SCBWI Success Story - Debra Tidball

One of the unexpected benefits of Covid 19 has been the uptake of the use of video conferencing, to teleport people into events and workshops in far-flung places! I was so pleased that the SCBWI community embraced this technology in a big way! It meant I had the pleasure of zooming into various events, one being the SCBWI Queensland Bibliotherapy Symposium, from my temporary lock-down digs in Canberra in August 2021.

As an author with a social worker heart, the topic of using books in the helping professions interested me. It was an inspiring day of speakers, from bibliotherapist and GP, Dr Zewlan Moor, to speech pathologist, Claire Monsour, speaking about how ‘speechies’ use kid’s books, as well as judging the Speech Pathologist Book of the Year award. Publisher Anouska Jones from EK Books was also in the speaker’s line-up, and here’s where the story gets even more interesting for me…

One of the perks of attending the conference was the generous offer by Anouska for participants to submit a picture book manuscript that fitted the EK brief (Books with heart on issues that matter) direct to her. And it just so happened that I had one such manuscript tucked away in my bulging ‘manuscript’ computer folder (surprise, surprise!!). I took up the opportunity to email it direct to her, and zip bam boom, my latest picture book, Anchored, sails into bookshops in April! Just like magic! Actually, maybe that should be the title of this post: SCBWI Makes Magic Happen?!

The book is about a big ship and a little tugboat and the sustaining and transformative power of love, despite being oceans apart. The illustrations by Adelaide-based artist, Arielle Li, are simply stunning! Anchored is for anyone who spends time away from someone they love.

Many thanks to SCBWI Australia East and especially the Queensland team, and Anouska Jones and the EK team, and my wonderful illustrator, Arielle. It’s been a magical ride!

Join Deb to help launch Anchored.

Saturday 29th April 2-3.30 Kirribilli Neighbourhood Centre

16-18 Fitzroy Street Kirribilli 

RSVP anchoredlaunch@gmail.com

SCBWI Success Story – SCBWI Vic's Jess Racklyeft receives Bologna Scholarship

We are delighted that author, illustrator and SCBWI Vic member Jess Racklyeft has received a Bologna Scholarship. 

Jess, together with US-based creative Anden Wilder, has won flights, accommodation and entry to the Bologna Children’s Book Fair. They will also have the chance to display their portfolios on the SCBWI stand, be part of a live illustration battle, join the industry party, and have a portfolio review. 

Having attended the fair over a decade ago in a sales role, Jess says: "The chance to return and absorb the magic of the book fair, Bologna and be with the wonderful Australian book community sharing our work with the world is a true gift!"

Read on, as Jess shares how this incredible opportunity came about through SCBWI.

“Over a decade ago I sold books for an Australian publisher as a co-editions executive and I attended the fair in this sales role. It was an incredible experience to see the global publishing industry together – breathtaking and inspiring. However, with what felt like 607 meetings every day, my chance to absorb the full fair was limited. On the final day I had a short break and got to see the illustrators’ exhibition. I cried – a mixture of exhaustion and seeing the astonishing art hit me hard! I have never forgotten how special that moment was, and it really did push me to follow my dream and become an illustrator.

In late 2022, SCBWI announced their annual Bologna Scholarship competition, and without considering I had a super serious chance, I put together four colour images for 47 year olds, as requested. With a busy work schedule, young kids and Christmas looming, I had almost forgotten I had entered. 

In early 2023, I received an email from the head SCBWI team – with a large "Congratulations" in the subject line. I couldn't believe it – I think my scream from Melbourne may have been heard by them, in the US!

To return to the fair this year feels like a perfect circle. With now a decade of experience working as an illustrator and author, the chance to return and absorb the magic of the book fair, Bologna and be with the wonderful Australian book community sharing our work with the world is a true gift! It also feels like a kind of weight lifting after getting through some tough years in Melbourne during Covid – just the inspiration of being abroad will be bucket filling. But adding the opportunities of the fair and the support of SCBWI to network, share and grow, is a real honour. I hope to take a lot of photos and notes to bring back as much information for my SCBWI author and illustrator community back here too.” 

Congratulations, Jess. We hope you have an incredible time in Bologna!

Information for Jess’ images:

Books that Jess will be sharing at the fair include Big Cat (Allen and Unwin), as well as a translated example of Iceberg in French (Circonflexe), plus some travel snaps from the last time she went to Bologna.

New PB for Lara Porter

Congratulations to illustrator Lara Porter on the publication of

Fun in the Sun

written by Dr Annika Smith

a paper back picture book for 3-7 year olds published by Little Steps Publishing February 2023

Jack and Mia love the beach. Splashing in waves, building sandcastles and exploring rockpools. A delightful rhyming picture book about the dynamic duo and their beachside antics, the power and beauty of nature and the importance of sun safe fun.

This is Lara's first illustrated picture book and the story is set at Balmoral Beach in Sydney. Written by dermatologist Dr Annika Smith and endorsed by the Cancer Council and Melanoma Institute Australia.

A beautiful book with a powerful message!