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25 June 2011
New Writers Need to Do Their Research... I often meet new writers who are keen to write children's books – but after a few questions I discover that they know nothing about the market they are hoping to break into. Sometimes they don't even read children's books.
Christchurch City Libraries have produced a webpage on writing and illustrating for children, focusing on the New Zealand market. This is available at Christchurch City Libraries.
The page provides basic advice to new children's writers, and I'm taking the liberty of quoting a paragraph: "Aspiring authors should make a point of becoming conversant with successful contemporary New Zealand and overseas titles in the particular area or age group that they wish to write for."
If you don't know where to start reading, visit Maria Gill's book review blog which focuses on New Zealand children's books. Many of the reviews are written by me, as well as other published authors.
7 April 2011
Oldies but goodies... It's hard to promote books that are a few years old. Bookseller displays, publishers' promotions and national awards are mostly aimed at selling new books. So I was delighted to hear that Walker Books Australia has just set up a new Lightning Strikes website to promote their popular Lightning Strikes series (which includes my book Haunted). The website features the 18 titles published so far – with plot summaries, author details and classroom activities. These fast-paced and slightly off-beat stories for 9 to 13 year-olds are well worth another look.
Scholastic NZ is another publisher who provides solid support for previously-published books. They are currently re-jacketing their My Story historical series with snappy titles and striking cover images. They are looking at a new title and cover for my book A Long Way From Home: The Diary of Lillian Glenmore, Warkworth, 1943, so I will be interested to see what they choose. Visit their website for Teaching Notes on a large number of in-print Scholastic titles.
20 January 2011
Two excellent opportunities... Firstly, check out the list of Recommended Books for Boys, recently updated by its creator, Wayne Mills. In his roles as university lecturer and as Quizmaster of the global Kids Lit Quiz, Wayne is frequently asked to recommend books that will get boys reading. This list is the result of Wayne's vast knowledge of children's books. I am privileged to be able to make the list available on Story-Go-Round.
Secondly, if you're trying to break into writing or illustrating children's books, book your place at the Spinning Tales National Children's Writers' and Illustrators' Hui, Auckland, 1-3 April. You will meet NZ's top authors and illustrators, learn how to impress publishers, understand the elements of successful novel writing, have the chance to pitch your work to a panel of publishers ... and enjoy many more sessions aimed at both beginning and experienced authors and illustrators. Don't pass up this opportunity to inspire yourself!
3 November 2010
If you want to write children's books and get them published... Writing books for children is a skill that has to be developed and honed like any other skill. One way of doing this is to attend a course. I will be tutoring a four-day course on writing fiction for children and teenagers in early January 2011 for the Auckland University Continuing Education Centre. This will be the second year of the course.
We will look at genres, age levels, story structure, good writing techniques, picture books, chapter books for children and teenagers, presenting manuscripts, and promoting yourself in the current market. There will be a selection of the latest NZ children's books to examine.
Click here for more information and an enrolment form.
If you can't do a writing course, think about attending the Spinning Tales National Children's Writers' and Illustrators' Hui, being held in Auckland, 1-3 April 2011. There will be sessions for both beginners and experienced writers. See you there!
27 September 2010
When acceptances are few... The economic recession is still biting. Now is the time to think creatively about how you can be involved in the children's literature scene rather than having a hole in your writing CV.
Set up a website or blog on which you can publish short stories or excerpts from novels. Look for opportunities to publish reviews of recent children's books (for an example, check out KidsBooksNZ). Join a discussion group on writing for children. Use Facebook to keep in contact with local children's writers (but DON'T ask them to critique your work!). If you do want a critique, set up or join a local children's writers' group (see Kiwi Write4Kidz).
Join the Storylines Foundation. Attend the Spinning Tales Hui in 2011. Sign up for a course in writing for children – I will be taking a 4-day course in 2010 for the Continuing Education Centre of the University of Auckland. Whatever you do – keep chasing your goal.
24 May 2010
Exciting Events The Storylines Foundation is already gearing up for the Storylines Festival in August. Visit www.storylines.org.nz for more details. But I can already tell you that I will be running a writing class for students on Saturday 21 August as part of the Festival, and I will be a featured author at the Auckland Family Day on Sunday 22 August, along with a lot of other children’s authors.
A huge amount of work by volunteers goes into making this Festival an enduring success, and I'm very excited to be part of it this year.
A new initiative to promote New Zealand children’s literature has just started. This is called BookTalks, and it's been organised by CORE Education, a research and professional development not-for-profit organisation, with support from the New Zealand Book Council.
Schools can use Skype to set up interviews between pupils and participating authors. I am registered with BookTalks, and I'd love to talk to young readers via computer screen about my books. I'm ready and waiting!
