PASS IT ON ISSUE 49
PASS IT ON - ISSUE 49: DATE
Hi everyone! I hope you have all had a fantastic week. Thanks to all who
have contributed and a special hello to all new members. Thank you also to
everyone who has offered support and encouragement, I really do appreciate
it. Please enjoy this week's issue of PASS IT ON.
A Disclaimer of Liability
Please ensure that your submissions are ACCURATE and clear. I will accept no
responsibility for any errors or omissions contained in the information
submitted. PLEASE be careful.
To unsubscribe send an email to jacket@smartchat.net.au with "unsubscribe"
in the subject heading.
WHAT IS PASS IT ON?
PASS IT ON is an on-line networking newsletter for those involved with or
interested in the children's writing industry. It is emailed to subscribers
every Monday.
PASS IT ON will survive for as long as YOU the CONTRIBUTOR determine. I am
the collection point for YOUR submissions. I am one cog in a tool that has
the potential to be very powerful. (submission guidelines can be found at
the end of the newsletter)
If you wish to receive PASS IT ON - email me, Jackie Hosking at
jacket@smartchat.net.au and I will send you the most recent issue of the
newsletter. If you like what you see, please request an invoice and I will
add you to the subscriber's list.
If you join in July it will cost you $24.00 If you join in August, it will
cost you $22.00 If you join in September, it will cost you $20.00 etc...
Please contribute as often as you can and be assured that I will treat your
contact details with the utmost confidentiality. I look forward to making
many more new friends.
Past issues may be viewed at my website www.jackiehosking.com
GENERAL INFORMATION
LITERARY LUNCH AT THE COSMOPOLITAN HOTEL, TRENTHAM
Yes, it was the Cosmopolitan that burned down a few weeks ago so ... no
literary lunch will be happening. It's very sad for the owners who lost
everything. Thanks to those of you who enquired.
Sherryl Clark
around about it staying open with a new editor, but according to Leah
Hultenschmidt, they're going to be putting out books through spring of '06
and that's it.
Readability at Manly has closed and Pages and PAges at Belrose. Mosman still
going strong!
Christine Page
If anyone needed confirmation of how far the world of children's books has
changed lately, it came yesterday with news of this year's winners of the
two top prizes in the field. The Kate Greenaway medal - usually won by an
exquisitely drawn bedtime story for toddlers - went to a version of
Gulliver's Travels mature enough to be read by teenagers and adults, with a
Tony Blair lookalike, drawn by Observer cartoonist Chris Riddell, as its
central character. And the Carnegie medal, previously bestowed on sedate
authors such as Arthur Ransome and CS Lewis, was won by a scriptwriter. The
Carnegie medal has just been awarded to Frank Cottrell Boyce for his first
novel, Millions. The novel is about two brothers who find more than £200,000
in a bag that was left on a train. They don't have much time to work out how
to spend all that money with
What's more, the bank robbers who left the bag behind are hot on their
tracks. Boyce is a screenwriter and had originally thought of Millions as a
screenplay. "I'd been working on another idea for a children's book for ages
and it just wasn't coming together quite right. It was one evening, when
chatting to [film director] Danny [Boyle], that I realised I had the story
right there," he said. He went home and wrote the story so quickly he
himself couldn't believe how fast it all happened. "At last I'd realised my
greatest ambition," he says. "I'd written a children's book."
>From the latest SCWBI newsletter
I have just watched the movie The Sisterhood of the Traveling (sic) Pants
based on the book of the same name by first-time
both were wonderful and just right for teenage girls and YA authors wanting
to listen to how teenage girls speak and interact. No swearing, no sex, no
violence but wonderful characters and great plotting! DC
WARNING
There is a warning about the poetry competition mentioned in last week's PIO
(see below) on this link
http://www.actwriters.org.au/youth/yth_home.htm
[ Poetry Competition - add seen in local Victorian newspaper.
Open to Australians of all ages and put on by the Poetry Institute of
· Offering thousands of dollars worth of prizes
· any subject or style acceptable
· original work, not more than 24 lines
Entries to Poetry Institute of Australia, PO Box 1545, Cleveland, QLD 4163.
Faxed to (07) 3286 7661 or emailed to poetry@dodo.com.au Details: (07) 3286
7661 ]
· Schoolgirl's dragon breathes new life into teen publishing boom
http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/books/news/article293968.ece
· Edel Wignell writes: The monthly Australian Bookseller & Publisher
is a must-read journal for writers. If you subscribe and read each one, you
gradually build up a storehouse of information on publishing, publicity,
marketing and selling. I took out my first subscription in the early 80s.
The secretary I spoke to then said that few writers were subscribers. 'It's
strange,' he said. 'People in other occupations subscribe to their trade
journal. How else can they keep up-to-date?' I like to think that more
writers subscribe today.
