PASS IT ON ISSUE 79
PASS IT ON
Knowledge Is Power
www.jackiehosking.com
Issue 79.
Hi everyone! Welcome to the new look PASS IT ON! 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.
All rights (including copyright and moral rights) for individual
contributions remain with the author and may not be reproduced in any format
without the express written permission of the author.
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 only 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, not only to be very useful, but also 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
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 Australian Society of Authors offers crucial reading for authors in its
February newsletter (in press).
Robert Sessions, publishing director of Penguin
questions from the ASA on why Penguin is cutting royalty rates in its
contracts with Australian authors.
Macmillan Education Australia's managing director Shane Armstrong offers the
ASA some concessions in response to the ASA's criticisms that one-off
payments and assignment of rights deprive authors of lending rights and
payments.
For I will consider my cat Jeoffrey . public lecture
Award-winning poet Dorothy Porter will deliver the 2006 Colin Simpson
Memorial Lecture on the theme "Christopher Smart's cat and the New
Australian Nationalism". Christopher Smart was an 18th century English poet
who was confined to a lunatic asylum for much of his life. Smart's ode to
his cat begins "For I will consider my cat Jeoffrey". Porter will explore a
writer's intimate praise of the specific, personal and small in contrast to
the loud, belligerent love of a country. The lecture is at
at
This is a public lecture and everyone is welcome, so bring your family and
friends and spread the news about this important literary event.
For more details contact
--
Dr Jeremy Fisher
Executive Director
Australian Society of Authors
PO Box 1566 Strawberry Hills NSW 2016
+61 (0)2 9318 0877 Fax: +61 (0)2 9318 0530
0438 318 673
The Dorothea Mackellar Awards Foundation is looking for a part-time project
officer to plan, co-ordinate manage its annual national poetry competition
for all school-aged children in Australia. For more details, check out the
DMK website.
Submitted by DiB
Now is the time to renew membership of KOALA (Kids Own Australian Literature
Awards) for 2006. This is an important year in KOALA's history as it is its
20th year.
Some keen librarians rejoined before the end of December 2005. Those
libraries were entered into a draw to win an illustration. The winners will
be contacted soon. A list of winners will be put on to the web soon. Go to
www.koalansw.org.au to keep up with the latest news.
To encourage more libraries to join us in our birthday year we are planning
another prize draw. If you rejoin before the end of nominations (March
22nd), then you have a chance to win a special gift from KOALA. Membership
is not only open to schools, but to individuals.
Submitted by DiB
The NSW Department of NSW School Magazine is having a birthday!
A 90th birthday celebration/exhibition for The School Magazine is currently
at the planning stage. As part of the celebration we would love everybody
who has had an association with the magazine (as a kid, parent, teacher,
writer, illustrator, editor, whatever) to write a letter (short or long)
telling your story in relation to the magazine! Good experiences, bad or
indifferent, we want to build up a rich record of true tales.
We hope to include the letters in an exhibition of artwork and manuscripts
and they will then become part of the Magazine's archive. Original scribbled
over drafts or other versions of manuscripts or artwork would be wonderful
to include.
Please pass this along to others you feel would be interested, and send your
letter to:
90th Birthday
C/O The School Magazine,
PO Box 1928
Macquarie Centre, NSW 2113
Submitted by DiB
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SEEKING
It seems to me that Australian children's publishers (perhaps with the
exception of Penguin and its Aussie series) are not publishing any humorous,
chapter books for young readers or social realism fiction for kids. Can any
PIO subscribers name any good reads in these areas published in the last 12
months?
SYDNEY SCBWI PARTICIPANTS who would like to stay in touch, please email me -
jacket@smartchat.net.au and I will create an email group. If you know of a
participant who doesn't receive PIO (yet) then perhaps you could pass this
message on. Thanks Jackie...
In my capacity as editor of Down's Voice, the Journal for the Down Syndrome
Association of Victoria, I am often asked for the titles of books for older
children who have a low reading age, but still enjoy reading, and want
something that will appeal to their age group, ie a girl of 14 year who is
reading at a 7 - 8 year old level.
Do any PIO writers have any suggestions where I can direct people?
Just a quick one... I have read in previous issues that I need to register
for CAL, ELR and PLR, but how do I do that?
Tracey Kirkland
On the 17th June the Gold Coast Writers Association - Sub Group (Adults
writing for children) The Ten Penners, will be conducting their first
Children's writing workshop for 8 to 12 year olds. This is to spark added
interest in the children's writing competition, which will commence the same
day.
My question to all those who have had experience in this area, is "Could
anyone please give us some help with suggestions for a successful workshop?"
To date we have a rough agenda for the morning (
with a group introduction, and then splitting into smaller groups to keep
the children focused on setting, plotting, character, etc. all in good fun
with some puppet play and to come together at the end to produce a possible
cover for their works of the day, which will be idea/note handouts. I guess
what we are really after also is what do we not do, so we keep the children
enthused with story writing. Any help will be welcomed and I look forward to
your responses, Marion Martineer, sub group co-ordinator. If you'd prefer to
contact me directly, you can do so via Jackie ( jacket@smartchat.net.au )
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REPLIES TO SEEKING
Speculative fiction (or spec fic, as it is also known), encompasses the
genres of science fiction, fantasy, horror, magical realism, and so on.
