Children's and YA Writers and Illustrators' Hui

More than a hundred leading New Zealand children’s writers and illustrators met over the weekend 6-8 October for the Storylines National Writers and Illustrators Hui, hosted by Storylines at Auckland at King’s School, Remuera.
Among the presenters were authors Tessa Duder, David Hill, Joy Cowley, Kate De Goldi, Stacy Gregg and Brian Falkner, and illustrators Gavin Bishop, Donovan Bixley and David Elliot.
International literary agents Pippa Masson (Australia) and Kendra Marcus (USA), attended as guests of Creative New Zealand’s Te Manu Ka Tau New Zealand International Delegate Programme, offering a rare opportunity for writers and illustrators to pitch book proposals as prospective clients.

While the two and a half day programme included keynote speeches plus a range of panel discussions and workshops of professional interest to mid-career and new writers, with the experience and advice from kaumatua acting as inspiration to delegates, the hui was also valuable for the opportunities for writers and illustrators of all genres and levels of experience to network, socialise and learn from each other.

Libby Limbrick leads a discussion with international Agents Pippa Masson and Kendra Marcus

Storylines Trust chair Libby Limbrick hosts a discussion with international agents Kendra Marcus and Pippa Masson

Author/illustrator Donovan Bixley runs one of the workshops

Kings School Chapel - venue for plenary sessions

Kings School Chapel was an ideal venue for plenary sessions

One of the highlights of the Hui was the Saturday evening banquet, where MC David Hill introduced a selection of entertaining activities, including the labelling of some Pinot Gris supplied by Black Stilts.Diners also took part in a highly contested literary quiz, and were entertained by Fifi Colston, Donovan Bixley and Kyle Mewburn

Storylines Children's Literature Charitable Trust promotes awareness of the importance of reading and books for all children and young adults; ensures children and young adults in New Zealand have access to high quality literature; and supports the writers and illustrators of literature for children and young adults in New Zealand. Read more

Storylines also operates as the New Zealand Section of IBBY (the International Board on Books for Young People).

Recent Highlights

The Changeover at the movies

Margaret Mahy’s The Changeover has been recreated as a movie, premiering across the country on September 28. Reviews suggest it's a not-to-be-missed experience..
See a trailer here or read more on the Facebook page
The Changeover-731-248-856-608

Story Tour Updates

The highly successful inaugural Storylines National Festival Story Tour finished with visits to schools adn community venues in Nelson/Blenheim and Queenstown/Invercargill.
Read more here.
Story Tour Clyde-442

Story Tour-ists Des Hunt, Barbara Else, Fifi Colston and Scott Tulloch in Clyde, with tour driver (and Storylines Trustee) Rosemary Tisdall (second from right)

What's new?

Paula Green - 2017 Prime Minister's Award

Paula Green’s work and huge contribution to children's literature, especially poetry, has been recognised with one of three 2017 Prime Minister’s Awards for Literature.

Read her acceptance speech for The Prime Minister's Award here.

Read more about Paula here.

Photo: Paula Green and Storylines Trust ChaIr Libby Limbrick at the Prime Minister's Awards for Literature

Libby Lmbrick and Paula Green PM Awards2017-382

Congratulations David Elliot - again

Not only did David Elliot's Snark: Being a true history of the expedition that discovered the Snark and the Jabberwock . . . and its tragic aftermath win the Margaret Mahy Book of the Year at the 2017 Children's Book Awards in August; he has also now been honoured as the sole New Zealand listing in the International Youth Library's White Ravens 2017 catalogue – an annual annual book catalogue of book recommendations in the field of international children’s and young adults literature. This year’s White Ravens catalogue contains 200 titles in 38 languages from 56 countries. The 200 short reviews are available in the White RavensDatabase on the IYLwebsite (www.ijb.de). The print catalogue is launched at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2017, held from 11-15 October.

"Snark" was illustrated and written (after Lewis Carroll) by David and published by Otago University Press.

Congratulations Melinda Szymanik

Melinda Szymanik’s picture book Fuzzy Doodle, illustrated by Donovan Bixley (published by Scholastic) has also been selected as a 2017 White Raven.

You can read a review of Fuzzy Doodle here.

The 200 short reviews are available in the White RavensDatabase on the IYLwebsite (www.ijb.de).

Other Organisations

Storylines recommends you check out the websites for other organisations that also advocate for New Zealand writers and literature:

Michael King Writers’ Centre Residencies 2018: Applications open

The Michael King Writers’ Centre provides a year-round programme of residencies at the historic Signalman’s Cottage on Takarunga Mt Victoria in Devonport, Auckland. Residents receive accommodation, the use of a studio and a generous stipend. 2018 residencies will be available for up to 13 writers, and applicants can stay for as little as two weeks at the centre. A Pasifika residency has been added to support Pasifika writing. Writers from all over New Zealand, including Auckland, are welcome to apply.
The residencies are offered with the assistance of Creative New Zealand.
A 20 week residency, offered in partnership with the University of Auckland, is for an established author who will benefit from the academic environment. Shorter residencies are open to emerging, mid-career or established writers.
Applications close on Friday 6 October, 2017. Read more

New Zealand Book Awards

The New Zealand Book Awards Trust champions and honours New Zealand literature. Read the latest news about the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards, the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults, and the Phantom Billstickers National Poetry Day here.

New Zealand Book Council

The New Zealand Book Council supports the lifelong engagement of New Zealanders in reading, and promotes and nurtures New Zealand writers, writing and books. Read more.