PASS IT ON ISSUE 65
PASS IT ON - ISSUE 65: DATE
Hi everyone! I hope you have all had a fantastic week. Thanks to all who
have contributed and a special hello to all new members. Thank you also to
everyone who has offered support and encouragement, I really do appreciate
it. Please enjoy this week's issue of PASS IT ON.
A Disclaimer of Liability
Please ensure that your submissions are ACCURATE and clear. I will accept no
responsibility for any errors or omissions contained in the information
submitted. PLEASE be careful.
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in the subject heading.
WHAT IS PASS IT ON?
PASS IT ON is a weekly, on-line, interactive, networking newsletter for
those involved with or interested in the children's writing industry. It is
emailed to subscribers every Monday.
PASS IT ON will survive for as long as YOU the CONTRIBUTOR determine. I am
the collection point for YOUR submissions. I am one cog in a tool that has
the potential to be very powerful. (submission guidelines can be found at
the end of the newsletter)
If you wish to receive PASS IT ON - email me, Jackie Hosking at
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Please contribute as often as you can and be assured that I will treat your
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many more new friends.
Past issues may be viewed at my website www.jackiehosking.com
GENERAL INFORMATION
· Tasmanian children's book illustrator : Big in Japan
If you happen to be walking around in Hobart, the capital of Australia's
island state Tasmania, you just might notice a man drawing quietly in cafes
and bus stops. That would be Tony Flowers. A custom's officer, fine arts
graduate, and former glass blower, he carries his pens, pencils and
sketchbooks wherever he goes. He is known in
Dizzy and Friends - a children's book series written by Rebecca Johnson and
published Steve Parish Publishing, "the best known publisher in
In addition to all this, Flowers is also a minor celebrity in
he is recognized as a unique children's book illustrator. It all started
with the Oshima World Handmade Picture Book Contest, which Flowers entered
in the last three years. In the first year that he joined the competition,
2003, he received a bronze award for his book, The 9 Lives of Oliver. The
following year, 2004, he received a commendation for his second book, Molly
the Glass Blowing Dog. This year, 2005, he received an encouragement award
for Splash, a book about his two young sons and their imaginative story
telling. When Dizzy and Friends was published, the blurb mentioned Flowers'
award from the Oshima Museum of Picture Books. He sent the museum a copy of
the series as a gift, and they responded with an invitation to participate
in an exhibition by submitting his original illustrations for Dizzy and
Friends as well as other artworks. Familiar with Japanese animated movies
and comics, and with Ninjas, Samurais, and Astro Boy, Flowers gladly
travelled to
workshops, as well as taking part as the only westerner in the Oshima
marathon. A cheering squad of four girls from the museum waved Dizzy and
Friends characters as Flowers gamely finished the two- or three-kilometer
fun run. (Adapted from an article by Christopher Bantick).
http://www.themercury.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,16929711%255E3462,00.html
About Dizzy and Friends
http://www.steveparish.com.au/dizzy/dizzy_aboutus.html
(Information courtesy of SCBWI)
The Write Stuff
Great to see the current Monash University Alumni Magazine featuring
children's authors and illustrators.
Check out:
http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/monmag/issue16-2005/alumni/alumni-write.html
Friends of Launceston Library Author Talk:
Friends of the Launceston Library supported this event.
A Cool Antarctic Writing Event at Launceston Library
Marshmallows.
Fish nibbles.
Sandwiches with white fillings
Popcorn.
Iceberg-like cakes!
'It was totally cool!' said one of the young participants attending
Launceston Library's 'Meet the Antarctic Author Hazel Edwards' on Friday
evening of October 28th.
Intrigued by the Antarctic mystique, parents wanted to stay too, so it was a
cross-age audience from 7-47 (or older) Library staff had prepared the
imaginative dinner where all the food was white to fit the Antarctic theme.
Best known for 'There's a Hippopotamus on our Roof Eating Cake' (Penguin)
Hazel also explained how she had researched her YA novel 'Antarctica's
Frozen Chosen' which is written from the viewpoint of a young male ( which
she isn't) and the forthcoming picture book 'Antarctic Dad' Lothian)
illustrated by Kevin Burgemeestre.
There were many questions about reading, writing and Hazel's website
www.hazeledwards.com which has links useful for young readers and writers.
Hazel signed 'Muscles' (Lothian) bookmarks which relate to her most recent
title about a blended, sportsmad family of 26 children named a TO z. Zoë,
the youngest, is the weightlifter. Ann James is the illustrator.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY reports that Paraclete Press, a Christian publisher based
in
more here:
http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6280346.html
The children' book manuscript guidelines are pending:-
http://www.paracletepress.com/nstore/store.php?ID=6&page=hlp_guidelines&PHPSESSID=4369197da828a>
http://tinyurl.com/betp2>
NSW KIDS CHOOSE THEIR WINNERS!
