Clean Slate Press: illustrators only. Clean Slate Press is particularly interested in seeing the work of illustrators who are experienced in or highly capable of illustrating Maori or Pacific content, in particular traditional tales. Clean Slate is also interested in seeing the work of graphic novel-style illustrators.
• Duck Creek Press: writers and illustrators

• Huia Publishing: writers and Illustrators. Huia is interested in Māori writers and illustrators, or stories told from a strong Maori perspective which include Māori values and world views. They want to see stories written in te reo Māori and illustrations where Māori perspectivesare represented.

• Makaro Press: writers and illustrators

• OneTree House: writers and illustrators

• Oratia Media: writers and illustrators
• Penguin Random House: writers and illustrators
• Scholastic: writers and illustrators
• Upstart Press: writers and illustrators

New Zealand Agents

• Vicki Marsdon and Nadine Rubin Nathan (together): Illustrators and writers
• Frances Plumpton:  writers and illustrators

Overseas Agents
We are also offering extended meetings with the international agents, in addition to the pitch slams. These are limited in number and will be selected by the agents themselves. Everyone registered for the hui will be sent information and a link to the application form.

• Pippa Masson, Australia, Sydney: writers and illustrators
• Kendra Marcus, US, California: writers and illustrators

Tips and Comments for Illustrators attending pitch slam sessions
Please bring a 5-6 page portfolio that best showcases your work and range of styles. These could be submitted on either an electronic device or with actual artwork. It is recommended that at least two of your illustrations show figures and faces. If the agents wish to see more, they will give you their contact details.

Find out more about the full programme on the website, or download a printable pdf version.

Check out our line-up of presenters and panellists and learn about their credentials.

This three-day eventis an invaluable opportunity for creators of children's and YA material from across the country to exchange ideas, socialise, and learn from others. It continues the tradition of children’s authors’ hui which began with a gathering held at Joy Cowley’s home in the Marlborough Sounds in 1992. Similar hui have been held in Wellington and Christchurch in rotation with Auckland.

We welcome published writers and illustrators, both traditional and indie, and also aspiring writers and illustrators as yet unpublished. It’s a chance to build relationships, learn about the market and enhance your skills.

Registrations have now closed for this event.