There's been a huge upsurge in this area in
with many Australian authors achieving great success and acclaim. Check out
Australian Speculative Fiction - a Genre Overview (by Donna Maree Hanson)
for interviews with Australian spec fic authors and a look at some of the
markets, or the Australian Speculative Fiction website for general
information and links:
http://splints.customer.netspace.net.au/800res/call800.html
On speculative fiction (to Jane)
My understanding of speculative fiction is the genre that includes science
fiction, horror and fantasy.
Jerome
www.jeromeparisse.com
To Mary Tobin: In PIO 78, you asked about Jabiru Town Council. If you go to
http://www.jabiru.nt.gov.au/ you will find it is their web site. There is a
button with contact us on it.
Hope this helps you,
Robert.
Awhile ago there was some talk in PIO about the best way to get payments
from overseas. I thought I'd let you know of
cost the receiver anything.
I recently received payment for articles I'd written for an Indonesian
children's magazine and was given a
little detective work at 2 banks, I found out that the place to go to get
this money was the post office. Here, I simply filled out the appropriate
form, supplied id and got my money...at the current exchange rate without
any extra fees taken out...much better than a bank.
Not sure how much the sender has to pay for this service, though.
Cheers
Sharon Greenaway.
In the last edition, Jane asked: I have seen the term 'speculative fiction'
several times lately. I'm wondering if someone can enlighten me as to what
it actually means?
Spec fic is a broad genre name which includes fantasy, supernatural, science
fiction, sci fi (yes, to sci-fi fans there IS a difference, science fiction
being extrapolated from current scientific theory and therefore requiring
less "suspension of disbelief", while the fan-fic definition of the
abbreviation is an "in fashion" code word for the wildly imaginative
technologies, plots and places... and often frowned upon by the more
scholarly end of fandom.)
by the way, if ever you have a word or phrase that you'd like to find the
contemporary definition for, simply open a google window and enter "define:
xxx" into the search window, where xxx = the term you wish to find
explanations and relevant links for.... e.g. for this question, you would
have entered:
define: speculative fiction
hope this helps!
Anita Bell, author.
Speculative fiction has become an umbrella term to cover the genres (and
ever growing number of subgenres such as paranormal romance, detective-sf,
humourous SF, space opera, time travel, cyberpunk etc ) of science-fiction,
fantasy and horror.
And yes, there's already been a bit of discussion about it being a tautology
as all fiction, by its nature is speculative.
I hope this helps Jane!
To the subscriber who asked for a definition of 'speculative fiction': It's
the more "respectable" name for science fiction -- or so academics (and
others no doubt) might believe. Robert Heinlein apparently coined the term
in 1947. PC
To the subscriber who asked the difference between the Education and Trade
markets this is the Trade side of things which I presented with Di Bates,
who focussed on the Education side, at a writer's festival last year. My
talk can be found on my web site at www.jenimawter.com
re: I read the comment from SB about Google Book print (6 February).
SB doesn't ask the obvious question - how did SB's publisher have permission
to approve the book being shown on Google? What contract did SB sign to
permit this use? Is this use permitted at all under the contract?
Good question. It was my second contract and I didn't think I had very much
room to move. I don't think electronic rights were as big an issue then. I
didn't even realise that next book clauses hamstrung you - these days I
won't even take it from an education publisher. Live and learn. If you think
Google Book is bad, at least they only let the reader look at snippets. Some
years ago, a friend of mine was very upset because his entire book had been
scanned on to a certain on-line encyclopaedia! You were supposedly paid by
the
hit (they did mine too, the same book as Google, actually, but I never got a
cent). Why would anyone buy your book when they're getting the info they
want subscribing to an on-line publication? My book is out of print, which
means my sales aren't affected by it, but maybe if enough people nag the
on-line second-hand booksellers, the publisher might be encouraged to
re-print. Or maybe not. What would REALLY bother me is being published
on-line with "on demand" printing, which means the book is never out of
print, officially, so you never get your rights back.You're right, I would
have liked to be asked, but this is
what happens when a naive new writer sells their first or second book.
Them's the breaks.
SB
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NEW PUBLICATIONS
'My Grandad Marches on Anzac Day' written by Catriona Hoy and illustrated by
Ben Johnson will be released in March 2006.
http://www.lothian.com.au/more.aspx?ISBN=0734408455
A small girl goes to the pre-dawn Anzac Day service with her father where
they watch her grandad march in the parade. This is an excellent
introduction to this highly venerated ceremony and poignantly addresses the
sentiments aroused by the memory of those who gave their lives for their
country.
The book will be launched at by the State President of the RSL, David
McLachlan
East Malvern RSL
Stanley Grose Drive
East Malvern, Vic
Saturday 4th March
4.30pm - 5.30pm.
