New PB for Karen Mowbray

Congratulations to author Karen Mowbray on the publication of

Ooey Gooey Surprise

a paperback picture book for 4-6 year olds published by Bateman Books

November 2022

Illustrated by Lisa Allen

Joe is keen to make his pop a surprise cake for his birthday party. What could possibly go wrong? Another delightfully disastrous children’s story from the authors of Ooey Gooey Gone. Kiwi kids just love their ooey, gooey adventures!

We think Aussie kids will love them too!

New YA Novel for Zena Shapter

Congratulations to author Zena Shapter for the upcoming publication

WHEN DARK ROOTS HUNT

a paperback young adult novel for ages 12 + published by MidnightSun Publishing Further information on author website, here. Book details here.

20 May 2023

In the words of one reviewer, 'When Dark Roots Hunt' is a rich and thrilling read about an intriguing new world filled with luminous beauty, exotic dangers, and unsettlingly familiar aging tech. Don’t go out onto the lake!

Win a free copy! More details over here:

Book Launch 5.30pm Saturday 20 May, Harry Hartog Warringah Mall.

See here for details.

Can’t wait to read this one!

Exciting Updates to ELR and PLR

Australian book publishers or creators—authors, illustrators, editors, translators and compilers—can be compensated for the loss of income through the free multiple use of their work in Australian public and educational lending libraries.

The Government is providing $12.9 million over four years to modernise and extend the Lending Right schemes to include ebooks and audiobooks. Claims for ebooks and audiobooks can be made from 3 April 2023 through the Lending Rights Online services.


To allow claimants sufficient time to submit new title claims for ebooks and audiobooks for the 2023‑2024 program, they are extending the title claim deadline to 30 June 2023.

Title claims submitted from 1 July 2023, and title claims for all books published in 2023 will be processed in a future program year.

New claims will not affect this year’s PLR and ELR payments, due to be made in June 2023.

If you aren’t registered please do it asap and if you are, jump online and add any ebooks or audiobooks you have created in the last 5 years.

Very exciting news!

The SCBWI Team,

Margaret Roc, Susanne Gervay, Deborah Abela and Marjorie Crosby-Fairall