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In the Dark Spaces

Write what you want to read. Insightful tips by YA author Cally Black with Dee White.

DeeScribewriting Blog

I’m lucky to have known with the elusive Cally Black for many years now, and was aware of her incredible talent long before she was discovered by the Ampersand judges, and awarded the 2015 Prize.

That’s why I’m so excited that readers will now have the opportunity to read her amazing work and discover her quirky,i maginative and insightful stories

I have seen Cally’s YA novel In The Dark Spaces transformed from a great piece of writing to an even greater book.

I can’t even begin to imagine where she gets her ideas from. They are so unique and compelling and amazing. You really have to read her books to understand what I mean.

But you couldn’t find a more hardworking, more deserving  or humble author than Cally, always willing to share her knowledge and craft with others.

Today she is sharing  FIVE fabulous tips on how she wrote her…

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Sunday for Children’s Writers at the Sunshine Coast International Readers and Writer’s Festival

I’m tickled every colour of Reena’s rainbow to be part of this exciting Festival and presenting alongside the uber talented, Dee White.

DeeScribewriting Blog

If you’re coming to the Sunshine Coast International Readers and Writer’s Festival, make sure you pop in and say, “Hi”.

I’ll be talking about writing for the international market, and the delightful Dimity Powell will be launching my new books, Reena’s Rainbow and K9 Heroes.

The festival has a great line up of speakers, launches and presentations – Sunday is especially for those who write children’s and YA books.

Bookings can be made through festival website.

Hope to see you there.

Dee

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Presenting at Sandcliffe Festival: June’s Preparations

You can share June’s unique story this weekend. All the details and links are withing her post.

Pearlz Dreaming

Last year when I was running my kickstarter campaign I came across the Sandcliffe festival online, and it looked kind of cool because it was concerned with diversity and was in Brisbane.

I emailed them to let them know I thought their festival looked great and to say I had a book coming out,  Magic Fish Dreaming, would they be interested in my participation.

I promptly forgot all about it, and then early this year an email from the lovely Adele Moy arrived, with a phone number and asking me to ring her about the Festival, she apologised for taking so long to get back to me.

I phoned Adele as she requested and had the most beautiful conversation about diversity, life, writing, family and my book which went much longer than I think we both expected, and next thing I know I am on a panel to tell…

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The Fix- it-Man

+June Perkins expresses the true essence within The Fix-It Man as only she can, with poetic beauty and insight. #reasonstobegrateful #TheFixItMan #impressions #copingwithgrief #EKBooks #picturebookswithheart

Pearlz Dreaming

ISBN  9781925335347   Hardcover Picture Book   EK Books Endorsed by Paradise Kids

It is a challenge to cover the deeper topics in life for young children in a way that is relatable, honest and caring, but Dimity Powell’s The Fix -it-Man sets out to do just that.   Nicky Johnston’s gentle, joyful and equally caring illustrations take the reader through the happy, although sometimes challenging times, in a family that is about to be broken by something that just can’t be fixed.  A double centre spread of predominantly subdued grey father and daughter nestled in a bean bag, is particularly moving, and marks a shift in the narrative from the fix-it- man to a fix- it- girl.  Another especially powerful metaphor for grief in the story is the broken teddy bear, ‘Tiger’ who needs mending.   Our young narrator says, ‘Pieces spill out from Tiger’s heart, as Dad takes him from my…

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Dimity Powell – How to Launch a Children’s Book About Loss

Fellow Book Links QLD member, June Perkins interviews Dimity Powell, author of The Fix-It Man at Pearlz Dreaming. Read How to Launch a Children’s Book About Loss.

Pearlz Dreaming

dimity-jan-2012

Today’s special guest is Dimity Powell who will share her journey to create the picture book The Fix-it-Man.  

I first met Dimity through an online writing group, where all the participants wrote every Monday morning, and we left messages in a facebook space on our writing progress and challenges.  I then interviewed her by phone for my blog because she seemed so interesting.  Little was I to know that soon I would move from Far North Queensland to Brisbane and finally meet Dimity in person at the CYA conference.  She was up from the Gold Coast for it.

I love this excerpt from her website which sums up what kind of person she is:

“Dimity Powell writes for children because she believes being a kid is one of the coolest things you can be…next to riding dragons and lying under palm trees. She believes in magic and that…

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The Fix It Man – The Writer’s Journey

Some insightful hints from the wonder, Dee White to help strengthen your manuscript. They certainly worked for me, 😉

DeeScribewriting Blog

I’m so thrilled to welcome Dimity Powell and Nicky Johnston, and their beautiful new book The Fix It Man to my blog today.

Nicky and Dimity are both dear friends and amazingly talented people, and I’ve been lucky enough to share the journey of their wonderful picture book from initial idea to publication.fullsizerender

First, congratulations Dimity and Nicky on such a beautiful book.

Now … About The Fix It Man.

ex_fixitman_cvr_300THE JOURNEY

Back in early 2013, Dimity sent me her draft manuscript, The Fix It Man, and asked if I would help her get it ready to submit for publication. It was already a truly beautiful manuscript. The moving storyline was there and the language was lyrical, but I did have a couple of suggestions.

The Beginning

This is how the story originally started:

My Dad can fix anything.
No job is too difficult. No repair is too big. Or too small. Sticky tape…

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