Rocking Rolling Riding - Sydney Conference Kicks Off

2019 Sydney Conference Superstar, Susanne Gervay described it as a BUZZ. Sydney Trains might remember it as something more chaotic but one thing is for certain, cram a bunch of excited children’s authors, illustrators, and publishers on a train bound for Beecroft and you’ve got a recipe for LOUD!

120 people: kids lit industry personnel, families and creators were drawn to Beecroft for this event

The Event: Celebrating Books with Paul McDonald at The Children’s Bookshop, Beecroft

The Creators:

• Christina Booth

• Amelia McInerney

• Meredith Costain

• Shelly Unwin

• Aura Parker

• Kelly Hibbert

• Aleesha Darlinson

• Caz Goodwin

• Dimity Powell

The Brief:

A speed launch of their latest work of art, aka children’s book. The variety and scope of topics was incredible, illustrating to the crowd of 120 just how diverse and awesome picture books and junior novels really are.

The hilarious, moving and insightful presentations were delivered with humility and humor and from a personal point of view, were a tremendous way of sharing the love of story with so many in such a brief but brilliant time. I found this experience immensely fulfilling, and enjoyed every second of it. What a privilege to be in the same room with so much talent.

Here are some of the highlights from the raucous trip in; the presenters; and the crowd!

We could have stayed in that bookshop all afternoon but of course, there was a Conference to attend.

Come back soon for the next exciting installment of Sydney 2019!

Rove ya later!

Dimity (Head Rover)

#SCBWISyd

www.dimitypowell

Images courtesy of RRer, Maria Parenti-Baldey and various kid lit sharers.

Behind the Scenes: Meet the Faculty Sheryl Gwyther

Sheryl Gywther is the SCBWI Assistant Regional Adviser for Queensland, an impassioned advocate for all things kids’ lit and a writer for 7-13 year olds. Her short stories, chapter books and school plays are widely used in schools, and her novel, Secrets of Eromanga, an adventure set on an Australia’s dinosaur fossil dig is still popular in many schools.

She’s a recipient of two Australian Society of Authors Mentorships; two May Gibbs Children’s Literature Trust Residential Fellowship; and an Arts Qld Individual Professional Development Grant. In 2013, Sheryl was recently awarded a SCBWI Work-of-Outstanding-Progress Grant for her historical adventure w-i-p, Sweet Adversity.

When Sheryl occasionally has a spare day, she spends it on painting, printmaking and photography. She’s also a completely besotted grandmother who now has a small person of her own again to share wonderful children’s stories with. It’s hard not to admire her zeal and talent so slam your plant pots together for Sheryl Gywther!

Welcome!

Briefly state your conference role and conference responsibilities

I’m a SCBWI Assistant Regional Advisor, in charge of a wonderful tribe of KidLit creators from Queensland. We also have three sub-branches in Queensland (we’re a pretty big state) - one in the Far North Qld, at the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast.

At the conference, I’m MCing a session, and various other duties (can one call ‘having fun’ a duty?)

Describe your most notable achievement or proudest moment in Kids’ Lit to date

The publication in July 2018 of my historical adventure set in the Great Depression, Sweet Adversity, (HarperCollins Australia).

What is the most memorable (SCBWI) Conference experience you’ve had to date, or hope to have?

A manuscript assessment with the wonderful HarperCollins publisher, Lisa Berryman … most memorable because Lisa told me she absolutely loved my manuscript submission, Sweet Adversity, and my protagonist, Addie McAllister, and also the way I write, and could I please send her the whole manuscript. I didn’t stop grinning for the rest of the conference.

My most memorable foreign SCBWI Conference was the 2018 Summer Conference in Los Angeles. OMG! It was totally amazing, brilliant, informative, massive … I’m still getting my head about the experience. I’m so glad I made the effort to go! Thank you, Susanne Gervay for encouraging me … may not have forced myself to fly so far just for a week otherwise.

Name one thing you can’t live without

My imagination. And my family … especially the little addition to our lives, Ava Harriet Gwyther … now 16 months old. I wouldn’t be surprised if she ’s the next scientist in our family.

Provide at least one Fun Fact from a SCBWI Conference you’ve attended or organised (anywhere in the world)

A FUN FACT from the SCBWI Summer Conference in LA. There were over 1200 delegates to this conference held in a huge hotel in the city. Can you imagine 1200 people in a huge ballroom ALL talking at the same time about books, publishing, writing, illustrating KidLit? Yeah, the buzz almost lifted the roof! Check out the fabulous, informative conference blog, here.

Awesome, Sheryl! Just like the Sydney 2019 SCBWI Conference is shaping up to be. Can’t wait.

Uncover more of Sheryl’s writing and artwork at www.sherylgwyther.net Or meet her in Sydney IRL along with all of our other fabulous SBCWI faculty. The fun begins on Sunday 24 February. Stick around for more info on that in our next post, soon! Till then,

Rove ya’ later!