Each month there is a focus on some aspect of book publishing. This month it
is 'BMS' (Body, Mind and Spirit) books. Last month it was Audio Books. Other
themes are Sports, Travel, Mothers' Day, Fathers' Day, Gardening, Cookery,
Genre (murder, romance, mystery, chick and hen lit.) Twice each year,
lift-outs give detailed attention to Children's Books and, also twice
yearly, to Education Books.
Every journal has a 'People' column, listing the movements of publishers,
editors, publicity and marketing people. Interviews with book people are
fascinating. This month, in 'Agents provocateur', five agents respond to a
query on the 'current state of the industry'. All of them deplore the fact
that many publishers are not accepting unsolicited mss, and literary agents
are deluged. One said that she received an avalanche of 1000 last year, and
would soon close her books.
One agent said that, obviously, many would-be writers have read very few
books, and this includes those who have done creative writing courses.
That's just a snippet from the agents - there's more.
Each journal includes introductions to the latest books, lists of
best-sellers in various categories, 'wheeling and dealing' (negotiation of
overseas rights), 'Put it in your diary' (forthcoming events), authors on
tour, news of exhibitions, fairs, festivals, conferences and seminars
(
interest to creators of children's books.
Subscription: $120 for 11 issues (Dec/Jan combined).
Subscriptions@thorpe.com.au
Tel (03) 8645 0301
Australian Bookseller & Publisher
PO Box 101
Port Melbourne 3207
SEEKING
We are two authors who would like to run a conference to cater to the
growing field of children's writers who need support and information from
such events. So far we have the names of eight voluntary conference
organisers, but we need about twice that number, in order to do it properly.
If there is anyone out there willing to put his or her name forward to help
get this conference organised, let Jackie Hosking know privately or report
back in PIO. If we get enough real support, we guarantee to find the funding
and help to create a program which covers all aspects of the industry from
getting started to finding an agent to placing and contracting a manuscript;
we will also book speakers who do not have ego-agendas but who genuinely
want to help new writers. You don't have to be published, but you do need
100% commitment to work for our goal. It is likely that the conference will
be held in
I'm wondering if anyone can help me. A few years ago, I published a poem in
my local writing group's self-published anthology. I would now like to send
this poem to a publisher for their consideration. Do I need to inform the
publisher that the poem has already been published and if so, how would I go
about it? The anthology had a print run of less than 100. Thank you for any
help.
I've started work on a self-help style book for single parents and I need
interviewees. This isn't a 'parenting how to' book. Its aim is to be a
resource for single parents and covers topics like goal setting, motivation,
dealing with crises, loneliness as well as practical stuff like holidays and
dealing with schools.
I'm looking to interview as many single parents as I can to get their
stories/perspectives. I'm looking for both single parents who still have
their kids at home as well as people who have made it through and their kids
have now grown up & left home.
If you know anyone who might be interested in being interviewed it would be
great if you could get them to email me at mareekimberley@hotmail.com.
I already have a few people from
country, of all ages, backgrounds and circumstances. The only thing is they
have to currently (or in the past) have had their kids living with them for
at least 50% of the time.
(as this isn't strictly related to the children's writing industry, please
reply directly to Maree, not to PASS IT ON - Thanks J )
REPLIES TO SEEKING
Re Eva Mills: She has just returned to Allen & Unwin in
Production Manager/Senior Editor. As an A&U author, I say: hoorah!
Re recording aspects of PIO, I forward each issue to myself and edit out
what I don't want to keep. Then I file it in My Documents, and get someone
to store it for me on a CD. I was impressed with the contributor who keeps
segments under headings in a Word file. Very efficient!
To answer Val
I would think Macmillan Ed might be okay for that. It sounds like a lot of
fun.
Di Bates asks for Readability Children's Bookshop address:
Shop 4 22 Darley Street, Manly, NSW 2095.
Re Writer's CV
When it comes to writing any CV, whether a writing one or not, the key is to
highlight your major achievements in a succinct and easy-to-read format.
Short and simple - don't overload the document with unnecessary detail.
Publishers don't need to know all your magazine article titles - just
mention you've had 15 published with xyz publisher and perhaps mention the
subject or genre. Similarly a full synopsis of an accepted work wouldn't be
necessary - just mention it's been accepted and where and give a one
sentence overview.
I would keep your CV one page if you can, certainly no more than two. Set
out the body under clear sub-headings - eg, publications, education, work
history. For education and work history, provide just a summary
highlighting the writing aspects. You're not trying to get a job interview,
just giving an overview of your writing history and successes. Omit
anything that's not related to your writing - if 10 years of work employment
are completely irrelevant, leave it out or summarise into a line. But think
about your work experience from a marketing point of view and highlight
those aspects. They may not be interested in 15 years of nursing
experience, but experience in teaching, media work or public speaking may be
of interest - makes you easier to "market".
Use lots of "white space" rather than large blocks of text as it's much
easier on the eye and easier to absorb. Don't forget dot points - they're
an easily digestible way to highlight a list of achievements.
