Roving (Captain) Revealed - Meet Dimity Powell

Well shiver me timbers I’ve just about run out of crew for you to meet. A wise captain never gives the exact location of her treasure but seeing as you’ve now had a good peak into my treasure chest (read; Roving Reporter team) you might as well get to know a bit more about the mad lass helming the wheel.

In our final instalment of Rovers Revealed, may I introduce you to…me, Dimity Powell.

Dimity Powell aka Chef de Brigade of Rovers

Dimity Powell aka Chef de Brigade of Rovers

Gold Coast children’s author, Dimity Powell considered herself a ‘bridesmaid author’ for a very long time, always shortlisted rather than spotlighted. That was until people started asking for her word-webs to include in anthologies, junior novels, school magazines, picture books, and even digital apps, one of which was Shortlisted for the WA Premier’s Books Awards 2016. Her picture book, The Fix It Man will reach bookshelves by March 2017. This makes her happier than a bear eating ice cream. She writes exclusively for kids because it’s crazy good fun and because she believes kids and great stories are life-essentials, like ice cream. Her writing ambitions are modest although she’d consider giving up sugar to hear one of her picture books read on Play School. Meanwhile, she enjoys her role as a devotee to children’s literature by giving writing workshops for children and adults and reviewing as many ‘must-share’ titles as she can online.

Unearth more at Dim’s Write Stuff.

Is this your first SCWBI Conference? If not how many have you attended, where?

This will be my second Conference. The first was two years ago in Sydney. This is what happened - SCBWI Sydney 2014 Conference.

What is the most memorable (SCBWI) Conference experience you’ve had to date, or hope to have?

My inaugural conference was memorable to the nth degree. It was a glorious consolidation of knowledge and literary relationships. I found the whole experience enriching and very satisfying, which sounds a bit unspecific but the thing that stuck was the ‘vibe’ I received from being there. Of course, it would be great to have a manuscript requested but that’s just icing on an otherwise already delicious cake.

As a creator in the Kids Literary Industry, what do you want to be best known for?

My propensity for story sharing, both the stories of others and my own. And that whatever I create is done with integrity and heart. To know my words are tucked away on a bookshelf somewhere and loved by someone is the best ending of all.

Name one thing you cannot live without.

At some point in any day, I will need my hairbrush. I really come undone without it. And did I mention my need for ice cream…?

Stick around for more interesting tip bits and updates from our Reporters as we steer our team into Sydney Harbour in September, ever closer to the SCBWI 2016 Conference.

Till then, Rove you Later!

Dimity

#SCBWISyd

 

 

 

Meet the Team # 6

Well me lads and lassies, we have just about worked our way through our marvellous motley crew. In my view, they are all best, but someone had to go last. These two personify talent and drive. So as our good ship glides ever closer to Sydney shores, settle back and meet the last two of our Roving Reporter Conference Blogging team, Rachel Noble and Sheryl Gwyther.

Rachel Noble

Rachel Noble

Rachel Noble

Rachel is a picture book writer, committed to writing stories that delight, comfort and give children wonderful dreams. Fortunately for her, she has four wonderful children to try them out on (the best focus group ever).  Rachel has her first picture book under contract with New York based press, Enchanted Lion. FINN’S FEATHER (inspired by her late son Hamish), is about a boy who finds a feather and believes his brother (in Heaven) has sent it. The feather becomes a symbol of his love and grief. Soon, he starts to play with feather and it becomes an object of joy and ultimately, hope. This book is slated for US Fall, 2017.  She’s excited about her trip to New York straight after the SCBWI conference. 

Rachel is an ex- ABC radio producer and journalist and has loved telling stories her whole life (some true, some not-so-true).  Her ambition is to keep writing children’s stories that make a difference and to continue to her honour her son through her work.  She lives on the Sunshine Coast and is proud to be a part of the new Sunshine Coast sub-branch in Queensland, headed by Aleesah Darlison. 

You can read more about Rachel, here.

 Is this your first SCBWI Conference?

Yes and I’m terribly excited about it. Writing can be such a lonely business, so meeting with others who don’t glaze over when you start talking about writing is thrilling!

What is the most memorable (SCBWI) Conference experience you’ve had to date, or hope to have?

I expect to have a wonderful time connecting with names and faces I’ve only ‘spoken' to online. I will be child-free, so I am looking forward to kicking up my heels (in a responsible manner!) at the Opening Dinner.

As a creator in the Kids Literary Industry, what do you want to be best known for?

I write from the heart. As my own distinct voice begins to develop, I realise I want to write books that matter (in a non-diadactic way).

Name one thing you cannot live without.

One thing? Surely you mean three things!  Apart from the obvious (family, friends etc.), I can not live without my notebook, MacBook and my memories. Without these things, I am nothing. 

Sheryl Gwyther

Sheryl Gwyther writes children’s novels, school plays, short stories and chapter books, and flash-fiction for adults. Many of her short stories and plays appear in The School Magazine.

Sheryl Gwyther

Sheryl Gwyther

Sheryl’s awards include two ASA Mentorships and two May Gibbs Children’s Literature Trust Fellowships. A SCBWI International Work of Outstanding Promise Grant for her mid-grade historical adventure, Sweet Adversity made Sheryl the first non-American to win this award.