The 2005 Kids' Own Australian Literature Awards (KOALA) were held at
for those children who had voted for their favourite Australian authors and
illustrators and eagerly awaited the announcement of the winners. It was a
close race this year and the winners are:
· Picture Book Category - Mutt Dog by Stephen Michael King;
published by Scholastic
· Younger Readers' Category - Toocool Series by Phil Kettle & Craig
Smith; published by Scholastic
· Older Readers' Category - The Bad Book by Andy Griffiths & Terry
Denton; published by Pan Macmillan
The Westmead Public staff and students were wonderful hosts on the day and
the School Choir entertained the audience with their outstanding
performance. Many authors and illustrators were present also and students
were delighted to meet and speak to Deborah Abela, Duncan Ball, Terry
Denton, Anna & Barbara Fienberg, Steven Herrick, Phil Kettle, David Legge,
Jeni Mawter, Justyn Walker and Bruce Whatley.
Terry Denton & Anna Fienberg were presented with a KOALA Legend award for
their continuing contribution to children's literature and their outstanding
support of KOALA.
school when they became the proud winners of a delightful 'Diary of a
Wombat' illustration graciously drawn and donated by Bruce Whatley.
Many thanks to:
The Westmead Public School staff and students for hosting a fabulously
memorable day, Koala Books for their assistance with the design & printing
of kits and fliers and to Allan Stomann for donating original illustrations
to be given away to lucky KOALA members.
A BIG thank you also to our sponsors Koala Books & SiteSuite and to the
following publishers for their generous donations of books: ABC books, Allen
& Unwin, HarperCollins Australia, Koala Books, Little Hare, Multimedia
Interface, Pan Macmillan Australia, Penguin Group
Australia and Walker Books.
KOALA is Kids' Own Australian Literature Awards. For more information and to
become involved, log onto www.koalansw.org.au or contact Val Noake on 9273
1680 or email us at contact@koalansw.org.au
Antonina Fieni
KOALA Committee
SEEKING
My name is Jodie Carrison and I am a 23yr old Jillaroo from South Australia
and I am trying to find out more information on how to get started in
writing a children's short story? I have always wanted to write children's
short stories but I don't know what steps to take to get started and where
to start when you would like your short stories to be published? All of my
stories would be based on the farm way of life and characters in my stories
will be based on animals, friends and people that I know. If you think you
can help me out with information I can read to learn more etc you can send
it to me via this email address or preferably send it to me via snail mail
at my home address which is as follows
Jodie Carrison
8 Manda St
Mount Gambier SA 5290
If you are unable to help me could you forward my email
jodiebundy@hotmail.com to someone who you think may be able to help me out?
Thank you very much for your time.
Friends of the Library sponsor some activities for me so I would like
authors and illustrators already visiting
speaking to contact me nella.pickup@education.tas.gov.au or
patsy.jones@education.tas.gov.au We can't guarantee to have funds at any
given moment but advance warning really helps.
REPLIES TO SEEKING
FROM AUTHOR DIANNE (DI) BATES
In answer to the PIO contributor who asked last week about competitions up
for young writers: there are, in fact, many writing competitions conducted
all through the year for under 18 year olds.
The NSW Writers' Centre has a module called Opportunities for Young Writers
which lists hundreds of competition and publishing opportunities for
children and young adults. They also have creative writing modules (Getting
Ideas and Getting Started, Writing Short Stories, Developing
Characterisation, How to Self Edit, Writing Poetry, etc) for the same
market.
If you want more details, contact Markus Weber at
workshops@nswwriterscentre.org.au
You might also find help from the ACT Writers Centre where Christine Aldred
does a wonderful job encouraging young writers. The ACTWC's email is
admin@actwriters.org.au
Re: Does anyone know of any competitions coming up for young writers?:
The absolute best way to get this sort of info is the newsletters from
writing organisations like the State Writing Centres (check White Pages, ie,
Victorian Writers' Centre, WA Writers' Centre, etc), the Fellowship of
Australian Writers (FAW),
Another excellent magazine that publishes kids' stories and presents winners
with trophies etc at the end of the year is OzKidz. Visit their website for
details: www.ozkidz.com.au
For the parent asking if anyone knows of competitions for young writers -
have a look at www.ozkidz.com.au to find out about the Australian Children's
Literary Board. The Board not only awards prizes, but produces a colour
magazine several times a year with contributions from young writers.
