Jane Godwin, Publisher of Books for Younger Children at Penguin is our guest speaker for the upcoming June 13 SCBWI Victoria Meeting. Jane will reflect on things she's learnt as a children's writer and publisher. Award winning children's writer and illustrator Jude Rossell will talk about collecting ideas and inspiration and the indefatigable Corinne Fenton will tell us about judging the Dorothea Mackellar awards.
Please register by 10 June if you would like to attend (registration details below).
Speaker Details -
Things I've learnt so far: Reflections of a Children's Writer and Publisher
Jane Godwin is a publisher of books for young readers at Penguin Books Australia. She is also a highly acclaimed author of over twenty books for children across all areas and ages.
Much of her time is spent encouraging and supporting authors with whom she works. Jane is the creator of the highly successful Our Australian Girl series whose quality historical fiction for middle readers is ground-breaking.
Jane spends as much time as she can (while engaging in a busy full-time job!) working with young people in schools, running various literature and writing programs and encouraging students in their own creative ventures. Jane has worked with Alison Lester in Indigenous communities including Groote Eylandt, Mornington Island and Yakannara.
Most of her waking hours are dedicated to pursuing quality and enriching reading and writing experiences for young people—whether it’s as a writer, a publisher or a speaker/facilitator in schools. Jane Godwin is published internationally. She has received many accolades, including the 2000 Queensland Premier's Award (Children's Books) for The Family Tree and the 2006 Aurealis Award for The True Story of Mary Who Wanted to Stand on Her Head.
She's had shortlistings in the CBCA Book of the Year Awards, the Prime Minister’s Literary Award, the New South Wales State Literary Award (Patricia Wrightson Prize), the YABBA award and Speech Pathology Australia Awards. Each of Jane's publications have been made notable books in the CBCA Awards.
Jane's most recent novel is Falling From Grace (Penguin, 2006). Her most recent picture book, How Big is Too Small? is illustrated by Andrew Joyner and due for release in May 2015.
Upcoming titles include What Do You Wish For? illustrated by Anna Walker, to be published in October 2015, and Bear Make Den co-written with Michael Wagner and illustrated by Andrew Joyner, due to hit bookshelves in early 2016.
Inside the Dorothea Mackellar Awards with Corinne Fenton
Corinne’s award winning books include Queenie One Elephant’s Story, The Dog on the Tuckerbox, and Flame Stands Waiting all published by Black Dog Books.
Hey Baby! a love letter to baby, was shortlisted in the SCBWI Crystal Kite Awards for 2013. This was followed last year with Hey Mum, I Love You, Hey Dad, You’re Great and Hey Baby, It’s Christmas.
Also released last year, were Chasing Shadows, published by Ford Street and Little Dog and the Christmas Wish published by Black Dog Books. Little Dog was shortlisted for the Crichton Award in this year's CBCA shortlists.
Moving on from her role in SCBWI, Corinne is the 2014/15 judge for the Primary School section, of the Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards.
Judith Rossell On Collecting ideas and Inspiration
Judith Rossell is a writer and illustrator. Her books include maze and puzzle books, picture books and novels, and have been published in more than ten languages. She has written 11 books and illustrated about 80.
Recent picture book titles include Oliver (published by Harper Collins US), To Get To Me, by Eleanor Kerr (published by Random House) and Bogtrotter, by Margaret Wild (published by Walker Books).
Her illustrated novel Withering-by-Sea, published by ABC Books, won the 2015 Indie Book Award for Children and YA, and is shortlisted for the 2015 CBCA Younger Readers Book of the Year. She teaches at RMIT and at the Australian Writers Centre, and has a cat the size of a walrus.
Show and Tell
As usual, we will have a brief ‘Show and Tell’ segment, so if you have a recent publication to show us or news of a recent success to share (such as an award or grant) we’d love to hear from you.
Meeting and Registration Details
Date: Saturday 13 June, 2015
Place: DiMattina's Restaurant (upstairs room), 306 Lygon St, Carlton
Time: 2pm—5pm (all are welcome to stay on afterwards to chat and drink downstairs)
Cost: $25 members, $30 non-members (includes afternoon tea)
Payment: To reserve your place, payment must be received by Wednesday 10 June. You can pay in one of the following ways:
1. Direct Deposit to:
National Australia Bank
Account Name: Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
BSB: 082 187
Account Number: 82 863 8450
Please be sure your name appears with the deposit amount on your payment statement. Please also send a follow-up email to Caz Goodwin (carolyn_goodwin@bigpond.com) advising when payment was made.
OR
2. Cheque made out to SCBWI and posted to:
Caz Goodwin,
37 Auburn Road,
Hawthorn East Vic 3123.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Victorian SCBWI Committee members
Caz Goodwin - Assistant Regional Adviser
Chris Bell - Assistant Coordinator and CBCA Liaison
Serena Geddes - Illustrator Coordinator
Betty Sargeant - Technology and Social Media
Jo Burnell - Membership Coordinator, Newsletter Editor
Gatherings for 2015
Our remaining three meeting dates this year will be on:
13 June
5 September
21 November