HAZEL EDWARDS Awarded Australian Society...

Hazel Edwards is one of Australia’s most loved children’s authors as well as an author of adult fiction and non fiction. She has represented Australian Authors nationally and internationally and I regard her as a close friend.   It was wonderful to see her receive the award among her peers – including  many people in publishing and of course authors and illustrators such Libby Gleeson, Sophie Massion, Jeremy Fisher, Elise Hurst, Rosie Scott, Pamela Freeman and many more …  ...

Australian Publishers Association Christ...

The terrace is famous for a good heart-workout – climbing all those steps. Relief as we reach the terrace and it’s lovely with views over North Sydney, outdoor roof top gardens, delicious food and great company:- Publishers, authors, illustrators, publicists,marketing ….. thankyou to Allen & Unwin and of course the APA and Libby O’Donnell who’s a wonderful organiser of the Children’s Publishing Division. News from lots of friends and colleagues who were there:- Sue Whiting is Publishing Manager of Walker Books   Cristina Cappelluto...

Monkey Baa Theatre, Siren Theatre, Marga...

I was breathless as I sat in Studio 2 of the Seymour Centre. Margaret Wild sat next to me as her deeply emotional picture book Fox illustrated by Ron Brooks, emerged onto the stage. The operatic feel, the friendship of DOG and Magpie as they found love and care despite or because of Magpie’s broken wing and Dog’s one eye and the danger of FOX.   Music, dance, characterisation, the great themes of life capture you in a performance that unlocks us all.   It’s coming in APRIL 2010 – see it, to enrich your lives. www.monkeybaa.com.au MONEY BAA...

SCBWI Hope Cards to the children of the ...

Finally the Hope Cards from the children’s illustrators and authors of the world to the children of the Australian bushfires, have been finished. A huge thanks to Jan Latta, wildlife photographer, author, publisher, who did the design and layout. It was weeks of endless emails, changes, discussions- and it’s now at the printer.  The book of the Hope Cards is beautiful. Thankyou to the generous and talented authors & illustrators of the world. Here’s a snapshot of some of the work inside the Hope...

FEAR FACTOR: Terror Incognito to be laun...

Fear Factor: Terror Incognito  ed Bharat, Meenakshi and Rundle, Sharon Just released in India and to eb released in UK and Australia Fear Factor: Terror Incognito is a collection of 20 unforgettable stories by well-known and emerging authors from Australia and the Indian subcontinent including David Malouf, Salman Rushdie, Neelum Saran Gour, Tom Keneally, Rosie Scott, Jeremy Fisher, Susanne Gervay, Tabish Khair, Denise Leith, Andrew Y M Kwong, Devika Brendon, Gulzar, Meera Kant, Guy Scotton, Sujata Sankranti, Kiran Nargarkar, Temsula Ao, Jaspreet Singh,...

S Gervay ain't dead in rugged, beau...

Wyoming USA.  Monthly Wagontrains uncovered a lone gravesite of a shepherd who was murdered back in 1886 when he was a good Samaritan and gave food to strangers. They shot him 5 times and stole whatever he had.  The name of the shepherd was S. Gervay.  Diana Schmid  from Wyoming sent this to me. There’s no connection - no relatives murdered and I haven’t been either. Hey, but Diana is a children’s author. Her first book is SaMule the Worthless White Mule. How beautiful is Wyoming. One day I hope to get there, but not with 5...

I've Been Everywhere Man – Oh...

My eye balls are red, my caffeine intake high, as I dedicate myself to speaking on radio to the USA at 1 and 2 and 3 and  … in the morning. I was slapping my face to stay awake and I’m not into self-harm. What I do for JACK!!!!!! The USA radio interviewers are friendly and loved my Australian accent. I hope they love I Am Jack too.  They are really interested in the anti-school bullying theme that drives I Am Jack. My next interview is 3 am Sunday 6th December USA...

Fantastic Sefton High School Love Their ...

I first met Sefton High students at Bookfeast for an author-student lunch. Loved the students because they are smart, searching for answers and committed to books and their book club. At Bookfeast this year, I didn’t sit with Sefton High School, but I met their librarian and decided that I’d visit the school and kids. The Sefton High students are really engrossed in writing, enjoy the books I write and emotional pull of story. They loved the video clip that is part of my novel ‘That’s Why I Wrote This Song.’ You can hear ‘Psycho...

CBC's Lady Cutler Award Celebrates ...

Author Libby Gleeson and illustrator Julie Vivas The Lady Cutler Award dinner was filled with authors, illustrators, publishers, librarians and readers. Lady Cutler’s son presented the award this year to Chris Cheng who spoke to us from Hong Kong. Authors Oliver and Susanne Gervay, Claire Stuckey I gave the citation speech which was innovative over cyberspace. Chris Cheng accepting the Lady Cutler Award via skype There were lots of authors and illustrators there including Julie Vivas, Libby Gleeson, Sue Whiting, Di Bates, Kris from Lateral Learning Speakers...

Writers Launch Jason & Michael'...

SCBWI Australia webmaster Jason and Michael, have been building their perfect house in Melbourne for more than a year. I flew down from Sydney to officially host it. SCBWI authors and creators joined in. Hazel Edwards Michael, Jason and their rabbit Jason is a brilliant gourmet cook and we indulged and drank wine and had a great all round time. Hazel Edwards entertained us all with news from China where her iconic There’s A Hippopotamus Eating Cake on the Roof – is being published. Teresa showed up her gorgeous new illustrations for her series at Five...