A publisher told me recently she was interested to read my writing CV, but
did say she looked at it after reading the ms. I've heard other publishers
say that the work itself is what's paramount and unless that stands on its
own they don't even look at the CV. Still, doesn't hurt to have a
professional summary once you've impressed them with your writing.
Re your completed mss, I would be inclined to mention just that you have
completed or are currently working on a number of works rather than list a
long list individually. Your aim is to convince publishers you're a serious
writer capable of producing more than a one-off ms, but not one that's been
rejected lots.
This is just my opinion - others may have different perspectives. Good
luck.
Parents choosing books for their children: My first advice is always start
as soon as possible. Ten weeks is a good age, but a second child will
probably be introduced to books by his/her older sibling, within days of
first contact. Being read to is a full-sensory experience. Sitting warmly on
the parent's lap, hearing and feeling the voice vibrations, something bright
to look at as well - what could be better, whatever the age. Don't assume
that the baby will not be able to make sense of the picture (they have been
shown to respond to photos of their mother by six weeks, I think it is).
Even if Baby doesn't recognise the picture for what it represents, the
colour, shape and line are an aesthetic experience, and favourite pages in
familiar books are clear by the baby's excitement, at five or six months.
Nursery rhyme books accompanied by singing are great from birth. Otherwise
look for strong primary colours and bold outlines (Dick Bruna is perfect),
or black silhouettes. My advice is to actually read (or sing) the words too,
as well as playing the game with naming the objects. The sooner Baby becomes
familiar with literary language the better. Even the simplest texts have
quite different language from what we use every day. By ten months you might
be able to get through a short sorry. Hold the pages with your finger
pointing out the details as you read, so they're not turned too soon. Some
damage is bound to occur (especially if you leave books accessible among
their toys), but repaired out of sight with magic tape and no fuss is the
most successful strategy here.
If you are the sort of person who finds amusement, comfort and solace in
reading, it will be natural for you to expect your little one to do so too -
and they will. There is nothing better than a book for cheering up or
distracting, you'll find. Do not limit their book diet. By one, all types of
pictures will be appreciated, and if the baby is already an experienced
listener, quite long texts will also be accessible (Millions of Cats, Gag,
was a favourite with one 18 month old for instance).
Once language comes in, you will hear the results of reading the text, with
quotes and vocabulary available and used that are not in the family's normal
daily conversation at all. And a read-to child will be ready for longer
stories - episodic "chapter books" (like Winnie the Pooh) or even actual
simple novels, a good retelling of the Greek myths - and of courses there
are always the traditional fairy tales.
Don't worry about a child being afraid of a book. It does happen of course,
but it will probably be to something that you don't imagine would be scary
at all, while monsters (for instance in Where the Wild Things Are Sendak)
may only give pleasure.
Borrow extensively from the library. It is important for the child to have
books of their own, but you then buy the one they just can't return - the
familiar and beloved will be the best gift. And do make sure you buy for
other children as well. Birthday presents of books are the best thing you
can give (even if your own blasé read-to child sees books as a staple like
food, and can't see them as a suitable present)
Remind parents that books really are not expensive - compare them with a
meal out at MacDonald's for instance - and they last longer than almost any
toy. And, as a side benefit, they will be well ready to learn to read by
school time.
Dr Virginia Lowe
Create a Kids' Book
www.alphalink.com.au/~vlowe
PO Box 2, Ormond Victoria 3204
ph: 03 9578 5689
fax: 03 9578 3466
mob: 0400 488 100
Re the request for advice to parents on reading material for children may I
suggest the following? As a former teacher librarian and now writer I
recognise that the field of information is huge but here goes:
1. "Reading" can mean reading fiction and non fiction. The latter is
often overlooked but there is a stage in primary school, especially with
boys, when non fiction is very popular.
2. There are many reviewing journals available at your local library.
Check out Reading Time and Magpies
3. Most libraries will have lists of previous award winning or short
listed books.
4. Look for books in libraries that are worn out. This means they've been
loved to death.
5. Point out to parents that picture books can be read and enjoyed at any
age.
6. Don't get too worried about kids being "stuck" in a series and reading
nothing but that series. There's a famous library quote about the kid who
thought a particular Famous Five book was the best book in all the world.
However, after she read it 6 times she was beginning to think it was boring!
7. Don't push kids into books that are too hard or too long. The old five
finger test used by generations of teachers still works. Open the book at
random, count out 10 lines and ask the child to read the passage. Quietly
count on your fingers each stumble or problem word. If you reach 5 fingers
before the child reads 10 lines, the material is too difficult.
8. Teach the kids to identify the "picture" spine labels which indicate
genre - spy stories, science fiction, smiley faces for funny books and so
on.
9. Never make a kid finish a book they hate. There are too many great
books out there to force them to read ones that they don't like
10. Don't make them start with the classics from the 19th century. You see
lots of them in book shops and chain stores because they are out of
copyright and cheap to produce, not because they are the kids' favourites.
