Dim's Write Stuff

Maria Marshall is a fellow SCBWI member hailing from North America. She's a seasoned traveller, avid wildlife photographer and passionate contributor to all things Kids' Lit who loves  using picture and chapter books to make reading and nature fun for children . I might never have met her had our paths not crossed at the Sydney Australian East New Zealand SCBWI Conference last February, (thanks to Vivian Kirkfield who introduced us!) As Maria states, encounters like these spur inspiration and that special kind of camaraderie and admiration that lingers long after the flight home. Maria Marshall (left) seen here with fellow conference delegates, authors: Jennifer Loakes and Janet Reid Maria impressed me immediately with her attentiveness and drive to absorb as much of my exuberant volley of picture book love as I could fire at her (rushed exchanges are often the norm at these events). We both knew we wanted to share more and after she allowed me to sign a very perso...

First cab off my rank at this year's CYA Conference in Brisbane, was an Introduction to Book Trailers by exciting Children's Author and Presenter Tristan Bancks .  I'd been hearing plenty of who ha recently about the necessity of creating Book Trailers, and having viewed a few, was naturally curious as to what all the furore was about. Tristan presented a very straightforward over view of the importance, creation and role of Book Trailers for we literary folk. Here are some of the main points to consider if you are contemplating this form of promotion. A Book Trailer should be all about bringing a story alive Visually . It is essentially  an Animated Blurb of your book ; the vehicle with which a story is brought alive visually. They can be about YOU or YOUR BOOK. You may not have a published work to share yet but could just share yourself. Tristan's Intro trailer featuring Max Slater HuntsThe Cool Book Trailers should include : - An Introduction: in ...

Couldn't resist squeezing in another RAP  before it ends this week. In order to add a little Aussie flavour to the mix, I've chosen one of my all time favourite children's picture books, " Dimity Dumpty The Story of Humpty's Little Sister "  by renowned Australian author and illustrator, Bob Graham . He really needs no introduction having written and illustrated dozens of children's books, earning him multiple awards and literary acclaim. His latest book, "April Underhill, Tooth Fairy" was short listed for the 2011 Prime Minister's Literary Awards . I love this gorgeous picture book for so many reasons. Here are just some of them: 1.) It's always nice to see you own name in print even if it is just the title of someone else's book. 2.) Bob Graham is home grown Aussie talent. 3.) Dimity Dumpty unashamedly features chickens. I love chickens. 4.) The expiry date on the Humpty's travelling 'egg carton' caravan holds spec...

I'm a firm believer in Support the Supporters and what better way to apply this belief than in this week's Random Acts of Publicity 2011 event hosted by Darcy Pattison . The idea is simple, promote a friend's (latest) book or even you favourite book by blogging about it, talking about it, reviewing it and of course encouraging others to READ it. There is a veritable plethora of superb children's books, including picture books, crafted by skilled and gifted authors and illustrators, all worthy of mention but for me to list them all would bust my blog. So I decided to think on a local scale and am proud to beat the drum for fellow Gold Coast Children's Author and Illustrator Angela Sunde  and her debut children's book, POND MAGIC . Pond Magic is a humorous little tale fresh from the Aussie Chomps Series by Penguin  that is so incredibly popular with kids. It's bursting with originality, the scent of garlic, handsome princes and the sort of pre-teen an...