PASS IT ON - ISSUE 62: DATE 17/10/05
Hi everyone! I hope you have all had a fantastic week. Thanks to all who
have contributed and a special hello to all new members. Thank you also to
everyone who has offered support and encouragement, I really do appreciate
it. Please enjoy this week's issue of PASS IT ON.
A Disclaimer of Liability
Please ensure that your submissions are ACCURATE and clear. I will accept no
responsibility for any errors or omissions contained in the information
submitted. PLEASE be careful.
To unsubscribe send an email to jacket@smartchat.net.au with "unsubscribe"
in the subject heading.
WHAT IS PASS IT ON?
PASS IT ON is a weekly, on-line, interactive, networking newsletter for
those involved with or interested in the children's writing industry. It is
emailed to subscribers every Monday.
PASS IT ON will survive for as long as YOU the CONTRIBUTOR determine. I am
the collection point for YOUR submissions. I am one cog in a tool that has
the potential to be very powerful. (submission guidelines can be found at
the end of the newsletter)
If you wish to receive PASS IT ON - email me, Jackie Hosking at
jacket@smartchat.net.au and I will send you the most recent issue of the
newsletter and an invoice. If you like what you see, please return the
invoice along with your payment and I will add you to the subscriber's list.
If you join in July it will cost you $24.00 If you join in August, it will
cost you $22.00 If you join in September, it will cost you $20.00 etc...
(all subscriptions will then be due on July 1st 2006)
Please contribute as often as you can and be assured that I will treat your
contact details with the utmost confidentiality. I look forward to making
many more new friends.
Past issues may be viewed at my website www.jackiehosking.com
GENERAL INFORMATION
>From Author Peter Taylor
I got this from my website message box ( www.writing-for-children.com ). I
think it's a great idea for schools . and I believe there are a few readers
of PIO who are teachers. I recommend having a look at the project on their
website, and the responses they have received each year.
City: Shamokin
Country: United States
Dear Peter Taylor. For the last 4 years the first grade students at Queen of
Peace in Shamokin, PA decided to read 100 books to celebrate their 100th day
of school. They then decided to look at the web sites of these authors and
illustrators and see if they could get 100 email letters. This project has
been an exciting one each year, and so our class wanted to try to do the
same thing. Last year the children asked the question what is your favorite
book? As a class we read as many of the suggested books as we could find,
and kept a list on our website. We learned about so many books, that we
would like to ask you the same question this year. We would also like to
extend this into a geography lesson and would like is you would tell us one
fact about where you live. We would enjoy also enjoy hearing more about you.
Would you help us by sending us an email? Our email address is
marymajor@gmail.com You can see more about our class by looking at our web
page at http://themajors.info/class.html We found your page and liked
learning about your book Kangaroo's Visitor gets a Surprise. I liked
learning abowt the koala because I think they are cute. Christina, and Mrs.
Major's first grade class.
Many thanks for all your hard work, Jackie!
Peter J
Thanks Peter, I appreciate it - Jackie JJ
NEW MARKETS
It is reported that Lori Head, formerly of Loranda Books, has formed a
partnership with a Sally Gibson. The new publishing company is called Gibson
House Publishing. It is said that this new partnership will be taking over
existing contracts (permission from authors, of course) and new contracts
will be issued.
Nestle Children's Book Prize, UK
(Previously called the Smarties Book Prize).
The final judges picking from this group are kids themselves.
Ages Up to 5
WOLVES, by Emily Gravett
LOST AND FOUND, by Oliver Jeffers
THE DANCING TIGER, by Malachy Doyle, illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou
Fancher
Ages 6-8
THE WHISPERER, by Nick Butterworth
MICHAEL ROSEN'S SAD BOOK, by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Quentin Blake
CORBY FLOOD, by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell
Ages 9-11
I, CORIANDER, by Sally Gardner
THE SCARECROW AND THE SERVANT, by Philip Pullman
THE WHISPERING ROAD, by Livi Michael
Medalists will be announced in December. For more information, see:
<http://www.booktrusted.co.uk/nestle/>
Banana Books authors may not know that the company - for the second time -
has been put into voluntary liquidation.
Sophia Oravecz is leaving Blake Education on Tuesday. Submissions can then
be sent to Amanda.Santamaria@blake.com.au
or send to
Amanda Santamaria,
PO Box 250,
Glebe 2037
I was sorry to learn of Sophia's impending departure as I've always found
her to be obliging and helpful. MW
Bookselling News
New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show little change
in trends in bookselling in 2003-04. The good news is that nearly 80
million books were sold for a total value of $1.406 billion, a nine percent
increase over 2002-03. Of these books, 53.2 million (67%) were sold by
businesses defined as bookshops. In ABS parlance, that means businesses
where 50% or more of income comes from the sale of books, 19% by department
stores, 8% by supermarkets and other retailers and 6% by newsagents. This
market segmentation was similar to the previous year. While 98% of sales
were of printed books, $27.1 million worth of electronic and audio books
were sold. Booksellers' profit margines appear to have declined from 1.9%
to 1.3%. Booksellers spend 59% of their expenses on the purchase of stock,
14% on wages and salaries, and 7% on rent.
>From ASA newsletter, October 2005
SEEKING
I was fortunate to have an agent take on one of my manuscripts last year,
but I'm not sure that she's done anything with it except submit it to the
same publishers that I had already tried. Late last year she requested a
re-write, which I then spent substantial time on. Not having heard anything
from her two months after I submitted the revised manuscript, I contacted
her and learnt that she hadn't read it yet. When I again contacted her some
time later, she said that she didn't know where to submit it. I haven't had
any response to my most recent email a few weeks ago, so it appears that
most of the year has passed without my ms being submitted anywhere. Overall,
communication from her has been lacking / absent, and she has been
unavailable every time I have suggested meeting (we live in different
states). I'm totally confused by the whole process. All it seems to have
achieved is to stop me from submitting the manuscript myself.
What is the deal with agents? How do they work? Why did she offer to take on
my ms if she's not going to do anything with it?
I find it difficult to be assertive as I feel in a powerless position as I
haven't been published yet (and this isn't my first manuscript). Any
suggestions?
QUERY - STEVE PARISH PUBLISHING
Steve Parish Publishing produces a very successful nature-related children's
book series that would appear to be aggressively marketed. I've seen the
series promoted in the Scholastic Book Club newsletters my child brings home
from school periodically, and my local Post Office is currently selling
several Parish story books bound in plastic on special. Has anyone had any
success approaching this company with their manuscripts? From my research it
would appear that the company only uses a couple of writers.
WANTED Teachers - NSW Primary years 3 and 4 (Children ages 8-10)
Zen Tails® is a ground-breaking collection of children's picture books based
on stories drawn from great philosophical traditions. Each book is
beautifully illustrated and contains the original ancient story as well as a
moral. The books address fundamental questions which must be faced by each
of us as we move through life. These questions are simple enough to be
understood by young children, yet profound enough to warrant a lifetime of
study, reflection and practice.
Following the growing domestic and international success of the Zen Tails®
series, New Frontier Publishing has embarked on a values based educational
program for primary school students in years 3 and 4 (aged 8-10). We are
looking for several NSW Primary School teachers to trial our draft Zen
Tails® Primary Values Teachers Guide and Primary Values Students Work Book
with their classes. The books cover many NSW Stage 1 outcomes.
We are offering free drafts of the Primary Values guides and workbooks as
well as free copies of the Zen Tails® picture books. There will also be a
complimentary place for assisting teachers at the inaugural Zen Tails®
Primary Values workshop in Sydney in March 2006.
