If you're a reader, chances are that you are also interested in meeting your favourite authors and find out more about the processes involved in writing and illustrating. I know I always did! And if you like reading now, you may also want to work with books in the future – whether it’s as an author, illustrator, publisher, editor or – as in my case – children’s literature festival organiser.
Through my job with the StoryArts Festival Ipswich, I get to meet some of my literary heroes and learn more about book craft at each Festival. We've just held our 10th Festival and have grown and learned with each one. The StoryArts Festival Ipswich is for people like you and me, who love reading and who work – or want to work – with books.
Friday, November 29, 2013
Thursday, November 28, 2013
A Thrilling Journey by Shelley Kenigsberg
It's a thrilling journey — the author–editor relationship.
You’re working with an editor? Great. Having an editor can mean an interesting (even exciting) collaboration is on its way. A journey with a professional who can help a writer make their story the best it can be.
You’re working with an editor? Great. Having an editor can mean an interesting (even exciting) collaboration is on its way. A journey with a professional who can help a writer make their story the best it can be.
Labels:
featured author,
industry post,
Shelley Kenigsberg
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Favourite Picture Books by Emma Allen
It’s interesting – when you are first getting to know someone they often ask, “What are your favourite books?”
When you learn about a person’s favourite books, it can reveal things about them: how they think, what they like, the problems they face, how they see the world, what they like about the world and what they don’t. So when people ask me what my favourite books were as a child, I am excited to think on the topic because I get to learn about my childhood self: what I was like and what made me feel.
When I was growing up, I loved many books. Here are four of my favourites:
published by Scholastic, 2013 |
When you learn about a person’s favourite books, it can reveal things about them: how they think, what they like, the problems they face, how they see the world, what they like about the world and what they don’t. So when people ask me what my favourite books were as a child, I am excited to think on the topic because I get to learn about my childhood self: what I was like and what made me feel.
When I was growing up, I loved many books. Here are four of my favourites:
Labels:
Emma Allen,
featured author
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Twins by Sean Williams
Some of you reading this will be twins.
Most will be fraternal twins. A few of you will be identical twins. You might even be mirror twins--identical siblings who are the mirror images of the other. Around three in every thousand births is a set of twins, so whatever kind of twin you are, you’re incredibly special.
I’m not a twin (I’ve asked my mum a dozen times so I’m pretty sure) but I’ve spent a lot of time writing about them.
Most will be fraternal twins. A few of you will be identical twins. You might even be mirror twins--identical siblings who are the mirror images of the other. Around three in every thousand births is a set of twins, so whatever kind of twin you are, you’re incredibly special.
I’m not a twin (I’ve asked my mum a dozen times so I’m pretty sure) but I’ve spent a lot of time writing about them.
Labels:
featured author,
Sean Williams
Monday, November 25, 2013
The Squid and the Whale by Rod Clement
Truth is, I was supposed to have written something last week but due to unruly behaviour of one of our pets I was unable to get to the computer.
A couple of years ago my daughter, who was addicted to stories of mermaids and underwater cities at the time, requested a Giant squid for her birthday. When I asked about this down at the pet shop, I was told they had sold out the day before but they did have one Colossal squid out the back.
A couple of years ago my daughter, who was addicted to stories of mermaids and underwater cities at the time, requested a Giant squid for her birthday. When I asked about this down at the pet shop, I was told they had sold out the day before but they did have one Colossal squid out the back.
Labels:
featured author,
Rod Clement
Friday, November 22, 2013
Friday Recap: Week Three
Week Three! Where has November gone?!
Only one more week of our online literary festival, one more week of great writing from our wonderfully talented guest authors. Of course, you can always do as I like to do and reread the posts from time time, discovering new bits to enjoy with each reading...like this week's guest posts.
Only one more week of our online literary festival, one more week of great writing from our wonderfully talented guest authors. Of course, you can always do as I like to do and reread the posts from time time, discovering new bits to enjoy with each reading...like this week's guest posts.
