Music, Rock, That's Why I Wrote This Song

Danni in a scene from Psycho Dad

Scene from the video clip ‘Psycho Dad’ where Karen wants to be a mermaid & escape her psycho dad and her Mum and belong somewhere. Pip her friend is there for her.

Check out the video clip and the book.

Showed the video clip at the ETA Conference this weekend to fantastic teachers from Orange to Auburn. They loved the way music, lyrics, film, Tory’s music life, my relationship with Tory were part of ‘That’s Why I Wrote This Song’.

Great Authors at the Conference were – James Roy, Maria Boyd and Scott Monk cutting edge realistic young adult authors.

Michael Prior a fantastic fantasy author writing LAWS OF MAGIC series for YA and the CHRONICLES OF KRANGOR series for kids. Ernie Tucker and Helen Sykes who are gurus on youth literture.

Gosford High School, Writing, Gus Gordon, Stephen Measday, John Larkin, and Me

Scene from videoclip of Psycho Dad

Scene from videoclip of Psycho Dad written by Tory Gervay with lyrics and music that are part of my novel ‘That’s Why I Wrote This Song’
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ess-R0dHtX8

Talking about music and story to teenagers was fantastic.

Where? What was it about?

Overlooking stunning Collaroy Beach on the Northern Beaches of Sydney – Home & Away TV material – with creative, funny, smart, funny and interested kids from Gosford High School and enthusiastic teachers, it was a writing-fest.

Who was leading it? Great authors and illustrators:-
Gus Gordon who illustrates quirky, clever, hilarious books including Jeni Mawter’s So Gross series, the best selling Undys series, the Puffin Baby books. I am hanging out for Gus’ picture book about Wendy the chicken – so cute and funny and brave. it’ll be out next year by Penguin Books.

Check Out Gus’ blog – http://havechickenwillfly.blogspot.com

Stephen Measday who took out time from his crazily busy days as a script writer for Hi Five and other TV and animation series. Smart Stephen. Everyone loves his Roger Bacon series – books about pigs with attitude. He’s working on a new funny science fiction series now.

John Larkin who is a hilarious writer for kids 8-12 years old. His books include Spaghetti Legs, Pizza Features and The Western Wildcats sunny stories about soccer. He’s writing his adult novel at the moment but I forgive him.

I spoke too about of course, ‘That’s Why I Wrote This Song’ and music and literature. Some of the kids were in bands and everyone was into music. Great energy and Great day.

Halcyon Days with Ivor Indyk,Rodney Hall and Australia's great literary figures

Dessert at the Hughenden Hotel

Ivor Indyk publisher of HEAT magazine and award winning Giramondo imprint brought together brilliant minds and brilliant leaders in publishing. Over two days The Hughenden sparkled with intellect and wit as the ‘halcyon days’ of Australian Literary Publishing was recorded and celebrated.

Bob Sessions Publishing Director of Penguin, Richard Walsh Consultant publisher at Allen & Unwin, Brian Johns Chairman of the Copyright Agency Ltd have histories that make me stand in awe. Their roles in Australian publishing are too many to list- from heading ABC (Brian Johns) to chair of UNESCO Australia (Richard Walsh) to publishing Australia’s great authors Donald Horne, Graeme Base, Thea Astley. This is just the tip of the iceberg – forgive my cliche.

I could have listened for much longer to women in publishing speaking. Katherine Brisbane co founder of Currency Press; Sylvia Hale co founder of Hayle and Iremonger – are just heroic in their commitment to publishing.

So many icons from Michael Wilding to Rodney Hall. What a weekend!!!! Good food and wine too.

Passing on the Lady Cutler Award to Dianne Bates 2008

Dianne 'Daisy Bates' and husband and author Bill Condon

The Lady Cutler vase has been sitting on my display cabinet for 12 months. However the year has passed and Tuesday night was the celebration of the new Lady Cutler. It was awarded to my friend Dianne ‘Daisy’ Bates, multi award winning author and someone who has worked tirelessly for youth literature for over 3 decades.

Sandy Fussell a new talented upcoming author gave a brilliant speech about Daisy’s contribution to massive applause from an audience filled with wonderful authors and illustrators including Julie Vivas, Margaret Wild, Donna Rawlings, Wayne Harris, Simon French ….. and so many others… and Melina Marchetta.

Melina gave the powerful keynote address about the process and heart of writing young adult literature. Her new book which is fantasy is not her usual realism as in her iconic ‘Looking for Alibrandi’. However it has the same passion and commitment as in all ehr books.
What a great night with good food, good company overlooking the water from the UTS Rowing Club. Congratulations tp Daisy Bates.

Powerful Stories Engaging Youth – Storytellers Guild

Loved speaking to story enthusiasts at the Storytellers event at The Hughenden with:

Felicity Marshall's Sage Ark

• afternoon tea
• real interest
• telling stories about writing for young adults

Everyone had a great time – even had a visit from the CAKE FAIRY- well that was really ME eating cake -YUM.

Some cool comments – ‘Susanne, you inspired me’ – makes me feel the power of story to engage.

People enjoeyd the exhibition of illustrators work inthe Reading Room from Sarah Davies’ beautiful painting in ‘Mending Lucille’ to Shaun Tan’s fine futuristic illsutrations to Felicity Marshall’s sensitive art in Sages’ Ark – see it here www.storytellersnsw.org.au