Any PIO members who wish to join me are most welcome. For catering purposes,
please rsvp to catriona at khoy54@optusnet.com.au
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SPECIAL EVENTS
Book Now! Conference May 2006
The Book Now! Conference, organised by the Children's Book Council of
Australia, will be held in Sydney on 4 - 6 May this year. There is a
fantastic array of speakers, a wonderful trade fair and exposition, and a
whole host of associated events, from live theatre to a children's film
festival, an artist's studio where you can watch illustrators at work, the
buzz of discussion about cutting edge development and the chance to rub
shoulders with some of the world's most exciting children's writers,
publishers and illustrators. How could you miss out on the chance of the
conference dinner with an author? Check out what's on offer at
http://www.booknow.org.au/ and come join the fun. Wendy Blaxland
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MARKET OPPORTUNITIES
Fandangle Magazine, formerly Holiday Crafts 4 Kids magazine, is looking for
submissions for the March issue. Find out more at:
http://www.fandanglemagazine.com/guidelines.html
Crafting 4 Kids blog -- http://craftywench.livejournal.com
Behind the Scenes at Fandangle Magazine --
http://fandanglemagazine.blogspot.com
K-8 Curriculum Writers Wanted!
PAY: $25/lesson
Afterschool Inc. Publishing is searching for curriculum writers for its
Problem Solvers(c) Curriculum. We pay $25 per lesson and there is no limit
to the number of lessons you can write! Go to http://www.afterschoolinc.com
under the Writers Wanted Link and then under the Problem Solvers(c)
Submission Guidelines. Folowing the guidelines and send your submission by
mail. We are seriously looking for a number of writers. Send resumes as
attachments only or any other questions to mailto:info@afterschool.com
Submitted by DiB
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COMPETITIONS/AWARDS
Announcing calls for entry to the Alan Marshall Short Story Award 2006
This annual contemporary Australian short story competition is held in
memory of the great Australian writer and former resident of Eltham, Alan
Marshall AM. OBE. HON LL.D (1902-1984), whose most well known books are the
autobiographical, I Can Jump Puddles, This is the Grass and Pioneers and
Painters.
The 2006 judge for the Alan Marshall Short Story Awards is Eva Sallis. Eva
won The Australian/Vogel Literary Award in 1997 for her first novel, Hiam.
In 2002 The City of Sealions, was published followed by the winner of the
Steele Rudd Award, Mahjar in 2003 and Fire Fire in 2004.
Entries close at 4pm on Friday 24 February 2006 and the announcement and
reading of winning stories will be held at an awards event in June. All
entrants will be notified of results by mail. The winning stories of each
category may be published in the Diamond Valley Leader, Artstreams,
Council's website and/or in a Nillumbik Shire Council book documenting
winners and winning stories. The Judge's report and winning entries will be
published on Council's website.
There are three categories for a short story of fiction up to 2500 words
written in any style:
. Open Section Award of $2000
. Local Writers Award of $1000
. Young Writers Award (15-19 years) of $400.
Entry forms and guidelines are available now from:
http://www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/Page/Page.asp?Page_Id=454&h=1
Deadline: March 31, 2006
The Next Great Book Manuscript Contest
If you have an unpublished manuscript, The WriteStuff Writers' is presenting
an opportunity for you to become a published author, courtesy of
AuthorHouse, the world's largest and most experienced self-publishing
services company. First prize is a publishing contract worth over $5,000
from AuthorHouse! Whether it is your first, second, or fiftieth manuscript,
as long as it has not been published before, WriteStuff Writers' would love
to read it.
Grand Prize
Grand Prize is a publishing package valued at $5,000 and includes Book
Sellers Return Program, Advanced Cover Design, and promotional services.
WriteStuff Writers' will also feature our winning author at one of our
upcoming WriteStuff Writers' Conferences sometime in 2006 (based on location
and author availability).
Second Prize
Second prize winner will receive a $1,000 credit with AuthorHouse towards
publishing and book marketing services.
Third Prize
Third prize winner will receive a $500 credit with AuthorHouse towards
publishing and book marketing services.
Winners will be announced through the AuthorHouse Voices in Print
newsletter, which has thousands of subscribers. All recipients will also
receive a certificate of participation from the WriteStuff Writers'.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.writestuffwriters.com/content.asp?contentid=555
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WRITING COURSES/WORKSHOPS
Vic Writers Centre Information Update
The Year of the Novel - Series Two
Due to popular demand, the Victorian Writers' centre is proud to present the
Year of the Novel (series two). Facilitated by author, Sallie Muirden, the
workshops will be held on the Saturdays of 1 April, 3 June, 12 August, 7
October & 2 December from 10am-4pm.
Sallie Muirden is the author of two novels, the prize winning Revelations of
a Spanish Infanta (1996) and We Too Shall Be Mothers (2001) both published
by HarperCollins, Australia. She has been teaching creative writing to
adults for the past eight years.
These five classes, spread out over the year, will give budding novelists an
opportunity to discuss, write and workshop their developing novels in a
friendly environment. Students will be introduced to a range of
novel-writing techniques, focusing on characterisation, point of view, use
of dialogue and plot. There will be opportunities for students to submit
their creative work and receive written feedback. Students will be requested
to bring short sections of their novel to each class for workshopping.
Booking information
Cost of workshop series: $480, $440 members, $400 concession members.
$200 deposit will be required when booking.
Full payment must be made 1 week prior to course start.
For bookings, please contact the Victorian Writers' Centre on 9654 9068.
