It was so good to be back at ‘Library at the Dock’ in Melbourne for our first gathering of the year. Around fifty attendees enjoyed hearing from our three speakers and chatting at our networking afternoon tea.

Our afternoon commenced with a warm welcome from Caz Goodwin, our Victorian ARA.

We all love ‘Show & Tell,’ the segment where members can briefly present their latest book release or award news or other bookish news. Here are the members and their wonderful new releases.

Next, we enjoyed a personal and humorous look at the creative journey for member speaker, Katie Flannigan with her talk titled ‘A Decade of Lessons Learned.’ Katie is a published author and an illustrator. She draws on her health professional background when writing stories with a social-conscience element or she writes fun romps. Her illustrations have been described as quirky and humorous and she uses mixed media, handmade figurines and found objects to create her 3D dioramas.

Katie talked about maintaining the momentum of creativity and how writing can be a messy undertaking. She spoke about being consistent with writing and the importance of letting words percolate. She also shared her thoughts on seeking the muse.

Katie is the author of picture books ‘Christmas Under the Overpass’ and ‘A Boy his Bear and a Bully.’

Next, we heard from member speaker, Jackie Case. Jackie is an Australian fine artist represented by The Rebecca Hossack Gallery London/New York. She loves illustrating and occasionally dabbling in writing. Her debut children’s picture book as writer and illustrator is ‘With a little sprinkle of courage.’

Jackie talked about drawing from an early age, her training at RMIT and how frustration and failure finally led her to having her debut picture book published with a sell-out launch. Jackie shared the importance of pivoting ideas and styles and listening to one’s fragile heart.

After enjoying afternoon tea and a chance for networking, we heard from our guest speaker, Jacinta di Mase, literary agent, and founder of Jacinta di Mase Management. Jacinta talked about her work as a literary agent and shared ‘origin’ stories from many of the recent titles from her list. We heard how Jacinta knows what publishers are looking for. She tries to match her clients’ stories with the right publisher and then creates a pitch to give the stories she represents the best possible chance at acquisitions. Jacinta also spoke about enjoying copyright law and literary contracts. She enlightened us about industry changes, how the best books don’t say everything but leave room for the illustrator, and how she is a reader not a writer. There was plenty of time for a lively Q&A with Jacinta.

Before we finished up there were several lucky door prize winners who received prizes donated by our three speakers.

Thanks again to our wonderful and generous speakers Jacinta di Mase, Katie Flannigan, and Jackie Case. We always learn so much from every gathering and leave feeling inspired.

And thank you to our SCBWI Vic Team, Caz Goodwin, Amy Adeney, Judy Watson, and me (Kaye Baillie) and a big thanks to everyone who joined us to make it a special afternoon. Mark your diaries for our next event May 11 at Docklands!