Inclusion of PB in Prep Bag for Kaye Baillie and Max Hamilton

Congratulations to author Kaye Baillie and illustrator Max Hamilton on the inclusion of

When the Waterhole Dries Up

a hard back picture book for ages 3+ published by Windy Hollow Books 2021

In the Victorian Government Prep Bag

On the first day of school for 2024, Prep kids in all Victorian Government primary schools received a Prep Bag which includes five specially selected picture books, including ours. This years theme is Explore. Learn. Enjoy. It's also in braille.

65,000 copies of each of the five books were printed.

What a fantastic initiative and a great book!

SCBWI VICTORIA EVENT 13 JUNE 2015

We had a wonderful VIC SCBWI event in Melbourne on Saturday 13 June, with three industry professionals sharing their experience and expertise: Publisher for young children at Penguin, Jane Godwin; author and illustrator Judith Rossell and author Corinne Fenton.

Our first speaker, Judith Rossell, used PowerPoint to show what led to her multiple award winning novel, Withering-by-Sea. After a brief introduction to her early work, she talked about her interest in ‘Victoriana’ and how many of the amazing inventions that appeared in 1885, formed the background to her novel. Think telephone, electric light bulb, typewriter, bicycle, chocolate bars, compulsory schooling, heritage buildings and hotels, to name just a few. Her advice, which echoed throughout the afternoon, is to write about whatever sparks your passion, and to trust the process, because you might not come up with all the answers immediately. Above all, she emphasised the importance of careful research and well developed characters.

Our next speaker, Corinne Fenton, is known for her prize winning picture story books. However, this time she was speaking as a judge for the Primary School Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards. Corinne talked vast numbers of entries; some six thousand poems turned up in 2014, a large percentage coming from NSW and Victoria. This year the numbers seem to have fallen, but that may still change. We agreed that being asked to judge these awards is only for the brave hearted and thanked her profusely.

Our final speaker, Jane Godwin, is a multiple award winner for her books and also a publisher of books for young readers at Penguin Books Australia. She outlined twenty nine things she has learnt in both roles, claiming each new book presents another challenge. To condense these a little:

·      Every new book ultimately reflects one’s taste.

·      The book is the result of a relationship between creators and publisher.

·      A schedule must be established between author and illustrator.

·      People have very different ways of reading.

·      She likes books to be inventive and take risks.

·      Publishers and creators can’t control everything, no matter how hard they try.

·      Both creators and publishers should enjoy the process.

·      Know your market: education, bookshops, discount stores etc.

·      She is never elated at the end of a project, always thinks it could be better.

·      The writer and the publisher wear different hats.

·      A book can be published in many different ways.

·      No matter what the future holds, there will always be a place for paper books.

·      Writing and illustrating is always hard. We are ‘compost heaps’ who use all our experiences in our work.

·      Constructive criticism can be helpful. Mistakes will still happen.

·      Writing what you don’t know encourages research and imagination.

·      Character is everything. Without convincing characters a book will fail.

·      It is important to find your own voice.

·      Don’t be obsessed by markets.

·      Don’t see children as all the same.

·      Keep an idea or character in your head even when you aren’t creating.

All this information was appreciated by both established and emerging creators.

www.goldiealexander.com

Elohim - hope for children of the slums - 9th Nov at The Hughenden

SCBWI proudly supports literacy across the world.

The amazing Susi Prescott has dedicated her life to helping the children of the dust in Peru. Elohim, a little school has risen from the dust offering hope to the children.

Diane MacDonald's exhibition of  photos on her expedition to Elohim with Susi Prescot as the guest speaker is in the beautiful Fountain Room in The Hughenden Boutqiue Hotel Sydney

It's free entry but you must register:-

Sunday afternoon, 9th November  2014

4pm to 6 pm 

The Hughenden 14 Queen Street  Woollahra NSW 2025

 Facebook for beautiful photos by Diane MacDonald

http://www.facebook.com/elohimphotoexhibition

 For catering purposes, please register for the event. There is a link from the page, among the photos, or you can go directly to register with this link :

http://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/photo-exhibition-elohim-hope-through-education-registration-6173004623

The purpose of this event is to raise awareness and raise funds for 'Elohim' with the goal  of $8,000 to go All donations above $2 are tax deductible through the Global Development Group, Project J728N. There is a link to donate by Paypal on the event page, or alternatively you can donate by credit card, direct deposit or cheque using the link below and clicking on 'Make Donation'.

 http://www.gdg.org.au/PeruJ728N

 Please tell all your friends, 'like' the Facebook page, and RSVP by registering for the event, or emailing The Hughenden Hotel functions@thehughenden.com.au

Parking available in Centennial Park, near Oxford Street gates.


Love to see you there - Susanne

 

Source: http://thehughenden.com.au