15 year farewell Network at The Hughenden ~ Sarah Davis, Deborah Abela, Aleesah Darlinson, Stephen Axelson … authors & illustrators celebrate

The love, memories, friendship washed over and into us as Australian children’s authors and illustrators celebrated 15 years of The Children’s Writers and Illustrators’ Network at The Hughenden Woollahra Sydney.

THANKYOU to Authors & Illustrators who stayed overnight at The Hughenden for the Farewell

Claire Stuckey librarian extrordinarie

Ann Knight illustrator and poet

Beverley George award winning poet and children’s author

Stephen Axelson illustrator and author

Some of the brilliant authors and illustrators there – Alessah Darlinson, Moya Simons, Jeni Mawter, Jenny Hale, Mark Thomason, Sarah David, Lesley Vamos, Toni Brisland, Patricia Bernard, Lindy Batchelor, Sue Murray, Marcia Hatfield, David Morris,  Jill Carter-Hansen, Vashti Farrer, Richard Harland, Mark Thomason, Christopher Cheng, Laurine Croasdale ……. and other friends.

THANKYOU !!!!!!

 

 

Celebration & Farewell ~15 years ~Children’s Writers & Illustrators Network at The Hughenden

The memories are beautiful, hilarious, warm, nervous, inspiring, connecting the community of children’s writers and illustrators.

After 15 amazing years, Network at The Hughenden is celebrating all that it has achieved with its last meeting 6th July 2011.

Other groups have formed and now meet at The Hughenden – The Graces, the Writing Clubs, Book Clubs, SCBWI quarterly meetings, The Children’s Book Council dinners … many groups.

New writers and illustrators who nervously arrived at Network have become integral to the enormously talented community enriching Australia and beyond.

Some of the wonderful authors and illustrators of Network at The Hughenden:-

Kate Forsyth

Belinda Murrell

Deborah Abela

Vashti Farrer

Moya Simons

Nina Rycroft

Sarah Davis

Mark Thomason

Jenny Hale

James Roy

Dawn Hort

Tristan Bancks

Gus Gordon

Serena Geddes

Felicity Pulman

Jan Latta

Patricia Bernard

Jeni Mawter

Aleesah Darlinson

Laurine Croasdale

William Kostakis

Sue Walker

Sue Murray

Beverley George

Tina Burke

Hazel Edwards

Sue Whiting

…. and many, many more – what a journey!

 

We’re celebrated 21sts, birthdays, new babies, launches, festivals, plays, films, project like The Hope Cards, Room to Read  and the rich and special life of the community.

 

THANKYOU FOR THE MEMORIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Network will still have its annual Christmas party. Watch out for details

The Adventures of Kate Forsyth, William Kostakis, Jan Latta, Toni Brisland at Sydney Children’s Writers & Illustrators Network

News from the Writers at the Sydney Children’s Writers & Illustrators at The Hughenden Woollahra, who meet in the cafe, the 1st Wednesday of every month at 10.30 am:-

AUTHORS NEED TO BE THE ENGINE OF THEIR OWN SUCCESS - thankyou to Kate Forsyth for sharing this quote.

Jan Latta just came back from Borneo photographing Orangatangs- up close and personal like all her True to Life Books.

 

Toni Brisland’s  ‘Demi Chat and the Kent Street Mystery’ has been included in the South Australian Premier’s Reading list.

Kate Forsyth’s tour of her new hugely successful fantasy ‘Wilkin’s Curse’ Macmillan – Kate’s been everywhere.

William Kostaskis is on a whirlwind tour of 45 bookstores and schools, media as part of the ’50 Books You Can’t Put Down’  that includes William’s Young Adult novel ‘Loathing Lola’.

The start of my media tour for ‘Always Jack’ with my first radio interview with Graham Healy in Toomwoomba on radio 4GR

 

Geko Publishers & Sarah Davis & the Pirate

Sarah Davis is so flat out these days with her illustrations. Fearless – the scared but underneath BRAVE bull dog is an award winning dog – check out Sarah’s website – www.sarahdavisillustration.com

At the Writers & Illustrators Network at The Hughenden last week – which was warm and sharing as always:- 

 Jenny Hale is working full time on her second in her fantasy series of JATTA. Scholastic is waiting for it;

Tracey Slater has had her first stories published in School Magazine which is great too;

Dawn Hort has her new picture book with Wombat books … lots happening.

Sarah brought in some of her beautiful illustrations for her new book – the Girl and the Pirate.  It’s being published by a very high quality and special publisher Geko  (New Zealand publisher). Julie Marshall the publisher is such an innovative and dynamic publisher. Many of the smaller publishers are.

Sarah touched me deeply when she gave me the cover of the girl and the pirate. It’s filled with blue skiies, quirky characters, colour and I LOVE it. 

Thankyou Sarah.

 

Catching up with authors & illustrators Out & About in Sydney

Caught up with Pamela Rushby in Sydney from Queensland, visiting her literary agent, talking about new projects. I LOVE her young adult book ‘When the HipChicks Went to War’ published Hachette received a Notable Award from the CBCA and short list for NSW Premier’s Award. Congratulations Pamela!!!!

 

Celebrating shortlisted CBCA award winning ‘Fearless’ written by Colin Thompson and illustrated by the gifted Sarah Davis. I LOVE ‘Fearless’ – a dog after my own heart.

The talented Melina Marchetta celebrating the launch of her exciting new YA novel ‘The Piper’s Son’ published by Penguin Australia.

 

‘Fear Factor: Terror Incognito’ launch with David Malouf , short listed Booker Prize winner, signing.

I LOVE BEING AN AUTHOR!!!!!

 

Support Room to read bringing literacy to the children of the developing world.

2010 Sydney Kids Writers & Illustrators Network at The Hughenden Starts

HEAPS of NEWS from Network Authors & Illustrators:-

Jeni Mawter has a younger picture book accepted and coming out next year about Kids & their JOY

The fabulous fantasy sisters – Kate Forsyth and Belinda Murrel – have books coming out in June 2010 – Ruby Talisman by Belinda and The Wild King’s Curse by Kate Forsyth and they’re going to launch them together with different publishers – Random Hosue and Pan MacMillan – it’s very cool.

Aleesah Darlison has 5 contracts for 5 books for the next 2 years – I call that major.

Sue Walker’s book ‘Arnie Avery’ to be published by Walker Books is out this year and there’s MUCH more ….

Sadami Konchi with her illustrations for Rigby Publishers; Jenny Hale who is working on her sequel to Jatta – more werewolves expected!!!!

Jan Latta who is going on trek in Kenya with a documentary film team as a wild life photographer

Janice Slater is a renowened music score writer whose writing film scripts and inspiring young people with teaching them music.

Dawn Hort has a fellowship to Canberra for May Gibbs ….  there’s so much energy and support for each other.

David Morris is taking Rotary by storm with his books.

I love it. By the way my ALWAYS JACK (HarperCollins) will be published October 2010. Monkey Baa Theatre for Young People will be touring I AM JACK in 2011.