In this issue:

Welcome

Visiting authors and illustrators bring much more than great stories and illustrations to your school or library. They bring a priceless connection between the creator and their readership that both inspires and nurtures childhood literacy and writing skills.

Don’t take our word for it … book a speaker today and see this yourself.

Explore our full list of Speakers on our website - Speakers Ink.

Want to make a booking?  Complete the online booking form today.

CBCA 2017 Book Week

Started planning for Book Week?  Already have everything sorted?  If not, it's never too late to book fabulous engaging speakers to present to your students.  Contact Speakers Ink today to enquire about the endless possibilities for your upcoming 2017 Book Week celebrations.

Voices on the Move

		Cameron Stelzer Cameron Stelzer's visit to our school exceeded expectations. He inspired many of the students with his talents in writing and illustrating. He interacted with the students very positively, and willingly gave time during his breaks to talk to individual students.   - Thornlands State School, August, 2015.
		Chris Collin There were so many elements to Chris’ presentation. It was great fun for staff and students. I was particularly impressed with how he managed this large group of grade 1’s and held their attention!   - Moreton Bay Regional Libraries - August, 2016
		Michael Salmon Thanks so much for the wonderful performance last Friday. So many positive comments (and that was just the teachers).  I don't think the kids have enjoyed a more entertaining session. One staff member said it was the best show we've ever had." - Glenvale State School, Toowoomba, September, 2011

The Spotlight is on

 the Summer Reading Club 
 

Attention authors! 

The Summer Reading Club (SRC) engages a national audience of children, young people and library services annually from 1 December through 31 January. Participation in the program provides Australian Children’s and Young Adult authors and illustrators the opportunity to engage with this national audience by profiling themselves, and their books on the SRC Club website.
 
The SRC is presently seeking expressions of interest from Australian authors and illustrators to be profiled in the 2017 Summer Reading Club program: GAME ON!

How to participate:

The SRC is looking to engage 15-20 authors or illustrators who:

·  have released a book/book titles in 2016 or who will release a title in early 2017 and whose published works align with the 2017 theme: GAME ON  

·  are able to provide a PDF preview excerpt of their book (ideally, the first few chapters)

·  are able to provide a high resolution cover image of their book/s

·  are able provide information to create a Celebrity Guest profile

·  can confirm participation by Friday, 30 June 2017.

Note: Authors/illustrators who have participated previously will still be considered for selection.

Benefits and reach:

Last year, 1,066 public library branches (74% of Australian Public Libraries) across Australia participated in the Summer Reading Club program; 55,874 children registered (15% increase) and an estimated 456,187 books were read. In addition, through social media posts, media releases and a variety of communication platforms, the Summer Reading Club estimates the audience reach for 2016 was 3.8 million.

·  The Summer Reading Club is an excellent platform for authors and illustrators to promote published and upcoming works.

Links back to an author’s or illustrator’s own website/s and books will be added to the site, along with a Celebrity Guest Profile, increasing their exposure and reach to children, young people and libraries across the country.

The SRC anticipates that you will have some great suggestions for authors and illustrators to profile on the SRC Website this year. We look forward to your recommendations and invite you to forward this invitation on to your network. 

If you have any questions, please call the SRC on 07 3840 7853.

Congratulations to...

Tristan Bancks whose new thriller novel The Fall is out 29 May. For teachers and teacher librarians here are some Teaching Resources And a 2-minute video of Tristan sharing the story. Reviews for The Fall A page-turning masterpiece for readers young and old.' - Bookseller and Blogger, Simon MacDonald, Pages and Pages / Boomerang Books. ‘Bancks intelligently imbues The Fall with themes of family, male connection, resilience and mortality in an engaging, action-filled coming-of-age story that explores what it means to be a hero.’ - Braiden Asciak in B+P (Bookseller and Publisher) Magazine

What's On

 

	Jackie French, patron of Book Links will present a talk at the SLQ on Sunday 4 June
	Story Arts Festival Ipswich is again being celebrated from 2-10 September and planning is well underway.
	Find out how you can support a great cause: The Great Book Swap is being organised by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.
	Want to know what is on at SLQ in Term 2? Click here
	Books I love best Yearly (Bilby)  Children can vote for their favourite books throughout terms 2 and 3 and winners will be announced on November 22.
	Libby Gleeson will present the Narelle Oliver Lecture, organised by Book Links. Save the date - 23 June
	Visually Speaking is an exhibition of original illustrations from Australian children's books. The exhibition will first show at the Garden City Library during April and May.

"Reading makes all other learning possible. We have to get books into our children's hands early and often." - Barack Obama

Yours in promoting literacy from all at the Speakers Ink team,

Sandie, Helen, Margie, Anna, Jan, Rob and James