Anna Ciddor
In answer to the person wanting writing comps for under 18s - the Victorian
FAW has a yearly competition with a number of awards for young writers -
http://www.writers.asn.au/EntryForm2005v2.pdf
And the following info might also be useful - entry forms available by
email:
Imagination Creation
Western Union Young Writers
WRITING COMPETITION
Sponsored by
Kirpal Singh Chauli
and Wyndham City Council
STORIES AND POEMS PRIZES: FIRST $50 SECOND $20
Stories $2 entry
Poetry $2 entry
10 years and under (limit 1000 words) 10 years
and under
11-14 years (limit 2000 words) 11-14years
15-18 years (limit 3000 words) 15-18 years
($2 entry in each section covers as many entries as you like)
IMAGINATION CREATION TROPHY
For a class/school collection of stories/ poems $5 entry
MARGARET CALLANAN AWARD $50
For an inspirational poem ages 18 and under $2 entry
WYNDHAM LOCAL AWARDS $50
Story 12 years and under Poetry 12 years and under
Story 13-18 years Poetry 13-18 years
four prizes of $50 chosen from Wyndham residents' story and poetry entries
Judged by Sherryl Clark
Closing date: November 30th 2005 Awards Feb/March 2006
Entry forms and enquiries, post entries: 7 Muirhead Cres Werribee Vic 3030
Margaret Campbell (03) 9741 3577 e-mail margaret_c@optusnet.co.au
In response to the person seeking information on competitions for young
writers. I am an editor and publisher of Page Seventeen, a twice yearly
literary magazine. We recently launched our first short story and poetry
competition which closes on Dec 31st. It is not aimed at young writers, but
we do strongly support and encourage new and emerging writers of any age.
The guidelines are available on our website www.pageseventeen.com.au. If
your son does not want to enter the competition, then he may wish to
consider sending his story as part of our normal submission process and
identify himself as a new writer. It is possible to get some publishing
success without entering competitions, but then again - a win boosts the ego
and the money, however small, always helps. The Victorian Writer's Centre
(VWC) magazine "Victorian Writer" also has information on competitions as
does the Australian Writers Marketplace which can be purchased from
bookshops or the VWC.
Kathryn Duncan
· Re recent enquiry - writing competitions for young people
There are dozens of competitions across Australia that include or cater
especially for young writers up to 18 years. Some approaching ones include
the numerous comps run by FAW Victoria and Western Union Young Writers'
Writing comp. Details are listed under. There's also the Penguin Somerset
Novella comp which closes 7 December but this is for longer works (see
http://www.somerset.qld.edu.au )
Please forgive the approaching shameless self-promotion, but for those
interested in knowing about youth competitions (and youth publications,
publishing opportunities, websites, festivals, courses, where to go for
help, etc), The Young Writers' Survival Guide, produced by the ACT Writers
Centre, is a must-have. It's an information resource guide pulling
together everything we know about the world of young people's writing and
includes a comprehensive listing of writing and poetry competitions across
Australia with a special youth section.
In the words of John Marsden who wrote the foreword, "It's fantastic! I can
see this as being of huge value to young writers, especially at ten bucks a
copy!"
It's available in electronic format only (ie, we email you a pdf file).
Personal copies are priced at just $10. Copies are also available for
purchase by schools for $49.95 which includes limited copying rights.
To obtain your copy or for further information, contact the ACT Writers
Centre on 6262 9192 or youth@actwriters.org.au
Here's a couple of approaching youth competitions that may be of interest to
your son.
30 November, FAW (VIC) Young Writers' Awards, There are a number of awards -
for poetry or short stories in either 10-14 yrs age group of 15-20 yrs.
Entry fee $5, Prizes $50 to $200. There's also a competition for a group of
entries from one individual. For more information email
blundell@vicnet.net.au or request entry forms with SSAE for youth awards
from FAW Literary Awards,
31 December, Western Union Young Writers' Writing Competition, Short story
sections, 10 yrs & under (1000 word limit), 11-14 yrs, (2000 word limit),
15-18 yrs (3000 word limit), also separate sections for poetry in the same
age categories, entry fee $2 covers as many entries as you like in each
chosen section. Prizes of $50 and $20 in each section. Entry forms and
enquiries to margaret_c@optusnet.co.au or send ssae to Margaret Campbell,
Muirhead Crescent
There's also the Canberra Young Writers' Award (for ACT & NSW) held each
year in April, which Susanne Gervay will be judging in 2006. I did warn you
this was going to be shameless!
Going Down Swinging's website (www.goingdownswinging.org.au - in their news
section) has a good listing of current comps, although focusing on adults,
as do most Writers Centre newsletters.
Christine Aldred
Youth Projects Officer, ACT Writers Centre
In reply to the request for children's competitions, details of the FAW
Young Writers Awards can be found at www.fawnsw.org The Writers' Marketplace
lists most competitions including The Boroondara Literary Awards which have
sections for Juniors and Seniors. That website is www.boroondara.vic.gov.au
Good luck! MW
There are many competitions with categories for writers younger than 18 so
your son shouldn't be discouraged because he hasn't found one yet. Here are
some places to start with:
1. The Fellowship of Australian Writers both in NSW and Victoria organise
several during the year. The addresses for information are
Rozelle, NSW, 2039, and
2.
categories in March every year and the website is in PIO Issue 64.