January 2010
New Zealand Book Month Authors are always delighted to receive fan mail from young readers. As part of the 2009 New Zealand Book Month celebrations, a competition called Wordbank was organised. Young readers were asked to write a letter to the author of one of their favourite books.
The organisers sent me some of the letters written about my books. They were great fun to read. Here are some extracts from the letters. Many thanks to these readers.
From Disha on Haunted: "Your book is filled with so much suspense that when it was time for me to sleep I just groaned and moaned and made a tantrum about why I can't continue reading."
From Thalia on Cross Tides: "Your book was a great reminder of New Zealand history and you portrayed it in a way which was exciting and fresh."
From Raymond on Ratso: I have just finished reading your book Ratso and I think it's funny because Mum said Dad's fishing jumper stinks to high heaven."
From Connor on A Long Way From Home: "A Long Way From Home is full of surprises, emotion and strength. The characters ... are woven together in a tight, heart-wrenching plot."
From Caitlin on Fish Tale: "I think many people will relate to this story. I really liked the fact that Kathleen went through all that trouble just to help her Grandfather to feel happy again."
October 2009
Two Raves I recently attended the launch of The Word Witch: The Magical Verse of Margaret Mahy, edited by Tessa Duder and illustrated by David Elliot (HarperCollins NZ, ISBN 978 1 86950 707 7). This stunning anthology contains 66 poems and verse stories, including well-known favourites such as Down the Back of the Chair and Bubble Trouble. Each poem has been illustrated in expansive and whimsical style by David Elliot. This is a must-buy book for readers of all ages. A little bird told me the first print run sold out before the book was even launched!
I was one of the lucky writers who attended the Spinning Gold Conference for Children's Writers and Illustrators in Wellington last month. The conference gave all participants a much-needed dose of encouragement and enthusiasm in these recession-affected times. It certainly boosted my morale and gave me much to think about. Many thanks to the dedicated organisers from the Wellington Children's Literature Association, especially Fifi Colston and Maureen Crisp.
20 July 2009
Latest trends in children's literature. I often meet aspiring children's writers who haven't made any effort to locate tools to help them with their writing. If you're really serious about writing children's books, surely it's common sense to get hold of publications that will update you on the latest trends in children's literature.
Magpies is an Australian review magazine with a New Zealand section. There are five issues a year, and the annual subscription is $53. It contains articles about the children's literature scene in Australia and New Zealand, as well as reviews of new books. For more information visit Magpies.
Barbara Murison (of Marigold Enterprises) publishes a quarterly children's book review magazine called Around the Bookshops. As well as reviews (many of them by children) she always includes an article relating to children's literature in New Zealand, often an author interview. The annual subscription is only $36.50. For more information visit www.marigold.co.nz.
Both magazines are well worth the subscriptions.
30 April 2009
Local publishers are obviously being hit by the current recession. More and more publishers are announcing that they are not accepting unsolicited manuscripts except those sent in by agents, and in some cases they are only publishing commissioned work. Publishers seem to be staying with the tried and true, rather than taking a punt on a new author or a non-mainstream story.
This makes life even more difficult for writers trying to get that crucial first book published. My advice for writers in this situation is to analyse the book market very closely (What is being published? Why did it get accepted?), take every opportunity to get your name known in local children's literature networks (join organisations, do volunteer work, publish on the internet, write book reviews, write articles), and have your manuscripts assessed by a professional assessor (it costs money but it's worth it).
You also need a great deal of determination - and a significant helping of luck!
10 April 2009
Welcome to my new Story-Go-Round website.
I built the first version of Story-Go-Round in 2000, using Microsoft Frontpage. In those days it was okay to have a fairly amateurish website as long as your content was interesting. But nine years later the expectations of most web visitors are much higher. Websites need to be visually attractive as well as expertly designed. I was delighted to employ Heather Arnold, graphic artist and winner of the 2008 Elsie Locke Award, to design the new version of Story-Go-Round.
The focus of the new version is considerably narrower. I have excluded all the pages that don't relate directly to my own writing (with one exception, see below). For eight years I have updated the Reviews pages and the News and Views page on a monthly basis - stealing time from my writing to do so. Nowadays I can't afford to spare that time.
Most of the information that was once on Story-Go-Round is now available in other websites and blogs, so I have no qualms about omitting it.
I am pleased to retain Wayne Mills' Recommended Books for Boys List. Wayne is an international expert in this field, as well as keeping himself incredibly busy with his Kids’ Lit Quiz, and I am honoured that he still wants to publish his list on Story-Go-Round.
