PASS IT ON ISSUE 71
PASS IT ON
Knowledge Is Power
www.jackiehosking.com
Issue 71.
Hi everyone! Welcome to the new look PASS IT ON! A lot more professional
don't you think? I hope you have all had a fantastic week. Thanks to all who
have contributed and a special hello to all new subscribers. 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.
To unsubscribe send an email to jacket@smartchat.net.au with "unsubscribe"
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
jacket@smartchat.net.au and I will send you the most recent issue of the
newsletter and an invoice. If you like what you see, please return the
invoice along with your payment and I will add you to the subscriber's list.
If you join in July it will cost you $24.00 If you join in August, it will
cost you $22.00 If you join in September, it will cost you $20.00 etc...
(all subscriptions will then be due on
Please contribute as often as you can and be assured that I will treat your
contact details with the utmost confidentiality. I look forward to making
many more new friends.
Past issues may be viewed at my website www.jackiehosking.com
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
Just a small note wishing you all a wonderful Christmas. Please look after
yourselves and your loved ones.
And on a more business note. I have decided not to send out a newsletter
next Monday (Boxing Day) as we will have just moved house and things, no
doubt, will be a little hectic. The next newsletter will be sent on Monday
2nd January,2006 so - have a great New Year too!!
Cheers Jackie
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT
I am very wary about passing these type of messages on as often the warning
is a hoax - however I believe that this has been sent to me in good faith so
I feel obliged to pass it on. What you do with the information is totally up
to you. Thanks Jackie :)
~~~Please Be Extremely Careful especially if using internet mail such as
Yahoo, Hotmail, AOL and so on. This information arrived this morning from
Microsoft and Norton. Please send it to everybody you know who accesses the
Internet.
You may receive an apparently harmless email with a Power Point presentation
" Life is beautiful. pps". If you receive it DO NOT OPEN THE FILE UNDER ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES , and delete it immediately.
If you open this file, a message will appear on your screen saying: " It is
too late now, your life is no longer beautiful", subsequently you will LOSE
EVERYTHING IN YOUR PC and the person who sent it to you gain access to your
name, e-mail and password.
This is a new virus ! which started to circulate on Saturday afternoon
WE NEED TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO STOP THIS VIRUS.
AOL has already confirmed the severity, and the antivirus Software's are not
capable of destroying it.
The virus has been created by a hacker who calls himself " life owner".
PLEASE MAKE A COPY OF THIS EMAIL TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS and PASS IT ON
IMMEDIATELY~~~
CONTENTS
GENERAL INFORMATION
SEEKING
REPLIES TO SEEKING
NEW PUBLICATIONS
SPECIAL EVENTS
MARKET OPPORTUNITIES
COMPETITIONS/AWARDS
WRITING COURSES/WORKSHOPS
NEW WORK STYLE SKILLS
HAVE YOUR SAY
ARTICLES
PUBLISHER GUIDELINES
AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR PROFILE
YOUR WRITING TIPS
USEFUL BOOKS/WEBSITES
BOOK REVIEWS
INDEPENDENT CHILDREN'S BOOKSHOPS
CRITIQUE GROUPS BULLETIN BOARD
MILESTONES
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES
ADVERTISEMENTS
PASS IT ON SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Blue Review, BOOST's official online newsletter is seeking submissions
for articles related to the craft of writing. We especially need articles
for
our January edition themed "Writing MG Novels."
For writer's guidelines go to:
http://www.boost4writers.com/newsletterguidelines.html
Aurealis Award Nominations
I thought some of you might be interested in the following:
The Aurealis Awards are considered very highly among Australian and overseas
science fiction, fantasy and horror writers and publishers. The Aurealis
Awards committee recently released their short list of finalists to be
considered for AA awards to be presented in
I haven't sent the full list, but I thought I'd forward the sections that
might be relevant to PIO readers.
Congratulatioins to all those who were short listed!
bests
Edwina
Editor, Issue 12 & 24, Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine.
www.andromedaspaceways.com
Visit Celestial Cobbler Ceramics
http://members.optushome.com.au/guests/Cobbler.html
Australian Science Fiction Bullsheet:
http://members.optushome.com.au/aussfbull
YOUNG ADULT
Young Adult Novel Finalists
Anthony Eaton
Nightpeople
UQP
Justine Larbalestier
Magic or Madness
Penguin
Scott Westerfeld
Peeps
Penguin
Scott Westerfeld:
Uglies
Simon & Schuster
Young Adult Novel Highly Commended
Kerry Greenwoood
The Rat and the Raven
Lothian
Penni Russon
Breathe
Random House
Scott Westerfeld
Pretties
Simon & Schuster
Young Adult Short Story Finalists
Dirk Flinthart
"The Red Priest's Homecoming"
ASIM, Issue 17
Garth Nix
"Nicholas Sayre and the Creature in the Case"
Across the Wall
CHILDREN'S
Children's Long Fiction Finalists
Isobel Carmody
Little Fur: The Legend Of Little Fur
Penguin
Morris Gleitzman
Worm Story
Penguin
Richard Harland
Sassycat: The Night of the Dead
Omnibus Books
Garth Nix
Drowned Wednesday
Allen and Unwin
Children's Long Fiction Highly Commended
Carole Wilkinson
Garden Of The Purple Dragon
Black Dog Books
John Flanagan
The Icebound Land (Ranger's Apprentice 3)
Random House
Children's Short Fiction Finalists
Goldie Alexander
"The Space Gypsies"
The School Magazine # 7
Stephen Axelsen
"Piccolo & Annabel 2: The Disastrous Party"
Random House
Stephen Axelsen
"Piccolo & Annabel 3:The Stinky Cheese Gypsies"
Random House
Gary Crew & Jeremy Geddes
"The Mystery of Eilean Mor"
Lothian
MEDIA RELEASE
DR KARL SETS AUSTRALIAN RECORD FOR
BIGGEST BOOK SIGNING EVER
Yesterday, on Thursday, 15 December 2005, Dr Karl Kruszelnicki signed his
latest book Dis Information and Other Wikkid Myths at Angus & Robertson for
twelve hours straight, signing a phenomenal total of 1162 books, making it
the biggest officially audited book signing ever undertaken in Australia.
