Illustrator Showcase poster for SCBWI Conference, Sydney 2019

My brain bent over backwards and my heart flipped out of my chest when the gorgeous SCBWI Australia East/NZ team asked me to create the poster for the 2019 Conference Illustrator Showcase. What fun!

You can read about my inspo behind the piece on the SCBWI blog.

Keep an eye on the blog for the conference program--dates are 24 - 26 Feb in Sydney. I cannot wait to see the illustration portfolios next year!

SCBWI ACT art exhibition

SCBWI ACT is delighted to showcase the work of local SCBWI artists in our first ever exhibition! It will be held at Smith's Alternative here in Canberra, from 28 November to 10 December, featuring Leanne Barrett, Grace Bryant, Gemma Harrison, Genevieve Hopkins, Jennifer Hulme, Joy McDonald and myself.

We'll have prints available for sale for the length of the exhibition, and I will also have books (Australia Illustrated, Smile Cry and Merry Everything) and my Australia Illustrated Map for sale. The opening will be at 6pm on Tuesday 28 November. See more here.

Huge thanks to Grace Bryant for organising, and to Smith's Alternative!

SBCWI ACT event: Excellence in Children's Books

Canberra and region peeps, you simply cannot miss this amazing event, featuring National Library creators and visiting talent Susanne Gervay and Deborah Abela. This is your chance to meet National Library publisher Susan Hall and come away with some phenomenal insights and resources.

Here are the deets; hope to see you there!

Program
5.00pm
Register, greet and meet. Tea, coffee and light refreshments.

5.30pm
Opening welcome with Susanne Gervay, Regional Advisor, Australia East/NZ and Deborah Abela ARA.

5.40pm – 6.30pm
Susan Hall, Publisher, National Library Publishing, talks about NLP’s publishing criteria and process, submissions, and what they are publishing. Followed by Q & A.
MC: Tania McCartney

6.30pm – 7.00pm
Gina Newton presents on how to create successful non-fiction children’s books.
MC: Tracey Hawkins

7.00pm – 7.30pm
Tania McCartney talks illustration – working with text, creating your own style, mediums and more.
MC: Nicole Godwin

7.30pm – 8.00pm
Inside publication and creating a successful writing community with Susanne Gervay and Deborah Abela.

$20 SCBWI members; $30 non-members.
Bookings essential and places are limited:

www.trybooking.com/OMHV

Thank you for the generous support of our official bookseller, Harry Hartog

SCBWI ACT Excellence in Children's Books event

A sensational Canberra event you won't want to miss.

Click the poster for more info
and to reserve a place!

SCBWI ACT Christmas Drinks

Pauline Deeves, Tracey Hawkins, Kerry Malone, me, Leanne Barrett, Janine, Krys Saclier

What a fun night at Mint Bar at Gorman House Arts Centre in Canberra last night, as the ACT branch of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators got together for some drinks and pizza. So great to catch up with everyone and talk about our year, our work and our plans for 2016.

And to do some pretty hefty laughing! What a great time.

Irma Gold, Harry Laing, Beth Amos, Grace Bryant, Tracey Hawkins, Leanne Barrett, Stephanie Owen Reeder, Pauline Deeves, me, Kerry Malone, Tony Flowers

Tracey Hawkins, Suzanne Kiraly, Pauline Deeves, Grace Bryant, Kerry Malone, Leanne Barrett

Irma Gold, Tracey Hawkins, Suzanne Kiraly, Pauline Deeves

Irma Gold, Beth Amos

Harry Laing, Tony Flowers

If you are an aspiring author or illustrator, or just a kids' book lover, I so highly recommend joining your local SCBWI branch. The networking and support and opportunities and gorgeous people are so worth it. If you would like to join the ACT branch, email Coordinator Tracey Hawkins right here. We going to have lots of fun in 2016!

SCBWI Christmas Drinks!

Professional Development Workshops with SCBWI

Super excited to be running two SCBWI professional development workshops in Perth next March. I'll be in town for the 52-Week Illustration Challenge exhibition at Brookfield Place, and will be running two special events ...

Book Marketing and Self-Promotion
Saturday 7 March, 1:15pm – 5:15pm

and

To Self-Publish or Not Self-Publish
Sunday 08 March, 10:15am – 12:15pm

Both will be held in the Geographe Room at the State Library of WA, 25 Francis Street, Perth.

You can learn more about what's involved right here. Hope to see you!
 

SCBWI Sydney Conference 2014 - WRAP UP!

Um, wow.

That is all.

But seriously--wow. My first SCBWI conference was truly overwhelming, exciting, fulfilling and beyond inspiring. What an incredible five-day experience, from my workshop through to a Bruce Whatley masterclass ... my head is still spinning.

I'm still trying to come down to earth and deal with all I've learned, and the connections I've made and the chronic inspiration hammering at the inside of my head, so here is a [very] light rundown on my incredible SCBWI experience.