Interested teachers should direct their enquiries to Peter Whitfield,
Marketing and Rights, New Frontier Publishing, peter@newfrontier.com.au
Find out how the following Zen story is adapted for children in Zen Tails®:
No Presents Please.
The Buddha was sitting in the shade of a tree when anangry man came upon
him. The angry man started yelling insults, but the Buddha sat there calmly
and said nothing. The angry man continued screaming, but received no reply.
After a few minutes the man could not keep up his anger at such a level and
asked, "Do you have nothing to say?" The Buddha then asked the man, "If
someone gives you a gift and you do not want it, to whom does it belong?"
The man answered that it must remain with the giver of the gift.Then the
Buddha said, "I refuse to accept your anger, so you will have to keep it
yourself."
Does anyone know of any children's verses about horses, preferably short,
light, anonymous and/or humorous? If so, please contact me at
dibates@enterprisingwords.com Your help will be acknowledged in the book I'm
writing and compiling.
Hello PIO
I have a question about the business side of writing. Some authors have
their own business names, and inside their books I see
©name of business, rather than their actual name. What are the benefits of
doing this? And is it only worthwhile if the writer is earning a sizeable
income? Thank you in advance to anyone with an answer.
LF
REPLIES TO SEEKING
To Sharon, who is wondering if it's worth trying to locate an editor with
whom she has had some dealing and who then left the company:
I had this happen to me when Cathie Tasker was with HarperCollins, Sydney,
and was interested in several of my books (including The Obsidian Quest and
its sequels). HarperCollins (when I rang them from Auckland) said they
couldn't say where she had gone. I didn't believe them but may have been
doing them an injustice. I'd have searched for her if it had been in my
power. I'm really sorry Cathie (now at Koala) is interested only in PBs.
Good luck finding your editor, Sharon. Why don't you mention her/his name
here in PIO? Someone here is bound to be able to help you.
It isn't worth buying them from the US Postage Service. They want an arm and
a leg to post them (as far as I'm concerned anyway) and want to package them
as if they're of as much value as a Penny Black (as you no doubt found out,
Clare; I ran the moment I saw how much they wanted to send them to me).
Anyway, my advice is that you ask an American author (or anyone you know who
lives in America) who has a Paypal account and is willing to buy some stamps
for you and post them in an ordinary DLE envelope. I did this, adding an
extra dollar to the sum I sent her for postage and an envelope. On impulse
(because I suspected there could be hidden costs involved in the
transaction) I added yet another extra dollar, and it was just as well I did
because the US author said this is what it cost her to pick up the payment.
Obviously it isn't fair to expect the person doing you the favour to pay the
Paypal fee, so it's probably a good idea to find out first what this is
going to be.
NEW PUBLICATIONS
Pearson Education is pleased to announce the publication of Out of the Blue,
an anthology of short stories, poems and articles compiled by Dianne Bates.
Contributors include Edel Wignell and Bill Condon. The book is in Pearson's
Chatterbox series.
SPECIAL EVENTS
CHILDREN'S WRITERS' FORUM No. 3
The final forum for the year (at Victoria University, St Albans
campus, Melbourne) will be on Saturday 12 November, 12.45pm - 4.30pm.
Guest speakers are:
Eva Mills (editor from Allen and Unwin)
Jacinta di Mase - literary agent who represents children's and YA
writers.
And a session on "How to Survive Rejection Letters". Please bring your
favourite or worst rejection letter to share!
Still only $20, includes coffee and chocolate bikkies.
Email RSVP to Sherryl.Clark@vu.edu.au or phone 9919 2681 if you need more
info.
Ian Dalkin and Lis Bastian from Stop Laughing This Is Serious Gallery
take great pleasure in inviting you to the
Gallery's 3rd Birthday Celebrations
2pm this Saturday 22nd October
We are opening 3 new exhibitions as well as the
new Stop Laughing This Is Serious Framing and Multimedia Studio
open weekdays or by appointment at 101 Wentworth St Blackheath
Our Festivities this Saturday will include:
* The Launch of the New Australian Bookplate Society by Physician and
Bookplate Historian Dr Mark Ferson, and Lyster Ormsby (nephew of the
original Lyster Ormsby who suggested the formation of an Ex Libris Society
in 1923). This will be accompanied by an exhibition of historical and
contemporary bookplates.
* The Launch of Elisabeth Bastian's original illustrations for "Wild
Neighbours - The Humane Approach to Living with Wildlife" by Ian Temby,
published by Citrus Press. The book will be available at the Gallery.
* An exhibition of original etchings, drawings, watercolours, scraperboard
and bookplates by Pixie O'Harris, well-known children's book author and
illustrator, popular with several generations of Australian children (and
also the auntie of Australian entertainer Rolf Harris). This exhibition
celebrates the centenary of Pixie's birth last year.
To view a selection of examples from these exhibitions visit our website at
<www.stoplaughing.com.au>
To celebrate our Birthday we will be offering 10% off all children's books,
artists' cards (excluding Wild Neighbours and bookplates), framing and
giclee printing during November
Please send this email on to anyone you think may be interested,
thanks,
Lis and Ian
Stop Laughing This Is Serious Gallery
3 Hat Hill Rd
Blackheath. 2785.
ph 47877533 or 0407 437553
Launch of Bookplate Society
Bookplate expert, author of numerous publications and a thesis on the
history of bookplates in Australia, and leading Sydney Paediatrician Dr Mark
Ferson will be jointly launching The New Australian Bookplate Society in
Blackheath this Saturday. Dr Ferson will be joined by Lyster Ormsby, the
nephew of the Lyster Ormsby of an earlier generation who invented the wooden
surf life saving reel and who suggested, back in 1923, the formation of the
original Australian Ex Libris Society. They are hoping to revive the art of
the bookplate which flourished in the 'golden period' from the 1890's to the
1930's - the same area in which most of the arts reacted to
industrialisation and advocated the beauty of the personal and the handmade.
In this period ownership of a bookplate was both a mark of culture, a
bibliophilic fashion statement and a personal expression of one's passions
and interests. Patronage was secured at vice-regal level, and some notable
Australian bookplates were gifted to the royal family. This was the time
when three bookplate societies flourished, though briefly, and when art
exhibitions frequently included a set of mounted bookplates. As well, a
number of sumptuous books and smaller publications were produced at this
time on aspects of bookplate history. Examples of these will be on display
at the launch.
A century later, bookplates continue to be commissioned and designed, and
the exhibition accompanying the launch will include both historical and
contemporary bookplates executed in a range of media - linocut, pen & ink,
pyrography, woodcut, etching and giclee - by emerging and established
Australian artists.
According to Dr Ferson, "bookplates are both a beautiful design tradition
worth of historical study, and a contemporary expression of a love for books
and art. As a result of a groundswell of modern interest in designing or
having a bookplate, a group of collectors and artists have come together to
form the New Australian Bookplate Society. They are hoping that artists,
booklovers and collectors will join to promote the Society's aims: to raise
awareness of the art form and to bring together individuals with an interest
in designing, owning, studying or collecting bookplates."
The Society will be launched in conjunction with an exhibition at Stop
Laughing This Is Serious Gallery, 3 Hat Hill Rd in Blackheath at 2pm
Saturday 22nd October. Everyone welcome. For more information contact Lis on
47877533 or Mark on 0401 141 890.