3. His school librarian or the local public library staff should be able to
help.
4. If you have a copy of The Australian Writers' Marketplace you will find a
section full of competitions and awards.
5. Most local writing groups run annual competitions and most include
categories for young writers. Even if they have only an Open Section, your
son can enter his story and stand just as good a chance as anyone else. If
he has talent and the story is well-presented, his entry will stand out.
6. Remember to stick to the rules of each competition. Some allow names on
the entries, others prefer details on a separate cover sheet. I have judged
some local competitions and it is surprising how many entries are
disqualified because the writer hasn't read the entry form carefully enough.
Good luck....Mappy
In response to the question 'Finding an Agent'.
A few PIO's ago I asked if anyone would recommend their agent or any agent
as I had an offer on a manuscript and wasn't sure what to do (deal with it
myself, send to ASA or get an agent so as to increase my opportunities with
other manuscripts I am working on). When I received no responses at all I
had to assume that no one had an agent they were happy enough with to
recommend. So, after trying to contact a few myself I (I think!!!!), have
decided to use the ASA service and deal with it myself. When I did contact
some agents they were either just not interested in new clients, wanted me
to send the manuscript (already accepted for publication with a major
publisher) to see if they could do anything with it or were plain rude and
explained the basics of getting published and how hard it was. I decided
that if their people skills were so poor at this level (didn't listen,
didn't care etc) how could they represent me or my best interests if they
actually took me on. Sad really. I would like to have an agent, one that
earned their commission, as it would allow me to do the creative nice stuff
with the publisher and they can get down and deal. Are there any out there?
I don't mind the commission. As a practicing visual artist, I presently pay
43% commission on any paintings sold in a gallery and most of the time, I do
the hard yakka, they just hang it on the wall. 15% is ok by me if it helps
me confidently retain an amicable relationship with a publisher. But I want
my money's worth. So, if there is an agent out there reading this, or if
anyone has an agent worth their weight in commission please let us know.
Thanks,
Christina B (author, illustrator)
Agents: The following link has helpful information from the Australian
Agents' Association http://www.austlit.com/b/finding.html with contact
details and how to approach them.
Personally, I have found my agent invaluable over the years. Sure, I pay
her a commission. But it is a tax deduction.
There are many advantages to having an agent, including:
1. An agent can pass on requests from publishers looking for authors, so you
can find new outlets for your writing.
2. They negotiate better deals. For example, my agent refused to sell film
rights. Thank goodness. I now have a film option for one of my books and I
don't have to share the money with a publisher, and I don't have to wait
till that publisher remembers to add the money to my twice yearly statement.
On another occasion, I was offered a flat fee from an education publisher.
It seemed a reasonable amount. But my agent insisted on a tiny royalty of 2
%. But it qualified me for PLR and ELR on that book. She thought of
something I had overlooked.
3. An agent can free you from time-consuming and annoying conversations
about deals and money, so you have more time to do what you do best - write.
4. There are times when it helps to have someone with whom you can discuss
the direction of your career. Not just a friend, but someone who knows the
business.
5. Agents sometimes have good overseas contacts or subagents.
6. Currently, there are several large children's publishers in Australia
that will not look at unsolicited manuscripts. The only way is through an
agent.
Christine Harris
Just a note about agents: "unsolicited manuscripts" are actually those that
are not recommended by someone reputable. This is usually an agent, but
doesn't have to be. Those published novelists (like Di Bates) who give
critiques of manuscripts can of course recommend them to the publishers as
well. Or you can attach an excellent assessment to your submission, one
which says that it is good enough to be published.
For manuscripts that come through Create a Kids' Book, and have been
assessed two or three times, I write a separate recommendatory letter for
authors or illustrators to attach to their submissions. Because I have been
around the children's book world for a long time, in various capacities,
probably most significantly CBC Judge for Book of the Year, my name is
recognised. The editors appreciate recommendations made. They do not have to
wade through the slush pile to reach gold - I'm telling them it is there in
their hand now. They know that this manuscript will be worth reading, even
if they decide to reject it in the end.
Dr Virginia Lowe
Create a Kids' Book
www.alphalink.com.au/~vlowe
PO Box 2, Ormond Victoria 3204
ph: 03 9578 5689
fax: 03 9578 3466
mob: 0400 488 100
NEW PUBLICATIONS
Paul Collins' sequel to the YA science fiction novel, The Earthborn, has
just been released from Tor (US). The Skyborn is in hardcover and is
distributed in Australia via Pan Macmillan.
Says Harriet Kalusner: "Paul Collins has written an exciting and
entertaining work that takes place two years after the events in The
Earthborn."
The Skyborn ISBN 0765312735.