While Karl didn't manage to break the Guinness World Record of 1848 copies
sold (held by Irish author Bill Cullen), Karl did sign for longer than the
world record holder (who signed for ten hours) and his bladder of steel held
up thanks to mula bandha pelvic-floor-lock yoga exercises and the latest
research in bladder control, including staring at glasses of water for hours
and abstaining from food and drink for over twelve hours before the signing.
Not only that, Dr Karl raised over $6,000 for youth cancer charity Canteen
by donating 100% of his royalties from sales on the day.
Dr Karl is now issuing a challenge to other Aussie authors to try and beat
his record of 1162 books in twelve hours. According to the Guinness World
Record guidelines, Karl couldn't leave his station for at least eight hours,
but at the eight-hour mark decided to forgo his break and keep signing for
the Christmas shoppers and science fans who came out in full force yesterday
to support Karl's challenge and Canteen. He did hand exercises throughout
the day to keep his signing hand limber and personally dedicated all books.
The last person to get their book signed at
was one of
canvassed for money from shoppers and city workers. Ken used all the money
he had collected during the day to purchase his copy of Dis Information and
Other Wikkid Myths and said that 'as a fan of Dr Karl's, I want to get
behind him and the young kids with cancer - they have it tough.'
High-resolution images from the day are available upon request.
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SEEKING
I have been trying to compile a list of competitions / funding or Award
opportunities open to Australian writers / illustrators for 2006. However,
before I spend hours and hours doing this, I thought I would ask if anyone
on PIO knows of such a list that I could be directed to?
I am finding out about things too late in the day and it would help me if I
could look ahead to the coming year and know months in advance when I might
need to have work completed for submission deadlines. Personally I am
particularly interested in competitions / mentorships / opportunities that
include unpublished writers and illustrators who are over 35; but all things
are of interest for "the list" I have in mind.
If there is no such thing, once I do get a "Competition /
Calendar" up and running I'd be happy to submit it here.
I am an aspiring children's author (I feel I can call myself that having
had a few rejection letters).
When sending a submission I do not know whether to include my writing
credentials which are in a completely different area. I am well-known as a
legal writer and have received a prize. Generally, I leave this out as I
assume it will seem irrelevant. I think it proves I can write but not write
children's books. Does anyone have any advice?
Also, I have decided that if (or should I say when) a publisher wants to
publish something of mine I want to use a different name. Otherwise it will
be too confusing with my other writing. Should I be submitting under my
alias?
The Elyne Lyne competition for a children's short story closed on 26 August
and though I submitted a ssae with my entry, I have not seen or heard
anything regarding the prize winning entries. Does anyone have any
information? I have also not heard results from the Victoria Society of
Women's Short Story and poetry competitions to which I submitted entries in
May. Any news anyone?
Can anyone recommend Australian Children's Books that have SPACE, STAR, MOON
or Astronomy themes? I work at a Museum and my boss is interested in having
a children's author who writes on these themes as a guest speaker at some
point in 2006. I have suggested "To the Moon and Back" by Bryan Sullivan
with Jackie French.
I'd really appreciate any other suggestions at my work address
dawnr@phm.gov.au
Thanks in advance and don't be shy if you've published something on this
theme yourself, I would love to hear from you.
I am looking for Australian short story collections/anthologies for children
aged 11 - 15 years. I am searching in the normal retail and publisher
channels, but if you know of any titles, perhaps out of print, that contain
some of your favourites, I'd be interested to hear. Thanks J
Here's an opportunity for those living in or around
themselves in the world of children's books in the new year at the Lu Rees
Archives.
Pandora's Boxes
Omnibus Books Publisher, who published 'Possum Magic', 'Rowan of Rin' and
other amazing children's books, donated all their papers and records to the
Lu Rees Archives in November 2004. Two working parties have so far emptied
37 out of 83 boxes, accessioned, described, and rehoused all these. We have
organised a third working party to continue this project. This will take
place at the UC Library from Wednesday 11 January -
inclusive. We need volunteers who enjoy treasure hunting, children's books,
and company of like-minded colleagues.
Procedures for this project are well established and training is provided
for all new comers. Come join us and experience history in a unique way.