Gallery's 3rd Birthday Celebrations
A month of festivities kicks off this weekend at Stop Laughing This Is
Serious Gallery in Blackheath which is celebrating its 3rd Birthday. As well
as opening 3 new exhibitions at 2pm on Saturday 22nd October with a giant
birthday cake, the gallery is also opening its new Framing and Multimedia
Studio at 101 Wentworth St Blackheath during the week. Due to the
unprecedented demand for framing, giclee printing, web design and digital
media support that has become evident over the last three years, Stop
Laughing This Is Serious is now able to make services available 7 days a
week through its two separate venues.
Renowned for its popular gallery openings, the birthday bash this weekend is
sure to be an entertaining occasion. Gallery director Lis Bastian is
particularly excited about the 3 exhibitions opening this month. Having
grown up as one of several generations who adored the work of illustrator
Pixie O'Harris, most known for her adorable illustrations of fairy
wonderlands filled with native Australian animals and imaginary figures, Lis
is looking forward to the exhibition of original etchings, drawings,
watercolours, scraperboards and bookplates by this versatile artist. "One of
the big surprises to me" said Lis, "is that Pixie was actually the aunt of
Rolf Harris and that members of her family still live in the Blue Mountains
today. It is through their generosity that this exhibition has been made
possible, just over a century after Pixie's birth." As well as her work as
an illustrator, Pixie is also well known for her work decorating more than
50 hospital children's wards, day nurseries, baby clinics and schools around
Australia. She has two portraits hanging in the University of New South
Wales and an exquisite pencil portrait will be on display in this weekend's
exhibition. Pixie has been awarded the Coronation Medal, the Jubilee Medal
and is an M.B.E. In 1977 she was made a patron of the Royal Alexandra
Hospital for Children in Sydney.
Another of Lis's rather quirky passions for over 20 years has been the
collecting and production of bookplates or ex libris and she is thrilled
that the gallery is exhibiting a huge range of both historical and
contemporary bookplates and providing the opportunity for book lovers and
artists to get together to revive this rather unique tradition.
The third exhibition comes after months of hard work in which Lis has
illustrated over 40 birds and animals for a new book produced in conjunction
with The Humane Society International. The original illustrations, prints
and bookplates produced from these drawings will also go on display in the
gallery.
As with all the free exhibition openings at the gallery everyone, including
children, are welcome to attend. The gallery is located at 3 Hat Hill Rd
Blackheath. Ph. 47877533 or 47875601 or visit www.stoplaughing.com.au
MARKET OPPORTUNITIES
For all those interested in submitting to Lobster Press as per the
guidelines in last PIO's market opportunities, I suggest to save on postage
try sending an email enquiry to editorialassistant@lobsterpress.com and ask
if they will accept your submission from Australia by email. They did for
me. In my email I gave them a tiny bit of my background and a brief
description ie: Y/A, number of words etc of my novel and attached the
synopsis. Lobster Press came back the next day asking me to send the full
manuscript by email. A great saving for us poor writers. Five months later,
no news is good news. Good luck to all. CB.
COMPETITIONS/AWARDS
· 2006 Literary Awards
Entries for the 2006 New South Wales Literary Awards close on 11 November.
Eleven awards for Australian writers, worth between $5,000 and $20,000
including the The Patricia Wrightson Prize for children's writing.
The Patricia Wrightson Prize ($15,000) is offered for a work of fiction,
non-fiction or poetry written for children up to secondary school level.
Books containing the work of four or more authors, including anthologies,
are not eligible for nomination.
In the case of books containing original illustrations, the judges may
determine that the award be shared by the writer and the illustrator.
Books nominated for the awards must have been first published between 6
November 2004 and 4 November 2005. The closing date for nomination of
entries is Friday, 11 November 2005.
Full details and nomination forms online at www.arts.nsw.gov.au
WRITING COURSES/WORKSHOPS
If landscape is a component of your writing this workshop could be very
interesting ...
Writing the Landscape
A Weekend Workshop - November 12 & 13, 2005
A workshop in the bush. Rainforest, plantation forest, pasture and rolling
vistas will all provide inspiration and raw material. It has four
inter-weaving themes:
Landscape & narrative -Landscapes are littered with signs that we can learn
to read and use in the telling of a story.
Landscape & history -Landscapes are made by natural change, human
intervention and by how we learn to see them. All such making can be
explored historically and through writing.
Landscape & image -Artists, photographers, cartographers - as long as humans
beings have made images, the landscape has been a focus of attention. How
can writers read and use these images?
Landscape & language -The landscape is a domain of language as much as the
visual. Poets and writers from all cultures have striven to describe it and
capture its essence. These themes will be presented by four different
writers all of whom are from, or work in the bush.
Tony Fry is widely published design historian, writer, environmental
consultant and farm forester working nationally and internationally.
Anne-Marie Willis is a photographic and visual culture historian, editor and
writer with a background in Australian cultural studies Mark Svendsen is
novelist, poet and author of picture books, as well as being an acclaimed
writer of young adult fiction. Sue Pechey is a writer, editor and one of
Queensland's leading oral historians who also teaches creative writing. The
workshop presenters have had over 20 books published between them.
The workshop will be held at the outdoor education centre of TreeLines,
Ravensbourne (140km west of Brisbane and 45kms north east of Toowoomba). The
program will include walks, talks, writing and reading. Attendees are
invited to send a 1000 statement on their thoughts on landscape or on a
relevant writing project by 5 November - this will help shape the form of
the workshop.
Cost: The full cost of the workshop is $195 including Saturday lunch,
Saturday dinner (with after dinner speaker?) and Sunday lunch. Excellent
accommodation is available in the area - details can be provided.
Booking inquiries:TreeLines Workshops 07 4697 8082 or email
teamdes@teamdes.com.au
Now, the news many of you have been waiting for... we're offering the
Spotlight on Characters e-course again, starting on Monday 24th November and
running for five weeks. If you're constantly battling to create vivid,
believable characters that keep your readers entertained, this will get you
on track. You can read more about it here:
www.writing4success.com/spotlight_on_characters_ecourse.htm
NEW WORKSTYLE SKILLS
HAVE YOUR SAY
FROM AUTHOR Dianne (Di) Bates
I believe the time has perhaps come for contributors to lose anonymity when
submitting material to PIO. This week a publisher expressed grave concerns
to me about a piece in a recent PIO issue which named his company. I
suggested that he put forth his company's case to the newsletter, but he
said he found it difficult to find the time to respond.
Because I contribute frequently to PIO, it seemed that he believed I could
be influential in informing authors about publishers' problems regarding
submissions. I don't believe I am that influential, nor do I wish to be.
When I began PIO (as CAINON), it was as a means of networking with fellow
authors (I don't live in a capital city) and sharing marketing information,
but the newsletter has substantially changed since then and it now serves
different purposes. Can I please open the floor to the issue of anonymous
contributions?
FROM ME - Jackie Hosking - PASS IT ON'S COMPILER & EDITOR
PASS IT ON is my passion, and I cannot thank Di Bates enough for trusting it
with me, however, it is now MY responsibility and I feel that I need to set
down some rules. I still believe in allowing subscribers to submit
anonymously, however I am not prepared to take the flak for those anonymous
contributions when others find them offensive and damaging. I could plead -
"don't shoot the messenger," but frankly I think that that would be a cop
out. I too am a writer and as such must be mindful of my reputation and
integrity. I would like to therefore, make a suggestion of my own. From now
on, if you have problem with a specific organisation, I would ask that you
approach them directly first. If you do not get an answer to your
satisfaction, you might suggest to them that you will be expressing your
disappointment in PASS IT ON and offer them the chance to argue their case
publicly.