SASSYCAT: THE NIGHT OF THE DEAD by Richard Harland (Omnibus/Scholastic)
A review in Good Reading Magazine said, "Here is a riveting, humorous and
entertaining read. The animals are the stars throughout-a perfect choice of
main characters. The storyline is fantastic and both the dialogue and
language are impressive. Make time to finish it in one sitting, for you won't
be able to put it down. ***** five stars"
And in a messageboard chat with the author, he described it like this:
"A good serious animal story, like Watership Down, seriously imagining
experience from a cat's point of view. Humorous too, especially with the
secondary animal characters, e.g. Lorenzo, the sleazy lizard with an eye for
the ladies, Thaddeus the cantankerous old possum, Darlene the loud vulgar
screechy cockatoo, Witzer the yappy little terrier, Bernie the big old
softie labrador, the 4 rats who 'have a dream' of being taken in as pets
('why not, we can be just as cuddlesome and cute as any other animal?')
Sassycat herself is the essence of all superior self-regarding catliness!
I've always wanted to write an animal story - and what made it happen was
when I saw the possibility of also making it a supernatural story. (Cats and
the supernatural ... an obvious combination!) The supernatural side is kind
of original, with many new types of ghosts and entities, e.g. flat shadows
that creep across floors and walls in the shape of human hands or arms or
masklike faces; e.g black blister-like blobs that move along branches or
rise up in the patterns of a carpet. Plus there's a whole new mythology of
how the supernatural originates and functions - I had great fun inventing
that! The supernatural entities are attempting a major invasion of our world
and only the animals can prevent their army from spreading out from a nearby
cemetery. (Humans, as usual, don't have a clue that they're under threat.)
It's all quite dark and seriously frightening at times.
I think of it as being aimed in the first place at younger readers of, say
11 to 15, but it's also suitable for all readers, and definitely all
cat-lovers!"
I've enjoyed Richard's work for adults so I'll definitely be keeping my eyes
peeled for a copy of this. Bren.
SPECIAL EVENTS
MARKET OPPORTUNITIES
COMPETITIONS/AWARDS
Children's Writers' & Artists' Yearbook 2006
Children's Story Competition
Writers' & Artists' Yearbook has helped numerous successful authors and
artists on the way to their big-break. Now the equally vital Children's
Writers' & Artists' Yearbook, which boasts a foreword by Smartie
Award-winning author Julia Donaldson, can do the same for you.
For published and aspiring writers alike - enter the Children's Writers' &
Artists' 2006 story competition and you could win:
. a cash prize of £500, or £1000 of A&C Black books
. publication of your story in the Times Educational Supplement
. publication of your story on the A&C Black website
All you have to do is write a story for children aged 9-12 years of no more
than 2,000 words on the theme of 'Secrets', and email it to:
competition@acblack.co.uk with 'CWAYB06 competition' as the subject line.
Theme: Secrets
World limit: 2,000 words
The shortlist will be judged by Geraldine Brennan, Books Editor at the Times
Educational Supplement.
The closing date is 28th February 2006 and the winner will be announced in
April.
Read full details, terms and conditions below
Good luck!
Terms and conditions
1. No purchase necessary.
2. The Children's Writers' & Artists' Yearbook story competition is open to
all ages, professions and nationalities.
3. All entries must be original unpublished prose of 2,000 words or less.
Longer entries will not be judged.
4. Entries must - directly or indirectly - reflect the theme 'SECRETS'.
5. Entries should not be extracts from longer works, or picture book texts
6. Writers may submit one entry only.
7. It is a requirement of the competition organisers that all entrants be
registered on www.acblack.com. Winners will be notified at the e-mail
address or telephone number stated in their registration data.
8. Entries must be submitted via email as to competition@acblack.com with
the subject heading:
CWAYB06 COMPETITION.
Please include your email address in the file if submitting as an
attachment, or in the body of the email.
9. The closing date for entries is 28 February 2006. Entries will not be
accepted after that date.
10. A shortlist of entries will be published on www.acblack.com .
11. By submitting an entry all entrants thereby grant The Bloomsbury
Publishing Group the right to publish their entry on www.acblack.com,
www.bloomsbury.com and in TES in the event of their entry being shortlisted
and/or winning the competition.
12. The Bloomsbury Publishing Group cannot accept responsibility for entries
which are not received or which are received after the closing date due to
technical failure or for any other reason.
13. Winners agree to participate in publicity events in connection with the
competition.
14. The Bloomsbury Publishing Group and the winners may enter into
agreements which will grant The Bloomsbury Publishing Group the publishing,
broadcasting, serial and electronic rights in the shortlisted and winning
entries.
15. The Bloomsbury Publishing Group reserves the right to change the rules
of this competition without notice.
16. The winner of the competition will be notified in April 2006 and the
winning entry published on www.acblack.com.
17. Prizes must be taken by 31 July 2006.
18. The decision of the competition judges will be final and no
correspondence will be entered into.
19. Employees of The Bloomsbury Publishing Group, and members of their
immediate family, are excluded from participating in the competition.
