Chapter Two: Ascending Action with a Big Twist! Bologna Brief with Frances Plumpton

Frances Plumpton in conversation with Susanne Gervay

Held over four days in the European spring, the Bologna Book Fair is a working trade fair in Italy especially for children’s literature. Literary agent and head of SCBWI in New Zealand, Frances Plumpton represented Australia and New Zealand at the Book Fair.

Some points Frances made:

• SCBWI International only has a booth at the Fair every two years so it’s best to attend in those years otherwise it can be a lonely time.
• SCBWI members from across the globe are welcome to meet others here and use it as a place ‘of refuge’ in the massive area.
• The next SCBWI-attended one will be in 2018.
• In 2016, there were over 1200 exhibitors. 98 countries and 55 languages were represented in the books and illustrations. 131 literary agents attended and so did 25,000 attendees.
• IBBY also has a booth there.

Presenting at Bologna:

You can showcase your own book, but this year Frances represented our regional showcase which allowed people to browse through the books she’d brought. They included books from our two countries.

Some illustrators are able to get critiques with top illustrators and art directors. You can also sit at the SCBWI booth’s table and illustrate for the public as they walk past. The booth has a digital display as well. Frances also reminded authors they need to know if they have translation rights when presenting their books.

Illustrators have the chance to pin up an example of their art with business card on The Art Wall – a magnificent sight apparently.

Frances thought authors might have better chances to present their work at the smaller publishers’ booths. Certainly worth having conversations with them.

Anyone can buy the books at the end of the Fair, and most of the books are donated to the International Youth Library in Munich. Fellowships and grants are available here which may be worth checking out. http://www.scholarshipportal.com/students/browse/scholarship/1017/international-youth-library-munich-fellowship-programme.html

Frances also offered some great advice if you visit the Book Fair – don’t book your stay in the cheaper accommodation near the Fair site as it’s too far out of town in an industrial area. Best to be in the city itself – the connecting public transport is excellent.

There is so much to see in Bologna besides the Book Fair!

Jackie French and Gregg Dreise among those at this year's Bologna Book Fair

SCBWI creator and conference delegate, Peter Taylor then responded to Susanne’s quest for questions:

'Time was tight and when Susanne asked for ‘one last very quick question’, and instead I took the microphone and gave a short account of my Bologna experience in 2010. That was obviously unplanned and I would have liked to have prepared and said more.

While gatekeepers kept me out of the stands of Usborne and Walker Books, for example, when I arrived well-dressed between other publishers’ appointments, their personnel asked who I was and what I was looking at, wondering if I was their next appointee. I said ‘I am an author looking to see if you have any books likely to compete with my new one....’ (they were all curious to find out if mine would compete with a book of theirs, and were eager to chat) ‘…and I’m also looking to see if you have any gaps in your list that I may be able to fill.’

Publishers often do want a book on a specific subject, but don’t advertise the fact.

I studied a wide range of papercrafts at art colleges and in the past I’ve also been a biologist, school teacher, museum curator and natural history freak.

My book at that time was Practical Calligraphy, pub. Hinkler Books, and a Canadian publisher at Bologna also had a new calligraphy book on their stand. They said ‘…but we didn’t really want a calligraphy book. What we actually wanted a book on drawing borders, but we didn’t find anyone to write it.’ What an opportunity! I can send a proposal and sample chapter on a creating border designs…

Trying the same lines at the London Book Fair, I suggested to one publisher, GMC Publications, that I could write a ‘Fun Lettering for Children’ book for them, but they said ‘What we’d really like is a book for adults on Calligraphy for Greetings Cards and Scrapbooking’ – which I created over two years and didn’t follow up on other leads.

At Bologna and the LBF, I also found publishers wanting books written on papermaking, recipes that children can cook, the sea shore, baby elephants, fungi, kangaroos, small furry animals, and more. I wonder if any of the publishers still want a book on any of these topics – I’ve kept their business cards…

But just knowing that a publisher wants a book on fungi may not be enough to write a successful proposal and sample chapters. Attending Bologna is useful to see the overseas publisher’s ‘house style’, especially in a series, and their books may never appear on a bookstore or library shelf for consultation in Australia.'

SCBWI at the Bologna Book Fair 2016 (essential reading) http://bologna.scbwi.org/scbwi-bologna-book-fair-2016/the-wrap/

Australia/New Zealand at the Bologna Book Fair: http://www.scbwiaustralianz.com/our-blog/2016/1/28/scbwi-stand-at-the-bologna-book-fair-april-4-7-2016

THE BOLOGNA BOOK FAIR 2017… http://www.bookfair.bolognafiere.it/en/home/878.html

 Thank you, Frances and Susanne for this very interesting session. It certainly whetted my appetite to attend the Fair one day.