Labels:
Friday recap,
Linda De Silva
Book Review - When You Reach Me
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead (Wendy Lamb Books (Random House), 2009)
Madeleine, 13, Cockermouth, UK
Madeleine, 13, Cockermouth, UK
Book Review - The Winter Knights
The Winter Knights (The Edge Chronicles) by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell (Doubleday, 2005)
by Benedict, 13, Durban, South Africa
by Benedict, 13, Durban, South Africa
Book Review - Outcast
Outcast, Book Four of Chronicles of Ancient Darkness by Michelle Paver (Orion Children's Books, 2007)
Aphiwe, 13, Durban, South Africa
Aphiwe, 13, Durban, South Africa
Thursday, November 21, 2013
The Business of Writing by Fiona Inglis
Writing can be a lonely business.
I frequently hear writers tell me how difficult it is to find time, inclination, focus, space and inspiration to write. Many writers work from home, which I imagine can be tricky – there is always a load of washing to be done (the forecast said possible showers), the study floor could do with a vacuum (how much better to work in a clean room), a coffee with a friend (could provide some dialogue to help get over writer’s block)…
I also hear often that handing over a new piece of work can be agonising. Is it working? How do I know if I’m the only one who’s read it? What will my wife/sister/best friend/teenage son think of it? Will they think it’s about them? Will they say it’s good just because they love me?
This is where a literary agent can come in.
I frequently hear writers tell me how difficult it is to find time, inclination, focus, space and inspiration to write. Many writers work from home, which I imagine can be tricky – there is always a load of washing to be done (the forecast said possible showers), the study floor could do with a vacuum (how much better to work in a clean room), a coffee with a friend (could provide some dialogue to help get over writer’s block)…
2013 KOALA Award, The 26-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton |
I also hear often that handing over a new piece of work can be agonising. Is it working? How do I know if I’m the only one who’s read it? What will my wife/sister/best friend/teenage son think of it? Will they think it’s about them? Will they say it’s good just because they love me?
This is where a literary agent can come in.
Labels:
featured author,
Fiona Inglis,
industry post
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Beyond Godzilla...by Cristy Burne
or why I love science, history and blood-sucking
monsters.
What if I told you that your umbrella will one day sprout hair on its handle and an eye on its head, and hop up and down your hallway blowing raspberries?
What if I warned you that a tiny snail can grow large enough to crush you to death, or that mermaids harbour vampiric tendencies or that eating fruit is horribly dangerous for your health?
I didn’t invent any of these monsters. They’re all creatures from Japanese mythology. Just as European myths have dragons and fairies and werewolves and vampires, Japanese myths have… well, Japanese myths have some of the craziest, most creative, most dangerous, most hilarious monsters I’ve ever come across.
Labels:
Cristy Burne,
featured author
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
A Reader's Story by Finegan Kruckemeyer
Before I was a writer, I was a reader, and thought that words and stories were things for taking in, instead of sending out. I ate up stories as fast as I could find them, and enjoyed rainy days as much as sunny ones because of this. Which was good, because I grew up in the south of Ireland, and there were a lot of rainy days.
Then at age eight, my family and I flew halfway around the world to Australia, and started a new life here. There was a new school and new friends and a new park right across the road, and all us local kids played outside a lot, so I started enjoying sunny days as much as rainy ones. But always the love of words remained.
The author as a young boy |
Then at age eight, my family and I flew halfway around the world to Australia, and started a new life here. There was a new school and new friends and a new park right across the road, and all us local kids played outside a lot, so I started enjoying sunny days as much as rainy ones. But always the love of words remained.
Labels:
featured author,
Finegan Kruckemeyer
Monday, November 18, 2013
My Top 10 Indigenous-authored Books by Anita Heiss
It’s always difficult to do a ‘best of’ list, but when push comes to shove, we all know we have favourites.
As part of IndigRead in May, I pulled together ten of my favourite Indigenous-authored children’s books in the last few years and am delighted to now introduce them to Reading for Australia's audience of readers in Australia and around the world.
If you click the links, you can read why I love them so much. This list is in order of publication date:
As part of IndigRead in May, I pulled together ten of my favourite Indigenous-authored children’s books in the last few years and am delighted to now introduce them to Reading for Australia's audience of readers in Australia and around the world.
If you click the links, you can read why I love them so much. This list is in order of publication date:
Labels:
Anita Heiss,
featured author
Friday, November 15, 2013
Friday Recap: Week Two
Another week of guest posts and another week in which I am awed at the creative talent and generosity of our guests in sharing great writing and interesting topics with us.