In the future I will NOT be publishing negative whinings without proof that
the contributor has firstly tried and subsequently failed to sort out the
issue themselves.
I would be most interested in your views on this and hope that in the
future, PASS IT ON is seen only as a positive, networking tool for everyone
in the children's writing industry.
FROM BLACK DOG BOOKS
I wanted to contribute a response to the unnamed author who described me (as
an editor) as " well-meaning . but with appalling time-management skills"
I'd like to ask him or her how would he or she manage their time if they
were sent thirty or so unsolicited items of reading a week varying in length
from 1000 to 100,000 more words which the senders expect that he or she will
respond to and if he or she fails to do so they will circulate critical
comments about them to their friends - and he or she has to hold down a full
time job at the same time that already involves enough reading that it fills
any spare moments you have.
It takes us at black dog much longer than 2 minutes to consider a script -
the minimum is half an hour and the better the script the longer takes,
anything up to 4 or 5 hours. It is exciting to publish a new author from an
unsolicited manuscript but a lot of what we receive isn't suitable for us
and I wonder whether the sender has read any of our books or even looked at
our website or thought about whether we're the right publisher for the
manuscript.
cheers, Andrew
a publisher/editor
black dog books
FROM AUTHOR Bren MacDibble
IN DEFENCE OF BLAKE ED
In response to someone who had been "burned" by Blake Ed, I'd like to say
I've had the opposite experience. I have had books rejected for one series
and then requested again out of the blue a year later for consideration in
another series. Both Maureen and Sophia were very prompt at dealing with
any enquiries and if authors will take a moment to understand the way Blake
Ed operates they will understand why stories need to be held over. The fact
that all editors are overworked and can't respond to every ms is just a
given. A quick email to Sophia solves the not knowing... (if you're brave
enough -stop giggling, Jackie!)... and that's better than most companies.
If I submit stories too early for a series, Sophia worries knowing that
decision dates are often pushed back and pushed back but since Blake Ed are
my all time favourite educational publisher, I'd rather have a shot at
getting published with them than sell them sooner to someone else.
FROM BLAKE EDUCATION'S Sophia Oravecz
I am leaving Blake soon and would like to notify Pass It On subscribers of
the new contact person for submissions.
Previously submitted manuscripts don't need to be resubmitted. All new
manuscripts should go to Amanda.Santamaria@blake.com.au
or
Amanda Santamaria
Blake Education
PO Box 250
Glebe NSW 2037
Shortlisting for the 2500-3000 word set of Gigglers should take place in the
next few months.
I'm off to Pearson to work as an editor there. I will really miss working on
fiction, I love reading the manuscripts and having contact with authors.
There are so many great stories that don't get published, not because they
aren't good but because they don't fit into any current series or the plan
for the year.
You're doing a great job in providing people with a forum to encourage and
inform.
Thank you Sophia and we wish you well in you new position - Jackie
HAVE YOUR SAY
Hi there! I love PASS IT ON and this is my first time responding!
Love that you love PIO and a big thank you for saying so! - Jackie
With regard to Anita Bell's new book Your Kids' Money, firstly may I
congratulate her and I wish her every success!
I do not want to appear a wet blanket but I have just written a review on an
excellent book by Dianne Bates entitled Money Smart Kids which was certainly
a first for me. Inspirational and educational with hundreds of novel ideas
and examples (mostly Australian) of young entrepreneurs (the youngest
millionaire being six years old!) having been inspired to either save or
raise money for one reason or another, this book is certainly a run for your
money! Trying to instil in the youth of today 'that money does not grow on
trees' is a wonderful theme and should be encouraged by all. In this day and
age of instant gratification and all consuming consumerism, any literature
that can educate children on the different aspects of money whether it be
managing, saving, banking or raising funds should be a sound investment!
With kind regards
Moira Elliott
HAVE YOUR SAY
In response to a couple of comments in the 'From an author' section
Firstly I feel I must leap to the defence of editors who were said to have
'appalling time management skills' in last week's PIO. Yes, it can take
months to have a submission accepted or rejected and yes, editors don't
always return emails, letters and calls, but I think you're missing the
point.
Editors do so much more than sit around read manuscripts all day - they deal
with scheduling, marketing, sales, advertising, production, and in smaller
companies, dispatch and invoicing too. Publishing is a competitive
business, and as with most businesses today, if a task doesn't add to the
bottom line, it doesn't get done. Like it or not, reading the slush pile
(and responding to submissions) is one of those 'unproductive' tasks. Which
is why it's usually done at home, in the editor's own time. Editors persist
with this thankless task because, despite the pressures of doing more with
less, despite the fact that they usually have a stable of authors they can
turn to for new works, and despite the fact that only one in a couple of
thousand mss they receive are publishable, most editors feel obliged to read
the mss sent to them. They see it as their contribution to the greater
literary world and perhaps they are hoping to discover the next big thing or
a fresh new voice or great idea.
Now as to the comment that if we took 2 years to get back to a client we'd
be out of business, that person is right. But authors are not clients! We're
the suppliers, and it's a sad fact of life that suppliers are at the bottom
of the food chain in any business.
Don't misunderstand me, I think that it is appalling we have to wait so long
for replies, and it is frustrating that we do not get responses in a
reasonable time (or at all, in some cases), and I agree that we should share
information about who are the better publishers to submit mss to. But I say
don't blame the editors - politicians maybe, bean counters, definitely - but
not the poor editors.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Just a little add on about author visits. I too took several high school
children of our school's Writers Group/Book Club to the Schools' Program at
the Brisbane Writers Festival (as an author, not as their teacher) and we
attended 4 author sessions. Alyssa Brugman was outstanding - answering the
carefully considered questions from the two Brisbane high school students
who introduced her and chaired the session (they did a terrific job as
well). She also answered questions from the floor. Then she also told
students about her beginnings in writing and what she's up to now. All in
all it was a great day - except for the heatwave.
BUT one sour note. Not mentioning any names but one session by a well known
YA author didn't go according to plan. Add to the recipe of a person in a
large tent talking into a microphone, mix in a wide range of ages of
attendees, add to that the session being after lunch, throw in the heat.
Yes, as any teacher would know, kids get distracted - you'd have to have a
very different type of session to not have problems with kids starting to
squirm and chatter. I might add, the 5 teenagers I took were listening
intently because they are old enough to have an understanding of appropriate
behaviour. I did feel sorry for the author, it's awful when you realise you
have to get back the attention of a mob of kids. But the author 'cracked a
meanie' at the kids to get them to listen. A far better outcome could've
been for him to stop his talk, address the teachers or librarians who
would've accompanied those kids and then waited until they had a little chat
to the kids. (Everyone looking around and waiting while this happened
would've worked I'm sure). Unfortunately later on, my high schoolers
remembered the 'meanie cracking' rather than the interesting things the
author said about his latest book.
Sheryl Gwyther
Have Your say
I thoroughly enjoyed Rick Walton's 'What is Humor' - a really interesting
read.
Thank you to whomever contributed this article. Kesta
My pleasure - and I'm glad you enjoyed it - Jackie J
FROM AUTHOR Susanne Gervay
REPORT FROM UBUD Writers & Readers Festival
It was the most exotic festival I have ever been too. Listening to Michael
Ondaatje and Amitav Ghosh reclining on a Balinese lounge overlooking the
rich green of paddy fields and valleys of palms and coconut trees, in the
sumptuous INDUS restaurant, is an experience to remember.