If you are free any of these days, even for a few hours, we'd be very
pleased to have you join us. Email Julie Long at Julie_H_Long@Hotmail.com
and belle.alderman@canberra.edu.au to let us know you're coming. This has
proved to be highly enjoyable (and the Library is air-conditioned during our
hot summer!).
Best wishes
Belle
Dr Belle Alderman
Professor of Children's Literature
University of Canberra ACT 2601
Collections Development Manager
Lu Rees Archives
http://www.canberra.edu.au/lu-rees
Someone mentioned last week that ABC books were looking for stories for 7-10
year olds but I can't find the appropriate website by surfing. Does anyone
have it? Thanks, Jane
Do publisher's seek opinions from kids as to what they wish to read or is it
an "adult" decision? CT
Could all PIO subscribers who attended the excellent children's' writers
forums held at Victoria University this year to email its organiser, Sherryl
Clark <Sherryl.Clark@vu.edu.au.au> with their appreciation?
All institutions measure the success of their ventures by participant
reactions to some degree, so the more positives we can generate, the more
likelihood Sherryl will be able to continue these fantastic forums next
year. Please feel free to pass this info onto anyone else you know who may
not be a PIO subscriber, but has attended a forum - we really want to ensure
as many positive responses as possible.
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REPLIES TO SEEKING
How many Books did you write before Getting Published?
Before getting my first book accepted I had written 2 novels and 7 chapter
books (plus numerous articles). Best wishes, Jenny Mounfield.
To the writer asking how many books people had written before getting one
published - now there's an interesting topic! Depends what you call
"books" - if you include the stapled-together, personally-illustrated
"books" I wrote from about the age of 8, lots! I wonder whether many writers
sort of slide into it sideways, writing things like advertising, journalism,
short stories before going for THE BOOK. I did the sideways-slide when I was
contacted by a publisher to ask whether I'd be interested in turning a
children's television script I'd written into a picture book. So there I
was, trying to be cool and saying offhand things like "Oh, yes, possibly I'd
be interested", when I would have killed to do it. Books were, to me, the
Real Thing. So it went from there ...
Pam Rushby www.pamelarushby.com
Paul Jennings' marvellous book How Hedley Hopkins Did A Dare (Puffin Books)
refers to "stiffies" and was enthusiastically read by several teenage boys
for whom I bought it.
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NEW PUBLICATIONS
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SPECIAL EVENTS
SOCIETY OF CHILDREN'S BOOK WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
February 17- 20th 2006
Sydney, Australia
Pack your swimsuits and sun cream and smiles. Sydney is the host city for
the next scbwi international writer's and illustrators conference.
Join our wonderful line-up of speakers including:
. Susan Sherman, Art Director from Charlesbridge, Boston USA
. Hazel Edwards, author of international best seller 'Hippopotamus
on the Roof Eating Cake'
. Wendy Orr, award winning author working with a Hollywood
producer on the script of her 'Nim's Island'
. Jen McVeity, Chair of the SCBWI Board
. Shona Martyn, Publishing Director of HarperCollins Australia.
Our fast moving professional panels include:-
. Publishing panel with speakers from Random House, HarperCollins,
Penguin and Scholastic
. Marketing sessions
. Group critiques of folios
. Individual portfolio critiques by Susan Sherman and manuscript
critiques by an Australian editor (optional cost)
Of course, all these stars will almost be outshone by the SCBWI members
attending - most of our Australian members are multi-published and
multi-talented.
The venue is the beautiful boutique Hughenden Hotel.
www.hughendenhotel.com.au
The food is fantastic - Quaife's Restaurant in the hotel has won
international awards. Sir Victor will even play on the baby grand for
evening entertainment.
On hand will be your friendly hosts and SCBWI representatives - authors Jen
McVeity, Christopher Cheng, Susanne Gervay and illustrator Frane Lessac.
So come and meet fellow authors and illustrators, mingle with people from
other countries and be energized and inspired.
Full program AND booking forms are on the SCBWI Australia website:
www.scbwi.ampl.com.au
Download the program now.
NOTE: There are only 35 places left to stay at the hotel. Download the
booking form and fax it to The Hughenden as soon as possible.
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MARKET OPPORTUNITIES
Author! Author!
We are always interested in receiving new manuscripts and project ideas for
educational materials. If you are a qualified teacher and would like to see
some of your innovative ideas and activities published, then please e-mail
Jane for further information or send a proposal with some sample sheets to:
The Educational Coordinator
Ready-Ed Publications
11/17 Foley St
Balcatta WA 6021
http://www.readyed.com.au/author.htm
Vic Writers Centre Information Update
______________________________________
Want your poetry riding round on Melbourne's trains?
Myron Lysenko and Matt Hetherington and Leanne Hills are currently working
with the Committee for Melbourne on a project to put poetry on trains in
2006. They are seeking submissions of haiku, rooku, newku, ha!ku - three
line poetry that captures a moment or an idea - from emerging, established
and novice poets. Tell your family and friends about it as they're looking
for work from Melburnians of all ages and walks of life.
Submissions of up to five poems, if possible with a Melbourne connection,
can be emailed to: movinggalleries@melbourne.org.au until the middle of
January.