Please remember this is my personal blog and is a personal account. If you want a formal, official summary with more specific detail--head to the SCBWI blog for more intensive breakdowns of the many, many and varied sessions. Also check out #SCBWIAusNz14 on Facebook and Twitter.

Day One - Saturday 12 July 

My family and I left Canberra just before 6am and arrived at the Australian Society of Authors offices in Ultimo, greeted by the wonderful Laurine Croasdale who helped coordinate the day--a workshop in conjunction with the SCBWI Sydney conference.

Boy, does the ASA do things with style. A stunning set-up, beautifully coordinated, immaculate catering, lots of warmth and a great feel amongst participants.

This was a new workshop for me--only the second time running it--Blogging for Authors and Illustrators--and it was such a pleasure to present it to a group of such talented, well-established creators, from illustrators to authors, editors, nutritionists, broadcasters and chair-lovers (Colin!). The sense of humour and warmth was so well-appreciated and the day was so enriched by the group's full participation.

It was also glorious to finally meet several of my very special virtual friends. Firstly, from the 52-Week Illustration Challenge - Natalie Daniel (far right, who has become Challenge admin) and Leonie Cheetham (second from left, who recently became one of my interns) - both the most gorgeous people who brought much to the day. Also finally met the wonderful Yvonne Mes (second from right) and Rebecca Sheraton (taking photo, alas!) both talented author/illustrators. Just such a joy to connect with them and to have them add invaluably to the workshop.

A surprise delegate was Ursula Kolbe, educator, creator, author of Children's Imagination, who turned up unannounced, much to my delight. Ursula featured my daughter in the aforementioned book, and we had a wonderful time getting to know each other.

I hope to be running more ASA workshops next year, so watch my EVENTS page for newbies.

That afternoon, we checked into the gorgeous Hughenden Hotel in Woollhara, owned by SCBWI Aus East/NZ Regional Advisor, author and goddess Susanne Gervay, and home to the SCBWI Sydney 2014 Conference.

Day Two - Sunday 13 July

We started the day with a lovely slow morning wandering Woollhara with the family (me and my daughter Ella, left, with the Woollhara Hotel in the background--this is where many of us hung out during the conference!).

I then had my publisher critique session for one of my picture books--it was so fantastic and I just loved all the editor had to say. The sessions were so popular, they stretched over several days and the feedback and responses people were receiving was so fabulous.

Susanne Gervay with Frané Lessac

The conference proper began at 3pm with the illustrious Susanne Gervay introducing Co-Chair of the International Board Chis Cheng, the SCBWI regional advisors and illustrator coordinators, and the roving reporter team, headed by talented friend Sheryl Gwyther. We also heard from seriously hands-on Conference organisers Frané Lessac and Deb Abela.

Come Join us for a SCBWI ACT Get-Together!

SCBWI's ACT Chapter Launches in Canberra

Top: Sarah Steed, David Murphy, Phil Kavanagh, Harry Laing, Grace Bryant, Tracey Hawkins, Deb Abela. Bottom: Leanne Barrett, moi, Gina Newton, Jennifer Bradley, Pauline Deeves

Last night was my kind of night--a bunch of children's book-addicts gathering together to natter, nibble and talk books, writing, illustrating, literacy and the brand new ACT Chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.

Deb and Tracey lead the way

Let's just say, it's about time! The group may be small (so far) but it's already dynamic, with real movers and shakers [read: people impassioned by books and know their stuff!].

Attended by author and assistant regional advisor for SCBWI NSW and the ACT,  Deborah Abela (who is in town for her May Gibbs Fellowship), the meeting was opened by local SCBWI coordinator Tracey Hawkins, who spoke about her hopes for the local chapter, and the exciting SCBWI Sydney Conference in July.

Deb updated everyone on the brilliant new SCBWI site and also spoke of the LA and New York SCBWI Conferences. We then discussed our hopes and dreams for our local chapter, which was incredibly inspiring. Oh--and we did a lot of laughing.

SCWBI is definitely a warm, inclusive, level playing field of both big industry players and newbies. It's an amazing way to network, share, learn and hone your craft. You can learn more about SCWBI Australia/NZ right here. We like to have a lot of fun - it's worth joining!

new year coming, new things happening

Back row, L-R: David Murphy, Me, Leigh Walker Barnes, Stephanie Owen Reeder

Front row, L-R: Tracey Hawkins (ACT Support), Gina Newton and Harry Laing

I spent a lovely early evening at the Canberra Yacht Club last night with a great bunch of local writers and artists--celebrating the inaugural event (Christmas drinks--yay!) of the SCBWI ACT Chapter. The evening was all about books, books, friendship, books and a glass of bubbles. Perfection.

The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators is a priceless networking and support group for bookish types of the kid persuasion. I'm thrilled to be a member and if you're interested in joining, head here for more info.




On that note, the SCWBI Sydney Conference is now open for bookings. See the program right here. You won't want to miss this amazing opportunity to mix with children's book industry players. I'll be both presenting and mingling, so see you there!