Please note: Cancellations must be made three working days prior to the
workshop and
refunds will only be given under these circumstances.
www.auswriters.com
Proudly presents
Calendar of Events -
Writing Workshops for 2006
March 4th - Saturday, - 1-3pm
The importance of editing your Manuscript - by Robin Freeman
April 8th - Saturday, 1-3pm,
How to write short stories, with guides for editing/grammar, etc - by Robin
Freeman
April 22nd -Saturday, 1-3pm,
How to write book reviews - by Helen Elliott
April 29th - Saturday, 1- 5pm,
Writing travel and freelance articles by Rhonda Whitton
May 6th - Saturday, 1- 3pm,
How to write short stories, with guides for editing/grammar, etc. - by Robin
Freeman
May 20th - Saturday, 1- 3pm,
How to submit a manuscript to publishers - by Rhonda Whitton
May 27th - Saturday, 1- 3pm,
"What Publishers Want!" - Presenter - TBA
June 3rd - Saturday, 1- 3pm,
Freelance Journalism - by Helen Elliott
June 17th - Saturday, 1- 3pm,
Memoir Writing - by Carmel Bird
June 24th - Saturday, 1- 3pm,
"To Self Publish or Not to Self Publish- What's involved and how much does
it cost?" Presenter - TBA
Location: - Workshops will be held at ACOPA, (Australian Centre of
Performance
Arts) 14 Raglan Street, North Melbourne 3051
Course Costs: - $55.00 for non auswriters members, $50.00 for paid members,
for
2 hour workshop, and $110.00 for non auswriters members, and
$100.00 for 4 hour workshop.
(booking forms can be found online under the Calendar of Events page)
Please contact me on 0414817490 or log onto the website www.auswriters.com
and send me an email if you have any queries.
Elly Hamilton
(Bookings close 3 days before the date of the workshop. And notifications
will be sent if there are insufficient numbers to run the workshop at that
time.)
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NEW WORK STYLE SKILLS
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HAVE YOUR SAY
SCBWI CONFERENCE
Huge congratulations and thanks to Susanne Gervay, Chris Cheng, Jen McVeity
and Frane Lessac who organised and hosted the SCBWI conference over the
weekend. The conference was held in the beautiful Hughenden Boutique Hotel,
part-owned by Susanne Gervay who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to
ensure that everything was up and running and that it all went without a
hitch. Well done, Susanne! Thanks also to all the presenters. The talks
and panel discussions covered a broad spectrum of topics, giving a
fact-filled and fascinating insight into the world of writing and publishing
books for children of all ages. It was a great pleasure to meet old friends
and make new ones, to put faces to names and exchange information over
informal (and delicious!) tea breaks, lunches and dinners. For beginners
and experienced authors alike, the weekend was a delight. Well done to all
concerned! Felicity Pulman
FROM A SCBWI CONFERENCE PARTICIPANT
Variety of professional approaches & willingness to share
International and national publishing access.
Enthusiasm of organisers
Venue of Hughenden which enabled serendipitous sharing inbetween official
sessions
Interstate mingling
Excellent bookseller Lesley Mc Kay & opportunity to buy participants' books
Informative and amusing book launches
If you would like to expand on any of these aspects, PIO would love to hear
from you :-)
Suggestion:
Each participant publicise an aspect of the conference in their local media
as a news item, buy the work of a new writer/illustrator or network the
ideas learnt
FROM Lynda Calder
I have noticed with increasing frustration that more and more publishers are
shutting their doors to unsolicited manuscripts. For a first time author
"wannabe" (to coin a much hated phrase) this is very disheartening,
demoralising and discouraging. It has been said that it is harder to find an
Agent than it is a Publisher and yet finding a Publisher is now becoming
nigh on impossible. What am I supposed to do? I have done a Mentorship, I
have had my manuscript appraised several times and yet, despite personal
rejection letters, nothing. But none of these seem to be of any use to me
now that I cannot even get in the door at a Publisher to wallow on the
terribly named "slush pile".
It makes a girl want to cry and tear her already white hair out.
FROM AUTHOR Gail C Breese
I'd like to thank Di Bates for a fantastic article 'Keeping Kids Screaming
"More!More!"' in last week's PIO. As I began to read it I was one of the
kids sitting on the floor yelling "YES!" because what child could resist
hearing a secret, especially one that was rude.
It seems that you need to be part actor as well as author/storyteller. Now I
want to travel east and be in the audience of one of Di's next school
visits.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Re: Once only upfront fees
I have read with interest comments on being paid once only upfront fees and
wanted to add my bit. As a full-time author who has also worked as an
editor, I am deeply saddened by comments such as Jane's in last week's
issue. One thousand dollars per book, no matter how small the book is, is
scandalous. It is NOT generous. Think about the imagination involved in
coming up with the story, the hours it took to write the book, the tax that
must be paid on the thousand dollars and most of all, the money the
publisher will make on the title - many thousands. You can't compare small
competitions to a professional arrangement between a publisher and an
author. Like a contributor in Issue 77 of Pass It On, I have dozens of
educational titles to my name and they have almost all been sold overseas in
large volumes, particularly to the US. I also have had many books
translated. I am paid royalties on all these books. Very small net amounts
rather than the much better deals available in trade, but nevertheless the
success of the books means that I am lucky enough to have earned thousands
of dollars from each title. If I'd accepted upfront fees then the amount I
would have missed out on would have been shocking. And where would it have
gone? To publishers' profits instead.
Like the author in Issue 77, all of my titles are still in print and
continue to earn me royalties - some for eight years and still going strong.
Publishers may predict the life of an educational title to be much less but
it is never the case in my experience. Many may say I'm lucky to be in the
position I'm in, and I guess I am. But royalties are an author's right in my
opinion. Like Wendy Blaxland, I would feel exploited and cheated if I didn't
receive them.