Dimity (Head Gardener)

www.dimitypowell.com

#SCBWISyd

Meet the Roving Reporters: Ramona Davy and Leanne Barrett

Around Australia Jacaranda blooms the colour of our Roving Reporter badge carpet our parks and driveways. They herald spring in the most vivid luxuriant way. Today I’d like to herald two more of our colourful reporters. Each is a burgeoning artist, avid reader, wordsmith and lover of the colour lavender. Please shake your blossoms about for:

Ramona Davey

SCBWI New Member Co-ordinator

Ramona lives in Sydney and teaches Visual Arts to children from Kindergarten to Year 6 at a local primary school.

She illustrates in her spare time and writes picture books, junior fiction and middle grade novels for children. She has a particular passion for funny stories and historical fiction.

Here is a recent competition entry:

A Fund Day Out - Painted paper collage

Is this your first SCBWI Conference?

This will be my 3rd SCBWI Conference in Sydney.

What is the most memorable (SCBWI) Conference experience you’ve had to date, or hope to have?

Every SCBWI Conference has been memorable for different reasons. Whether it is the night before networking drinks, mingling with new members at lunchtime or getting to know the editors, without SCBWI I would not have made all the friends I have made within this fabulous writing community.

What endears you most about the Kids’ Literary Industry and your role in it?

Trying to be a published author/illustrator takes lots of hard work, persistence and resilience. The best thing about the Kids’ Literary Industry is the support, especially on days you want to give up. And then a new idea pops in your head and you want to be part of it all over again.

Name one thing you cannot live without.

One thing I cannot live without is my twin cats Storm and Merlin (sorry, I know that’s two but if I chose only one of them the other would know.)

Step into Ramona’s beautiful world here at: www.ramonadavey.com

Now have a peak behind the blossom shower at:

Leanne Barrett

Leanne is new to the illustrator and writer side of children’s literature.

As a child who suffered from regular nightmares, she would study her books and their illustrations to transport her mind to another world, a place of comfort and beauty. At university she developed a passion for picture books and once again it was their illustrations that especially resonated with her.

During her years as a parent and teacher librarian Leanne loved to promote reading, especially free voluntary reading. Her next step into the book world was volunteering for The Children’s Book Council of Australia ACT Branch. It was during this time that Leanne began to meet and support local writers and illustrators. She found that these creative people reawakened her dreams of creating images and stories.

In 2017 Leanne decided to make her dream of becoming an artist and writer a full-time commitment. Her first step was joining the 52-Week Illustration Challenge. She immersed herself in learning about her craft by attending conferences, workshops both face-to-face and online, joining illustrators and writers groups IRL and on SM. She also returned to reviewing books for Kids’ Book Review after a 5 year break.

Now most days of the week you can find Leanne in her study/studio creating illustrations and sometimes writing. But her first love is illustrating. Most of Leanne’s illustrations are created using ink and watercolours but she would love to branch out and explore lino and block printing. One of Leanne’s favourite things to illustrate is silhouettes of chickens doing adventure activities. When not creating Leanne can be seen walking her nine year old Australian Terrier, Jay or browsing the picture book section of her favourite bookshop.

Is this your first SCBWI Conference?

Yes it is. I am looking forward to learning more and being inspired by the presenters and attendees.

What is the most memorable (SCBWI) Conference experience you’ve had to date, or hope to have?

I am hoping, as a newbie in this journey, that a new ‘ahh ha!’ moment will happen. That the words from at least one presenter or even another attendee will resonate with my creative soul and that it will ignite a thought that will make my imagination fly. Plus meeting my creative friends IRL.

What endears you most about the Kids’ Literary Industry and your role in it?

What endears me to this industry are the stories that transport and touch the heart. These stories come from the books that are created but also from the creators themselves. It is also love the community spirit of this industry. People in the Kids’ Lit World unite in creating joy and understanding in our world. I hope I can contribute to this story by touching hearts and inspiring people to read.

Name one thing you cannot live without.

The first things that pop into my head are family, friends, music and chocolate. But as an illustrator I cannot live without my sketchbook and pigment liners 0.2 – 0.8. These items move with me around the house or are popped into my handbag when I’m away from home. You never know what sights, smells, tastes or sounds can inspire an idea that has to recorded in that moment when my muse whispers into my mind.

Visit Leanne and her adorable chookies at: www.leannebarrett.com

If Jacarandas aren’t your thing, never fear, there are plenty of other blooms to enthrall and delight you in our verdant garden. Be sure to pop back soon to meet more of our team. Till then,

Rove ya later!

Dimity aka Head Gardner

www.dimitypowell.com

#SCBWISyd

Images courtesy of Tania McCartney