Our Winter gathering at ‘Library at the Dock’ in Melbourne was our final official gathering of the year. Each event brings the audience inspirational speakers who are so generous with their time and their sharing of information. We had over fifty attendees who created an exciting buzz throughout the event.
The afternoon commenced with a warm welcome from Caz Goodwin, our Victorian ARA.
Our popular ‘Show & Tell’ segment featured fabulous members sharing their latest book release or award or other bookish news. Congratulations to everyone!
Our first member speaker and past ARA for Victoria SCBWI, was author Corinne Fenton. Corinne’s books are often picture-book histories of animals whose lives have become legendary. Her award-winning books include Lionel and Me, My Friend Tertius, Bob the Railways Dog, The Dog on the Tuckerbox and Queenie: One Elephant’s Story. Her titles Little Dog and the Christmas Wish and One Christmas Eve, were chosen as themes for the Myer Christmas Windows in consecutive years.
It was fascinating to hear about Corinne’s recent trip to Japan where she gave a presentation to a group of SCBWI members living in Tokyo. Corinne said the visit reaffirmed her understanding of the value of SCBWI and the opportunities that lie beyond Australia for SCBWI members.
Corinne then shared how some of her previous overseas visits to both SCBWI New York Conference and Bologna Book Fair, resulted in the scribbling of story drafts which became picture books, One Lone Swallow and Scruffle-Nut. I think we can all relate to sketching or scribbling when inspiration strikes!
Next, we heard from member speaker, illustrator/author Michelle Conn. Michelle’s debut picture book Raised by Moths, written by Charlie Archbold was awarded a 2024 CBCA Notable Picture Book and shortlisted for the New Illustrator Award. Her second picture book All You Can Be, written by Angela Casabene is a best seller in Australia and has sold publication rights internationally.
Michelle shared her processes as a writer and from the lens of an illustrator. She spoke about the highlights of her creative journey, including when her name was pulled out of a hat at a SCBWI Victoria event two years ago and how this has changed the course of her life as a children’s book creator. This lucky moment quickly transitioned into a publishing contract with other contracts soon to follow. We learned of Michelle’s early influences, her graphic design studies, becoming a primary school teacher and how picture books were a favourite tool in the classroom. Michelle’s passion for art and books never waned and whilst she was a teacher, she took one month of to experiment with how to create a picture book. Now she is making books professionally and one of her new releases in September 2024 is a debut as author/illustrator, The Christmas Star with Affirm Press.
Next, we enjoyed afternoon tea in the break out room overlooking Docklands harbour — an opportunity for people to catch up, network, meet new members while enjoying coffee with a delicious cannoli or croissant.
To finish the afternoon, Caz Goodwin introduced our guest speaker, Karys McEwan. Karys is the current vice president (and immediate past president) of the Victorian branch of the Children’s Book Council of Australia. She was a judge for the CBCA Book of the Year Awards from 2020-2021 and the Victorian Director on the National CBCA Board for several years. Karys is also a passionate secondary school librarian, bookseller, and the Education Advisor for the Melbourne Writers Festival. She has been a columnist for Books+Publishing and her work has appeared in library journals such as Synergy, Incite and Connections. She has also been on the committee for the School Library Association of Victoria (SLAV), Melbourne City of Literature Office, and the Victorian Premier’s Reading Challenge.
It was fascinating to learn about the differences between the State and National CBCA roles, the judging of the Book Awards and the criteria of the Awards.
Karys loved books growing up and throughout her life and while she didn’t imagine writing one, her debut middle grade novel, All the Little Tricky Things, was published by Text Publishing in 2022, and her second middle grade novel, The Paperbark Tree Committee, will be published in April 2025.
Karys generously answered questions from the audience before drawing two lucky door prize winners from the lucky hat. Thanks to Michelle Conn and Corinne Fenton for providing the prizes.
Thanks again to our wonderful and generous speakers Karys McEwen, Corinne Fenton and Michelle Conn. 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 on October 12 which will be a Meet and Greet for new members to chat with members of our committee.