It may be hard to negotiate with publishers when a contract is issued but
somehow, I fear that if authors don't take a stand and refuse upfront fees,
pretty soon all educational publishers will be offering them and nothing
else. I refuse to accept upfront fees and don't mind saying that I turned a
large offer of commissioned work down because of that last year. Personally,
I'd rather publish my work on my website and go and get another job! I also
saw a copy of the Macmillan Education letter and was saddened but not
surprised. When some of their competitors offer the same deals, what else
can we expect?
Please everyone, think carefully about what you will lose if you sell your
books for such small sums. Don't undervalue your talent. If a publisher
thinks your work is good enough to be published, then it's good enough to
receive royalties on.
FROM AN AUTHOR
Recently a new writer showed me a letter she'd received from her tutor in
the writing for children course from the Australian School of Journalism. I
was amazed that the letter contained a grammar and spelling mistakes; I also
thought that the tutor's comments on her submitted assignment weren't at all
constructive. I would be interested to hear what writers who have undertaken
the course have to say about their experience. Also, would anyone like to
comment on their experience of receiving online writing modules from the NSW
Writers' Centre? I paid for the poetry module and found that it didn't
fulfil my expectations. Are the other modules worth purchasing?
FROM Marianne Vreugdenhil
Many thanks to Deborah Abela for her reply to my query about the necessity
of a book proposal. Your suggestions make sense. It looks like I'll be
nutting one out some time in the future.
On another note, I appreciate the efforts of all those who have submitted
book reviews. I often come away with at least one title I wish to read, and
have borrowed quite a few from the library. I'm Not Scared by Niccolo
Ammaniti was reviewed not long ago in PIO and it was a great read.
THANK YOU HAZEL EDWARDS
A big 'Thank you' goes to Hazel Edwards for her great list of what could go
on a writer's CV (PIO issue 76). It was so generous of her to provide such
a comprehensive list, which certainly provides food for thought.
The only thing I would add is that I only provide a full cv if I am applying
for a grant, making a major proposal, or if it's requested in submission
guidelines. Otherwise, I just add a very shortened version of my CV in my
cover letter, selecting the highlights as they are relevant to the piece in
hand. It usually reads as a paragraph or two in a conversational, not CV
or bullet point, style. But I have to say that you can only provide your
experiences in a nutshell if you've taken the time to create a detailed CV
to start with, so Hazel's list is a very valuable starting point.
THANKS EVERYONE!
I would just like to say a HUGE thank you to all those who took the time to
answer my question about dealing with nerves. Your answers were so detailed
and helpful, and in some cases quite unusual! I'd never thought to moo
before a speech, but heck, saves feeling like a COWard.
Thanks again everyone!!
Jitterbug
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ARTICLES
Are you having a grumpy day?
See what happened when I last had a grumpy day...
http://www.writing4successclub.com/jackiehosking13.htm
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PUBLISHER GUIDELINES
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AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR PROFILE
CLAIRE SAXBY (AUTHOR)
1. Published Name: Claire Saxby
2. Based in (state/country): Victoria
3. Number of years writing: I remember writing a poem when I was in Grade 3
and singing it to myself over and over. I can remember the first stanza but
still only sing it to myself. I began writing about 10 years ago and writing
for children about 8 years ago.
4. Number of books published: My first chapter book, Banana Beard and the
Bowler-Buddy was published in 2000. Since then I've published about 25
titles, contributed to web-based resources for Pearson Education Australia,
written poetry and non-fiction. My first picture book, Ebi's Boat,
illustrated by Anne Spudvilas is due to be released in July 2006, with a
second, Ebony and the Perfect Nest due out in 2007. I am co-judging the
Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards with Lorraine Marwood for the second time
this year.
5. Titles that have been important to you: To choose only a few would be an
impossible task. I read anything and everything, storing away bits of
information against a time when I might need them. From my childhood, I
remember books like 'The Poky Little Puppy' and many of the Dr Seuss books.
Trixie Belden and her mysteries kept me busy as did adventures, 'Heidi' and
'What Katy Did'. I loved my collections of fairy and folk tales from Russia,
Eastern Lands, the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen.
6. Biggest challenge as a writer: Knowing when to ask for help and when to
just put that shoulder to the grindstone and work at it.
7. Favourite writing tip for emerging writers: Read. Read. Read. Write.
Write. Write. It can't be said often enough. Only by doing this can you
begin to recognise and develop your own voice.
8. Scariest part of being published: The thought that it might not happen
again! Focussing on developing the next project. There is always a vacuum
after sending off a manuscript, when I wander around thinking 'I'll never
think of anything else to write!' Generally that lasts until I give myself a
talking to, grab myself by the scruff of the neck and plonk myself back in
the writing chair.
9. Funniest thing that's ever happened during book research, writing or
promotion: Recently, I won a pedal car full of French perfume which I
thought was hilarious.who ever wins competitions? Not me, that's for sure. I
had to walk through Crown Casino with this pale pink car and field comments
from punters and security guards. The pedal car now sits in my office and
will feature in a story (or stories??). I have shared the perfume with my
nearest and dearest, retaining only enough perfume for me to smell gorgeous
for the rest of my life.