While some authors did not attend because of the second Bali bombing on 1st
October, the majority of authors turned up to support Bali. They also turned
up as a gesture that dialogue between nations will not be stopped by
terrorism. Especially moving was first lady of Timor Kirsty Sword Gusmao's
opening speech at the Palace. She spoke eloquently of reconstruction and
peace for the world's newest nation.
The programme was a mixture of authors from all over the world, especially
Asia. Speakers from India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand,
USA, Philippines, Timor, Malaysia, Singapore were among the nations
represented.
New authors from Indonesia are starting to make their voices hear,
especially young writers. There are some feisty Indonesian women authors out
there who spoke with humour and passion about this new generation of
writers.
Among the Australian contingent Shaun Tan was a special favourite with his
amazing illustrations. Scot Gardner spoke about his new YA books with their
larrikinism. When Scot played the didgeridoo, there was great applause. I
spoke about my literature which aims at giving youth a voice.
Janet De Neefe the festival co-ordinator was a gracious and beautiful host
to a festival that spanned 5 days coordinating 100 authors, welcoming
hundreds of guests, coordinating a team of Balinese and ex-pat volunteers,
with the support of AsiaLink Australia, the Australian Writers Centres
including NSW Writers Centre as well as Indonesian cultural bodies.
www.ubudwritersfestival.com
There will be a festival next year and hopefully every year.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Re the author who wanted to know about the length of replies to submissions.
Twice I sent Mark Macleod (when he was with Random) an anniversary card when
the twelve months submission period had expired. Fantasy not being his cup
of tea he returned both mss, but I never discovered why he hung on to them
for so long. I think Wendy Pye N.Z. is worse, as they 'shortlist' stuff for
two years before deciding it doesn't suit.
I suppose multiple offering is the only way to go, but publishers don't seem
to like it. The only time I did, both publishers decided they wanted the
mss. It has never happened before and probably won't happen again to me.
Maybe if editors cultivate fat enough slush piles it can be used for bedding
when they are working late..
HAVE YOUR SAY
I read avidly but often forget the name of a book or the author which is
frustrating. So a year ago I started a little book where I record the names
and authors of everything I read. I record them under headings according to
how much I enjoyed the book. I also write down quotes that particularly
appeal to me and I enjoy going back and rereading them. Great quotes are
ones that make you reread that passage even when you're caught up in the
action of the story. I wonder if other people record favourite quotes and
thought this may make an interesting addition to some PIO's. Here's one
from Colleen McCulloch's 'Angel Puss'. "Her eyes are pale blue, cold as a
frosty morning, and they looked through me as if I was a smear on the
window".
Jane
THANK YOU
Thank you, Anita Bell for taking the time to write about your fruitful and
fun-filled meeting with Bonnie Bryant. We learn so much from other people's
experiences. Thank you to Mappy for the great writing tips too! Thank you
to everyone who contributes.
LF
ARTICLES
TIME MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES
Edel Wignell ©
Recently I read a fascinating time management article. The writer described
in detail how she spends her mornings on the Internet, firstly attending to
e-mail, and then researching.
This is completely different from the way I work. I am a lark - up early to
exercise and power walk. As I am freshest and most creative before midday, I
ignore the Internet and write. Usually I have several projects under way -
at various stages. They may be for adults or for children: a short story, a
poem, a junior novel, an article for a newspaper or a magazine...
Many writers start the day answering e-mails. Some make a phone call in the
afternoon if they haven't received a quick reply. A huge urgency has
overtaken the business of writing, with messages flashing back and forth.
If I opened e-mails in the morning, I would get carried away and waste a
huge amount of time. I admire people who can zoom through, responding in a
form of shorthand. Being a pedant, I even edit my writing and correct the
structure and punctuation. Yes, I know it's a fault! Perhaps it happens
because I open my e-mails in the afternoons when I am more relaxed. I
respond immediately to messages from publishers, but not to friends and
colleagues (unless a fast reply is necessary).
I research on the Internet in the mornings, only when I have been
commissioned by a publisher to write or compile a book and I am concerned
about the deadline. A recent commission was a collection of folk tales from
the South Pacific for the 'Chatterbox' series (Pearson Education). I
research my own projects in the afternoons.
A successful writer of short stories and novels for adults who taught a
Creative Writing class (most of the members being women), said she had a
Golden Rule. 'No housework in the mornings.' Her class protested saying that
some housework had to be done, but she insisted, saying that you can do
housework, but not writing, when you're tired.
Another successful writer finds that her most creative time is from 10 pm
until 2 am. In this household the husband's share of the domestic chores is
shopping, cooking and getting the children off to school. So the writer-wife
sleeps until 10 am, then attends to domestrivia, business letters and
e-mails. In the evening, when her family is in bed, she takes off on
creative wings.
A writer-illustrator said that she is most creative in the afternoons. She
meditates for an hour every morning, then does domestic and administrative
chores and shopping. As she is passionate about reading, she reads for two
hours (with lunch included) and then loses herself in the joy of creation in
her studio.
It's easy to get obsessed with research. When I was compiling my first
children's book, A Boggle of Bunyips, in the late 1970s, my editor gave me
some advice which I have followed ever since. 'Stop researching from time to
time,' she said. 'Write a short story or an article for a children's
magazine.' She explained the two advantages to this practice: firstly, to
keep the mind fresh and, secondly, to keep the creativity flowing.
When researching my second collection, A Bluey of Swaggies in the early 80s,
I found that I was getting bogged down in research because there was a huge
amount of information, and a selection had to be made. I forced myself to
stop and write short items, both for the pleasure of the doing and for my
well-being as a writer.
Time management is a subjective thing. What works for one doesn't
necessarily work for another. It's fascinating to read and hear the time
management experiences of writers and illustrators. If you are a new writer,
you will soon discover what's best for you!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
How To Bore Your Readers
© Marg McAlister
If you're searching for sure-fire ways to bore your readers here are six
guaranteed methods. Use any three and wherever you are in the world, you're
sure to be able to hear the "thump" as your book is thrown at the wall. (No,
wait... come to think of it, you won't hear that - because your writing will
never see it to publication stage. Instead you may just catch the sound of
your manuscript sliding back into the reply-paid envelope, ready to head on
back to you.)
1. Use long, wordy sentences.
Readers love 'em. There's nothing they like better than to backtrack and
re-read a sentence three times to try to work out what the author really
meant. It's like a logic puzzle, and we all know how people get addicted to
puzzles. You'll be doing insomniacs a real favour, too. Half a dozen
convoluted sentences and they'll be blissfully asleep.
2. Use repetition whenever possible.
There are several great ways to bore readers with this technique.
(a) Start by beginning three or four sentences in one paragraph with the
same word. "She hurried down the street, thinking furiously. She didn't want
Mark to know what she was up to. Why should she give in now? She had worked
too hard for this. Turning into the building that housed the law offices,
she straightened her shoulders. She was ready to fight!" There, that'll do
it. Use the same technique in several paragraphs on a page and a nice,
lulling rhythm will set in.
(b) Repeat favourite sentence patterns for dialogue. "Give it to me," she
ordered, her eyes sparking dangerously. / "No sugar for me," she said, her
empty stomach rumbling. / "What do you mean, he said no?" she asked, her
brow furrowed in concern. (If you're on a good thing, why change it?)
(c) Repeat the same thing in different ways to make sure readers get the
message. A good way to do this is to "show" AND "tell". For example: "I hate
you!" she yelled. Marcia really despised Jim. or "Her shirt sticking to her
back, Marcia wiped the sweat from her forehead and tried to estimate how
long it would take her to reach the coolness of the trees. It was so hot."
