In this issue:

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; Phil Kettle has also replaced his cancelled tour with a confirmed booking in Brisbane in Book Week 2021 - the week commencing Monday 23 August, 2021 and Jess Black has also replaced her cancelled tour with a confirmed booking in Brisbane during the week commencing Monday, 16th 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 Liz Anelli

Liz Anelli is an illustrator who has been extensively recognised  with awards from CBCA, ASO, Illustrators Australia, Australian Society of Authors & May Gibbs Trust Fellowships. Desert Lake (Walker Books) shortlisted NSW Premiers Award 2017, One Photo (Penguin Random House) and Ten Pound Pom (Blackdog Books) shortlisted CBCA Picture Book of The Year in 2017 and 2018 respectively. Liz has two new picture books out this Spring. Dry to Dry written by Pamela Freeman is the latest in the Walker Books Nature Story Series (1st August) and The Biscuit Maker written by Sue Lawson and also published by Walker Books (1st September). The cover of Dry to Dry was featured on the front of Magpies magazine August edition. Carnivore Films has created a 15 minute video for Liz for a Virtual Presentation to schools. The film is suited to primary schoolers aged 2-6 years. Liz has also created illustrations for a Junior fictino novel School Rules are Optional written by Alison Hart and published by Allen & Unwin. Liz's State Library of WA workshops have been deferred to March 2021, when she will be available for school presentations in the Perth/Fremantle area. "Liz was very enthusiastic and a pleasure to work with. She engaged the children very well and they all enjoyed the session immensely. We received nothing but positive feedback from parents, wanting to know more about Liz and her work." - Burdekin Library - May 2020

Congratulations - 2020 Book of the Year Award Winners

Pip Harry's The Little Wave, published by UQP, has won the Younger Reader category in CBCA's Book of the Year award 2020. 

When a Manly school sets out to bring a country class to the city for a beach visit, three very different kids find each other and themselves.  Noah is fearless in the surf. Being at the beach makes him feel free. So where does his courage go when his best mate pushes him around?  Lottie loves collecting facts about bugs, but she wishes her dad would stop filling their lonely house with junk. She doesn’t know what to do about it.  Jack wants to be a cricket star, but first he has to get to school and look after his little sister. Especially if he wants to go on the class trip and see the ocean for the first time.

Among the many acclamations for this novel, Buzz Words had this to say:

‘Pip Harry’s simple yet powerful word choices create a fabulous story with themes of family, diversity, friendship, grief, bullying and hardship.’
 
Read Plus called it a "simple and heart-warming story"

AND

Frances Watt's My Friend Fred (illustrated by A. Yi), publiched by Allen and Unwin, has won the Early Childhood category in CBCA's Book of the Year award 2020.

My friend Fred eats dog food for breakfast. I think dog food is disgusting. My friend Fred howls at the moon. I don’t know why. He does a lot of funny things. But even though we are different, Fred is my best friend.

A delightful picture book about a friendship between an exuberant but loveable dachshund and his more retiring, tidy housemate.   

Congratulations to all writers, illustrators, poets and publishers honoured this year.
  

The Last Word

Michael Salmon has been working hard to get around Covid-19 restrictions. Peruse the flyer for his online offerings:

Dates for your Diary

	November 1-12	Australia Reads Australians from all walks of life share and celebrate the joys of reading. Our own Jacqueline Harvey is an ambassador for these online events.
	November 7	Write Links writing workshop with Mark Wilson. For adults interesting in writing an historical novel for children. Book here.

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

Sandie, Margie, Jan, Lia, Rob, Matt and James