Aug
04

SCBWI Australia NZ Conference 2014

What a crazy, busy few weeks, but I can?t let them pass without mention of attending the fantastic SCBWI Australia NZ Conference in Sydney July 13-15th.

SCBWI VicSome of the wonderful crew from SCBWI Vic (Photograph courtesy Dimity Powell)

?What an amazing gathering of creators, publishers and industry professionals all communing and exchanging ideas, knowledge and inspiration. All brought together by our amazing SCBWI Regional Advisor and leader Susanne Gervay and her incredible team over three days at the gorgeous Hughenden Hotel in a packed program of publisher info sessions, pitches, book launches and insights into the international market.

SCBWI delegates at SCBWI 2014 including moi

Despite Jetstar?s best efforts to keep me (and a couple of colleagues) from the opening day and changing my return flight (again!), insisting I leave before the close, I enjoyed a wonderful couple of days and came home recharged and inspired. Who could not be seeing the wonderful, diverse works being produced out there in the kid lit world and wanting to be part of it?

Here?s a few reflections I shared on Twitter @chrisbellwrites?on gems gathered.

  • Louise Park Publisher Paddlepop Press ?Don?t orphan your product ? it needs you.?
  • Lisa Berryman Assoc Publisher @HarperCollinsAU ?Poignancy can make a book a classic.?
  • @Zoe_Walton Publisher Children’s &YA Random House sub advice ?no marketing manifesto, we have a team to do that.?
  • Bruce Whatley deletes all illust notes ?illlustrator needs to find their own visual narrative.?
  • ?Louise Park Publisher Paddlepop Press ?If you?ve got a top product ? leverage ? write three more.?
  • ?@Zoe_Walton Children’s & YA Publisher Random House ?Never underestimate the value of food in kid?s books.?
  • ?Historical fiction with a genre twist can sell.?
  • @MissConnieH Connie Hsu Commissioning Editor Roaring Brook Press ?Character driven picture books still reign supreme.?
  • Karen Tayleur Five Mile Press poss rej reason ?nothing special to lift it to top of pile?.

Bruce Whatley session Twitter

Lisa Berryman Children’s Publisher Harper Collins introducing the amazing Bruce Whatley

 

 

 

 

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Dimity Powell

Absolute thrill to be there Chris and rub shoulders in passing. šŸ™‚

August 4, 2014 at 9:55 am
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Alison reynolds

Thank you so much for insights Chris. Made me feel as if there just a little.
Xxx

August 4, 2014 at 10:10 am
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Categories: Conferences SCBWI SCBWI Australia NZ Conference

Tags: SCBWI Australia NZ Conferences, SCBWI Victoria

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Christine Bell’s No Small Shame is impossible to put down. Her writing is wonderful, wise and empathetic. No Small Shame is a masterful debut novel, and an excellent addition to Australia’s historical fiction genre. Full review.

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