3. Use correct grammar for all dialogue no matter who is speaking.
Under no circumstances reflect actual real life speech. Do not use
colloquialisms or sentence fragments, and do not allow interruptions from
other characters. Make sure that everyone speaks in complete, grammatically
correct sentences. You will have true peace of mind, knowing that none of
your characters ever split an infinitive or ended a sentence with a
preposition. (Your high school English teacher might read this, you know.)
Of course, it's much harder to make all your characters sound like
individuals using this approach, but... c'est la vie.
4. Spell out the message for your readers.
We all know you can't trust readers to get the message, so make sure you
leave them in no doubt. Even if your character's thoughts and actions show
repentance or a lesson learned, add a paragraph or two to ensure that
readers really GET it. You know the sort of thing: "Marcia realized that she
had been selfish and irresponsible. From that moment on she would be a
different person." Or: "It was a hard lesson that Jim learned that day.
Friends were more important than possessions."
Sure, a few readers who DID get it through the action of the story might
grit their teeth or mutter "Aarrghhh! I hate moralising!" but so what? Your
job is to make the world a better place. If that means being a teeny bit
obvious, well, surely readers will forgive you. They know your heart is in
the right place.
5. Wax lyrical about the setting.
Describe the character's environment as fully as possible. (It's all in the
details.) You can't possibly do justice to a sunset or beautiful antique
furniture in just a few words. Impress the reader with your talent as you
describe the vibrant hues of the reddening sky, the gentle whisper of the
breeze, the darkening silhouettes of trees and boats. (It's always a good
idea to throw in a few words the reader won't know to challenge them a bit,
too. Readers need to learn to keep a dictionary at hand to improve
themselves.)
You may find that after a page and a half of description the pace of your
story has slowed a tad, but don't worry. Uneducated readers who don't
appreciate your work can always skip the "boring bits".
6. Be predictable.
Make it easy for readers to guess what's coming next. They love to feel
smarter than the author, so pander to them. No surprise endings. No cunning
little twists. Oh, and it's best to use a plot or storyline that's been used
again and again so readers are securely in their comfort zone.
Fill your stories with stereotypes - the reader will have read about these
many times over the years, so they'll recognise them without even having to
think. You know the type: the kindly apple-cheeked grandmother; the ruggedly
good-looking hero; the corrupt politician; the attractive female DA; the
crusty judge; the bumbling but brilliant detective; the long-suffering wife.
These are but a few of some tried-and-true ways to bore your reader stupid.
With creativity you can probably come up with plenty more... have your
character agonise at length about obvious decisions; over-explain your
character's actions... it's a wide-open field. If you really apply yourself
you should never, ever have to face the stress of actually having a book
published.
Marg McAlister's writing sites and ezines are full of up-to-date, practical
advice for writers. Get timely tips to ensure writing success both online
and in print:
http://www.Writing4SuccessClub.com
http://www.writing4success.com
http://www.HowTheHeckDoI.com
http://www.EsssentialGuidetoGhostwriting.com
http://www.writing-for-success-online.com
mailto:marg@writing4success.com
PUBLISHER GUIDELINES
On the 2nd October I sent this letter (see below) to 30 publishers of
children's books. Penguin was one of the two who have replied so far, the
other being Bushfire Press, included last week. Thank you for taking the
time to respond!
Dear Sir or Madam:
My name is Jackie Hosking and I am the Compiler/Editor of a national
newsletter called PASS IT ON (PIO). PIO began as CAINON (Children's Author &
Illustrators' Network Online News) and was the brainchild of children's
author Dianne Bates. CAINON ran for 20 weeks and was extremely successful.
So much so that Di was unable to keep it up. I volunteered to continue the
newsletter and it is still going strong 60 weeks later.
I am writing to you because PIO is a networking newsletter for those
involved with or interested in the children's writing industry. It is all
about sharing industry information to help simplify and demystify it just a
little bit. Subscribers email me their snippets of news and I sort the
information into subject headings. One of the subject headings is "Publisher
Guidelines" and it is often left empty. Hence this letter.
Would you be willing to supply specific details as to your wants and needs
as an Australian publisher of children's books? Details that I might include
in PIO. As a writer myself, I find that publisher's submission guidelines,
found at the websites, are often vague. Publisher information is treated
like gold and as such is not given away freely. I believe this works against
everybody in the industry as writers don't know what to write and publishers
receive crate loads of unsuitable manuscripts.
Anyway, without trying to sound too magnanimous, ultimately I want to be
able to produce a newsletter that provides its subscribers with useful,
up-to-date information straight from the publisher's mouth. Not only will
this benefit the writer, it will also help to curb false rumours.
I have found you via The Australian Writer's Marketplace, the APA website
and various other methods. Some of you will know me already. If you would
like to be part of PASS IT ON's growing network please email me at
jacket@smartchat.net.au You might also like to view past issues of the
newsletter - these can be found at www.jackiehosking.com
I thank you so much for your time.
Warm Regards,
Jackie Hosking
Editor/Compiler "PASS IT ON"
www.jackiehosking.com
Penguin Group (Australia)
Books for Children and Young Adults
250 Camberwell Road, Camberwell, VIC 3124
PO Box 701, Hawthorn, VIC 3122
Telephone: 03 9811 2400
www.penguin.com.au
SOME GUIDELINES FOR THOSE SEEKING PUBLICATION
Manuscript Preparation and Submission
Within Penguin Group it is extremely rare for unsolicited manuscripts or
proposals to be accepted for publication.
There are no hard and fast rules about submitting manuscripts, as each
publisher has different requirements.
For initial submissions two or three sample chapters would be sufficient
(for a chapter book), or send in the complete text for a picture book. For
submission purposes the sample should be double spaced and on one side
only of A4 paper and you must retain a copy for yourself. There is no need
to use expensive binders. You can expect to wait three to four months for a
response. Manuscripts and proposals submitted by literary agents will
always take precedence. If you wish to submit illustrations, please send
photocopies (or colour photos/slides) and never send original artwork.
If you are planning to send in a proposal, please address it to the
attention of The Editor, Books for Children and Young Adults, Penguin Group
(Australia), PO Box 701, Hawthorn, Vic 3122. If you wish to have your
manuscript returned please also enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope
large enough for your manuscript.
Penguin Group takes no responsibility for loss or damage so please do not
send originals.
We will not accept proposals by email or facsimile.
When you have completed your manuscript you can either:
Give it to an agent to handle. Addresses can be found in the Yellow Pages
under 'Writers, Consultants and/or Services'; or, Submit direct to those
publishers you think might be interested in your work (following their
guidelines).
Manuscript Assessment Services
Manuscript assessment services can provide feedback on your manuscript. The
following organisations are some of those who provide this service. The
charges vary so it is advisable to check before submitting your work.
Lynk Manuscript Assessment Service, (03) 9381 0302, Fax (03) 9381 0305
The Victorian Writers' Centre (03) 9654 9068
The Australian Writers' Guild (03) 9682 3833
The Australian Society of Authors (02) 9318 0877
Contracts and Payment
Once a decision has been made to publish the manuscript, the publisher will
send a contract to the author - an agreement should be reached (with the
help of a solicitor if necessary) with the publisher before a contract is
signed.
Authors of books are usually paid royalties, that is a percentage (about 10%
of the retail price), as the books sell.
The exact details should be made clear in the contract.
Publishers (Poetry and Short Stories)
If you are an unpublished author of poetry and short stories, you have a
greater chance of success approaching a book publisher with a complete
collection and an established readership of work such as yours. For this
reason it is advisable to seek publication initially in magazines or
literary journals. Check libraries and bookshops for these magazines and
follow their specific submission guidelines. Note that Penguin no longer
publishes poetry and only very rarely publishes short stories.