New Writers Need to Do Their Research... I often meet new writers who are keen to write children's books – but after a few questions I discover that they know nothing about the market they are hoping to break into. Sometimes they don't even read children's books.
Christchurch City Libraries have produced a webpage on writing and illustrating for children, focusing on the New Zealand market. This is available at Christchurch City Libraries.
The page provides basic advice to new children's writers, and I'm taking the liberty of quoting a paragraph: "Aspiring authors should make a point of becoming conversant with successful contemporary New Zealand and overseas titles in the particular area or age group that they wish to write for."
If you don't know where to start reading, visit Maria Gill's book review blog which focuses on New Zealand children's books. Many of the reviews are written by me, as well as other published authors.
7 April 2011
Oldies but goodies... It's hard to promote books that are a few years old. Bookseller displays, publishers' promotions and national awards are mostly aimed at selling new books. So I was delighted to hear that Walker Books Australia has just set up a new Lightning Strikes website to promote their popular Lightning Strikes series (which includes my book Haunted). The website features the 18 titles published so far – with plot summaries, author details and classroom activities. These fast-paced and slightly off-beat stories for 9 to 13 year-olds are well worth another look.
Scholastic NZ is another publisher who provides solid support for previously-published books. They are currently re-jacketing their My Story historical series with snappy titles and striking cover images. They are looking at a new title and cover for my book A Long Way From Home: The Diary of Lillian Glenmore, Warkworth, 1943, so I will be interested to see what they choose. Visit their website for Teaching Notes on a large number of in-print Scholastic titles.
20 January 2011
Two excellent opportunities... Firstly, check out the list of Recommended Books for Boys, recently updated by its creator, Wayne Mills. In his roles as university lecturer and as Quizmaster of the global Kids Lit Quiz, Wayne is frequently asked to recommend books that will get boys reading. This list is the result of Wayne's vast knowledge of children's books. I am privileged to be able to make the list available on Story-Go-Round.
Secondly, if you're trying to break into writing or illustrating children's books, book your place at the Spinning Tales National Children's Writers' and Illustrators' Hui, Auckland, 1-3 April. You will meet NZ's top authors and illustrators, learn how to impress publishers, understand the elements of successful novel writing, have the chance to pitch your work to a panel of publishers ... and enjoy many more sessions aimed at both beginning and experienced authors and illustrators. Don't pass up this opportunity to inspire yourself!
3 November 2010
If you want to write children's books and get them published... Writing books for children is a skill that has to be developed and honed like any other skill. One way of doing this is to attend a course. I will be tutoring a four-day course on writing fiction for children and teenagers in early January 2011 for the Auckland University Continuing Education Centre. This will be the second year of the course.
We will look at genres, age levels, story structure, good writing techniques, picture books, chapter books for children and teenagers, presenting manuscripts, and promoting yourself in the current market. There will be a selection of the latest NZ children's books to examine.
Click here for more information and an enrolment form.
If you can't do a writing course, think about attending the Spinning Tales National Children's Writers' and Illustrators' Hui, being held in Auckland, 1-3 April 2011. There will be sessions for both beginners and experienced writers. See you there!
27 September 2010
When acceptances are few... The economic recession is still biting. Now is the time to think creatively about how you can be involved in the children's literature scene rather than having a hole in your writing CV.
Set up a website or blog on which you can publish short stories or excerpts from novels. Look for opportunities to publish reviews of recent children's books (for an example, check out KidsBooksNZ). Join a discussion group on writing for children. Use Facebook to keep in contact with local children's writers (but DON'T ask them to critique your work!). If you do want a critique, set up or join a local children's writers' group (see Kiwi Write4Kidz).
Join the Storylines Foundation. Attend the Spinning Tales Hui in 2011. Sign up for a course in writing for children – I will be taking a 4-day course in 2010 for the Continuing Education Centre of the University of Auckland. Whatever you do – keep chasing your goal.
24 May 2010
Exciting Events The Storylines Foundation is already gearing up for the Storylines Festival in August. Visit www.storylines.org.nz for more details. But I can already tell you that I will be running a writing class for students on Saturday 21 August as part of the Festival, and I will be a featured author at the Auckland Family Day on Sunday 22 August, along with a lot of other children’s authors.
A huge amount of work by volunteers goes into making this Festival an enduring success, and I'm very excited to be part of it this year.
A new initiative to promote New Zealand children’s literature has just started. This is called BookTalks, and it's been organised by CORE Education, a research and professional development not-for-profit organisation, with support from the New Zealand Book Council.
Schools can use Skype to set up interviews between pupils and participating authors. I am registered with BookTalks, and I'd love to talk to young readers via computer screen about my books. I'm ready and waiting!