Please include your name (or nom de plume), suburb, occupation and age
(optional).
after evening's first star -
noticing the others
that were already there
Matt Hetherington
a train stops
at the cemetery -
nobody gets on
Myron Lysenko
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COMPETITIONS/AWARDS
The Nan Chauncy Award is administered by the National Executive of the CBCA.
The recipient must be an Australian citizen, no matter where residing, or a
person who has been resident in Australia for at least five years.
In the case of a person who is not an Australian citizen, eligibility shall
cease at the time when the person ceases to be a resident of Australia.
The recipient shall be a person who has made an outstanding contribution,
over a period of years, to the field of Australian children's literature.
Such a person could be an editor, publisher, teacher, librarian, bookseller,
researcher, author, illustrator, etc.
Nominees must be living at the time nominations close.
2006 Nominations
Members of the Children's Book Council are urged to nominate suitable
candidates for this award.
The closing date for nominations for the 2006 Nan Chauncy Award is Friday 31
March 2006. http://www.cbc.org.au/awards2.htm#2006
The Avari Press Young Adult Fantasy Fiction Contest: A cash prize, an
advance, and a book contract will be awarded to the author with the best
original, unpublished submission of a Young Adult Fantasy novel. Both new
and established authors are encouraged to enter the contest. They are
generally seeking novels that are between 60,000 and 120,000 words in
length.
http://www.avaripress.com/contest.htm
(from Children's Writing Update 14-12-05, the on-line e-zine from Children's
Book Insider
MT
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WRITING COURSES/WORKSHOPS
A Prose Masterclass for Teenagers aged 13 plus will be held at the NSW
Writers' Centre on Saturday 21 January, 2006, from 1.30pm to 4pm. Through
discussion and feedback, tutor Dianne (Di) Bates will help students to
develop the skills needed to convert an early draft into a polished
manuscript. Cost is $44 (or $55 for non-members). Contact Markus Weber on Ph
(02) 9555 9757 to book.
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NEW WORK STYLE SKILLS
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HAVE YOUR SAY
FROM AUTHOR Susanne Gervay
NANNA from I AM JACK
The wonderful Nanna from I AM JACK and SUPER JACK (HarperCollins) was my
mother Veronika Gervay. She attended many children's writers events and
toured with me many times. People knew Nanna. I really loved asking the
children - 'Do you want to meet Nanna?' They always would. When I'd point
her out the children would hug and cuddle her giving her such happiness.
Nanna was warm and funny, especially when she lost her teeth and kept buying
those bargain purple underpants. Even when she walked too slowly, couldn't
hear that well, she loved her family always. Even though Nanna struggled
with the health issues of aging, she never struggled with being a vibrant
part of my children's lives. And, my life.
In the past 2 years she had to go to a nursing home as she became disabled
and needed 24 hour care, but she still contributed to life. She was part of
every event in her three children's and seven grand-children's lives. There
was always a family member or two or three, who visited her every day that
she was there. On Saturdays I'd take her to lunch at the Hughenden Hotel
where she met old friends and made new ones. Even when her voice failed, her
presence made everyone peaceful.
Her gentleness and acceptance enriched the nursing home. She would reach out
her hand to those who were sad and they would touch her and smile. Her last
day on earth was Friday 9th December. They called her Cinderella at the
nursing home and she died at 11.54 p.m. Just before midnight.
Nanna will continue to be part of the stories I write and enrich the lives
of children and families through my JACK books.
THANKS
Thanks to Megan, AR and Michelle for valuable information regarding The
Childrens Literary Agency, New York. CT
FROM AN AUTHOR
Every week I contribute to PIO and have done so since it began, which is why
I am amazed that week after week there are no contributions to the markets'
section. There are many, many markets for children's writing in Australia,
so why aren't PIO subscribers contributing information about them? You only
have to download material from a Google search. Other sections remain blank
as well. Surely there are new publications out there? Books can be reviewed,
you don't need a degree! Where is the spirit of generosity for which authors
and others in the Australian children's book industry are famed? Has it
drained away with the spirit in which Australia is currently being governed?
When did you last contribute?
FROM AUTHOR Jackie French
Of course more than one kid might write to an author to say 'such and such
is dead, so I'm writing to you.' But in the case I referred to the 'pinchee'
went on to use several other word for word examples that I'd given too. One
might be coincidence. Four is theft.
Or is it?
That's the point Margaret and I really wanted to discuss. There is another
side to the issue too. Authors are increasingly expected to be entertaining
speakers, and several I know of have gone to public speaking workshops or
classes for comedians to improve their skills. But a recognised comic
technique is the 'an interesting thing happened to me on the way here'
spiel...giving a made up funny anecdote to get the audience laughing. Of
course it isn't true...but no one expects it to be. The story is possibly
even stolen from another comedian, as many jokes are. But when you talk to
an audience as a kids' author the audience DOES expect you to be truthful,
and only use anecdotes that really did happen to you. Or do they?