Pauline Deeves
To MW who asked for some help in speaking to parents about which books to
choose for their children, may I suggest you read The Reading Bug, by Paul
Jennings. Also really helpful are the books Five to Eight and Babies Need
Books, both by Dorothy Butler. The last two titles may be hard to find, but
check out your local second-hand shop and library. Good luck.
To answer MW
Australian authors especially those who subscribe to Pass it on. GRIN.
Seriously, I do usually try and buy books by Australian authors for my
grandchildren as I like to promote the local industry, unless something is
brilliant from overseas.
I look for a good story line and characters, interesting use of language,
and for the younger age group eye catching and not necessarily simple
illustrations. I would never buy a book that had good illustrations but a
mediocre text.
The two non Australian books my grandchildren received this year among about
a dozen, are Ten Little Rubber Ducks by Eric Carl
Down the Dragon's Tongue by Margaret Mahy
FROM AN AUTHOR/TEACHER
In reply to MW: Paul Jennings was once been approached at a book signing by
a woman who said, "Please write something that will make my grandson read
this book". Paul is supposed to have written, "Dear Jack, When you finish
reading this book, your grandma will pay you $20"! Seriously, a parent must
think of his/her specific child: what is his/her reading level? What does he
love to read about? Parents, never give a child a book that you like, unless
you are totally convinced your child will read and love it too. So many
parents give their children books they loved as a child. Not a good idea!
Recently I convinced a special 14 year old boy in my life to read a book by
a popular author by telling him one word he would read a fair bit about in
the book: it was "stiffies". Yes, not politically correct, but he's read the
book! It was the first he's read in months, and he loved it. Every book I
have given this boy he has read and re-read because he was interested in the
subject matter at that particular time and it was at his reading level. Next
I plan to give him books about basketball, his current passion (and an
autograph book so he can hunt down his favourite basketball players). His
favourite Australian authors are Steven Herrick, Bill Condon, Margaret Wild,
Duncan Ball and Paul Jennings; he loves illustrations by Shaun Tan, Ron
Brooks and Gus Gordon. DC
FROM AUTHOR D C Green
Hi everyone,
In six weeks, my first book for laughter-challenged kiddies is being
published: Erasmus James & the Galactic Zapp Machine. (Excuse me: yayyy!)
I'm keen to generate traffic through my website and have been told the best
way to do this is by swapping links.
I'm happy to swap with anyone on this wonderful network, provided the site I
swap with does not contain material unsuitable for children.
If you're keen, I'll need your web or blog site address, and a brief
description (ten words or less). Send to miltonbarrels@yahoo.com
Here's my details:
DC Green, author of funny, action-packed & imaginative kid's books.
http://dcgreenyarns.blogspot.com/
Looking forward to increased traffic for all concerned.
NEW PUBLICATIONS
SPECIAL EVENTS
· A Dinner with James Valentine at The Hughenden, hosted by the NSW
Writers Centre Friday 22nd July
The dinner will feature guest speaker ABC radio personality James Valentine,
author of the Jumpman Series (Random House) published in Australia, the US,
the UK and the Netherlands.
James is a broadcaster on ABC Radio and is the Australian reporter for
Showtime Movie News. He's been a television presenter, a freelance writer
for magazines and newspapers, young adult author and for many years was a
full-time musician, most notably with the Australian band, The Models.
Hughenden Boutique Hotel
14 Queen Street, Woollahra
Phone: 9363 4863
When: Friday 22 July, 7pm
Cost: $66 Members; $77 Non-Members
Early discount price of $55.00 if you book now.
Ticket price includes complimentary wine.
RSVP by 5pm, Friday 15 July to NSW Writers' Centre
Membership Secretary, Danielle Williams on (02) 9555 9757 or
publicity@nswwriterscentre.org.au
or go into purchase tickets now on the NSW Writers Centre website
www.nswwriterscentre.org.au press on DINNER WITH JAMES VALENTINE!
· JOINT ALEA STATE CONFERENCE AND 5TH LA TROBE UNIVERSITY, BENDIGO
CHILDREN'S LITERATURE CONFERENCE
AUGUST 5-7 2005
You can down load more information at www.latrobe.edu.au/childlit or
www.alea.edu.au
UQP editor Leonie Tyle and children's authors J.A. Mawter and Dianne (Di)
Bates will share their expertise on writing and publishing in educational
and trade markets at the NSW Writers' Centre Writing for Children & Young
Adults festival on 23 July. There are many other speakers, including Mark
MacLeod (National President of CBCA), Laura Harris (Penguin Books) Peter
Whitfield (New Frontier publishing), authors Susanne Gervay and Sue Whiting,
illustrators Lisa Shanahan and Tohby Riddle - and many more!
Full-day tickets are $20; they can be obtained by phoning the centre on (02)
955 9757 or by sending a cheque/money order to PO Box 1056, Rozelle NSW
2039. www.nswwriterscentre.org.au
National Creativity Symposium
'Backing our Creativity' is a national symposium on the role of the arts and
creativity in education for children and young people to be held from
September 12 to 14 in Melbourne.