20. We may from time to time, inform you of new books and special offers
that may be of interest.
WRITING COURSES/WORKSHOPS
Writing the second draft of your novel
With Andrea Goldsmith
Workshops: If writing novels were simply a matter of completing a first
draft the world would be wallowing in fiction--the vast majority of it very
bad. The first draft is the fun part, the
everything-is-possible-unfettered-imagination part. If your novel is to find
a readership, then the second and subsequent drafts are all-important. This
course will assist you in moving your novel-in-progress from the first draft
to a more polished and cohesive stage, by drawing on your own
work-in-progress together with other relevant material. Course participants
will be expected to have a novel manuscript completed to at least a first
draft stage.
Each participant must submit a total of NOT MORE THAN 1000 words covering:
(a) a brief synopsis of their novel,
(b) the major themes,
(c) what is working,
(d) what is not working, and
(e) a statement as to why they wanted to write this novel. This material
must be submitted a week before the first workshop.
Andrea's most recent novel, The Prosperous Thief, was shortlisted for the
Miles Franklin Award.
When: Two Sats, 12 & 26 Nov, 10am-4pm
Where: Victorian Writers' Centre, 1st Floor Nicholas Building, 37 Swanston
Street Melbourne
Cost: $190, Members $155/$145 Rating: 1 + 2
To book for this workshop, please phone the Centre on (03) 9654 9068.
(Bookings are essential for all workshops.)
NEW WORKSTYLE SKILLS
HAVE YOUR SAY
FROM AUTHOR Libby Gleeson
In response to Di Bates' comment about page breaks in picture book
submissions:
Mea culpa for not dealing with this in Making Picture Books. My experience
is that it depends on the publisher but I personally never indicate breaks.
The editor, illustrator and designer will have views about the way the
written text and images need to be laid out and that may alter the page
breaks you choose. Texts also often change through editing and that means
page breaks will change.
FROM AN AUTHOR
A survey of the latest CAL (Copyright Agency Limited) Annual Report offers
interesting reading. In 2004-2005, CAL monies available for distribution was
$57.5 million. Of that amount 8.6% was distributed to authors while
publishers received 75.1%. Authors (3,906 of them), made up the largest
number of payment recipients, representing nearly 54% of all recipients.
Schools are mostly responsible (51%) for payment of copyrighting fees to
CAL, followed by universities (25%), commercial licences and technical
colleges (7%). Books made up 58.3% of all material photocopied for the
survey, so it pays authors not to accept flat payments when negotiating
contracts with publishers.
HAVE YOUR SAY
My congratulations to Val Noake, recipient of the Lady Cutler Award 2005. As
a past President and Development Officer of the NSW CBC, once a member of LC
Award selection panel, and only recently involved in Nestles Write Around
Australia program I am (partly) aware of the input Val has had into
children's literature.
In her many roles over many years, often behind the scenes, Val has always
been a professional, friendly and an unstinting supporter of children's
books, functions and organisations that promote children's literature and
the writers of children's books.
A well deserved public recognition of a sustained and committed involvement
in kids' books.
Alan Horsfield
Smiths Lake
HAVE YOUR SAY
The debate about signing.
I am one of those who thinks it is Ok to make anonymous submissions to Pass
It On.
Many authors, especially beginners, are too shy or insecure to sign their
names and some are worried that complaints will work against them. Anonymity
allows these people to express their feelings comfortably.
Authors, on the other hand, have a lot of anonymity to put up with, in fact
the submission process is so depersonalizing that an author can end up
wondering if he/she exists. People one asks to speak to are often in
'meetings.' Voice mail is another name for the dead letter office.
Switchboard operators are trained to repel boarders. Authors never know who
reads their manuscripts or what they hink. Why can't the authors enjoy a
little of this and say a few anonymous things themselves? The gung-ho
school of thought exhorts us to rise above this but people are human and it
helps to be able to let off steam safely.
ARTICLES
PUBLISHER GUIDELINES
AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR PROFILE
Teena Raffa-Mulligan
Published Name/s: Teena Mulligan, Teena Raffa-Mulligan.
Based in: Western Australia (Rockingham, on the coast about 50km south of
Perth).
Number of years writing: Since childhood; I began seeking publication in
1971.
Number of books published: Three (picture books); one chapter book due out
early next year. Plus many stories and poems for children and adults in
magazines, newspapers and anthologies.
5. Favourite Titles that have been important to me:
· Wild Mind, Natalie Goldberg
· The Right to Write, Julia Cameron
· The Artist's Way, Julia Cameron
These authors gave me a new perspective on writing and inspired me to enjoy
the process rather than focusing on my goal of publication.
6. Biggest challenge as a writer: To keep writing despite the setbacks.
Favourite writing tip for emerging writers: Pick up a pen and start writing.
Write anything at first and don't worry about the quality - that can be
improved.
Scariest part of being published: Thinking I will never be able to do it
again.
