Our final speaker, Jane Godwin, is a multiple award winner for her books and also a publisher of books for young readers at Penguin Books Australia. She outlined twenty nine things she has learnt in both roles, claiming each new book presents another challenge. To condense these a little:
· Every new book ultimately reflects one’s taste.
· The book is the result of a relationship between creators and publisher.
· A schedule must be established between author and illustrator.
· People have very different ways of reading.
· She likes books to be inventive and take risks.
· Publishers and creators can’t control everything, no matter how hard they try.
· Both creators and publishers should enjoy the process.
· Know your market: education, bookshops, discount stores etc.
· She is never elated at the end of a project, always thinks it could be better.
· The writer and the publisher wear different hats.
· A book can be published in many different ways.
· No matter what the future holds, there will always be a place for paper books.
· Writing and illustrating is always hard. We are ‘compost heaps’ who use all our experiences in our work.
· Constructive criticism can be helpful. Mistakes will still happen.
· Writing what you don’t know encourages research and imagination.
· Character is everything. Without convincing characters a book will fail.
· It is important to find your own voice.
· Don’t be obsessed by markets.
· Don’t see children as all the same.
· Keep an idea or character in your head even when you aren’t creating.
All this information was appreciated by both established and emerging creators.
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