Tuesday 22 July 2014

Conferences

I've just been in Sydney for the Walker Conference followed sharply by the SCBWI International Conference.

The Walker Conference was for authors and illustrators who work with Walker Books and was a great way to meet all the Walker team and learn more about how they work together with us to make and sell books. It was also great to meet new people and spend time with friends and co-creators.



Two highlights for me were meeting Graham Byrne, illustrator of 'Big Red Kangaroo' and 'Emu' for coffee before the conference, and then meeting Lizzy Newcomb who is illustrating 'My Name is Lizzie Flynn'. Lizzy had brought with her the art for 'Lizzie' and I was bowled over. Okay, I cried. It's so beautiful.

The conference was held at Rose Bay on a glorious Sydney day.



The following day was just as beautiful and a group of us went for a walk across the Harbour Bridge ... not the climb, but the walk. It was fabulous. Lovely to stretch the legs after a day mostly sitting, and to see the Harbour at its sparkly best. Good company too! We were quietly chuffed to be identified as 'artists' by someone we asked to take our photo!

 We weren't the only ones to enjoy the day. This wedding had a video photographer and at least three other professional photographers!


Three wise monkeys aka me, Sue and Sally. Emu, my new picture book is dedicated to these two good friends. 
 


The second conference was the bi-ennial SCBWI Conference which is always great fun. The program is full, as is the time between. It's stimulating, noisy, informative and absolutely exhausting! I've come home for a rest!


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