Details can be found at: www.iceaustralia.com/neas
The Queensland Writers Centre will be holding a seminar on trade secrets
with published authors on 11 August. Check www.qwc.asn.au
20th July brings the inaugural Curtis Coast Literary Carnivale, to be held
in Gladstone - Qld. I look forward to welcoming Krista Bell, Margaret Clark,
Narelle Oliver and Gregory Rogers to our region and thank them in advance
for their support of regional writers.
The Literary Carnivale will commence with a Launch Dinner on Wednesday
evening 20th July. Thursday and Friday promise to be thrilling days for
children, with busloads of youngsters from many schools attending the
Stories Galore and More sessions. Aspiring authors or illustrators should
attend the Stories Galore Saturday Programme, (23rd July) with adult
workshops being presented by Gregory Rogers, Narelle Oliver, Krista Bell and
Gladstone-based publishing consultant Robyn Sheahan-Bright. For further
information on the programme, contact Peter Cramb at Gladstone City Library,
phone 4976 6400.
If you're in (or near) the Gladstone region and interested in the children's
book industry, you'd be crazy to miss this wonderful opportunity!
Kathryn Apel
· CHILDREN'S WRITERS' FORUM No. 2
Saturday 30 July, 12.30pm-4.30pm
(I suggest you bring some lunch!)
Guest publisher: Maryann Ballantyne - Black Dog Books
black dog books publishes books with bite.
Books kids want to read.
Quirky books.
Funny books.
Books you can't put down. Their website is at www.bdb.com.au
Guest writer: David Metzenthen
David Metzenthen was born in Melbourne in 1958. He began to write fiction
after abandoning a career in advertising. He has lived and traveled
overseas, but regards Australia and its citizens as a major source of
inspiration for his work.
He has won several awards for excellence, including the 2003 Queensland
Premier's Literary Award and the 2004 Ethel Turner Prize for Young Adult
Books in the NSW Premier's Literary Awards for Boys of Blood and Bone; and
the 2003 Victorian Premier's Literary Award for Wildlight.
David has also written for the educational market - I've asked him to talk
about his experiences and share information and advice!
Q&A session will focus on small business and tax issues and information -
but other questions and feedback welcomed.
COST: $20.00 - AFTERNOON TEA PROVIDED
PAY ON THE DAY, BUT RSVP REQUESTED to Sherryl.Clark@vu.edu.au
If you need directions to the campus, please let me know in your RSVP email.
VENUE: Auditorium, Building 10, St Albans campus, Victoria University.
MARKET OPPORTUNITIES
Australian compiler seeks short stories to suit ages 8 to 10 up to 1200
words for an anthology. If stories are already published, please state
publication and date of publication. ASA rates offered. Deadline is November
30. Selection will be made by December 30 at which time receipt of all
manuscripts will be acknowledged and decisions posted. Please include
s.s.a.e. with your submission to ensure you are informed. One story per
contributor. Address: PO Box 2116, Woonona East NSW 2517
For those who would like to know of forthcoming children's short story
writing competitions, check out http://www.smartwriters.com GP
Knowledge Books and Software say they are always seeking new authors with
manuscripts for texts and teacher resources. Their latest catalogue noted:
"We are increasing our reach to America (see www.kbs.com) and Europe (see
www.kbs.co.uk), thereby extending the markets for distribution of your text.
If you have manuscripts, outline drafts and proposals please contact Damien
Fegan via email at damien@kbs.com.au or phone (07) 3236 5253. We would like
to review with the possibility of publishing."
Bebop Books is reopen for submissions. Their website is at
http://www.bebopbooks.com/
COMPETITIONS/AWARDS/OPPORTUNITIES
Literature Residencies in Asia
Applications for 2006 Asialink arts residencies are now open.
Up to 10 residencies will be offered for writers of all genres (including
book illustrators) to further professional development and foster bilateral
engagement in Asia. Arts management residencies are also available for book
industry personnel, such as editors, festival staff and program managers.
For more info visit: www.asialink.unimelb.edu.au/arts or call 03-8344 3578
Applications close Sept 2.
WRITING COURSES/WORKSHOPS
Create a Kids' Book: Workshops on Saturdays July 30th, September 24th (at
Gasworks Park, Albert Park) and October 22nd (Heathcote near Bendigo). These
with Virginia Lowe and artist Jacqui Young, basically on the picture book.
Also October 15th, on novel writing, with Virginia and novelist Jennifer
Dabbs. Lunch supplied. $120. Phone or email Virginia to book.
Dr Virginia Lowe
Create a Kids' Book
www.alphalink.com.au/~vlowe
PO Box 2, Ormond Victoria 3204
ph: 03 9578 5689
fax: 03 9578 3466
mob: 0400 488 100
HAVE YOUR SAY
THANKS EDEL WIGNELL
Please keep on riding your hobby-horse, I have learnt so much from your
contributions!