Sheryl Gwyther Roving Reporter

#SCBWISyd

Chapter Two: 100 years of The School Magazine

The panel

A Centenary of School Magazine with (Editor) Alan Edwards, (Contributors) Sheryl Gwyther, Marjorie Crosby-Fairall and Wendy Fitzgerald and (Graphic Designer) Josemalene Ruaya.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of The School Magazine, which began publication in 1916 and is now the longest running children’s literary publication in the world. To commemorate this momentous occasion SCBWI included a panel discussion about the School Magazine and their publication process, as a part of the 2016 Conference. Chaired by Sheryl Gwyther, author   and prolific contributor for the magazine, the panel provided an interesting and informative overview of the magazine’s process and it’s glorious 100-year history.

For those who don’t know, The School Magazine is Australia’s foremost literary magazine for children, filled with texts of literary merit that encourage children to read for pleasure and explore stories. Editor Alan Edwards says “we are trying to instill a love of reading in our young students and I think we have done a pretty good job of that over the last century”.

In honor of their birthday The School Magazine has recently released “For Keeps” An anthology of stories, poems and plays from the last century of publications. It is a visual and literary feast for adults and children alike. I spoke with designer, Wendy Rapee, about her choices in putting together this gorgeous treasury.

“It was with a sense of nostalgia I approached this task, so the palette is soft and slightly dusty. Right from the start I wanted to contextualise the pieces for kids of today as well as evoking nostalgia for past readers."

The School Magazine publishes 4 different magazines aimed at children in years 3, 4, 5 and 6 at school.

• Countdown (year 3)
• Blast Off (year 4)
• Orbit (year 5)
• Touch Down (year 6)

They produce 40 magazines a year along with 40 teaching guides, with each issue lovingly assembled by a hardworking and dedicated team including panelists Alan Edwards and Josemalene Ruaya.

Jose is The School Magazine’s only graphic designer, single handedly responsible for the look and layout of 40 publications per year. Jose gave a fascinating breakdown of her design process and philosophy for the magazine saying

“I tend to design to make our pieces inviting to read and to make sure that the layout and the illustrations and graphics support and enrich the text rather than overwhelm it…we use illustration in many different ways. We always try to add something else that there isn’t space for in the text, we always try to support what’s going on in the text and add value to what’s already there”

The School Magazine has had the input of some of Australia's most prominent children's writers and illustrators throughout their 100-year existence, including but certainly not limited to, Aaron Blabey, Sarah Davis, Duncan Ball, Patricia Wrightson and Ursula Dubosarsky and panelists, Sheryl Gwyther and Wendy Fitzgerald.

Wendy Fitzgerald discussing her latest contribution

As a matter of fact Neridah McMullin’s new picture book “Fabish” came from a story originally published in “Blast Off “Magazine in 2011. The School Magazine has a reputation for inspiring books and launching careers.

But anyone involved in the world of children’s books and primary education already knows this, what made the SCBWI session stand out from all the other celebrations this year, was the way it detailed The School Magazine’s process from submission to publication. Providing a real insight for writers and illustrators about submitting their work and what to expect when they do.

A couple of interesting facts;

• The School Magazine is one of the last publications in Australia that accepts unsolicited manuscripts.
• It is also one of the last places that will publish poetry now, making it’s existence even more important on the literary stage for writers and readers alike.

So if anyone is interested in submitting to the School Magazine and wants to know what happens once you do, the process is pretty simple.

For writers:

• The School Magazine accepts prose, stories, plays, poetry and fiction. 
• When a manuscript comes in the assessment process usually takes about 4 months and it is read by 3 or 4 different people, before having a decision made on whether it will be accepted or not.
• Once a submission has been accepted the magazine contacts the author, purchases the piece AND pays them straight away!

"Choice is driven by the quality of the writing." Alan Edwards on the submission decision process

How to submit to The School Magazine

Just another great advantage for contributors to The School Magazine, they pay upon purchase and their purchase is for single use only. So if they want to use your work again, you get paid again, at a reduced rate. Once the piece has been purchased they will wait for the right issue to come up before placing it. Generally you will know when it’s time because a copy of The School Magazine arrives, like a present, in your mailbox.

"Everything we do must add value to the text" Josemalene Ruaya on magazine design

For Illustrators,:

• The School Magazine provides a rotating cycle of opportunity by having a pool of illustrators it draws upon year round, choosing the illustrator that best suits the written work.
• Submissions are open for certain periods of time each year, usually June to July but this can change, so it ‘s best to keep an eye on the website. 
• Just like with written work, illustrators also retain their rights and purchase is for a single use only.

"Illuminate not decorate" Marjorie Crosby-Fairall on her illustrative briefs

Marjorie Crosby-Fairall discussing the magazine's illustrative briefs

Throughout this panel one point became abundantly clear, EVERYONE has nothing but reverence and deep respect for The School Magazine. The people who work to bring it to life, are deeply impassioned individuals who strive to expose our kids to quality literature.  To be accepted as a contributor is an honor, a validation of literary merit and something people own with great pride. So why not try submitting your work and see where The School Magazine could take you too…

Kel Butler Roving Reporter

#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 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’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