9. One of the highlights of my writing life: A young woman started work
at the government department where I was editing a staff publication and
became excited when we were introduced: "Wow!" she said. "When I was a
little girl your stranger danger book was my favourite story." The book had
been out of print since the early 1980s.
10. Do you still receive rejections and if so, how do you deal with them?
When I first started submitting to publishers, everything I sent out was
rejected. "Find another hobby," suggested the man in my life. But I wanted
to be a writer so I took another path and started writing magazine and
newspaper articles. Publishers bought them and asked for more. Suburban
newspapers came onto the scene and I became a journalist and later an
editor. Journalism taught me self-discipline, editing and writing to a
market. These skills proved invaluable in my development as a 'real' writer
(I still think there's a distinction!) and the acceptances began to arrive.
I still get lots of rejections but I've reached a stage where I recognise it's
the journey that matters, not the destination. When the rejections turn up,
I note comments, revise the mss and submit it elsewhere, then write
something new.
Do you ever become discouraged and ask yourself whether there is something
easier you could be doing than writing?
Of course. That's when I take up pottery, painting, dancing or reorganise
the house and garden. It's never for long. I start getting ideas for stories
that insist on being written.
Do you ever experience 'writer's block' and if so, what tools do you use to
overcome it and get back on track?
Sometimes I get stuck with a story and don't know where to take it, or
decide everything I have written is absolute rubbish. I walk away from it
and do something physical, such as go for a walk or bike ride, do some yoga,
dust the furniture, scrub the floor. That often gets the ideas flowing
again. I also ask my inner self for direction or a solution, usually last
thing at night before going to sleep. Or I write down my problem. ie tell
the page how stuck I am and what pathetic writing I'm doing. If these tools
don't work, I sit at the computer, pick up where I left off and write
something. My much-published friend Anna Jacobs (30+ novels to date) says
bad writing can be fixed but if you don't write anything, you have nothing
to work with.
How much actual time per day/week do you spend writing?
This varies from 10 or 15 minutes to five or six hours a day. I work
part-time at two newspapers (three days at one, half a day at the other). In
theory my one and a half days off are writing days, in practise it rarely
works out that way. I get side-tracked a lot. However, I do set goals and
draw up lists of writing tasks, such as completing chapters/poems/stories,
organising submissions, seeking publisher information. I'm reasonably
flexible with the deadlines but I do finish what I start.
Give a brief overview of your average writing day: Every day is a surprise.
Describe your writing place: My writing place is as variable as my writing
pattern. I do have an office set up at home and work there when doing
computer work and taking care of business. It is a light, sunny room at the
back of our house, with a window to the garden. I also tend to 'float' about
the house a lot with pen and paper. There's a lovely creative corner in my
sewing room, where I curl up on a cane chair, and another favourite spot on
the sofa in the lounge, facing the front garden and the street. I am
inspired by the breeze wafting the lace curtains or the glorious sky at the
end of the day. Then there's the kitchen bench, where I like to stand and
write, edit first drafts or sort papers. Lastly, there's the back patio on
sunny days, with one of the cats curled on the seat I'm not using, or
winding about my feet as I write.
Recent news, links to reviews/articles, books signings, author appearances
etc: This year I judged an annual poetry competition organised as part of
the City of Mandurah Stretch Festival, was a guest author at Mandurah City
Library during Children's Book Week and also presented talks on writing to
two groups of adults.
YOUR WRITING TIPS
**A new section that is begging for your attention. Please feel free to
Pass them On!**
I'd like to agree with Lian Tanner's comments in PIO last week (ie 31 Oct)
about the useful website with the Snowflake method for plotting stories:
http://www.rsingermanson.com/html/the_snowflake.html
L Tanner's analogy of the wayward bushwalk is so true!
I spent an afternoon trawling through the Snowflake approach, and distilled
it into a simple checklist of steps. I found that the value of this approach
was that at each step I had a tangible output. For example:
TaskTimingOutput
Step 1 One-sentence summary 1 hourA ten-second selling tool - 15 words or
less. The hook to sell the book.
Step 2 Full paragraph - story setup, major disasters, & ending
1-2hrsBack-cover copy (about 5 sentences)
Step 3 Write storylines for each character1 hr per characterOne-page summary
of each character (name, motivation, goal, conflict etc) and his/her
storyline
Step 4 Expand each sentence of summary paragraph into full paragraphSeveral
hoursOne-page skeleton of the story & synopsis suitable for a proposal
Step 5 Half to one-page description of characters (major & minor)One to two
daysCharacter synopses (to use in proposals)
Progress at this point: Solid story and several story-threads, one for each
character.