HAVE YOUR SAY
Glancing through the winners and honourable mentions in the "2005 Write It
Now Competition" I thought there was a certain similar feeling to all the
winners. From the little I could gather about the winning stories, not one
excited me enough to want to read it. I certainly doubt I would have wanted
to as a child. There appeared to be no "Harry Potters" among them to excite.
FROM AUTHOR Jackie French
Re publishing houses retaining copyright- Suzuki Publishing Co in
Japan has just received an award for Hitler's Daughter. It seems that in
Japan the company is more important than the author, even if you retain
copyright. But they did send me a nice email for my
contribution to the company's success!
FROM AN AUTHOR
Lately it has been interesting to see that US children's magazine Highlights
has been publicising in various newsletters and websites its need for
material. It would be nice to know that there is some writer-resistance to
submitting material as the magazine takes copyright. Way to go fellow
writers! DC
FROM AN AUTHOR
Edel Wignell's post re copyright acknowledgement winds up on a rather
"charitable" note (especially as is she's talking about Underwood). She says
the author will be bypassed by publishers selling on rights "just because of
a simple mistake". After reading in PIO how many authors have had this
particular problem with Underwood (me included! --"It will be corrected in
the reprint" was Gary's response -- hmm, what reprint????) it makes me
wonder if this is just shoddy workmanship or a deliberate practice. (As an
aside, I was never shown the imprint pages to my books, or I would've
spotted the error immediately. Perhaps when dealing with Underwood in
particular authors should ask to read the imprint page.) I've had eighty
books published now, and no one, but no one, has made this mistake. Yet here
we have a publisher who seems to make the mistake frequently. Another
problem that Edel doesn't mention is CAL. I wonder if all CAL remuneration
automatically goes to people who own the copyright of the book being
photocopied ... I see a case for the ASA here!
ARTICLES
This interesting article is from The Independent. (Perhaps more
publishers should consider children opinions.)
Revealed: the eight-year-old girl who saved Harry Potter
J K Rowling's new adventure is sure to be another mammoth bestseller.
But, reports John Lawless, the first Potter manuscript was destined for
oblivion - until the publisher's young daughter read it
Published: 03 July 2005
It was an eight-year-old girl, not an 11-year-old boy wizard, who
rescued J K Rowling from life on £70-a-week benefits as a divorced
single mother, The Independent on Sunday can reveal.
The eagerly anticipated launch next week of her latest book, Harry
Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, will propel Rowling's wealth further
beyond the £562m she has already amassed from the record-breaking
series. Yet, as Nigel Newton, the chairman of Bloomsbury Publishing
reveals today, the first Harry Potter manuscript was rejected by all of
his major rivals.
And it was only the pester-power of his daughter, Alice - who read a
chapter and demanded more - that finally convinced the publisher he had
a winner on his hands.
The story he tells in a rare personal interview is almost as unlikely as
one of Rowling's muggles-and-magic plots. Bloomsbury, the off-beat
company named after the 1920s London literary set, was just about the
last chance for Rowling to get the original Harry Potter and the
Philosopher's Stone into print.
Her agent, Christopher Little, called at Bloomsbury Publishing's cramped
offices in Soho Square and gave Newton a sample to read. He took it home
but, instead of settling down with it himself, handed it to Alice, then
eight years old.
"She came down from her room an hour later glowing," Newton recalls,
"saying, 'Dad, this is so much better than anything else.' She nagged
and nagged me in the following months, wanting to see what came next."
Newton made out a cheque to Joanne Kathleen Rowling for just £2,500,
which has since proved one of the wisest investments in publishing history.
He had signed up a writer who was to go on to outsell Jackie Collins's
steamy blockbusters 10 times in a year. The first Potter book is also on
its way to becoming the world's best-selling novel of all time. "It was
very fortunate for us," said Newton. "We'd only just started to publish
children's books in June 1994. And we hit it lucky." He told The
Independent on Sunday that "eight others turned J K Rowling down; ie,
the whole lot".
The not-knowing-what-comes-next factor has created 260 million sales for
successive books. Christopher Little is reported to have earned almost
£19m in 2002. Daniel Radcliffe, who stars as Harry Potter in the films,
became, at 14, the world's youngest millionaire. But Rowling became a
dollar billionaire. Forbes magazine estimated her wealth last year at
£562m, reporting that she is "one of only five self-made female
billionaires and the first billion-dollar author".
Bloomsbury has since invested in other children's books, including a new
release of The Popcorn Pirates from Alexander McCall Smith. He admits,
though, that the Potter phenomenon is likely to be "a total one-off.
There has never been anything like it."
It is appropriate that Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is to be
launched at a glittering ceremony at midnight on 16 July, in the city of
Edinburgh where Rowling wrote the original. She completed her first
book, Rabbit, at the age of six, and had discarded two adult fiction
novels before Harry Potter "simply fell into my head" during a tedious
train journey from Manchester in 1990. She had returned to the Scottish
capital after living in Portugal, where she had her first child. Harry
Potter was penned in a nearby café as her daughter, Jessica, slept.