Publishers (General)
There are several useful directories of publishers, listing their addresses
and the types of books they publish.
These are available in libraries:
International Literary Market Place (Bowker) covers 159 countries
world-wide.
Directory of Publishing (Cassell) lists publishers in Great Britain and the
Commonwealth.
APA Directory of Members is a pocket-sized listing of Australian publishers
and is available from The
Australian Publishers Association Suite 60/89 Jones St, Ultimo, NSW, 2007
Ph: (02) 9281 9788 ext. 3
Fax: (02) 9281 1073 Email: apa@publishers.asn Web: www.publishers.asn.au
Writers' Organisations
The Australian Society of Authors: Promotes the professional interests of
those who write for publication by seeking legislative changes and setting
minimum rates of payment and working conditions and acts on behalf of
members in disputes with publishers. It offers contract advisory services
and publishes a quarterly magazine.
PO Box 1566, Strawberry Hills, NSW 2012 Ph: (02) 9318 0877 Fax: (02) 9318
0530
Email: asa@asauthors.org Web: www.asauthors.org
The Australian Writers' Guild: Promotes and protects the interests of
Australian writers working for television,
stage, screen and radio. Arts House, 204 St Kilda Rd, Southbank, VIC 3006
Ph: (03) 9682 3833
Fax: (03) 9682 3844.
Email: awgvic@ozemail.com.au Web: www.awg.com.au
Fellowship of Australian Writers: Actively serves the interests of writers
by way of monthly meetings, workshops, seminars, guest speakers,
publications, social functions etc. The FAW will provide information on
literary competitions and on which magazines will consider unsolicited
submissions. All enquiries must be made in writing. PO Box 3036, Ripponlea,
Vic 3183 Ph: (03) 9528 7088 Fax: (03) 9528 7088
The National Book Council:. The National Book council is an independent,
non-profit-making body dedicated to the promotion of books and reading. It
publishes Australian Book Review and administers prestigious literary
awards including The Banjo Awards. Suite 3, 21 Drummond Place Carlton. Vic
3053 Telephone (03) 9663 8655.
Writers' Centres
The Victorian Writers' Centre: 1st Floor, Nicholas Building, 37 Swanston St,
Melbourne Vic 3000
Ph: (03) 9654 9068 Fax: (03) 9654 4751 Email: info@writers-centre.org Web:
www.writers-centre.org
Provides comprehensive advice, information and services for writers,
including writing assessment. It produces an excellent information kit that
is available to members and non-members for a small fee. The Centre has a
monthly magazine called Victorian Writer which offers an enormous amount of
information on publishers, writers, writing competitions and upcoming
writing events. The Centre can also offer advice on finding an agent.
ACT Writers' Centre: Gorman House Arts Centre, Ainslie Ave, Braddon, ACT,
2612
Ph: (02) 6262 9191 Fax: (02) 6262 9191 Web: www.actwriters.org.au
WA State Literature Centre: www.writerswritingwa.org Ph: (08) 9432 9559
NSW Writers Centre: PO Box 1056, Rozelle, NSW, 2039
Ph: (02) 9555 9757 Fax: (02) 9818 1327 Web: www.nswwriterscentre.org.au
NT Writers' Centre Inc.: GPO Box 2255, Darwin, NT, 0800
Ph: (08) 8941 2651 Fax: (08) 8941 2651 Email: ntwriter@octa4.net.au
Queensland Writers' Centre: Level 2, Metro Arts Building 109 Edward St,
Brisbane, Qld 4000
Ph: (07) 3839 1243 Fax: (07) 3839 1245 Email: qldwriters@qwc.asn.au Web:
www.qwc.asn.au
South Australian Writers' Centre: PO Box 43, Rundal Mall Post Office,
Adelaide, Qld 5000
Ph: (08) 8223 7662 Fax: (08) 8232 3994 Email: sawriters@sawriters.on.ne t
Web: www.sawriters.on.net
Tasmanian Writers' Centre: 77 Salamanca Place, Hobart, Tas, 7004 Email:
writers@trump.net.au
Ph/Fax: (03) 6224 0029
NOTE FOR AUTHORS: The Basic Steps
The process of turning an idea into a published book takes time and work.
There are a number of stages, most of which are handled jointly by Penguin
and the author.
The Contract
After initial discussion and assessment of a proposal, a contract is drawn
up outlining the relationship between author and publisher. The document
states that the author, the owner of the copyright in the work (and
copyright is essentially a property), agrees to lease to the publisher the
right to administer and develop that property on the author's behalf under
various agreed conditions. It spells out the legal rights, conditions and
obligations of both publisher and author.
The Manuscript
Obviously the creation of the manuscript is primarily the concern of the
author. However, an in-house editor is available to comment on and to help
develop the most suitable outline, and to read draft chapters as necessary.
In the case of fiction, the editor will probably need the entire draft
manuscript before offering comments. When the manuscript is complete, an
editor (in-house or freelance) will work with the author to prepare it for
press. The editor will read the manuscript and, as appropriate, ask the
author to clarify or rephrase sections that are ambiguous or awkward,
suggest cuts and reshaping, develop characters, build a better climax, edit
for consistency of style and presentation, and note details for the designer's
attention.
Production
While the manuscript is being edited, the designer will begin work on a
cover after consultation with the editor.
After editing, a copy of the manuscript is returned to the author for final
checking. The edited manuscript is passed to the design department so the
designer can check for any unexpected design complications and prepare it
for typesetting. Once the manuscript had been typeset and read by the
typesetter, proofs will be sent to the author for proofreading; proofs will
also be read by an editor. The purpose of proof-reading is to check that the
typeset text is a faithful transcription of the manuscript. Proofs are not
drafts; this is not an opportunity for re-writing. It is far more efficient,
and less expensive, to make sure that the manuscript is correct before it
goes to the typesetter. If possible the book will be paged at first proof
stage. The book cannot be indexed until it has been paged. When all
necessary material (bromides of the text and index, any artwork for the
book, cover file, etc) is complete, it is sent to the printer. The editor
will keep the author informed during these stages, and will advise the
author of the publication date once it has been finalised.
Marketing and Sales
While the book is in production, the editor will brief the sales and
marketing team about the book and it's progress.
Penguin normally holds stock of the book in the warehouse for about two
months before publication to ensure that
publicity is organised and that all bookstores have stock before the
official release date. Before publication, the marketing department will
contact the author to make arrangements to promote the book effectively.
People from the areas of children's books, adult books and/or education will
use the most appropriate methods to make the book known. Normally, the
techniques include press release, review copies and sales into bookshops.
Some authors will be asked to be available for interviews (press, television
or radio). Few books are launched with a party, but the release of all books
is publicised as widely as possible.
Release and Timing
All of these stages take time, and Penguin tries to release books when they
will make the greatest impact in the market. The editor will keep the author
informed about the progress of the book. The marketing department will
discuss the publicity plans for the book with the author. The sales people
will start selling the book into the bookshops two months prior to
publication. Basically, the marketing department is responsible for letting
the public know about the book and the sales department is responsible for
pre-selling
copies to shops and other outlets. Copies sold to shops are not considered
'sold' until sold to customers; shops can return to Penguin a proportion of
the books they have ordered.
AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR PROFILE
YOUR WRITING TIPS
**A new section that is begging for your attention. Please feel free to
Pass them On!**
USEFUL BOOKS/WEBSITES
BOOK REVIEWS
Secret Girls' Business
By Fay Angelo, Heather Pritchard and Rose Stuart
Reviewed by Delwyne Stephens
Secret Girls' Business is a book about puberty for eight to twelve year old
girls. Eight does seem a little young to be discussing such things as
periods and the growth of hair and breasts. But, as this marvellous little
book points out, 1 in 6 girls enter puberty as young as eight.
Pre-teens will be appalled and enthralled with the stylishly presented
Secret Girls' Business. I can imagine a group of them giggling over it at
lunchtime. Some wondering if this kind of thing really will happen to them,
others nodding in affirmation of changes that have already taken place.
Secret Girls' Business sets out to present puberty as part of girls' life
journey and it succeeds beautifully. With simple text and fabulous,
interactive illustrations no stone is left unturned. Be warned! This book
is graphic and in a fun, pictorial manner shows body changes such as breast
variations, hair growth and bodily secretions. Boys 'bits' and other
changes that occur with boys are briefly presented as well.
The book also goes into depth about girls' periods. Why women have them,
what happens when you have them and how you manage them. Detailed
descriptions are accompanied by illustrations of pads and tampons, including
demonstrations of exactly how to place or insert them.
At all times Secret Girls' Business reinforces that changes are normal and
are a part of this stage of life. Girls' are encouraged to seek help from a
parent or carer if they need further advice, or to consult a doctor if they
feel things aren't normal. Questions about sexual relationships and the act
of sex are not dealt with in the book, instead readers are encouraged to
talk to a trusted adult if they want to know more.
The final chapter of the book offers interesting hints for parents, carers
and teachers. One useful tip for parents is that 'a positive attitude
towards growth and change will empower girls to become confident young women'.
Dads are reminded to encourage brothers to be 'respectful and understanding'.
And suggestions to schools cover practical measures such as having plenty of
pads on hand at camps and emotional measures, such as being sensitive to
mood cycles.
Authors Angelo, Pritchard and Stewart are highly qualified to communicate
the 'facts' of life to young girls. Fay Angelo is an Assistant Principal,
Public Welfare Coordinator and teacher. Heather Pritchard is a Sexual and
Reproductive Health Nurse and Sexuality Educator and Rose Stuart is a
teacher and Child Psychologist. Their collective experience certainly shows
throughout the book. I was particularly impressed with their sensitivity to
the reality that children who are physically developed are not necessarily
emotionally ready to manage more than the basics.
Secret Girls' Business is bright, fun, informative and groovy! It's not
something you would hand out to a child without showing or consulting a
parent or carer. I would be surprised however if most parents of pre-teens
did not warm to its easy, approachable style. Young girls might not own up
to loving it, but they will spend time reading and re-reading it and
studying the illustrations. It may be Secret Girls' Business but I don't
think this little gem will remain secret for long!
Find out more on www.secretgb.com or email at secretgb@hotmail.com
SPIN THE BOTTLE
Author: Janette Brazel
A novel for kids aged 9+
Published by: Banana Books 2005
Reviewed by: Jenny Mounfield
"HELP ME"
When Jessi sees these words scrawled on the label of a wine bottle, it only
serves to confirm her suspicion that something is very wrong in Champion
Street.
It's Dave Turner's 15th birthday, and someone started a game of spin the
bottle, a game Jessi has no interest in whatsoever. The only things Jessi
Mathews is interested in are mud cake and hockey - and the whereabouts of
her favourite neighbour, Mrs Parker. Could she be the one who wrote the
message on the bottle?
Jessi barely knows where to start. It seems everyone in Champion Street is
up to no good. For example, there's Mr Jensen, a retired detective, who
creeps about at night rummaging through bins, and Shiva and Jael, the shifty
occupants of the dog house (so named by Jessi due to Shiva's vicious
Rottweilers.).. Jessi appoints Dave as her super sleuth side-kick and goes
in search of clues. What results is an upbeat mystery that's difficult to
put down.
Spin the bottle has it all: action, sport, humour, mystery and romance. The
romance is light-hearted and funny. No matter how hard Dave tries to show
Jessi his feelings, she remains oblivious - or is she? Jessi is one savvy
kid who doesn't miss a trick.
What I liked about this story:
Action, action, action. I love plots that move, and this one never stops.
The mystery is original and kept me guessing. The characters are well
developed.
What I didn't like:
Jessi struck me as a tad too obnoxious, and I thought her treatment of Dave
bordered on heartless. At one point I found myself cheering the Rottweilers
on. But to be fair, Jessi's attitude is far from inaccurate where teenage
girls are concerned; I have one just like her living in my house.
For anyone who loves a good whodunit, Spin the Bottle is sure to please.
Olive and the Grey Water Affair,
by Tim Levy
Reviewed by Sally Murphy
Now then children, I've called this special assembly to tell you about an
important change at this school.Mt Kimberly Primary is to go into a Water
Emergency, Level 8. We are to conserve water at all costs. From next Monday,
we will be turning off all bubblers, hoses, fountains, the boys' urinals and
all other non-critical systems. Questions?
Olive has one, but she's too scared to ask. The school principal, Mrs Tote,
doesn't like to be challenged, so her pronouncement that no water is to be
used at school seems final. But when Olive sees that the trees and plants
are dying, and the birds have all flown away, she decides something must be
done. With an unlikely ally - the principal's pet - she comes up with a
novel scheme to bring grey water to school to keep the gardens alive.
Olive and the Grey Water Affair is a fun story with an important message
about water conservation, for primary school aged children. The book is,
however, much more than simply a story. As well as Olive's tale, there are
games and activities to keep readers busy on their travels - whether by
road, rail or air - and tips for making travelling more comfortable,
including hints for avoiding travel sickness.
The humour of the story and the silliness of some of the suggestions - there
is even a page to sleep on - are well complemented by the humorous
illustrations by Luke Jurevicius. Kids will love the fun of this offering -
parents will love it for keeping kids entertained, whilst also offering a
subtle learning experience.
Olive and the Grey Water Affair, by Tim Levy
Random House, 2005
For more reviews of Australian books, visit www.aussiereviews.com
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MILESTONES
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· Hi Jackie, Thanks for Pass It On - it's truly fabulous!
I've had my first little publishing success, which I'm very proud of, so I
thought you might include it in the next issue for me.
I've just released a "how-to" DVD called Getting Started in Scrapbooking.
Because it's tutorial DVD, it's classed and classified as a book!
Basically it is a step-by-step guide to Scrapbooking. It is aimed at the
absolute beginner, to help them understand basic the terms, techniques and
tools used in this latest craft craze.
It is perfect for country and regional women who don't have access to
classes, for elderly women or new mums who just can't make it out of the
house. It is also a wonderful gift for someone who is interested in trying
the craft but are nervous about taking the next step of finding a class.
It should be in the Scrapbooking section of stores in the next few weeks,
firstly Lincraft and Spotlight, followed soon after by other, larger chain
stores. I have a national distributor for Australia, and another distributor
for New Zealand.
I'm also busy putting together my next DVD, called Getting Started in
Beading, which will be launched in the New Year.
Just like the Jane Fonda workout videos of the 80s, I hope everyone will
eventually own at least one of my Getting Started craft DVDs.
In between, I'm still working on my novel and various children's books!
Thanks again for your wonderful, informative and inspirational e-mail each
week.
Kind regards,
Tracey Kirkland
Thank YOU Tracey - and HUGE congratulations on you first publication!!
Jackie J
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES
Ernest Hemingway
"We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master."
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Jackie Hosking
Editor/Compiler "PASS IT ON"
www.jackiehosking.com
