The Craft and Passion of Inspirational Books with Julia Marshall

The creation of children’s books is never easy and it is not meant to be, that being the most telling point from acclaimed publisher Julia Marshall from Gecko Press in NZ.

Renowed for publishing gentle, considered and intelligent books, Gecko Press has been recognised as Bologna Best Children’s Publisher and with the New Zealand Best Publisher of the Year award. Julia is also on the board of the New Zealand Book Council

What makes a beautiful book? Julia believes talent is imperative but more importantly, it requires commitment, discipline, and dedication to art.

“They deserve years of hard work,” she said. “Celebrate the difficulty of it.”

Julia’s other key points were:

• The making of children’s books has to be one of the most rewarding careers. We are rich but not always in hard coin.

• Writing is hard, illustrating is hard, publishing is hard and that is how it should be.

• The craft of making a book good, must also require work on the part of the reader and we must encourage that.

• She is drawn to stories that celebrate the quiet voice. There is so much noise in the world.

• Create stories with a good heart, strong characters; an intelligent strong core with, yes, a beginning, middle and end.

• Stay true to your own voice and be unafraid of trying new things. Reach into that deep part of you. Go on adventures and take risk. Sometimes the best books come out of nowhere…from a risky place.

Julia says to never underestimate the intelligence of children. “If it’s not good enough for adults, it’s not good enough for children.”

“IT’S THE CONNECTION WITH READERS THAT MAKES BOOKS GREAT”

We don’t know which ones are great until they’ve been in the world a number of years. The reader must always be at the heart of everything we do.

by Rachel Nobel

author Finn’s Feather

Behind the Scenes: Meet the Faculty Marjorie Crosby-Fairall

What better way to beat the summer heat than to settle back in your pool lounger and soak up some more cool behind the scenes snippets from our SCBWI team. Marjorie Crosby-Fairall is the Assistant Regional Adviser for AusNZ and one fine illustrator so strap on your swimming caps and welcome, Marjorie!

When Marjorie was a little girl she often escaped to the library, spending hours devouring picture books and minutely examining their illustrations. Consequently it was a surprise to no one that she decided to become an illustrator.

Marjorie has illustrated several children’s books and her magazine work includes The School Magazine and Australian Geographic. Her books appear on the Premier’s Reading Challenge lists and have been shortlisted and won awards, including the CBCA Eve Pownall Award for her first picture book.

Her picture books include Brothers from a Different Mother (Penguin Random House) and The Croc and the Platypus (Walker Books). She also has upcoming picture books with Susanne Gervay and Deborah Abela.

Released November 2016, One Christmas Eve (by Corinne Fenton for Black Dog Books an imprint of Walker Books) was the inspiration for the 2016 Meyer Christmas Windows in Melbourne.

Soak up more of Marjorie’s exquisite art here, www.crosby-fairall.com

Briefly state your conference role and conference responsibilities

I am the Assistant Regional Advisor Australia East & New Zealand which means I sort of run around behind Susanne—and along with the rest of the committee—try to put structure to all her irrepressible and enthusiastic ideas! As far as the Conference goes, my responsibilities include organising bookings, the website and general design.

Describe your most notable achievement or proudest moment in Kids’ Lit to date

There have been so many highlights but one that was certainly unique was illustrating One Christmas Eve by Corinne Fenton, which was the inspiration for the 2016 Meyer Christmas Windows in Melbourne. More recently, I’ve had the opportunity to illustrate upcoming picture books with both Susanne Gervay and Deborah Abela. What a treat it has been to collaborate with my friends!

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

So many! I had a wonderful and exhausting time at the Winter Conference in New York. And I’ve loved being able to meet the various SCBWI members who I’ve only previously known via email. But most of all I’ve enjoyed all the fun we have as a committee working to organise the Sydney Conference, culminating in that final sigh of relief when it’s all over and we can fall into an exhausted heap.

Name one thing you can’t live without

A good book.

Provide at least one Fun Fact from a SCBWI Conference you’ve attended or organised (anywhere in the world)

Four of my most recent book contracts came from a Portfolio review at the last Conference.

There’s more to come so come back again for another refreshing behind the scenes look. And remember…The 2019 Sydney Conference is ALMOST SOLD OUT!
Yes, that's right. The conference is ALMOST sold out. Here's what we have left:

• 5 conference tickets

• 5 dinner dance tickets (dinner is optional and not included in the conference ticket price)

• Due to popular demand, we have opened places in Zoe Walton's Masterclass. Please click here to book but be quick!

• 3 international manuscript critiques (all other critiques are sold out)

• a few places in Masterclasses with James Foley and Dianne Evans.

Hope on line now to secure your everything!

Rove ya later!

Dimity (Head Gardener)

www.dimitypowell.com

#SCBWISyd