Rowling has given a new account of her delight at Bloomsbury's decisive
vote of approval on her personal website, explaining that "finally, in
August 1996, Christopher telephoned me and told me that Bloomsbury had
'made an offer'. I could not quite believe my ears. 'You mean it's going
to be published?' I asked rather stupidly. 'It's definitely going to be
published?' After I had hung up, I screamed and jumped into the air."
Now aged 40 and remarried, she remains resolutely unfazed by her own
amazing story, admitting: "The rewards were disproportionate, but I
could see how I got there, so that made it easier to rationalise."
PUBLISHER GUIDELINES
AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR PROFILE
Author/Illustrator - Wendy Barrett
Ever since I was in my mid teens I have dreamt of becoming a children's book
illustrator and author. Since sending off my first submission to a publisher
at 16, I continued over the years to send manuscripts with accompanying
illustrations to various publishers. Admittedly these submissions were
relatively few and far between - I was too easily disheartened by rejection
and would sometimes wait years before the next wave of inspiration and
passion overtook me. In-between I also submitted greeting card designs to
various card publishers. While all this was going on I had various jobs,
travelled, got married and had 2 children, but the dream never went away.
When my 2 daughters reached primary school I made a firm commitment to
myself that I would put every ounce of effort into realising my dream and
not give up so easily, I couldn't bear the thought of looking back in later
years and regretting that I hadn't tried harder.
I have always looked for opportunities in the most obscure of places -
usually to no avail so I assumed things would be no different on the night I
came up with the idea that eventually led to my first published books.
I was attending a parents information evening at my daughters' school where
they were introducing a values program called "You Can Do It!Education". It
was quite an inspiring session and at the end of it the facilitator was
listing various well known children's books that embodied the values
featured in the program. I immediately thought of the possibility of
writing stories tailored exactly to the program. I approached the
facilitator at the end of the session with my idea. She said the creator of
the program - Dr. Michael Bernard - would be visiting Perth in a month or so
to run some workshops. She suggested I put some ideas together and she
would organise for me to attend one of the workshops in order to meet him.
I wrote two stories and did a couple of sample illustrations based on his
work and pitched my idea to him the following month at the workshop. He was
very interested in the idea and said he'd like to see the stories published,
suggesting that I would need to do another 3 stories to cover all the
topics.
I was very excited to think that my idea could actually lead to publication.
To cut a very long (3 years!) story short, Dr. Bernard subsequently
organised a Melbourne publisher for me - PTN Australia - and my series of 5
books has just been published. They are marketed under "You Can Do
It!Education" which has been established in hundreds of schools around
Australia. The books will be sold in bookshops and through "You Can Do It!
Education".
Each book is based on a habit of the mind - Lucy's Dream is about
persistence, The Turning Point is about confidence, Before the School Bell
is about organisation, A Girl Called Sally is about getting along and The
Goal Keeper is about resilience.
I'm hoping that these books will be the first of many and the beginning of a
new career!
USEFUL BOOKS/WEBSITES
Here is a quote from The Well of Lost Plots by Jasper Fforde. (Hodder &
Stoughton, 2003) pg49
"Books may look like nothing more than works on a page but they are
actually an infinitely complex Imagino-Transference technology that
translates odd inky squiggles into pictures inside your head."
The first part of this book (the third in a series) deals with the nature of
writing in a very funny, skewed fashion that sheds some light on the "what"
and "why" of my writing for children and the struggle all authors have to
get those pictures going in the mind of commissioning editors. The whole
series is full of insight (about, for example, the relationship of GPS with
ISBN and the perils of uncontrolled email and footnotes) and I am sure I
only get some of the jokes!
Gael
Here is a very useful link I came across a while ago:
Handbook for Technical Writers and Editors
http://stipo.larc.nasa.gov/sp7084/sp7084cont.html
It is set out like a book and covers such things as: grammar, sentence
structure, punctuation, capitalisation, titles, scientific names and titles
of works, just to name a few. Jenny:)
BOOK REVIEWS
Hope Bay written by Nicole Plüss
Published by Penguin Group (Australia)
YA fiction
Reviewed by Carol Faulkner
Hope Bay is a place where magic occurs. That's what it seems like to Possum,
the young girl who is passionate about her island home - its pristine
beaches, its laid-back lifestyle, its abundance of native flora and fauna.
The magic happens each evening when Possum follows Olga, the eccentric old
Dutchwoman, into the waters of Hope Bay to feed and greet the dolphins. Only
Olga can make the dolphins come near. Her method is a mystery, and her rules
are strict - don't go after the dolphins; let them come to you. And keep
physical contact to a minimum; the dolphins are wild, and must stay that
way.
But there is a threat to the beautiful wilderness of the island and its
dolphins. Tourists. Possum feels helpless against the tide of visitors who
don't share her respect for the natural environment.