Labels:
Friday recap,
Linda De Silva
Book Review - Rescued by a Dog Called Flow
(previously published as) Flow by Pippa Goodhart (Barn Owl Books, 2006)
Jessica, 11, Durban, South Africa
Book Review - The Death-Defying Pepper Roux
Nicholas, 12, Durban, South Africa
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Supporting Creativity by Jacqui Dent
The Australian Society of Authors works to advance and protect the interests of literary creators, so enabling them to make the most of their creativity.
With around 3000 current members in Australia and overseas, we represent people who write or illustrate for publication.
Our members include children's writers, graphic novelists, biographers, illustrators, academics, cartoonists, scientists, food and wine writers, historians, ghost writers, travel writers, romance writers, editors, bloggers, computer programmers, journalists, poets and novelists. We even have a special membership category for junior writers.
With around 3000 current members in Australia and overseas, we represent people who write or illustrate for publication.
Our members include children's writers, graphic novelists, biographers, illustrators, academics, cartoonists, scientists, food and wine writers, historians, ghost writers, travel writers, romance writers, editors, bloggers, computer programmers, journalists, poets and novelists. We even have a special membership category for junior writers.
Labels:
featured author,
industry post,
Jacqui Dent
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
The Magic Exists by Donna Hosie
If I said the word “Muggle” to you, what would you think?
If you thought I was making a strange noise, then you probably aren’t going to want to read this post. But if you immediately thought of wizards and wands and good versus evil, then you might want to keep on reading.
Book cover reproduced here under Allen and Unwin's site licence. More information about this book here. |
If you thought I was making a strange noise, then you probably aren’t going to want to read this post. But if you immediately thought of wizards and wands and good versus evil, then you might want to keep on reading.
Labels:
Donna Hosie,
featured author
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Someone Else's Story by Sarah Davis
It’s a hard life, illustrating other people’s stories.
My work begins when the publisher sends me an email with an innocent-seeming Word document attached - it’s only 2 pages of black and white text, but there’s a whole world of crazy characters and strange adventures locked inside it, and it’s up to me to set them free.
My first task is to select just the right delicious biscuits, make a lovely cup of steaming hot tea, find the comfiest chair in the house, and then sit down and read the story. (It’s a tough job, but someone's got to do it, right?)
Toucan Can! (written by Juliette MacIver, Gecko Press, 2013) |
My work begins when the publisher sends me an email with an innocent-seeming Word document attached - it’s only 2 pages of black and white text, but there’s a whole world of crazy characters and strange adventures locked inside it, and it’s up to me to set them free.
My first task is to select just the right delicious biscuits, make a lovely cup of steaming hot tea, find the comfiest chair in the house, and then sit down and read the story. (It’s a tough job, but someone's got to do it, right?)
Labels:
featured author,
Sarah Davis
Monday, November 11, 2013
Poetry Sucks! by Mark Carthew
Poetry Sucks! Certainly this one does.
Mark Carthew: from Machino Supremo! Poems about Machines by Janeen Brian and Mark Carthew (Celapene Press) |
This particular poem uses some of the many writing tools that poets work with when they play with words ― ALLITERATION (where letters and other word sounds bounce off each other), RHYME, RHYTHM, REPETITION and ONOMATOPOEIA (where the look and sound of the made up word conjures up its image).
Labels:
featured author,
Mark Carthew
Saturday, November 09, 2013
Friday Recap : Week One
Welcome to our second online literary festival at Reading for Australia. It's been a big first week!
Each Friday, I’ll be posting a recap of the week’s events in case you missed them and invite you to tell us what you’re reading. If you’d like a recommendation for new books to read, send a comment telling us what sorts of books you like and other readers may be able to give you some suggestions.
Each Friday, I’ll be posting a recap of the week’s events in case you missed them and invite you to tell us what you’re reading. If you’d like a recommendation for new books to read, send a comment telling us what sorts of books you like and other readers may be able to give you some suggestions.
Labels:
Friday recap,
Linda De Silva
Friday, November 08, 2013
Thursday, November 07, 2013
Mirrors and Windows by Erica Wagner
Anniversaries of any sort allow for reflection and this year, the 25th anniversary of Allen & Unwin’s publishing for children and teenagers is also, coincidentally, my personal anniversary of working in publishing.
