What a Literary Feast!
Thanks to Tessa Duder and Melanie McVeigh who organised a wonderful, fun filled evening, and to Julian Lewis who was the photographer. View the photos.
A successful Hui!
About 125 children's writers and illustrators from all over New Zealand attended the biennial Spinning Tales hui held at King's School in Auckland recently.
They represented full-time professional authors and aspiring writers across all the genres of fiction, non-fiction, illustration and screenwriting for the very young to young adult.
The full two day programme of sessions was supplemented by a sneak preview of new and forthcoming books at the new National Library building in Parnell. This was attended by 150 people. Participants also attended the Storylines Margaret Mahy Lecture given by Kate De Goldi, as part of the Storylines Margaret Mahy Day and Awards presentation, and published writers and illustrators discussed professional 'Burning Issues' in a pre-hui Friday afternoon session.
Among the open sessions was a publishers' panel, and subsequently, the chance for 60-odd authors to pitch an idea for a book to publishers. Other sessions covered social networking, screen-writing, novel writing, the business of writing, publishing offshore, illustration, developing a viable career, promotion and presenting. The major social event was a literary feast with entertainment drawn from the writers and illustrators present.
The hui was organised by a team drawn from the Storylines Children's Literature Charitable Trust in association with Kiwi Write4Kidz. It is anticipated that following the successful conferences in Wellington in 2009, and this one in Auckland, a third will take place in 2013.
Feedback from participants
| • | I met not only my new publisher for the first time, but some wonderful writers and illustrators, and was able to gain insight into the way they work. I also experienced the pleasure of finding I had colleagues - not something you necessarily expect as a solitary writer - and, even better, I felt part of a kids' literature 'family'. It confirmed me in my belief that writing for children is one of the most important jobs there is, and that I am very, very happy to be part of this profession. |
| • | It was wonderful to meet with other writers and illustrators and have a sense that other people are doing this too! Also, I found the workshops were fantastic and helpful, and I came away ready to write again – in fact a new idea came to me on the drive home from Spinning Tales on the Sunday! Fantastic! |
| • | Being a freelance I am not a part of an organization, thus have hardly any chance to discuss the nature regarding this occupation (freelance illustrator). Talking and listening about how other people work, their lifestyle, and how to deal with paper work, etc has been very helpful. And more than anything just gaining the awareness that "I am not alone in trying to make a living in this industry" has given me an emotional encouragement to keep doing what I do. A very inspirational weekend indeed. |
| • | I can hardly wait for the next one! |
10 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Conference
| 1. | Bring a stack of business cards with you and give them out every time you meet someone new. If there is a table or wall to put your business card on – put it there too. |
| 2. | Whatever you do – don't hit on a publisher or agent while they are eating or in the toilet or heading towards their talk. In conversation (elsewhere) only mention what you are working on IF THEY ASK. |
| 3. | Make yourself meet someone new every break. This is called networking and you never know how it could lead to something in the future. For example, they might be an illustrator or writer you might like to work with in the future. Or they might be great to keep in contact because writing is a solitary activity. |
| 4. | If you say you're going to do something i.e. contact someone after the conference make sure you follow it up. |
| 5. | Take notes because you're likely to forget everything by the end of the conference. |
| 6. | Be ready to answer questions such as "What sort of writing do you do? What are you working on at the moment? Have you been published?" |
| 7. | It will kick-start your writing/illustration year with a surge of creative and empowered energy. It is amazing how much more you can achieve.It will kick-start your writing/illustration year with a surge of creative and empowered energy. It is amazing how much more you can achieve. |
| 8. | To help you pluck up the courage to speak to a writer/illustrator you admire – read their latest book or check out their latest publication - then you've got something ready-made to talk to them about. |
| 9. | If you're an illustrator (don't forget to book in for the illustrator's gallery) bring a portfolio (preferably A4) of your work to show anyone that asks to see it. A way to get attention to your artwork is to sketch during talks. This can be disconcerting to some presenters. |
| 10. | Prepare a one-page pamphlet/poster/brochure about your work, yourself, your experience, books published, qualifications etc. to hand out to anyone that asks (keep it in your conference bag). |
| More tips available here: Jetreid Literary, Literaticat, Literaticat |
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Book your place today! |
10 tips for Speed Dating a Publisher
| 1. | Know the type of books the publisher publishes and don't waste their time pitching a style of book they wouldn't be interested in. Find out books that they have published which are similar (in theme) to yours – let them know you've done your homework. |
| 2. | If you get nervous take a Vitamin B tablet or Rescue Remedy – it will keep you calm so you don't forget half of what you intend to say. |
| 3. | Be professional – think of it as an interview – don't be over-familiar but equally not too stiff. Don't give gifts or say that your book is going to be a bestseller or classic or is another Harry Potter or that your friends/school children/grandchildren just love your story. |
| 4. | A business card is useful. If you're published make sure the titles (cover or name) are on the card. Include all contact details, websites, blogs but not Facebook. Give it to them when you walk in the room. Remember that publishers/editors have to pitch your title to their acquisitions teams so a punchy pitch helps them as well. |
| 5. | Give a brief (concise, punchy, original) synopsis about your story preferably knowing it off by heart. Say it in the present tense and leave the publisher hungry for more. Don't tell the publisher the ending unless they ask for it. |
| 6. | If there is time at the end of the pitch let the publisher know the market your story would fit in i.e. educational or retail and possible places it could be promoted: magazines, conservation centres, zoos, etc. |
| 7. | Know the age group it targets i.e. 3-5 year olds, 6-8 year olds, 9-12 year olds, young adult, and its genre (adventure, mystery, science fiction etc.) and its word length. |
| 8. | Bring the manuscript with covering letter and a typed resume (covering: writing courses you have completed, books/articles you've had published (retail and educational), experience with children, experience in the field you've written about, relevant organisations you belong to) with you but only hand it over if you are asked. |
| 9. | If the publisher says it is not something they would be interested in – have another story up your sleeve to promote (know the synopsis off-by-heart). |
| 10. | Practice your pitch on someone who knows nothing about your story. |
Book your place today! |
Closing date for registrations is 1st March 2011
It's just two months to the Spinning Tales Hui – a weekend of camaraderie, sharing and professional development for New Zealand children's writers and illustrators.