10. Do you still receive rejections and if so, how do you deal with them?
Yes. I log them and put them away. I look at them as part of the learning
process.when I'm feeling good. On other days, I rail at the gods and kick
the furniture.
11. Do you ever become discouraged and ask yourself whether there is
something easier you could be doing than writing? Yes. There are days when I
think almost anything would be easier than writing! But there is also
nothing more rewarding than having a child tell you how much they enjoyed
your story. And there's no way my head would survive if I didn't write. It
would explode!
12. Do you ever experience 'writer's block' and if so, what tools do you use
to overcome it and get back on track? There are certainly times when writing
is easier, and times when it seems almost impossible. At those latter times,
I free-write if I have a plot problem, or do some editing which uses another
part of my brain. Or go for a walk. Or a swim. Both of these repetitive
activities have a meditative effect and seem to free up my subconscious and
get me back on track
13. How much actual time per day/week do you spend writing? I work in a
waged position two days a week and try to write in the other three days, and
on some weekends. Sometimes I will write from dawn to dusk, other days are
more fragmented. I write on trains, in cinemas, at the library. Deadlines
are a wonderful motivator.
14. Give a brief overview of your average writing day: If such a beast
exists. I clear emails and phone calls and then review what I've written the
previous day, doing a light edit to get me back into the particular story.
For longer pieces I set myself a daily word target and try not to leave the
seat until I reach it. (except for coffee) I transcribe poems
into the computer for editing/revising and try to rough draft new ones. I
work on several projects so that if one isn't working, I switch to another.
I listen for the postie and try not to beat him to the letter box.
15. Describe your writing place: I have my own office at the front of the
house. My desk is set up so I face the door and can also see out the window
into the front garden (and the postie). The pink pedal car stares at me,
overseeing my work. The walls feature photos and posters and noticeboards.
These decorations fail to hide the wallpaper remains that must be removed
before the room can be painted. Soon. Really.
16. Recent news, links to reviews/articles, books signings, author
appearances etc. 'Ebi's Boat', a picture book is due for July release.
Launch details will be circulated. Widely.
17. Favourite saying or quote: 'Such is life.' Or 'Ahh, well.it could've
been worse.' My kids hate me saying it, but it's true. Okay, so it's a kind
of spin doctoring, but it helps me deal with all the adventures that are
part of this rich life. Works well with rejections too.
18. Website/contact details http://members.optusnet.com.au/merck
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YOUR WRITING TIPS
Author Edel Wignell writes: Every year I say I have too many subscriptions,
and I ought to drop some. But which ones? Over the next few weeks, I'll make
notes on some of them.
SCBWI BULLETIN
When the bi-monthly Bulletin of the Society of Children's Book Writers and
Illustrators arrives, I open first to Connie Epstein's 'Publisher's Corner',
a double-page spread listing the latest news in regard to publishing
requirements and changes in personnel.
The 36-page journal begins with 'News and Notes' on awards, conferences and
events. The January/February issue's special item was the 'SCBWI Katrina
Relief Wrap-up', describing the sending of 2,500 comfort kits to the victims
of Cyclone Katrina - the result of generous donations and gifts by SCBWI
members. Enough books were given to 'jump start' two libraries at schools
that had lost every book, as well as gifts for individuals.
Connie Epstein's 'Events of Interest' describes the 25th Annual Exhibition
of Original Art, showcasing children's book illustration of the previous
year, at the Manhattan gallery of the Society of Illustrators. As well,
there is an outline of the 49th Anne Carroll Moore Lecture, presented by the
New York Public Library.
A column is devoted to 'What's New at the SCBWI Online?' by Your Friendly
Neighborhood Webmaster. By the way, it's possible to read the SCBWI
'Bulletin' online, but I choose to have it sent by post.
Illustrator Anne Sibley O'Brien, writes 'The Illustrator's Perspective' - a
regular column. Her 25th book is due soon. She spoke to several art buyers
in attendance at the Maine Illustrators' Collection 'Fall Folio Feast' and
asked for their advice to illustrators showing portfolios. They represented
a commercial magazine, a children's book publisher, and a design firm.
In 'A modest Proposal', writer Tim Myers gives his opinion on the subject of
recognition to editors. He suggests that their names should be credited on
the title page below the authors' and illustrator's names. He says it's the
professional thing to do.
Nathalie Ryan, who writes for both adults and children, advises writers:
'Bring Your Character to Life with Quirks,' and suggests practical ways of
doing this. Next, attorney Sara Rutenberg answers questions and gives advice
on legal aspects of publishing in her regular column, 'Legally Speaking'.
Three and a half pages are devoted to good news sent in by members for the
'People' pages compiled by Reva Solomon: awards, short stories, poems,
articles, illustrations, picture-stories, novels, non-fiction... the latest
releases by authors and illustrators. Following is half a page of 'Art Tips'
compiled by Alison Davis Lyne from 'Insider Tips' sent by SCBWI members.
This month, 'International News' is written by Pamela Rushby who tells of
her adventures with Ana , a life-size replica of a bog body, on Author Talks
in Australia. Author of 80 books for children and young adults, she says
that the main value of props is their attention-grabbing quality.
In 'Your Book is at the Bookstore: How to Make Sure it Sells', Maureen
Webster gives six tips on professional ways to help with the marketing of
books. Then six pages are devoted to the 'SCBWI Calendar of Events - 2006':
seminars, workshops, conferences in every state of the USA and overseasl,
with contact details and locations.