HAVE YOUR SAY
I would like to add my congratulations to Fiona Sievers for the success of
'Future Poets' at the Montsalvat Poetry Festival. Those of us who got there
early enough were treated to the Wally Washboard band - a beaut start to the
occasion. The children were extraordinarily patient and attentive during a
quite long and formal workshop. Well done to those who got up and bravely
read their on-the-spot impromptu pieces. Then they all took their turn at
reading the verse they had brought for the occasion.
'Future Poets' provides a venue for children (some very young indeed) to
read their work. Not an easy thing to do in such surroundings. But, on this
occasion, they certainly did an admirable job. May this event stay an
informal opportunity of self-selection, where everyone generously supports
each other.
Those who gave of their time to organise this event are to be resoundingly
commended.
Leone
Leone Peguero Publisher BlueCatBooks PO Box 3006 Eltham VIC 3095 (03) 9439
3070
FROM AUTHOR Steven Herrick
Thank you to all the authors who responded to my query last week re: request
from a teacher for a poem via email. I've enclosed my (rather boring)
response below.
thanks for your email.
the poem in question is titled "10 Things your teacher will never say" and
it's from my book "Poetry, to the rescue" (UQP 1998).
I would assume your Library has a copy.
If not, it can be purchased/ordered from most bookshops, or from me via my
web-site.
I have a policy of not sending my poems via email or snail-mail. If I did
this, any chance of making a living as a writer would be greatly diminished.
I hope people enjoy my poems, and if they do, consider buying the book, or
borrowing the book from a library. It is only through these two mediums,
that the author will be compensated for his/her work.
I'm pleased you wish to share it with your other students - I hope they
enjoy it as much as the students who attended the KOALA Awards seemed to.
I had a great time on the day.
Jackie French requested my poem regarding "making love while watching the tv
news" - I'll enclose it below with the caveat that I wrote it 20 years ago
so much of the detail of the poem is very dated, and my audience was
somewhat older (& more drunk) than they are now.
Brian Henderson saw us make love
there was talk of an early election
as she took my hand
a bus crashed as I touched her knee
she kissed me
and all of the Middle East shivered
my fingers traced a mole on her back
they celebrated in Berlin
she placed a pillow under my head
as the victims were carried out
their names were like ours
the drowned Mother of six almost made us stop
they broke for a commercial
we changed position
her breast brushed my shoulder
the walls came down
everyone cheered
we were sweating
but confident of victory
tornadoes lashed the coast
the earth quaked
there was a solar eclipse
Halley's Comet came again
the space shuttle landed
Australia won the cricket
the innocent went free
people had the right to choose
the night we made love
on the shag-pile
in front of the evening News
WAY TO GO PASS IT ON SUBSCRIBERS!
Thanks so much for the reader who gave me the information I needed for a
Xmas book for a young man who is all 'balls' rather than reading.
Any sport - he's into it, but get him to read to you and it's another boy
altogether - morose, defensive, etc.
Hopefully, this book with the mention of 'stiffies' will do the same to my
grandson, as it did for the PIO contributor.
Thanks Jackie for giving us the opportunity!
Christmas greetings to all and wishing Jackie and her brood, and the new
house, wonderful years of love, opportunities and sharing.
sincerely,
gwenda hansford
MERRY CHRISTMAS
To everyone out there in PIO world, I wish you all a Merry Christmas (and I
do hope no one takes offence with the traditional greeting).
Plus, thanks so much Jackie for the index links in this latest edition, well
done,
Cheers Sharon Greenaway
No worries Sharon - an my thanks to Bren and Tom for helping me figure out
how to do it!
HAVE YOUR SAY
I have just read "RAIN STONES", a small collection of short stories by
Jackie French. Each story offers a gift of deep revelation. That's how it
felt to me. I loved all five stories. But one in particular had my heart
beating faster.
When I read the third story, "Jacob Saw", tumultuous joy filled me.
Thankyou, Jackie! This story is about "the new kid" who joins the swimming
class. He is new, he is different, he is blind. He shows the other children
how he experiences the bush. How, by using all the senses, we can richly,
truely, know the environment. Jackie, you have given a very good portrayal
of how a blind person "sees". If your story had been available to smooth my
path, to portray my being, as a blind child, I would have been very
grateful. It isn't just explaining living fully with blindness that matters
in general, but that this story shows how limiting it is to not pay
attention to other ways of sensing than by sight only. Sight is certainly
useful, but it is also a bit removed- a "no contact" sense. I have written
poems for children that invite the use of all the senses. Although I did
that intentionally, it wasn't difficult, because that's how I have to live.
It is exciting and gratifying to find sighted authors writing about the vast
diversity of perception. And there is much more in the story- about
relating, and about birds and plants. I feel that I've hardly touched the
profundity of the story. Thankyou very much, Jackie French. (Rebecca
Maxwell)
HAVE YOUR SAY
In regard to requests for poems, Edel Wignell writes that recently a boy in
Year Seven sent an e-mail, saying that he had won 2nd Prize for reciting one
of my poems in his local Speech Eistedford. He also obtained 97 our of 100
(A+ honours) in his speech and drama exams 'and 20 of those marks were
thanks to your great poem'. The poem is one of nineteen of mine included in
a collection used by elocution teachers.
