SCBWI SA Professional Day Wrap Up

On 12th October, SCBWI South Australia hosted their 2020 Professional Day online and were joined by members throughout Australia as well as internationally.

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We were delighted to welcome Rosanna Arciuli and Nicola Evans of the Copyright Agency. Rosanna and Nicola shared a wealth of information about copyright, how the agency works and the significant benefits of membership (which is free). They introduced the many grants and fellowships available for Australian creators through the Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund and provided tips on how to secure these wonderful opportunities.

Sarah Davis treated us to an insight into her process as an illustrator. We followed her remarkable journey from storyboarding a film for a friend in 2005 to becoming a multi-award winning illustrator of 40 picture books, educational books as well as Art Director at Walker Books. Sarah even gave us a sneak peek at the beautiful illustrations for her next picture book.

Young adult fiction author Poppy Nwosu shared her inspiring journey from a child who struggled with reading to a successful YA writer (and her many rejections along the way). Poppy’s story was a perfect example of how persistence, determination and passion can lead to success.

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S.J. Morgan, Allayne Webster and Vikki Wakefield joined together with Poppy for a panel which discussed every question posed to them about writing YA.

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Four fantastic Q and A sessions followed, featuring Susanne Gervay and Australian Children’s Laureate Ursula Dubosarsky in conversation. Full of energy and wit, these two champions of the children’s book industry shared their wisdom.

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Jo Case of Wakefield Press and Zoe Walton from Penguin Random House were available for questions on all aspects of publishing. Kate Foster from Storm Literary Agency and Justine Barker from Mayfair Literary Agency provided an insight into publishing through an agent and the books they are looking to represent. And Sarah Davis, Art Director at Walker Books, fascinating insights into her role.

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We finished the day with speed launches from four of our talented South Australian creators. We wish Robin Tatlow-Lord, Leah Russack, Mike Lucas and Mandy Foot all the best with their wonderful picture books.

It was an insightful and information-packed day. SCBWI SA would like to thank all the presenters and panel members who joined us.

For anyone who missed this fantastic event or would like to re-watch the highlights, a recording will be available soon.

Beverley McWilliams

SCBWI Success Story Corinne Fenton

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Back in 2010 I attended the Bologna Book Fair, celebrating the publication of my third picture book there (Flame Stands Waiting) and representing SCBWI on their stand as the SCBWI ARA for Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia. I met a lovely bunch of SCBWI members from all over the world, many of whom I am still in touch with today. Following Bologna, my husband joined me and we enjoyed a beautiful holiday in northern Italy and Switzerland. We spent a couple of precious nights in Florence, one of my favourite cities, where I started writing a story about a swallow, as I watched swallows sweep about the roof-tops and towers.

We were lucky enough to just escape the volcanic ash cloud which hung all over Europe, into Singapore where I did some school presentations.

Two years later, I traveled to New York for the SCBWI New York Conference where I caught up with old friends and new. I stayed on in that vibrant city for a few days where I loved wandering about Central Park, to escape the noise, and to watch the beautiful grey squirrels as they scurried about the bare trees and branches. And there I began a story about a squirrel.

As we all know, stories take time, and both of these 'scribblings' - because that's what they were in the beginning, needed time to sit and simmer in my mind and in the bottom drawer.

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Then, last year, 2019, I flew to London for the launch of Scruffle-Nut, my squirrel story, published by New Frontier Publishing and illustrated by the talented Owen Swan.  Following the London launch, Owen then headed off to Florence to begin the roughs for One Lone Swallow, again published by New Frontier Publishing - my swallow story.

Some creators make contact with agents and publishers at these types of conferences but for me it was my creative heart which benefited from these opportunities. So thank you SCBWI.

Corinne Fenton