Greetings fellow Conference goers and landlubbers! We hope by now the ink on your paper is dry and your submissions, illustrations, and pitches are reaching a point of pirate-gold-glamour and shine! For those not pitching their wares or attending this year’s SCBWI Sydney Conference, here is the next in our series of Meet and Greet posts where you get the chance to learn more about some of the members who’ll be roving the conference rooms for tantalising titbits of information to relay back to you.
This week we feature a woman who can juggle more balls than an Ashton Brothers Circus clown, Susan Whelan and the quietly creative, Leigh Roswen. Welcome aboard, ladies!
Susan Whelan
Susan Whelan is the author of the picture books Don’t Think About Purple Elephants and The Great Sock Secret and Managing Editor of popular children’s literature website Kids’ Book Review.
Susan has a keen interest in the topics of diversity in fiction for children and teens, and the promotion of STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) topics through stories.
Susan has a passion for writing stories that start conversations. She is a supporter of the Lake Macquarie Paint the Lake REaD program, a Books in Homes role model, and an advocate for children’s literacy.
Is this your first SCWBI Conference?
This is my very first SCBWI Conference.
What is the most memorable (SCBWI) Conference experience you’ve had to date, or hope to have?
I’m really looking forward to meeting in real life many of the authors and illustrators that I chat with regularly online.
As a creator in the Kids Literary Industry, what do you want to be best known for?
Susan's debut picture book
Personally, I’d love to be known as someone who is friendly and encouraging. Professionally, I’d like to be someone who creates stories that start conversations.
Name one thing you cannot live without.
A good book!
Leigh Roswen
Leigh Roswen is quite old… but new to the world of writing. She is an ex-medical scientist, qualified librarian and accounts clerk. Leigh is mother to two unruly young adults and a needy dog. She enjoys writing short fiction for both adults and children. She’s had some success in short story competitions and has been published in the South Coast Writers anthology. Her blog leighroswen.com has book reviews and posts on creativity and backyard nature - featuring her own photographs. She is currently writing a middle-grade historical fantasy.
Is this your first SCWBI Conference?
This is the first SCWBI conference for me.
What is the most memorable (SCBWI) Conference experience you’ve had to date, or hope to have?
I hope to get to know other writers and learn from their experience.
As a creator in the Kids Literary Industry, what do you want to be best known for?
I like to be known as published author (one day) that created memorable characters and warm friendships in her writing.
Name one thing you cannot live without.
My mid-morning cuppa tea and bed socks. (that’s two, and I still haven’t mentioned my family or my computer - but I should).
Hang onto your pencils; we have a few more crew-members to meet yet, so stick around for the next exciting instalment.
Until then, Rove you later!
#SCBWISyd