In this issue:
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Voices on the Move
We have been working hard at Speakers Ink in response to Covid-19 restrictions as many bookings have been changed or cancelled, while other opportunities have come up.
Deborah Abela and Gus Gordon are each locked in to tour Brisbane in the week commencing 30 August, 2021 to replace their cancelled 2020 tours and Phil Kettle has also replaced his cancelled tour with a confirmed booking in Brisbane in Book Week 2021 - the week commencing Monday 16 August, 2021.
Additionally, we encourage you all to check out the full list of wonderful speakers that we represent, as we have added to our list of speakers substantially over the last year. All have something valuable to offer!
 The Spotlight is on Yvonne Mes
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Yvonne Mes is a former early childhood educator and teacher with over 20 years’ experience. Based in Queensland, Yvonne is now a published children’s author, a passionate and energetic presenter, an artist and illustrator. Yvonne uses her experience and knowledge to bring children and adults engaging workshops.
Yvonne has presented at schools, conferences, festivals and writer’s groups to children from kindergarten to year 7 as well as adults. School sessions are linked to the Australian Curriculum, and can be tailored if needed.
Yvonne Mes is the author of picture book Meet Sidney Nolan, illustrated by Sandra Eterovic, published by Penguin Random House. This picture book is part of the well-known ‘Meet …’ series that focuses on important historical figures that shaped Australia’s culture, and is listed on the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge.
Yvonne’s picture book Oliver’s Grumbles, illustrated by Giuseppe Poli was rereleased by Yellow Brick Books in 2017. Her most recent publication (February 2020) is Little Bilby's Aussie Easter Egg Hunt.
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Virtual Tour - Jess Black
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Award-winning author Jess Black (Mr Walker & Little Paws) is offering a free virtual tour to Brisbane schools for her latest series, Kitty is Not a Cat. It follows Kitty, a gutsy girl protagonist, living in an adult-free world, learning what it means to be human from a group of kind-hearted but ill-informed cats. Perhaps some of your students have seen animated Kitty on Channel 7 in the television show?
The virtual tour is an exclusive fifteen-minute video that Jess has prepared for students in years 1-3 (core age, but would suit grades Prep-Year 4) in lieu of her usual book release tour to Brisbane. The video features a short reading, an animated exploration of the themes explored, how Jess developed the characters from the television show, a Q&A, and the animated book trailer. It’s a great teaser to give students an insight into relatable book themes, the writing process and character creation, while having lots of fun.
At the end, students will have the opportunity to buy books afterwards from Riverbend Books, should they choose to do so!
If you would like to take advantage of this Free Virtual Schools Tour and order books please contact Riverbend Books today!
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Vale Goldie Alexander
It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Goldie Alexander after a long illness. Goldie was a prolific writer having written 85 books and short stories published both in Australia and overseas. Family and friends have remembered her as vivacious and witty, with a 'knack for telling it like it is'. Goldie was dedicated to her writing and speaking, earning kudos in schools for her ability to engage students enthusiastically in the writing process. She will be sadly missed at Speakers Ink, and by the children's literature community.
Dates for your Diary
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30 August 2020
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The closing date for the Book Links Mentorship has been extended from 31 July to 30 August 2020. It is open to Book Links members. Applicants are invited to submit a synopsis and the first two chapters or first 6000 words, of a work of fiction for either junior or YA readers, or 2 picture book manuscripts.
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9 Oct
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StoryLinks Short Story Competition entries close. Children in Grades 4, 5 and 6 are invited to write a short story of between 1000 and 1500 words – on any subject. The winner will receive $100 and have their story published on the StoryLinks website.
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Sat 12 Sept 2020 |
Book Trivia Storyfest. From Cat in the Hat to Shakespeare, this is your chance for you and your friends to prove once and for all who the real literary genius is. If you have “brains in your head and feet in your shoes”, come along and test your knowledge and spend an afternoon enjoying trivia in teams of 4 or 2. Presented by HOTA, Home of the Arts and Storyfest
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Yours in promoting literacy from all at the Speakers Ink team,
Sandie, Margie, Jan, Lia, Rob, Matt and James
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Western AustraliaAuthor, Storyteller / Performer, Journalist / Feature writer, Motivational, Memoir Writing
