It was fabulous to see almost fifty attendees at our 12 August Event at Docklands Library Performance Space. Once everyone was settled, our ARA Caz Goodwin provided a warm welcome to everyone followed by another inspirational Show & Tell. Congratulations everyone on your achievements!
Show and Tell
Our first member speaker was Shaney Hyde, Mornington Peninsula-based Illustrator and early childhood educator. Shaney’s presentation took us through her creative life beginning with her early childhood where she treasured handmade toys and books and wore lovingly crocheted clothing. Always wanting to be a teacher, Shaney shared how she took her childhood passion and turned it into a 30 year teaching career which included helping to save the Abbotsford Convent from demolition.
Shaney believes that children learn best when they are out in nature and the environment and this influences her art.
Our next member speaker was Emma Bowd. Emma is an internationally published author of books for adults and children. Emma talked about how her love of words, writing, and reading led her to become a published children’s author and shared valuable insights she’s learned along the way which included how in 2016 she established a ‘Writer in Residence Program’ through education charity, Ardoch.
We were taken on a deep dive into the Aussie Kidlit Community and how through attending and joining various groups, conferences and workshops, that Emma built up her creative skills and knowledge of the industry.
Emma Bowd (left) Shaney Hyde (right)
Our afternoon tea provided plenty of time for networking which was followed by a farewell to our wonderful Illustrator Co-ordinator of five years, Jess Racklyeft. Jess received a plaque to recognise her fabulous contribution to SCBWI and we will miss her but we also wish her all the very best. Thank you Jess!! We are lucky to have new Illustrator Co-ordinator, Judy Watson take over from Jess! Thank you Judy! We are so happy to have your join us.
Jane Pearson, senior editor at Text Publishing took us on an inside view of how she acquires and edits adult fiction and non-fiction and YA and MG novels. She also talked about the success and the importance of the Text Prize for Young Adult and Children’s Writing. It is always fascinating to ‘see inside’ a publishing house and the life of an editor. Jane talked about unsolicited submissions, agented submissions, marketing ramifications, literary merit, and acquisition meetings which require every department to be on board before a manuscript can be acquired. She discussed how she collaborates with their authors during revision of their work.
We finished our gathering with a lucky door prize. Jane Pearson drew two names from the helmet. Michelle Guzel won a copy of ‘The Day You Were Born’ and Diana Lawrence won a copy of ‘Little Matilda Goes to Hospital’. Congratulations! What a fabulous gathering. Thank you to everyone who came along.