After a few months of e-mail correspondence the boy asked for another poem
for his next recitation and exams. As my poems have been published in
magazines and collections and I haven't yet had my own collection published,
I sent two. It's such a delight to find kids who are enthusiastic about
poetry.
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ARTICLES
TRY TETRACTYS
Edel Wignell ©
First published in the SCBWI Bulletin, Sept-Oct 2005
PIO readers who are also SCBWI members may have seen this article already.
I'm looking for a quick reprint for, although it was a thrill to be
published in the SCBWI Bulletin, I was exasperated to see that the verses
were presented left-aligned instead of centred. (Yes, Jackie, I have
requested an Erratum notice in the next issue.)
While I enjoy journalism, I am constantly on tenterhooks when articles are
due. Errors in newspapers can be shrugged off: here today, gone tomorrow.
But errors in monthly, bi-monthly and quarterly journals are harder to
forgive and forget. Recently an editor added a delightful little paragraph
to an article, and I was grateful for it - but the writing was
ungrammatical! As a pedant, all I can say is: today everyone skips and
scans - no one will notice.
I like to maintain my journalism strand - where my writing began. Firstly,
there is the pleasure of the doing and, secondly, it provides an opportunity
to publicise my new works by means of a generous bionote. Thousands of
teacher and librarian subscribers see the journals in which my works appear.
I wonder how other children's writers/journalists cope with editorial
changes to their works. I know that editors work under enormous deadline
pressures and don't have time to consult, so I rarely comment.
Everything old is new again. In writing, recycling is not a responsibility;
it's an opportunity. We all know that rejections can be recycled in many
different ways and, with the application of a little imagination, they will
have a new life.
I write verse, and have 56 published poems - some having appeared in several
magazines and collections - and I guess I have more than 100 unpublished
ones. Occasionally I look critically and wonder how I can change and improve
them.
Two years ago I discovered the 'tetractys' - a new short form of poetry -
and took segments of rejected works to create new verses. 'Treasure' (a poem
of four four-lined verses) describes a boy digging for treasure and finding
potatoes. My first tetractys, was based on it, and was commended in the
Yellow Moon 'Nutshell' Competition, Australia.
Treasure
Smart
young lad
seeks treasure
digs up the ground
finds potatoes, lights a fire, bakes till browned.
Edel Wignell ©
The rules for writing a tetractys are as follows: line 1, one syllable; line
2, two syllables; line 3, three syllables; line 4, four syllables; line 5,
ten syllables. The fourth and fifth lines may rhyme, but this is not
mandatory.
'The Cat' is a shape poem of nine lines that has been rejected several
times. I plundered it to create a tetractys that is more effective because
the ideas are better focussed. It and several others have been accepted for
publication in a children's magazine.
Sentinel
Cat
slit-eyed
secretive
silent lion
sphynx waiting forever - mysterious.
Edel Wignell ©
The tetractys form was invented by Ray Stebbings in 2000. In his website he
wrote that Euclid, the mathematician of classical times, considered the
number series 1,2,3,4 to have mystical significance because its sum is 10,
so he dignified it with a name of its own - Tetractys. 'This gave me an idea
for a new form of syllabic verse,' Stebbings wrote. 'What better name could
I give it than "Tetractys"? If centred, the form gives a pleasing triangular
shape.
See www.patchword.com/original/articles/tetractys/html
The following tetractys is based on a published poem, 'Bits of Bone', that
has four four-lined verses and a four-lined chorus. Each verse describes an
Australian dinosaur. I took words and phrases from several verses to create
this tetractys, describing one of them.
Extinct
Bits
of bone
wombat bulk
diprotodon
a time-worn crumbling prehistoric hulk.
Edel Wignell ©
Ray Stebbings suggests that the form can be used in creative ways and gives
examples: the reverse tetractys, the double tetractys (in three creative
shapes), right and left justified, and then gives suggestions on how to get
started. Here is a reverse tetractys.
BMX Hero
Rad killer-diller on his mean machine
around the track
BMX
rider
wins.
Edel Wignell ©
I started writing tetractys because the Yellow Moon literary magazine
introduced it in their bi-annual poetry competitions featuring short forms.
Rejected poems may also see a new life in forms such as haiku, tanka,
halibun, cinquain and limerick. Look for the essence of a longer poem and
focus on the most telling words and images for creative recycling. Bringing
new life to old ideas is satisfying. Taking poems out of the rejects stack
is bliss!
Side Bar
Yellow Moon: a literary magazine for writers of haiku and other verse.
Competitions are offered four times a year. Winning, Highly Commended,
Commended and short listed entries appear in the magazine twice yearly.
* 'Seed Pearls' - entries in March and August: prose - a haiku journey,
haiku, tanka, haiku sequence and nature poem.
* 'Nutshell' - entries in May and October: cinquain, idyll, limerick,
tetractys and humorous or nonsense poem.
Beverley George, Editor, Yellow Moon, PO Box 37, Pearl Beach, New South
Wales, Australia 2256. Tel. (+61 2) 4342 1607
editor@yellowmoon.info www.yellowmoon.info
Edel Wignell's junior historical novel, The Long, Sticky Walk, (University
of Western Australia Press), is a Notable Book, Children's Book Council of
Australia. She has 19 poems in Annette Kosseris, Here we Go Again: New Poems
for Children 3-10, a collection used extensively by elocution teachers.