When Olga suffers a stroke, she passes on a gift to Possum. The worthless
trinket - a makeshift bracelet of sinkers and fishing wire - becomes a
reminder of the special friendship they shared. But more than that, Possum
discovers that she alone holds the key to maintaining the magic of Hope Bay.
Plüss uses masterful language to create a heart-warming contemporary story,
interspersed with emotive flashbacks of Olga's experiences in war-torn
Holland. Issues of love and loss are dealt with powerfully but not
over-sentimentally. And who can resist those dolphins? A truly wonderful
read.
INDEPENDENT CHILDREN'S BOOKSHOPS
**Note this is a new section - please feel free to add to it**
FROM AUTHOR Paul Collins
Further to Di Bates' suggestion of a children's specialist directory, I'd
like to add:-
Athena at Readings Book Store
253 Bay Street
Port Melbourne
VIC 3207.
Athena is one of those children's booksellers that "lives" children's
literature. We need another few thousand of her.
Three other booksellers "who care" spring to mind:
Craig Stoddart
Warrnambool Books
112 Lava Street
Warrnambool
Vic 3280
Trevor and Liz Watt
Collins Booksellers
Shop 6
Spotlight Plaza
216-228 Raymond Street
Sale
Vic 3850.
C'mon, PIO subscribers, let's have more names for our own personal Hall of
Fame.
As an aside, next time you're tempted to get that discounted book at K-Mart
or wherever, remember, not only are you gypping the author of the book
(because we get next to nothing on those heavily discounted books), but
you're also eroding the livelihoods of the people who really do care about
our industry. Soon, there won't be any independent booksellers. And if you
think I'm being an alarmist, I'm sure the Booksellers Association can give
you a huge list of members who have been forced out of business. It's now
even common practice for librarians to take their credit cards into places
like K-mart (who don't make much on books but use them simply to draw people
into their stores!) and order their books. Library suppliers and independent
booksellers will become a thing of the past if we, as buyers, don't support
them.
INDEPENDENT WA CHILDREN'S BOOKSHOP
Westbooks WA
Contact: Celia Cole
celia@westbooks.com.au
http://www.westbooks.com.au/
Just wanted to add a couple of wonderful bookshops to your list. I'm sure
any PIO readers on the Mornington Peninsula already know of them, but here
they are anyway...
Robinsons Books & Coffee
3/11 Station Street
Frankston Vic 3199
03 9783 6488
robinsonsbooks@bigpond.com.au
www.robinsonsbooks.com.au
Stepping into this shop is like stepping into Diagon Alley. It's a hidden
delight, a large spacious shop with shelves full almost all the way to the
ceiling. Tucked away in the back corner is a delightful coffee lounge. The
range is extensive, the staff incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. They
also offer free delivery on the Mornington Peninsula.
Farrell's Bookshop
143 Main Street
Mornington Vic 3931
03 5975 5034
info@farrells.com.au
A great range, and very supportive of local authors.
Regards,
Marianne Guy
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES
Dorothy C. Fontana:
"You can't say, I won't write today because that excuse will extend into
several days, then several months, then...you are not a writer anymore, just
someone who dreams about being a writer."
Mae West:
"Everything's in the mind. That's where it all starts. Knowing what you want
is the first step toward getting it."
ADVERTISEMENTS
How to Self Edit (To Improve Writing Skills) by Dianne Bates
(Emerald Publishers, India, 2005)
ISBN 81 7966 159 8
PB 118 pp
Cost: $15 RRP/$20 posted
Ideal for writers from high school students to adults who wish to improve
the quality of their writing, this book contains hundreds of examples, 500
practise exercises (and suggested revisions), quotes from published authors,
glossary of terms and many suggestions for less skilled writers. It is also
ideal for ESL students & teachers and for new migrants. Now available from
James Bennett Pty Ltd and AES (Library Suppliers) or $20 posted to
author/editor Dianne Bates c% www.enterprisingwords.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For anyone wishing to subscribe to the industry magazine, Australian
Bookseller and Publisher, here is what you get for your money, in addition
to the magazine itself:
- a new twice-yearly Schools Bookseller & Publisher supplement, focusing
exclusively on the primary and secondary education markets
- a new Campus Bookseller & Publisher supplement covering tertiary
publishing and bookselling
- a special audio books supplement including a free CD sampler of
forthcoming audio books
- an expanded review section - still the only place where you'll find
Australian books reviewed before they are published
- expanded rights and acquisitions coverage (now every month)
- expanded coverage of international book fairs (we now report directly from
Frankfurt, and also this year from the London Book Fair for the first time)
Alexandra Grantham
Subscriptions Manager
Thorpe-Bowker
PO BOX 101
Port Melbourne
Vic 3207 Australia
PH: 03 8645 0301
Fax: 03 8645 0368
PASS IT ON SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Submit contributions to jacket@smartchat.net.au
Comic Sans MS, 12pt, 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
Jackie Hosking
Editor/Compiler "PASS IT ON"
www.jackiehosking.com
posted by Jackie at 10:54 PM
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