Whether you are established as a writer/illustrator, newish to the game or still dreaming, the hui is the only place to be this April weekend. It has been carefully planned so there is something for everyone.
It's only five weeks to the 1st of March – the last day for registration so that the organisation is in place for you to have an enjoyable and enriching experience.
The venue's set, the speakers are in place, and already over 50 of your peers are booked for what promises to be a weekend of discussion, connections, learning and pure entertainment.
When you register, don't forget to also register for the illustration gallery, or the opportunity to present yourself and your work to publishers.
And, if you have a new book due out or recently released, check out the details for the chance to promote this to teachers and librarians at the pre-hui Thursday night Authors & Illustrators event at the new National Library building in Parnell.
Want to promote your latest book to a target audience? Or are you a teacher or Librarian wanting to find out about this Meet the Authors and Illustrators event.
This event is now full and closed. Thank you all for your support, we look forward to seeing everyone who has registered there.
Book your place today!
We've been busy confirming speakers, organising accommodation and getting the facts to ensure you have an exciting and stress-free Spinning Tales Hui.
Check out the exciting line-up of speakers.
Find out general information that will help you plan your trip to the conference.
Book your place for the conference.
Book your accommodation from recommended hotels and motels.
Meet the authors' & Illustrators' Event
Authors and Illustrators come and share your latest book to invited teachers and librarians at a venue (to be named soon) from 5.30 to 7.30pm Thursday 31st March 2011.
To qualify your books could have just come out (October to March) or about to be released (April to September)... read more
Illustrator's Gallery
As part of the Spinning Tales experience we will be running an Illustrator's Gallery where illustrators – new, emerging and experienced - can display copies (NO originals please) of their work for publishers, writers and others at the hui to view ... read more
Planning is well under way for the Spinning Tales National Children's Writers' and Illustrators' Hui to be held at King's School in Auckland 1-3 April 2011.
Among the speakers confirmed so far for weekend event are David Hill, Kyle Mewburn, William Taylor, David Elliott, Fifi Colston, Gavin Bishop, Anna McKenzie, Tessa Duder and Dylan Horrocks.
Storylines and Kiwi Write4Kidz Organisers say the programme has been planned to cater for both the community of established writers' and illustrators' for children and young adults and for new/emerging writers' and illustrators'.
The hui will follow directly after the annual Storylines Margaret Mahy Day on the morning of April 1 2011.
The programme is now available. As well as sessions on Saturday afternoon and Sunday, there will be a Literary Feast, the opportunity to pitch to publishers and a Conversation with Kaumatua panel. Also if you are a published author or illustrator you can be part of the Thursday night event, 'Meet the Writer's and Illustrator's', promoting yourself to libarians and teachers.
Registration for the full weekend is $300 (includes GST) for members of Storylines and Kiwi Write4Kidz and $350 for non-members. Registration, and accommodation details will be coming shortly.
Watch this website for further details, and remember to book your place in the Hui.
15 September 2010
It's on! . . . Spinning Tales - A national hui for children's writers' and illustrators', in Auckland from Friday 1st April to 3rd April 2011.
An irresistible programme is being planned around Storylines' annual Margaret Mahy Day when the Margaret Mahy Medal and Lecture, along with other Storyline awards, are presented.
Details are currently being finalised - preliminary information is as follows:
Date:
1st – 3rd April 2011
Who's invited?
Published and Beginner Writers' and Illustrators' – book your place here.
Place:
Kings School, 258 Remuera Road, Remuera, Auckland
| Highlights: | |
| • | Industry Panels |
| • | Pitches to publishers |
| • | Workshops – choose from Beginners/Masters/Illustrators |
| • | Ask the Experts Panel (some of New Zealand's top authors' answer your questions) |
| • | Gathering for published authors' and illustrators' (an opportunity for published authors and illustrators in trade publications to have drinks together) |
| • | Literary Feast with entertainment |
Accommodation:
This is not a residential conference but if you need accommodation, we will include on the website selected hotels and motels at reasonable rates.
The programme will come out early October but in the meantime, mark 1-3 April 2011 in your diaries and book your cheap air flights pronto.
Remember – for published writers and illustrators – your accommodation, air flights and expenses are a tax deductible professional expense.