The books I’ve edited or published speak to me like powerful time capsules - taking me right back to when I nervously started off as a trainee editor with Penguin Books in 1988 through the years to Allen & Unwin, where I am so lucky to work today.
Publishing remains a mysterious business to outsiders as the main stories that we read in the media feature authors whose work has been plucked from obscurity, become international bestsellers, turn into films or mini-series and everyone lives happily ever after.
The books I’ve edited or published speak to me like powerful time capsules - taking me right back to when I nervously started off as a trainee editor with Penguin Books in 1988 through the years to Allen & Unwin, where I am so lucky to work today.
More information on this book can be found here. |
Labels:
Erica Wagner,
featured author,
industry post
Wednesday, November 06, 2013
How Scary is Too Scary? by Clare Havens
I recently had a very interesting discussion about my first book, A Bella Street Mystery: The Secret Formula with one of the judges of a literary festival.
In her introduction to my book, the judge told the audience that the book was truly terrifying. She said that she had had to get out of bed to check the locks after she finished reading it as it had scared her so much! When a fan said there should be a movie made of my book, the judge said it would have to be rated MA and there should be a parental warning sticker on the book cover! She was, thank goodness, being tongue in cheek but she raised an interesting point:
How scary is too scary for middle grade fiction?
More information about this book can be found here |
In her introduction to my book, the judge told the audience that the book was truly terrifying. She said that she had had to get out of bed to check the locks after she finished reading it as it had scared her so much! When a fan said there should be a movie made of my book, the judge said it would have to be rated MA and there should be a parental warning sticker on the book cover! She was, thank goodness, being tongue in cheek but she raised an interesting point:
How scary is too scary for middle grade fiction?
Labels:
Clare Havens,
featured author
Tuesday, November 05, 2013
Playing with Words by Meredith Costain
Do you like poetry? I love it!
Poetry has always been a big part of my life. I grew up in a house with lots of stories and books. We read and recited poems full of rhythm, such as The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes and Tarantella by Hilaire Belloc – who also wrote scary ‘cautionary tales for children’. My favourite was Matilda, Who Told Lies and was Burned to Death. I loved reading that one out loud, especially to my annoying sister. And I also loved the poems of AA Milne, the author of Winnie-the-Pooh.
Poetry has always been a big part of my life. I grew up in a house with lots of stories and books. We read and recited poems full of rhythm, such as The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes and Tarantella by Hilaire Belloc – who also wrote scary ‘cautionary tales for children’. My favourite was Matilda, Who Told Lies and was Burned to Death. I loved reading that one out loud, especially to my annoying sister. And I also loved the poems of AA Milne, the author of Winnie-the-Pooh.
Labels:
featured author,
Meredith Costain
Monday, November 04, 2013
The Story Road by Isobelle Carmody
People often ask writers about writers’ block. I always answer that I do not experience writers’ block. I think regarding writing difficulties as a block is a good way to brick your creativity up forever.
Naming is a powerful thing.
Naming a thing shapes it. Maybe that is why we care so much about the names we give to our children and our pets, and of course, to our characters. Names are not just labels.
Naming is a powerful thing.
Naming a thing shapes it. Maybe that is why we care so much about the names we give to our children and our pets, and of course, to our characters. Names are not just labels.
Labels:
featured author,
Isobelle Carmody
Friday, November 01, 2013
Welcome by Wayne Mills
Hello Everyone! Welcome to the second online literary festival at Reading for Australia.
There are more terrific guest authors, more book reviews by kids, more discussions and comments and, of course, many more books to discover during this month-long reading adventure!
There are more terrific guest authors, more book reviews by kids, more discussions and comments and, of course, many more books to discover during this month-long reading adventure!
The winning team in Singapore from St Hilda's Primary School. October 2013 |
Labels:
Kids' Lit Quiz,
Wayne Mills
Good Books Not to be Missed!
Wayne Mills is the founder and quizmaster of the Kids' Lit Quiz.
He is passionate about kids reading for pleasure and works to ensure
that readers are challenged to read widely across a range of
literature.
Over the years, Wayne has read thousands of children's books and it is hard for him to list just a few of his favourite books. Some of the books he recommends are included in the "Good Books Not to be Missed" lists he provides to students taking his courses at the University of Auckland. The lists given here are his 2013 Reading Lists.
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