(Kindimindi Publishing, 2 Chelmsford Avenue, Willoughby, New South Wales,
Australia 2068).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE
Sally Odgers
Some publishers routinely send questionnaires to their authors. One of the
questions concerns the audience the author envisages for each new book. It
would be pleasant to reply that a book's audience consists of anyone who
reads and enjoys that book. This is true, in a sense, but it is not what the
publisher wants to hear. It is not what the bookseller wants to hear,
either.
Nominating the potential audience is quite an art. Authors must tread a
narrow path between knowing what the publisher wants to hear and reconciling
this with the readers they imagined while writing the book.
Some readers are adventurous and omnivorous, but many prefer to read in
narrow genres. Readers who prefer short, sweet category romances know more
or less what to expect from any new book in that genre. These readers know a
hero and heroine will meet, will be attracted to one another, will fight
conflict or misunderstanding and will come to romantic commitment at the end
of the story. Knowing ahead of time doesn't spoil the story for these
readers, but adds to its pleasures. Therefore, authors may speak with
confidence of their books' appeal to 'fans of sweet romance'.
Readers of mysteries and thrillers have different expectations. They expect
to be challenged and excited and possibly puzzled. They expect to be
enlightened in the end, and hope to solve the mystery before the protagonist
can. Readers of so-called Chick Lit expect a bright and breezy style, and a
warm-hearted heroine with a zest for life and a penchant for making
mistakes. Readers of war fiction expect plenty of action, death, injury,
heroism and (probably) idealistic characters suffering some self-doubt or
crisis of conscience.
Even readers of fantasy and science fiction, whom one might expect would be
open to the new and untried, have certain expectations of their novels.
Fantasy and science fiction have many different sub genres. A sword and
sorcery novel will have little in common with a psychological fantasy, and a
reader who is led to expect the first will be annoyed if the book turns out
to be the second.
Because many readers are known to have these expectations, publishers and
booksellers and libraries are in the habit of putting books into categories.
When you go to the library, you are quite likely to find a stack of cards or
bookmarks printed with lists of authors. At the top of one of these you
might read: 'if you like books by Agatha Christie, you may also like...' The
list of authors that follows will include those who write traditional cosy
detective novels. It will probably not include authors of hard-boiled of
futuristic detective fiction.
Catalogues list novels according to categories. Similar novels are often
reviewed together. Even at markets and in other informal places, second-hand
books are usually shelved in genres.
This habit of compartmentalising our reading matter is what lies at the
bottom of that 'audience' question on the editor's questionnaire. Many an
author has probably found that question annoying or even insulting.
"But my book is original," an author might protest. "It isn't a copy of
something else on the market. My story is new. My approach is unique."
This isn't quite the point. The question does not imply that the novel lacks
originality. It means exactly what it says; it is asking what kinds of
readers would be tempted to buy this book.
It is also a question that authors should consider before writing their
books. What kinds of people would like to read this story? The answer might
be couched in many different ways. A book about an amateur detective, an
'ordinary Joe' who works with persistence and integrity, might appeal to
fans of Dick Francis. So might a novel about skulduggery in the racing
world. The implication would not be that the new author has copied Dick
Francis. It would be more of an acknowledgement that Dick Francis' readers
find the racing world and the ordinary Joe hero congenial.
A romance set in the theatrical world might find an audience in readers who
love the theatre. A complex Chinese box of the mystery could find an
audience in readers who enjoy classical puzzles or an intellectual
challenge. A political thriller set in ancient Rome might appeal to history
buffs.
Picturing the potential audience like this is reasonably simple. It is as
non-judgemental as suggesting that someone who enjoys seafood would probably
enjoy a Salmon Mornay. It is more of a problem if the potential audience is
pictured as typifying a specific social type, or a particular sex or age.
And yet the range of magazines on the market is surely a tacit admission
that such specific audiences do exist.
This particular problem is much more marked in the children's book world
than in the world of general fiction. This is probably because few people
feel it imperative that they should encourage adults to read the pleasure.
The terms 'women's fiction' and 'men's fiction' are still in use, while the
junior versions ('books for girls' and 'books for boys') have become virtual
outlaws. Few modern authors, editors or publishers would dare to suggest
that a particular children's book was meant especially for boys or
especially for girls. The politically correct viewpoint is that a children's
book is a children's book whether it deals with ponies or motorbikes,
boyfriends, grandmothers or fishing. As usual, when dealing with something
that is 'politically correct', the facts do not quite support the theory.
Many, if not most, subjects will be read by either sex, but a children's
novel set in a ballet school with a be-tutued protagonist on the cover is
very unlikely to be read by many boys. Therefore an author writing a book
called 'Tilda's Tutu' will envisage a predominantly female readership.
It has long been supposed that girls are more likely than boys to read
fiction. It is also supposed that girls will read books about boys, but that
boys won't read books about girls. It is further suggested that girls will
read books about adventure, science fiction or sports, while boys won't read
pony books, ballet books or cosy domestic fantasy. Even the school story,
which reigned supreme for many decades, was split into male and female
versions.
