PASS IT ON

"Knowledge Is Power "

www.jackiehosking.com

www.pass-it-on-blog.blogspot.com

    

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Nina Rycroft's illustrations in BOOM BAH ON STAGE

  written by Phil Cummings Working title Press

  BOOM BAH! For those of you who didn’t get the chance to see the stage show of BOOM BAH! Please take a look.

  Nina's illustrations of Goat, Cat, Pig and Hen come to life on stage…lots of fun! The Windmill production of BOOM BAH! was such a success, it will now be touring Korea, Singapore and New Zealand in 2009.

  Here is the link to copy and paste into your browser. It's so cute and fun:-

  http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=K61nohmbTs4

  Check out Nina's work: http://www.laterallearning.com.au/authors/rycroft.html  

  Courtesy of SCBWI AUSTRALIA - www.scbwiaustralia.org

top

SEEKING

• From the website: http://cbca.org.au/natconfs.htm

  The CBCA 2010 Conference Committee is calling for expressions of interest from authors, illustrators, publishers, teachers, librarians and any other individual who would like to make a presentation at the conference.

  Those selected to take part will join other invited guests as part of the full Conference program. Our guests for this conference include Brian Selznick (USA), Charlie Higson (UK), Mr. R. Ramachandran (Singapore), Stephen Krashen (USA), Clare Bradford (Australia) and Joy Cowley (NZ).

  The closing date for abstract submissions is February 28, 2009

  For more information download the relevant document.

  Invitation for abstracts – Authors, Illustrators and Publishers

  Invitation for abstracts - General

  Jenny Stubbs

top

REPLIES TO SEEKING

top

NEW PUBLICATIONS

 

Applesauce and the Christmas Miracle;

 

written by Glenda Millard

 

and illustrated by Stephen Michael King,

 

published in November 2008

 

by ABC Books.

 

ISBN 9780733322495 .

 

 

 

June Whyte is pleased to announce her new middle grade book, 'Murder Sucks'. 

 

Murder Sucks came out last month with Zumaya publishers who are situated in Texas USA.

This book can be purchased through Amazon or Barnes & Noble. 

 

The first of a series for children 9-13. 'Murder Sucks' will be followed by 'Suck Eggs'
next year and 'Totally Sucks' the year after.

top

SPECIAL EVENTS

 

PROPOSED FORMATION OF A Northern Sydney Sub-Branch of the CBCA 

The Northern Sydney sub-branch of the CBCA plans to hold its inaugural meeting

on Tuesday 24 February 2009, commencing at 7:30 pm.

Venue: Forestville Community Arts Centre, 6 Darley Street, Forestville.

Nominations for committee members will be called at this initial meeting and proposed events for 2009 will be discussed.

A local surprise guest speaker (children’s author or illustrator) will be present!

Light refreshments will also be provided.

If you are interested in attending, or to find out more, please contact Lindy Batchelor at [email protected] or Aleesah Darlison at [email protected].

 

• Sunday December 14
  12 noon to 5 pm
  Open House at Books Illustrated

  See where Books illustrated has settled at
  300 Beaconsfield Parade, Middle Park.

  Let us help you select those special gifts... signed books, illustrations, prints...while you sip a champagne or cup of tea! 

top

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

top

COMPETITIONS/AWARDS

top

WRITING COURSES/WORKSHOPS

• Illustrators Ann James and Meredith Thomas are running illustration workshops, focussing on the technique of watercolour, as part of Gasworks Arts Park January Holiday Workshop Program.

  Ann’s workshop will be on Wednesday on January 14 & Meredith’s will be on Friday January 23.

  For details and bookings contact Gasworks Park on 9699 3253. www.gasworks.org.au

   

top

ILLUSTRATION OF THE WEEK

Peter Allert

 

What's this illustration for?

 

This illustration was for a friend of mind who requested I draw her mother’s sixteen-year-old cat that had passed away last year.  Capturing the personality of such a close family member certainly put the pressure on.  I understand her mother was very please with the result.

 

Do you have to wait for a flash of inspiration - how do you start?

 

Sometimes if I have an idea or subject I would like to work on I think about it for a while, forming it slowly in my mind.  Then when I’m ready to start I’ll have a good idea of what I want and trying to achieve.  Flashes of inspiration can come at this time and ideas can grow as you work on them. 

 

On other occasions if someone has an idea of what they want I’ll try my best to deliver it.  I’ll complete some basic layouts first and then start creating.  The above illustration started by looking at a series of photos and then choosing the best angle and mood.  I don’t think about colour much until I’m in the thick of it.

 

How did you get your start as an illustrator?

 

Just started to draw subjects I was interested in when I was young, experimenting with lines and shapes.  I got into a lot of trouble at high school for drawing instead of focussing on my work.  I left it for a long time and over the last couple of years focussed on building my skills again and a portfolio.  I’m very pleased I started again.

 

Who or what has influenced your work?

 

There are so many things in this world that have influenced me, nature, people, different ideas about life and especially other artwork.  I particularly go to other exhibitions and see what other artists are doing.  I also keep up to date with the latest art magazines and book displaying different techniques.  Understanding how other artists have approached a particular subject and what they used to create their piece. 