Writer and teacher, Jeannine Atkins, suggests 'Make a Marketing Plan: Why
Not?', urging members to be businesslike. Then writer, K. J. McWilliams
reviews 78 Reasons Why Your Book May Never Be Published & 14 Reasons Why it
Just Might (Penguin Books, 2005), written by Pat Walsh - a sparky review of
a tantalizing book.
Six pages of Regional News provides a listing of all regional events,
workshops and meetings - including the Australian Conference 17-19 February.
An up-to-date listing can be found on the SCBWI website:
www.scbwi.org/regions.htm
'Publisher's Corner', mentioned at the beginning of this article, follows.
Then writer, Thomas S. Owens, in 'Amazon.com Makes (Almost) Every Word
Count', says that Amzaon.com is beginning to take the mysteries out of the
riddlesome questions of manuscript length and reading level by adding
'concordance' and 'text state' to its 'Search Inside the Book' (SITB)
program. Next is a poem, 'A Closed Book', by Cynthia Linn.
Susan Salzman Raab, marketing adviser to SCBWI, and author of An Author's
Guide to Children's Book Promotion, has the final column, in Question/Answer
format, answering members' queries.
The cover art of the latest 'Bulletin' is by the much-loved Tomie de Paola,
and the sixteen line illustrations by SCBWI members, scattered through the
pages, exhibit variety and a wealth of talent.
When I joined the SCBWI in 1991, there were only four Australian members,
including Hazel Edwards and Allan Baillie. Membership took off when Elaine
York came from the US and started an Australian chapter with regular
meetings and a seminar. When she left, she requested that someone take over.
Jen McVeity, who had served for several years on the Fellowship of
Australian Writers (Victorian Branch) Committee, volunteered, and now she is
President Worldwide.
Some people ask, 'Will I join the SCBWI? Is it worthwhile?' It is for me: I
have gained fifteen years' of accumulated knowledge about the children's
book scene and have had nine articles published in 'The Bulletin'. Payment
for each article is one year's subscription plus US$50.
All you need to know can be found on the SCBWI website: www.scbwi.org
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USEFUL BOOKS/WEBSITES
A Newbie's Guide to Publishing http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/
Pages of writing tips - Home of Author J.A. Konrath
http://www.jakonrath.com/tips.html
Reply to "Author's Beware" (sharks out there in the literary waters)
You can also look up your agent or publisher in "preditors and Editors" at
the free online database: http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/
(which also doubles as a very interesting place to hunt for your next agent
or publisher!)
:) Anita Bell, author.
Just came across this site, run by a children's author (US-based). The link
is: http://www.terryburns.net/LIBRARY.htm He has links to reviewers,
market information, libraries etc etc. Very useful.
Dizzy
Monday morning warm-up writing prompts http://www.joknowles.com/prompts.htm
For all those authors/illustrators travelling around the countryside to
school/library gigs, check out the following URL.
http://www.nowwhereroute.com/TravelMate/SmartTrip/SearchPage.aspx?UserType=Guest&SessionId=15983824
TravelMate asks for a starting point and destination, then tells you exactly
how to get there, right down to 'left at xxx road, right at xxx street', and
how many minutes each stretch will take to travel and the total time to
reach your destination. Just like having your own Global Positioning System
:-).
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BOOK REVIEWS
Kids' Lit by Jodie Minus, Review, The Weekend Australian, January 28, 2006.
Clay
By David Almond, Hachette, 296pp, $29.95
DAVID Almond takes a lump of clay, examines all its possible metaphors and
sets it to a backdrop of 1960s Felling, a town in northeast England that is
populated by devout Catholics and features a soundtrack of local dialect
(``Mebbe this is a bliddy monster that I've made'') in this memorable, moody
musing on how childhood shapes us. Davie and Geordie's friendship is
interrupted when the weird Stephen Rose moves into town and teaches Davie
how to bring clay models to life. Little boys playing at being god can only
have a dangerous outcome: Davie soon realises that we can mould and shape
our own futures but we should never try to mould others.
Diamonds are a Teen's Best Friend
By Allison Rushby, Random House, 232pp,$16.95
AT 14, Nessa Mulholland is obsessed with Marilyn Monroe and lives her life
as if she's in a film. On a cruise ship to Paris with her professor father,
she befriends glamorous movie star Holly Isles, recently separated from her
fiancé and escaping the relentless attention of the press. Using the film
Gentleman Prefer Blondes as her guide, Nessa plots to help Holly find ``the
perfect man'' and along the way learns that life and love don't always
follow a neat script.
My Home in Kakadu
By Jane Christophersen, illustrated by Christine Christophersen, Magabala
Books, 32pp, $14.95
SCHOOLGIRL Tarrah narrates this picture book about her life at Kakadu
National Park, introducing younger readers to such lively indigenous
experiences as fishing for catfish and bream and camping under the stars,
and showing how her grandmother teaches her ``to recognise the sounds of the
bush, like the eerie howling of a dingo at night''. She also explains the
six Aboriginal seasons and the process of hunting for bush tucker and
building a bush oven. Christine Christophersen's paintings are naive and
bright; Jane Christophersen's story educational and engrossing.
