The Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators

SCBWI STATE CONFERENCE 2019 – Notes from Dimity Powell

Thank you, Dimity Powell for taking notes during several sessions of the sessions at the State Conference in Brisbane.

Susanne Gervay in conversation with Lisa Berryman, publisher at HarperCollins … On StoryCraft
Notes from the KidLit Movers & Shakers Panel
Things to expect from your publicity team upon publication – Publicity 101
Process of a Structural Edit
Key attributes to survive / prosper in this Industry … and more

Gearing up for the SCBWI Queensland State Conference 2019

StoryCraft — Official Conference image: Graphic Designer, Ozan Tortop Illustrator, Anil Tortop

By now you will have noticed the flurry of activity in SCBWI Queensland’s management committee … and maybe detected a bit of excitement building amongst members.

This is the first ever State Conference for our organisation in Queensland and yes, we are happy and proud to work towards it being the best ever … well, the best this year anyway as we plan to keep going in following years. We have heaps of fabulous presenters, interesting panellists, Pop-up New Book Bonanza, Illustrator Showcase and heaps more.

book girl grass hat — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

It’s the chance for our SCBWI tribe (plus non-members who’ll come, check us out and maybe join) to get together and share our passion for what we do. It’s not difficult to work that out either … we are writers and illustrators and we create great books for children and young adults – and proud of it too.

Conference date: Sunday, November 10, 2019

Price: $135 SCBWI members $165 Non-members

Check out the CONFERENCE page on this site for our Programme, our Faculty and how to book. Watch for further updates, including the TRYBOOKING site for both Conference and Editorial Appraisal opportunities.

Best Children’s Books I read in 2018: from Dimity Powell

It’s virtually impossible to remember the plethora of inspiring and inspirational children’s books I’ve read this year. But Mia Macrossan from StoryLinks Children’s Books Reviewed set a challenge I couldn’t ignore. Here are a smattering of some of my favourites this year.

Visit the StoryLinks site for more best reads by various kids’ lit peeps. #kidslit #childrensbooks Jenny Stubbs #picturebook #LoveOzYA #middlegradefiction #versenovels #graphicnovels #juniorfiction #hardtochoos

Dimity Powell is a children’s author who recently published At the End of Holyrood Lane.

This is super hard btw but here are my attempts at narrowing things down – not something that I’m naturally good at! (You’ll note, I’ve blatantly ignored the rule of three concept, apologies)

Non-Fiction: Real Food Kids Will Love by Annabel Karmel – there’s been a flood of Great Women, Great Guy type NF books this year and the Little People series is a fave, insects featured a lot too, but this one takes the cake, as it were.
YA: Living on Hope Street by Demet Divaroren ties Lenny’s Book of Everything by Karen Foxlee
Middle Grade Fiction: The Endsister by Penni Russon
Junior Fiction: The First Adventures of Princess Peony by Nette Hilton and Lucinda Gifford
Junior Fiction older readers: Natural Born Leader Loser by Oliver Phommavanh
Picture Books early childhood: Want…

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Interview with Dimity Powell author of At the End of Holyrood Lane – Readilearn

Spend a moment or two with children’s author, Dimity Powell as Norah Colvin from Readilearn uncovers more of the story behind the story of At The End of Holyrood Lane, Dimity’s latest picture book.

via Interview with Dimity Powell author of At the End of Holyrood Lane – Readilearn

Picture Book Poetry Party!

A Party with a Purpose: sharing Poems and Picture-Books; practicing public speaking; partaking in portions of science that are enjoyably palatable! These are some of the ingredients in a Picture-Book Poetry Party.

“We’re giving family audiences enjoyable free entertainment, where they learn some science almost by accident, providing participating students with unique high-achieving opportunities plus, it’s a wonderful way to befriend and showcase other fabulous children’s authors from our region.”

This year’s star is Deanna Henderson of Minibeast Wildlife fame. She will be reading her Picture-Book “There’s a Zoo in my Backyard” and sharing some of her writing journey. This will be the fifth annual Poetry Party hosted by Science Rhymes poet Celia Berrell.

Celia’s Poetry Parties were inspired by a SCBWI suggestion of encouraging children’s authors and illustrators to accomplish projects together. Her first feature authors – Diane Finlay, Jacque Duffy and Trudie Trewin – were all fellow SCBWI members.

“It helps us to promote ourselves, our books and the SCBWI profile within our region” adds Celia.

http://www.sciencerhymes.com.au/picture-book-poetry-party-2018.html

2018 Poetry Party Poster

Small Moments Make Your Story Big

Valuable advice and summation of what it takes to ‘keep it simple’ yet relevant and powerful in the art of storytelling. Something I sometimes struggle with but endeavour to achieve in picture book writing.

Writing for Kids (While Raising Them)

“A big story is about a small moment.” ~Matthew Dicks

Think about that for a moment (not a small one).

Every book you have ever read is about a small moment—an epiphany when a character realizes an emotional truth with complete clarity.

Let me provide examples:

THE MONSTORE is not just about a store that sells monsters. It’s about a brother and sister who learn to appreciate one another and cooperate.

7 ATE 9 is about number 9 realizing his worth.

LITTLE RED GLIDING HOOD is about not judging someone before you get to know them.

Before I read Matthew Dicks’ STORYWORTHY, I used to phrase this “small moment” concept differently. I would explain that a story, especially a picture book, required an emotional core. Now I realize that is an amorphous blob of a statement.