Emotional Launch of Child Abuse, Survival, Cults, Disassociation, Love & Hope – Dr Cathy Kezelman's book 'Innocence Revisited: a tale in parts'

‘Dr Cathy Kezelman has turned trauma to hope in her personal account of child abuse in her book’, said Senior Crown Prosecutor Mark Tedeschi QC. Tedeschi’s moving speech revealed that he has met child abusers in his court and they are capable of

everything Cathy experienced.  Cathy ‘conquered the demons to find her family and herself.  

GleeBooks was filled to capacity as Cathy spoke about  her life – the abuse, the silence, the final crash when all the memories came back in frightening memories – and the twelve turbulent hard years she and her family travelled to find Cathy and heal. Cathy’s 4 children moved the audience to tears as they expressed their love of their mother, and their father who stood beside them during these years of self discovery.  They felt that their mother had given them the gift of truth and the strength to strive for survival and find freedom. It was beautiful. They especially expressed their gratitude and love to artist Sue Meyer-Szeckely who had supported Cathy and the family throughout the years.

I was privileged to read the manuscript and endorse this special book.

Professor Freda Briggs AO Emeritus Professor of Child Development says – ‘I hope Cathy’s story will encourage oothers to create a safer and more caring world for children.

I AM JACK GOING ACROSS THE WORLD

I Am Jack the trailerI AM JACK on youtube I  never imagined that ‘I AM JACK’ would become such a loved book.

So far it’s in Australia & New Zealand, USA, Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia and is now going to India and even the  beautiful country of Slovenia.

Endorsed by organisations that are changing the world, including Room to Read bringing literacy to the children of the developing world; and  the Alannah & Madeline Foundation keeping children safe from violence, I AM JACK has many friends.

I’m having breakfast with Maree Stanley, Manager, Prevention of Bullying, for  Alannah & Madeline Foundation this morning. She’s in Sydney for National Buddy Week Buddy Picnic . Bullying is about isolating a kid. Alannah & Madeline Foundation work towards making sure kids have a buddy and aren’t alone.

Launch of Fear Factor:Terror Incognito Coming Soon

UTS FEAR FACTOR Panel – 15th March 6 p.m. until 7.30 pm at UTS Gallery

with Chair Dr Devleena Ghosh, Editor of Asian Studies Review and FEAR FACTOR  editors and authors – Sharon Rundle, Thomas Keneally, Meenakshi Bharat, Dr Andrew Kwong, Rosie Scott,  Susanne Gervay, Sujata Sanskranti, Jeremy Fisher and others from India and Australia.

 Medical Conference launch on Central Coast – 19th March 8 p.m.

with Professor Sturmburg and authors speaking and reading from their work.

Picador Launch at The Hughenden – 21st March 2-4 p.m.

Launched by international award winning author Melina Marchetta 

Fear Factor: Terror Incognito opens discourse on terrorism as it effects us all, as way towards understanding and working towards peace. Melina Marchetta is a strong advocate of social justice. 

Room to Read: John Woods Launches Leaving Microsoft to Change the World in Sydney

Hundreds of people crowded into Berkelouw Bookshop in Sydney to hear John Woods founder of Room to Read launch his book ‘Leaving Microsoft to Change the World’.

Room to Read’s goal is to bring literacy to 15 million kids by 2020. it has already reached 3 million young people.

Today Room to Read is opening a library every 4 hours and one school every 34 hours in developing countries.

John Woods moved the audience with his wisdoms that drive Room to Read:-

Where people are too poor to have educaton , until they have education, they will always be poor.

Room to Read works together with communities  

Room to Read is a CITIZEN MOVEMENT

Hope through ACTION.

Jennie Orchard the Australian Chapter head, has pioneered Room to Read in Australia leading an increasingly growing band of volunteers committed to raising funds to change the lives of young people in developing nations including India, Nepal, Cambodia, Africa.

Libby Hathorn and I are author ambassadors for Room to Read and were there to support the launch with best selling children’s author Deborah Abela.

What a fantastic event.

               For information on Room to Read – log onto their website www.roomtoreadorg

Publisher Kira Lynn, Kane Miller Books USA,SCBWI Sydney Conference Sept 2010,SCBWI at The Bologna Book Fair … and more

SCBWI Meeting at The Hughenden, this Wednesday was packed with authors and illustrators sharing great publishing news from:-

Nina Rycroft’s picture books being sold in the UK and USA,  Mark Thomason’s short listing for the WAYBRA Awards, Wendy Blaxland’s second series of 6 beautiful hardback books How are they Made? Macmillan Young Library with another series coming selling in Australia and the USA to Serena Geddes’ illustrations for  new picture books for New Frontier Publishers, with new books coming from Sue Whiting, Deborah Abela, Jeni Mawter, Chris Cheng  … and much more.

Last year there were nearly 150 published books by SCBWI Australia and New Zealand members.

There’s so much SCBWI Australia & New Zealand news

-the new Silver Kite Awards for regions outside the USA

- the Bologna Book Fair where Australia & New Zealand is represented at the SCBWI Conference by Sarah Foster Publisher Walker Books Australia, Frane Lessac Illustrator coordinator and Frances Plumpton NZ literary agent. 

- Dianne Wolfer (WA) and Corinne King (Victoria), authors  are doing a brilliant job organising the programme of countries presenting at the SCBWI stand at the Bologna Book Fair.

- the Speakers Directory for illustrators and authors on SCBWI Australia & NZ

- and the MAJOR NEWS that the SCBWI Biennial International Conference is at The Hughenden 17-19th September with Kira Lynn USA Publisher for Kane Books being flown in from the USA , Lin Oliver President of SCBWI International, film maker and children’s author and Australian publishers at an event that will promote the community of children’s writers & illustrators.

Look at the SCBWI website for more information: www.scbwiaustralia.org