Welcoming back a book by Hazel Edwards

Originally published in 1980, a new generation will be able to enjoy

Mum on Wheels

by Hazel Edwards as it’s now available as an eBook from EbookAlchemy.

Inspired by Hazel's cousin's wheelchair, imaginative problem-solving via ‘good’ ideas remains in this slightly updated version. Issues of diversity and coping successfully with being different are still relevant.

Lee Anne suggests a kind of  ‘Magic’ to her wheelchair- bound Mum to keep her gardening passion, using herbs-on-wheels. And Grandad builds it.

New life for book by Hazel Edwards

Congratulations to Hazel Edwards for updating and re-issuing a long-time favourite with a new title:

Skin Zipped

This eBook began as ‘Skin Zip Me’ in 1984. Fans wanted to share this now out-of-print title to share with their families. This reinvention is now available as a digital and POD book from EbookAlchemy.

Does your skin matter?
Edwina is a see-through 10 year old.
Too much sun and Edwina’s skin peeled off. She visits medical and media worlds, with a see-through body and no skin colour.
Is it a disability, diversity, racial prejudice, or fun?

SCBWI – ROVING REPORT ‘ZOOM INTO SPRING’

Over forty writers and illustrators met online for the SCBWI ‘ZOOM INTO SPRING’ workshop. Not being able to meet in person didn’t stop the many creators who were eager to connect and hear the informative sessions. The morning was opened by ACT coordinator Shelly Unwin, who gave an overview of the exciting sessions ahead! 

Editing Essentials with Irma Gold

The first session of the morning was Editing Essentials with Irma Gold. Irma shared her expertise as an author and editor, bringing a unique perspective to editing, having had experience in writing, and editing other people’s work. Irma highlighted that the children’s book market is highly competitive at the moment, with more people writing fiction than ever. 

With this in mind, Irma pointed out that there are some basics that authors really need to nail to cut through, including: 

• Ensure your manuscript has enough conflict

• Your reader needs to be invested in your character 

• Bring your characters to life, they should feel real 

• Only focus on character looks if they are integral to the story (especially picture books)

• Characters should have unique voices 

• You don’t need to include all your research, prioritise the story 

• Avoid weak endings, the character needs to solve the problem and they need to change or grow in some way. Surprise or delight the reader. 

• Picture books text should focus on what the illustrations can’t, for example, sounds, smell, senses… text and illustrations need to complement each other 

  Other great takeaways included:

• Put your work aside for at least six weeks and come back to it with fresh eyes

• Print story in a different font and point size to see it anew in hard copy 

• Working with an editor is really beneficial, you can engage a freelance editor when you feel your work is ready to get detailed insights into how your story is working 

Introducing Canberra’s Newest Publishing House Storytorch Press:

The inception of Storytorch

Sam Tidy is the Publishing Director of the new publishing house on the block, Storytorch Press. After an extensive career in the literature world, including time as a children’s literature specialist where she learnt which books sell and which ones don’t, Sam launched Storytorch’s first book. 

‘Our Bush Capital,’ is a children’s picture book that celebrates community and Canberra. 

Books that cultivate community and connection are key to what Storytorch is all about.

‘It’s all about relationships,’ says Sam.

What they are looking for:

Sam is passionate about permaculture, books that unite us, that solve problems of the future, that promote resilience and community engagement and sustainability. 

Sam is currently looking for:

• Picture books that celebrate community and diversity and/or will have value in the classroom e.g.: creative non-fiction picture books

• Junior fiction that celebrates nature

• Middle grade that can sell internationally

TIPS: 

·      Think left of centre with your marketing - so Storytorch can do something crazy and exciting!

·      Follow submission protocols.

The next submission window is January 2022

Procreate Saved My Life - An introduction to iPad illustration with Tania McCartney
Tania McCartney is an award-winning author, illustrator, designer, editor and book obsessive. 

Tania was doing hand-rendered work initially but decided to go digital as illustrating is tough on the body. You have to put a lot of hours into illustrating and the iPad Pro makes this easier on the body thanks to the flexibility of being able to use it anywhere. Tania could not hide her joy at exploring all its fun features. Her session was so engaging and inspiring she should probably buy shares in Apple as we all run out to buy Apple pencils and upgrade to Ipad Pro’s!

Created in real-time a sketch to finished art

Tania demonstrated the following: 

• How to move your sketches, distort them, warp them, explore new angles

• How to use procreate tools 

• The importance of using the layers 

• How to leave space for text - and bottom text is further to right than top text

• How to export illustrations as PSD for photoshop

• How to use photos as reference for body positions e.g. kicking a ball 

• Shortcuts, like double tapping the pen to choose eraser, then double tapping again to go back to brush.

Tania called it ‘pure heaven’ when exploring the many brushes and ‘it’s joyous!’ when exploring the palettes. 

Tania also showed one of my favourite aspects about Procreate - the time-lapse feature. Here is a photo of early sketches of her Plume.

Tips: 

• Name layers so it is easy for them to find to make changes to

• Always check which layer you are on!

• Buy extra tips for your Apple Pencil

ALIA Storytime with Phoebe Weston-Evans 

Phoebe Weston-Evans shared the background and workings of Online Storytime. The initiative began in 2021 to keep story telling going through the pandemic.

Australian publishers are invited to put their titles forward to be shared online. Libraries around Australia pay a small subscription fee to access the books, that they can read online through their platforms such as Facebook.

The program is still in pilot mode. At the end of the pilot, ALIA will redistribute the funds to publishers who can then redistribute to their authors. The program is finding new audiences through librarians sharing books online with people and is receiving great feedback. 

If you would like one of your books included, contact your publisher. 

Thank you, Phoebe, what a fantastic program!

Book Babies! 

The brilliant authors and illustrators of ACT have delivered an incredible selection of picture books.

Catherine Meatheringham’s new book ‘All Dogs Bark’ is a pawsome look at the dogs around the world. Written by Catherine and illustrated by Deb Hudson. 

Illustrator and author Tania McCartney has a gorgeous new book, ‘PLUME’, about a penguin’s travel adventures available now for pre-order (October release.) 

Irma Gold’s new picture book ‘Where the Heart is’ is a beautiful book inspired by an extraordinary true story, that explores the friendship between Dindim the Magellanic penguin and his rescuer, Joao. Illustrated by ACT creator Susannah Crispe.

Susannah Crispe (illustrator) and Isabelle Duff (author) have joined forces to create ‘Cookie’ a heart-warming story about the love between a pet and their person. Available for pre-order.

Amelia McInerney’s comical story about a pet fish named Zed, with fabulous monorhyme, is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, illustrated by Adam Nickel.

Thank you to the ACT SCBWI committee for putting on another fantastic event. So much brilliant information, and as always, it’s so wonderful to connect with the children’s book community. 

Report by Ramona Davey and Catherine Pelosi

Ramona is an illustrator. Connect with her at: www.ramonadavey.com

Catherine is an author. Connect with her at: www.catherinepelosi.com