Letters from Aceh
Sid Harta Publishers, 64pp, $29.95
THIS collection of letters, photographs and drawings exchanged between the
children of tsunami-devastated Aceh and students of the Jakarta
International School demonstrates children's enviable capacity for absolute
compassion and hope for the future. There are stories of death (``I lost 28
of my brothers in my extended family'') and simple, evocative words, as
written by sixth grader Zulbaidah: ``When the earthquake happened I was
watering the flowers in my garden. I thought it was the end of the world.''
The beautifully designed coffee-table (or, rather, milkshake) book is an
altruistic offering, with all proceeds going towards building a school in
Aceh.
The Kids' Lit column appears in the Review section of The Weekend Australian
on the last Saturday of every month.
The following books will be reviewed by Laurine Croasdale on ABC Radio
Canberra with David Kilby on the 20th February and on the ABC Canberra
website. They will also appear in the Primary English Teachers Association
Newsletter and on their website.
Badly Drawn Dog Written and Illustrated by Emma Dodson
Hodder Children's Books (paper back)
One morning Badly Drawn Dog looked at his reflection. He was scribbly,
scrawny and sketchy round the eyes. He looked like one big smudge. He hated
the way he looked so on his way to visit Doodle the Poodle he spotted an
Artist's Studio and decided he would get himself drawn properly.
All Rivers Flow to the Sea by Alison McGhee
Candlewick Press (paper back)
Rose Latham, a 17 year old girl who lives in the Adirondack Mountains is
trapped in a groundhog day of grief and shock. She marks time from the day
of hers and her sister's car accident that left her sister on life support
and Rose in a parallel world of numb limbo.
Australia Locked Up Written and Illustrated by John Nicholson
Allen & Unwin
This is an illustrated account of punishment and imprisonment starting with
800 convicts who were shipped to Australia in 1788 to take pressure of
English prisons right through to our treatment of prisoners of war, refugees
and people with infectious diseases.
Silly Suzy Goose Written and Illustrated by Petr Horacek
Walker Books (hard back)
If Suzy Goose could describe herself she'd have to say: white feathers,
orange beak, long neck and webbed feet - just one of the pack really. But
for Suzy Goose that wasn't enough. She longed to be different.
Review: That's the Trick
written by Krista Bell & illustrated by Sarah Dunk
and published by Lothian
RRP $14.95
ISBN 0734408943
I confess my bias. Our family loves playing word games and newspaper quizzes
after dinner. So I bought a copy of 'That's the Trick' , which is about
commonly confused homophones, for my son-in -law Dave's birthday.
With an extended family which includes a six year old who also likes trying
to answer word quizzes and who already knows that:
'Homophones are words that sound the same, but are usually spelt
differently, and mean different things,' I see this book as a family gift.
Book launcher Christopher Cheng played word games with the SCWBI (Society of
Children's Book Writers and Illustrators') Sydney conference audience, and
they 'loved' the spelling challenge of rite, write, right and other funny
confusions.
Highly recommended for ESL, all writers, students and families who love
words, I think it would also be an excellent resource for a radio station or
newspaper which might like to run a contest for audiences or readers to
suggest 'sporting' or 'embarrassing' homophones! Could run for months!
Well organised alphabetically, with additional index, it is the over 300
illustrations of 'That's the Trick!' which extend its appeal for all ages.
Highly recommended.
Hazel Edwards
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INDEPENDENT CHILDREN'S BOOKSHOPS
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CRITIQUE GROUPS BULLETIN BOARD
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MILESTONES
Jackie managed to not only get to the SCBWI conference at the wonderful
Hughenden Boutique Hotel (on her own) but she also managed to have a
FANTASTIC time (which wasn't hard considering the people who helped to
organise it). Thank you all so much for an extremely well organised and
informative four days. Special thanks go to Jen McVeity, Susanne Gervay,
Chris Cheng, and Frane Lessac.
Over the next few weeks PIO hopes to publish the experiences of conference
participants. So please do share as much as you can.
Thanks also go to all of YOU for making yourselves known to me in such warm
and welcoming ways. It was wonderful to be able to put faces to names and to
know how much you all appreciate PIO. In the words of Thomas the Tank
Engine - I feel like a really useful engine...
Oh and of course I musn't forget - I also managed to get myself home!
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INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES
~A classic is something that everybody wants to have read and nobody wants
to read.~
Mark Twain
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ADVERTISEMENTS
New to the children's publishing world?
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for helpful resources and services.
Free legal guide for writers
The Australian Society of Authors is offering new members who join in 2006 a
complimentary copy of Between the Lines: A Legal Guide for Writers and
Illustrators by Lynne Spender. Between the Lines offers up-to-date
information on every legal aspect of publishing. Written in a lively and
accessible style with scenarios and case studies, it covers copyright,
contracts, royalties, GST, ethics, superannuation, insurance, wills,
bequests and much more. Between the Lines is available from the ASA for
$38.50 (non-members) or $26.95 (members) + $5.50 p/h. New members will
receive a free copy as part of their membership, which also includes three
copies of Australian Author magazine per year, regular newsletters, free
phone and email advice and a subsidised contract advisory service. You will
be part of a 3000 strong network of authors and support ASA campaigns to
promote the interests of Australian writers and illustrators. This offer is
for new first time members of the ASA only. Visit www.asauthors.org email
asa@asauthors.org or phone 02 9318 0877.
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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 4:29 AM
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