In modern times children's book authors are encouraged to write for the
widest possible readership, which should include boys and girls. The theory
might go like this; since girls will read boys' books but boys won't read
girls' books, and since more girls than boys read anyway, the obvious
solution is to write more boys' books because the girls will read them
anyway.
Sounds like solipsism doesn't it?
Of course the theory is never laid out quite as explicitly as this, but the
implication is there. Running at cross-purposes with this theory is the push
to present girls with strong female role models in their fiction. No longer
should girls take second place in adventures and decision-making. No longer
should they be shown in domestic or doll-mothering mode.
Faced with these conflicting ideologies, it has become quite difficult for
children's book authors to suggest an audience for new novels. No wonder it
seems safer to nominate as audience 'readers who enjoy adventure' or 'fans
of Paul Jennings' rather than 'boys of eight to twelve' or 'girls who love
ballet'.
To suggest that your book will appeal to 'Wilbur Smith fans' or to 'admirers
of Harry Potter' is not to suggest that you have written a carbon copy of
existing works. It is just the shorthand way of suggesting that the kinds of
readers who enjoy African adventure or magic realism and wizards will feel
at home with the world depicted in your book.
When you start to consider your potential audience, you need to make sure
you haven't painted yourself into a corner. If you choose an esoteric
subject or an uncongenial protagonist or an unpopular setting, you might
find yourself with a novel whose potential audience is much too small to
attract a publisher.
Just suppose you have written a gay romance. It will probably not appeal to
the general romance-buying public. On the other hand, it will not be
competing against thousands of other titles for its smaller audience. If you
write an animal story with a horse as a hero, you could suggest that your
novel will appeal to 'lovers of horses'. Write a similar book with a
crocodile hero, and your need to consider a completely different audience.
Those who are 'fascinated by reptiles' perhaps? Take an orange-bellied
parrot as your hero, and your audience will probably be Australian
conservationists or parrot buffs. it's really rather doubtful that anyone
else would have ever heard of the orange-bellied parrot.
Writing a novel takes hard work, time and commitment. It is surely worth
taking the extra time to consider that all-important question of potential
readership.
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PUBLISHER GUIDELINES
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AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR PROFILE
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YOUR WRITING TIPS
This isn't really my writing tip, it comes from Keats. He describes the
creative state as '[N]egative capability... when a man is capable of being
in uncertainties, mysteries, doubts, without any irritable reaching after
fact and reason.'
Philip Pullman in The Amber Spyglass says the same thing in a different way.
'She wasn't sure what she wanted to do, except that she knew that if she
fooled around for long enough, without fretting, or nagging herself, she'd
find out.'
Lian Tanner
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USEFUL BOOKS/WEBSITES
For those of you who would like to know more about writing picture books,
here's an address
http://www.memfox.com/so-you-want-to-write-a-picture-book.html
This site performs quick searches for market opportunities. Most of the
children's listings appear to be in the US, although some accept email
submissions. There is also a free weekly newsletter with updated markets.
http://www.duotrope.com/digest/index.aspx
Sue Walker
Advice for new writers in Australia.
HONEST ANSWERS TO
COMMON QUESTIONS
http://sallyodgers.50megs.com/ADVICEFORNEWWRITERS.htm
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BOOK REVIEWS
Millie
By John Marsden illustrated by Sally Rippin
Pan Macmillan Australia
Reviewed by Jackie Hosking
Millie gets read over and over and at our house. It is a cleverly designed
picture book, a true picture book where two stories run along side one
another like train tracks. It begins - "Everbody loved Millie. She was so
good." The pictures, of course, in grey with vibrant splashes of red, tell
another story altogether. The text is simple which gives space for
reader/listener conversation, secret winks and knowing smiles. Millie is a
cheeky, lovable character. Everybody knows a Millie because everybody was a
Millie - once. The message is simple and quietly stated. Everybody loves
Millies no matter what.
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INDEPENDENT CHILDREN'S BOOKSHOPS
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CRITIQUE GROUPS BULLETIN BOARD
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MILESTONES
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INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES
"Better to do something imperfectly than to do nothing flawlessly."
- Robert Schuller
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ADVERTISEMENTS
Create a Kids' Book Christmas Gifts!
The best gifts for those who are desperate to write for children. For only
$30 you could give a subscription to the twice monthly bulletin with writing
tips, musings on children's literature and general children's book news. Or
you could give a workshop for only $150 (Saturdays only, some with artist
Jacqui Young, some with novelist Jennifer Dabbs). 2006 dates on the website.
Or you could give a manuscript assessment (proofreading as well as shape,
style and characterisation advice) starting at $200 for a picture book text.
And there is a special Christmas price for the email workshops - $450. They
have ten modules, with exercises and individual feedback to each. There are
three to choose from: Create a Picture Book; Create Kids' Book
Illustrations; Create a Kids' Novel.
Any one of these suggestions would gladden the heart of a would-be writer!
Contact Virginia via http://createakidsbook.alphalink.com.au.
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PASS IT ON SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Submit contributions to jacket@smartchat.net.au
Verdana, 10pt, 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
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© Jackie Hosking . All rights Reserved Worldwide.
posted by Jackie at 12:42 AM
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