As SCBWI ARA for Queensland and a former director on the Board of the Australian Society of Authors, Sheryl is a passionate advocate for children’s literature.

See how passionate she is, here.

Is this your first SCWBI Conference? If not how many have you attended, where?

This is my 4th SCBWI Conference. The first, in 2010 was amazing and I was hooked. Meeting, for the first time writers and illustrators, many of whom have become my dear friends; and actually talking to publishers is something one never had the chance to do back then. Another highlight was meeting Susanne Gervay and her wonderful, Hughenden Hotel. What a splendid home and backdrop it was for us over the past conferences – we will miss her beauty and history.

But onwards and upwards! This year at the Menzies Hotel will be brilliant. We could meet in an outback shearing shed and it would be just as fabulous! Why? Because we are part of the SCBWI Tribe. And when the Tribe gets together, the world of children’s books zings!

What is the most memorable (SCBWI) Conference experience you’ve had to date, or hope to have?

My most memorable experience at a SCBWI Conference? Pitching my JF novel, Fangus Fearheart (aka Fearbottom) at the 2014 Conference. I was a bit nervous standing up in front of 250 people, including a fabulous line-up of publishers and agents (like Lisa Berryman!) But it was an amazing experience, and very good pitching practice. Excellent feedback too!  So gird your loins and your lions of courage, folk. I hope you get the chance to do it too!

As a creator in the Kids Literary Industry, what do you want to be best known for?

I'd love to be best known for fabulous short stories for kids (love this genre to bits!), and the real love of my life, capturing history and fascinating characters in my two work-in-progress novels. I promise you will love these feisty girls!

What’s the one thing I can’t live without, Dimity? Writing, of course. Storytelling! Creating things, whether in words or art. And music! How could one live without music? Especially Antonio Lucio Vivaldi! Such genius. Of course, I couldn’t live without my family. And my close friends from the world of children’s books. And exploring the world. And… oh, sorry, Dimity … you said ONE thing, didn’t you? There I go, breaking rules again.

Ah Sheryl, some rules are made to be broken!

Sheryl forgot to mentioned she is also this captain's best mate, as inright-hand-man, following her enthusiastic leadership of our Roving Reporters team in 2014. Looking forward to working together again!

Meanwhile, keep your eyes peeled for one final Meet and Greet instalment next week.

Till then, Rove you later!

Dimity

#SCBWISyd

 

Rovers Revealed # 5

Greetings fellow Conference goers and landlubbers! We hope by now the ink on your paper is dry and your submissions, illustrations, and pitches are reaching a point of pirate-gold-glamour and shine! For those not pitching their wares or attending this year’s SCBWI Sydney Conference, here is the next in our series of Meet and Greet posts where you get the chance to learn more about some of the members who’ll be roving the conference rooms for tantalising titbits of information to relay back to you.

This week we feature a woman who can juggle more balls than an Ashton Brothers Circus clown, Susan Whelan and the quietly creative, Leigh Roswen. Welcome aboard, ladies!

 Susan Whelan

Susan Whelan

Susan Whelan

 Susan Whelan is the author of the picture books Don’t Think About Purple Elephants and The Great Sock Secret and Managing Editor of popular children’s literature website Kids’ Book Review.

Susan has a keen interest in the topics of diversity in fiction for children and teens, and the promotion of STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) topics through stories.

Susan has a passion for writing stories that start conversations. She is a supporter of the Lake Macquarie Paint the Lake REaD program, a Books in Homes role model, and an advocate for children’s literacy.

Is this your first SCWBI Conference?

This is my very first SCBWI Conference.

What is the most memorable (SCBWI) Conference experience you’ve had to date, or hope to have?

I’m really looking forward to meeting in real life many of the authors and illustrators that I chat with regularly online.

As a creator in the Kids Literary Industry, what do you want to be best known for?

Susan's debut picture book

Susan's debut picture book

Personally, I’d love to be known as someone who is friendly and encouraging. Professionally, I’d like to be someone who creates stories that start conversations.

Name one thing you cannot live without.

A good book!

 

 

Leigh Roswen

Leigh Roswen

Leigh Roswen

Leigh Roswen is quite old… but new to the world of writing. She is an ex-medical scientist, qualified librarian and accounts clerk. Leigh is mother to two unruly young adults and a needy dog. She enjoys writing short fiction for both adults and children. She’s had some success in short story competitions and has been published in the South Coast Writers anthology. Her blog leighroswen.com has book reviews and posts on creativity and backyard nature - featuring her own photographs. She is currently writing a middle-grade historical fantasy.

Is this your first SCWBI Conference?

This is the first SCWBI conference for me.

What is the most memorable (SCBWI) Conference experience you’ve had to date, or hope to have?

I hope to get to know other writers and learn from their experience.

As a creator in the Kids Literary Industry, what do you want to be best known for?

I like to be known as published author (one day) that created memorable characters and warm friendships in her writing.

Name one thing you cannot live without.

My mid-morning cuppa tea and bed socks. (that’s two, and I still haven’t mentioned my family or my computer - but I should).

Hang onto your pencils; we have a few more crew-members to meet yet, so stick around for the next exciting instalment.

Until then, Rove you later!

Dimity

#SCBWISyd