Step 6 Expand one-page plot synopsis to a four-page synopsis1-2 weeks4 page
synopsis with high-level logic of the story and strategic decisions made
Step 7 Expand character descriptions from step 3 One day per
character?Detailed character charts with everything there is to know about
each character (birthdate, description, history, motivation, goal, etc)
Progress at this point: Ready to write a proposal and sell the story idea
Step 8 For short story, start writing m/s. For a novel, list of all scenes,
based on 4 page synopsis A spreadsheet listing every scene
(There are two more steps, for longer pieces.)
Having this approach doesn't get the story written, but it sure helps reduce
the enormity of the task into smaller 'bites'!
Jane Partridge
· In my endless and fruitless search on the internet for daily
writing exercises, I hit upon a Role Play website; initially a Harry Potter
related one and then I was dragged over to a Fantasy site. While being
completely addictive, it has enabled me to interact with other talented
people (some writers), learn from their styles and hone the following:
- Characterisation - something I struggled with
- Plot development - and getting out of the impossible situations
- Description of scene - as everything is written, no pictures
- Dialog
- My "voice"
I find it more motivating and satisfying to "practice" my writing while role
playing because I know it is being enjoyed by others and it is not something
that will end up in a bottom drawer and never see the light of day. Also, at
the same time I am writing, I am making friends through my writing.
The site I play on now is called Mystix Realm http://www.mystix-realm.com
but there are many Role Play sites out there in many different genres.
Lynda Calder
USEFUL BOOKS/WEBSITES
Kid Magazine Writers http://www.kidmagwriters.com is updated for the month
of November.
Pop by to check out
* A quick round-up of editor likes and dislikes in Editor's Speak.
* A Special Report on Moo Cow Fan Club, a fun new magazine.
* A great look at the HUGE east coast SCBWI conference -- check it out In
The Beginning.
* An article on writing "as told to" teen profiles in That's A Fact.
And plenty more.
Jan Fields, editor
http://www.kidmagwriters.com
BOOK REVIEWS
Friends Forever: A Secret Diary by Sara Swan
by Margaret Clarke,
Random House
Reviewed by Jackie French
"Sara is not happy. Her family has decided to move interstate and,
as a consequence, Sara has a sore throat from yelling 'I am NOT GOING''
Right, yeah, how many blurbs have I read in the past 12 months where
Jo/Jason/ Jazz or Jambo are being forced to move out of their comfort zone
etc etc but discover (Insert author's choice of rite of passage here)?
Except this book is by Margaret Clarke. And like all of Margaret's books
this one takes the absolute minutiae of everyday, in the detail that only
Margaret can observe, and makes them...different.
I'm not really sure how she does it. Yes, it's hilarious. Yes, it's wise and
compassionate without shoving wisdom and compassion in your face. (My niece
claims she got most of the smarts she needed to get through teenager-hood
reading Margaret's books.which may also have been an ever so slight dig at
her loving relatives. Sigh.)
And yes, Margaret can capture the teenage voice so accurately that teenagers
believe in her characters utterly (and I'm jealous.)
But some how Margaret takes average lives and average crises, and makes them
magic.
I wasn't going to read this book...well, not right away. But I leafed
through it and somehow I'd gone back to the beginning, and I laughed so much
that when I finished it that Bryan grabbed it and read it too (which makes
it the only fiction that he's finished in seven years that doesn't have
submarines in it).
It's light and it's funny and it's such a joy to read that it's depth
doesn't hit you till later. And if you want a book that'll entrance any
teenage girl and a heck of a lot of boys too, this is it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The following titles will be reviewed by Laurine Croasdale on ABC Afternoons
with David Kilby in Canberra on Monday 7th November at 3.30pm. They will
also appear in the Primay English Teachers Assoc newsletter..
Max Meets a Monster
Hop, Little Hare
Real Girls Eat
Left Shoe
INDEPENDENT CHILDREN'S BOOKSHOPS
CRITIQUE GROUPS BULLETINBOARD
**Looking to create or join a critique group - here's the place!**
MILESTONES
**A new section for members to share their achievements**
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES
Oscar Wilde:
"Criticism is itself an art."
ADVERTISEMENTS
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express your ideas clearly by trimming away weak or extra words
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develop all your editing skills with step-by-step guidance and 500 practice
exercises (with suggested revisions)
HOW TO SELF EDIT (TO IMPROVE WRITING SKILLS) by Dianne Bates (Emerald
Publishers) is now available for $20 posted.
Send money order or cheque (payable to Di Bates) to
PO Box 2116,
Woonona East NSW 2517.
PASS IT ON SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Submit contributions to jacket@smartchat.net.au
Comic Sans MS, 12pt, single-line spacing (not essential but helpful)
Mark PASS IT ON SUBMISSION in the subject line
Submit within the body of the email
Give your piece a title heading: eg New Publications; Seeking; General
Information; etc.
Email addresses and contributor contact details will be withheld unless
otherwise stated
Jackie Hosking
Editor/Compiler "PASS IT ON"
www.jackiehosking.com
posted by Jackie at 12:33 AM
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