| Susanne Gervay's Blog

Posted by Susanne Gervay on Oct 29, 2009 in Bullying, I AM JACK, Kids Books, News, Writers Festivals, Writing | 0 comments

Jeni Mawter's birthday lunch with writing friends

Jeni has been inundated with flowers, gifts, messages – yes it’s a major birthday. You have to guess which one. She now knows she’s loved, that’s for sure.

Some of her writing pals had a small celebration at a lovely Chinese restaurant with gifts, good food, and writing news like Sue Murrary’s new BIG DRAMAS – another book of wonderful plays published by Pan MacMillan; Jeni’s new comedy series; my debut into the USA market with ’I AM JACK’ by Tricycle imprint RandomHouse.

Sue Murray and Jeni Mawter at the front an Ann at the back

Sue Murray , Jeni Mawter at the front and Ann at the back

Susanne Gervay & Jeni Mawter

Posted by Susanne Gervay on Oct 25, 2009 in I AM JACK, Kids Books, News, School Visits, Writing, Young Adult Books | 0 comments

GOSFORD LIBRARY ROCKS 4 KIDS BOOKS

GOSFORD LIBRARY -Kids and Young Adult Libraries on the Central Coast- is innovative, reaching kids, parents and community. Claire Stuckey the librarian is the driving dynamo supported by the head of the library services Sharon Drayton and the Council.

I love the teen club. Home schoolers, kids from all over the Central Coast who love books and pizza and games- get together for Teen Club. I was the guest author for one Friday night event and judged the fancy dress competition where the teens were their favourite book character. Great night and I ate too much pizza.

SCBWI Authors Felicity Pulman, Chris Cheng, Jeni Mawter were part of the book events this year.

There are some big community Christmas literacy events with Cubs, Joeys, Women’s choir , childrens music group AND the children’s team from the libraries out in the park. Last year there were 300 people celebrating books and community there.

For authors who’d like to go out there and for the community who want to be part of the festivities, find out what’s on at Gosford Libraries on the Central Coast of NSW.

Children‘s Library Services
Gosford City CouncilPO Box 21 Gosford NSW 2250
Phone: (02) 43047013 Fax: (02) 4323 7086 www.gosford.nsw.gov.au/library

Deb Abela

The talented author Deborah Abela is going to launch SURF the SHELVES in November. Check it out.

Posted by Susanne Gervay on Oct 24, 2009 in Kids Books, News, Room to Read, SCBWI, The Hughenden, Writing | 2 comments

HOPE CARD from SCBWI KOREA with Love to the Kids of the Victorian Bush Fires

Korean illustration is colourful, comic and jumping off the page. Pat Volz’s painting for the Kids of the Bushfires is all of that with the kangaroo in flight from the crazy doctor. Some laughs from Korea with thanks.

Hope Card by Pat Volz Korea

Jenny Walters head of SCBWI Korea is so dynamic and enthusiastic about kids books and sends her wishes for ‘health & healing’ as do the other wonderful SCBWI KOREA members.

HUGE thankyou from Australia.

PS I AM JACK which has been translated into Korean is such a classy version – Korean publishers do a brilliant job in publication standards – and it’s in another reprint there.

Posted by Susanne Gervay on Oct 23, 2009 in Charities, I AM JACK, Kids Books, The Hughenden, Writing | 2 comments

Always Jack, Pink Ribbon – for my new JACK

I Am Jack, Super Jack and now – Always Jack

Kids ALWAYS know when a parent goes out at night for their ‘adult’ functions that they’ll be run-over, have an accident, not come home …. so they ring heaps of times, fall asleep waiting at the window, wait and wait … they are afraid.

When I got breast cancer and my kids were 6 and 9 years old, they were afraid. AlWAYS JACK is the book I’ve ALWAYS wanted to write for my kids and all those other kids waiting for their parents to come home.

It’s about giving kids a voice when your Mum gets sick. Working out what happens with cancer and that the world will be safe.

Just finished the manuscript. Cathy Wilcox will illustrate it. It’ll be published for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October 2010 and be part of the National Breast Cancer Foundation campaign. www.nbcf.org.au

Remember to Buy a Pink Ribbon for our kids.

: Super Jack

: I Am Jack

Posted by Susanne Gervay on Oct 20, 2009 in News, The Hughenden | 0 comments

Micheline Van Hautem Performing in Sydney

What a gorgeous experience to have the gifted Belgian cabaret singer Micheline Van Hauten, her talented manager and theatre director husband Willhelm and their 2 babies stay at The Hughenden during their Sydney performances at the Century Venue Theatres – the Vanguard and The Factory Enmore.

Susanne and Begian guitarist Erwin van Ligten

Susanne and Belgian guitarist Erwin van Ligten

The Dutch guitarist was exceptional playing one guitar and making it sound like three – Erwin van Ligten – cool and fantastic. He also is half Indonesian with cute kids. Of course I gave him some books for his boys. ‘I Am Jack’ for his 9 year old.

Micheline and Erwin wrote many of the songs, one which was written with Tim Finn.

Their interpretation of Brel’s work was evocative, funny and delicious. The smaller theatre at The Factory Enmore was perfect for the intimacy and cabaret feel