January 2010
New Zealand Book Month Authors are always delighted to receive fan mail from young readers. As part of the 2009 New Zealand Book Month celebrations, a competition called Wordbank was organised. Young readers were asked to write a letter to the author of one of their favourite books.
The organisers sent me some of the letters written about my books. They were great fun to read. Here are some extracts from the letters. Many thanks to these readers.
From Disha on Haunted: "Your book is filled with so much suspense that when it was time for me to sleep I just groaned and moaned and made a tantrum about why I can't continue reading."
From Thalia on Cross Tides: "Your book was a great reminder of New Zealand history and you portrayed it in a way which was exciting and fresh."
From Raymond on Ratso: I have just finished reading your book Ratso and I think it's funny because Mum said Dad's fishing jumper stinks to high heaven."
From Connor on A Long Way From Home: "A Long Way From Home is full of surprises, emotion and strength. The characters ... are woven together in a tight, heart-wrenching plot."
From Caitlin on Fish Tale: "I think many people will relate to this story. I really liked the fact that Kathleen went through all that trouble just to help her Grandfather to feel happy again."
October 2009
Two Raves I recently attended the launch of The Word Witch: The Magical Verse of Margaret Mahy, edited by Tessa Duder and illustrated by David Elliot (HarperCollins NZ, ISBN 978 1 86950 707 7). This stunning anthology contains 66 poems and verse stories, including well-known favourites such as Down the Back of the Chair and Bubble Trouble. Each poem has been illustrated in expansive and whimsical style by David Elliot. This is a must-buy book for readers of all ages. A little bird told me the first print run sold out before the book was even launched!
I was one of the lucky writers who attended the Spinning Gold Conference for Children's Writers and Illustrators in Wellington last month. The conference gave all participants a much-needed dose of encouragement and enthusiasm in these recession-affected times. It certainly boosted my morale and gave me much to think about. Many thanks to the dedicated organisers from the Wellington Children's Literature Association, especially Fifi Colston and Maureen Crisp.
20 July 2009
Latest trends in children's literature. I often meet aspiring children's writers who haven't made any effort to locate tools to help them with their writing. If you're really serious about writing children's books, surely it's common sense to get hold of publications that will update you on the latest trends in children's literature.
Magpies is an Australian review magazine with a New Zealand section. There are five issues a year, and the annual subscription is $53. It contains articles about the children's literature scene in Australia and New Zealand, as well as reviews of new books. For more information visit Magpies.
Barbara Murison (of Marigold Enterprises) publishes a quarterly children's book review magazine called Around the Bookshops. As well as reviews (many of them by children) she always includes an article relating to children's literature in New Zealand, often an author interview. The annual subscription is only $36.50. For more information visit www.marigold.co.nz.
Both magazines are well worth the subscriptions.
30 April 2009
Local publishers are obviously being hit by the current recession. More and more publishers are announcing that they are not accepting unsolicited manuscripts except those sent in by agents, and in some cases they are only publishing commissioned work. Publishers seem to be staying with the tried and true, rather than taking a punt on a new author or a non-mainstream story.
This makes life even more difficult for writers trying to get that crucial first book published. My advice for writers in this situation is to analyse the book market very closely (What is being published? Why did it get accepted?), take every opportunity to get your name known in local children's literature networks (join organisations, do volunteer work, publish on the internet, write book reviews, write articles), and have your manuscripts assessed by a professional assessor (it costs money but it's worth it).
You also need a great deal of determination - and a significant helping of luck!
10 April 2009
Welcome to my new Story-Go-Round website.
I built the first version of Story-Go-Round in 2000, using Microsoft Frontpage. In those days it was okay to have a fairly amateurish website as long as your content was interesting. But nine years later the expectations of most web visitors are much higher. Websites need to be visually attractive as well as expertly designed. I was delighted to employ Heather Arnold, graphic artist and winner of the 2008 Elsie Locke Award, to design the new version of Story-Go-Round.
The focus of the new version is considerably narrower. I have excluded all the pages that don't relate directly to my own writing (with one exception, see below). For eight years I have updated the Reviews pages and the News and Views page on a monthly basis - stealing time from my writing to do so. Nowadays I can't afford to spare that time.
Most of the information that was once on Story-Go-Round is now available in other websites and blogs, so I have no qualms about omitting it.
I am pleased to retain Wayne Mills' Recommended Books for Boys List. Wayne is an international expert in this field, as well as keeping himself incredibly busy with his Kids’ Lit Quiz, and I am honoured that he still wants to publish his list on Story-Go-Round.
In this Thoughts column I will be writing comments about events and trends in children's literature. It's not intended to be a blog - I don't have enough important thoughts to maintain a blog - but I will be passing on opinions about things that affect my life as an author.