 

If I had to say one person in the last couple of years who has influenced me I would have to say Shaun Tan, a genius on so many levels.  If you illustrate, paint, or write, you would not do yourself a disservice by looking up his work.

 

What's your favourite media for creating pictures?

 

A trusty HB and water colour pencils.  I’m experimenting with paints at the moment but I like the detail and control of a sharp pencil.  I also use quality water colour paper.

 

Do you experience illustrator's block - if so, what do you do about it?

 

Yes I do.  I wash dishes, iron, sweep the leaves, and generally avoid my workspace.  That said, I just start and before I know it I am in the zone and the hours fly by.  I don’t know if this works for everyone but I have music playing the background, it tends to keep one part of my brain busy while the other works.

 

What's the worst thing about being a freelancer?

 

The worst thing for me would be not reaching a client’s expectations and at the same time a certain personal quality of work I like to achieve in myself.

 

And the best?

 

It challenges me and forces me to do better.  Also, the feeling I get when other people are please by my work.  Like most artists I want my work to touch people in some way.

 

What are you working on at the moment?

 

I’m keeping myself busy with some personal projects at the moment but always willing to look at new subjects and ideas.

 

Where can we see more of your work?

 

I have recently set up a website www.peterallert.com.au , hope you enjoy. 

top

HAVE YOUR SAY

• Re: Changes to ISBN numbers that could affect your PLR and ELR payments

  A really big thank you to Gabrielle Wang for sharing information about changes to ISBN numbers. Thank you Gabrielle for taking the time to share this important information!

  Lucinda 

top

ARTICLES

top

PUBLISHER GUIDELINES

top

AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR PROFILE

top

YOUR WRITING & COMPUTER TIPS

• Notes taken on a talk by David Metzenthen 

  SWW conference 14^th November

   

  l        there are no definites in writing- the method that works for you is the one

  l        writing for children is a generous business

  l        a book that greatly influenced him was 'On the Road' by Jack Kerouac, it's about hard work, this idea that writers are inspired, it's hard work.

  l        I always knew that I could write and wanted to write.

  l        He started as an advertising copy writer

  l        if you have an idea and it really resonates with you, write it – writing like that energizes you.

  l        You've got to love it

  l        kids are made to read as versus adults who chose to read or not

  l        kids tend to read new books

  l        if you don't have the connection with the book- sack it

  l        take your story and let your imagination work

  l        you can't go where the grass is green, go where it works

  l        if you seek, you'll find

   

  David recounted that he went to the War museum and found an old photo and in that found his character for 'Boys of Blood and Bone.”  He said that you have to be moved by your stories.

  l        'Boys of Blood and Bone' is a dual narrative, he really researched this novel.  One great book on the Anzacs is Patsy Adam Smith's 'The Anzacs.'

  l        David believes in using words simply.

  l        Just tell the story, your work will find is audience

  l        you have to find a way to deal with failure( rejection) always take note of a glimmer of hope.

  Notes taken by Lorraine Marwood www.lorrainemarwood.com

top

USEFUL BOOKS/WEBSITES

• The December issue of Helen Evans free monthly e-zine for parents is up now at www.help4everyparent.com

  It has articles on

  · Children with disabilities

  · Information on autism

  · Ages and Stages – Changes in routines

  · Kids in the News – Storm danger

  · A Christian school in the outback

  · Kids ‘n Gardening – Safety in the garden

  · Healthy Living – Fruit surprises

  · Book Review – The Big book of Things to Make and Do

  · Play Ideas – Fulfilling kid’s wishes

top

BOOK REVIEWS

top

MILESTONES

 

 

Paula Wilson whose short story Finally First was Highly  Commended in the Scribbli Gum 'Gumleaves' Prose Competition 2008. It has also been published on the website at www.scribbligum.com

~~

 

I want to share my delight in having my first fiction story, Crazy Mavis - Animal Nanna, accepted by The School Magazine. I have had many Travel articles and articles for the Behind the News magazine published, but this is my first chink in children's fiction.
Marian Smith, writing as Marian McGuinness

 

Aleesah Darlison’s short story, The Orphan Foal, has been accepted for publication in the NSW School Magazine.

top

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES

top

ADVERTISEMENTS

Jackie's Rhyming Manuscript 

Editing Service

www.versatilityrhymeandrhythm.blogspot.com

If you have a children's rhyming poem, picture book text or story in verse that just won't behave itself, send it to me and we'll soon have it sorted out!
Email Jackie at [email protected]  

ANYTIME

~Thanks so much for your advice.

It was your overall advice I wanted and that was spot on.

I also liked your changes. 

Kind regards

Marlene~

 

~Thanks so much Jackie.

I like your suggestions and will get on with it.

It really helps to have another opinion and you've really inspired me.

I'm really glad I asked your opinion.

Best wishes

 

Lee~

top

PASS IT ON SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

• Submit contributions to jackiehosking@bigpond.com  
• Verdana, 10pt, single-line spacing (not essential but helpful)
• Mark PASS IT ON SUBMISSION in the subject line
• Submit within the body of the email
• Give your piece a title heading: eg New Publications; Seeking; General Information; etc.
• Email addresses and contributor contact details will be withheld unless otherwise stated