Thursday 14 June 2012

What does it mean to win the Crystal Kite Award - Norman Jorgensen


I asked Crystal Kite Award winner, author, Norman Jorgensen, what it meant winning the award...

"At first I actually couldn’t believe we actually won the award, considering the huge wealth of talent that inhabits SCBWI in Australia. Being a peer chosen award it feels just like winning an Academy Award, but without Angelina Jolie. 

To remind myself of how special this is, I look back through the pages of the book and at James Foley’s gorgeous illustrations and I’m reminded of a piece of advice from a well-known writer who said, if you are going to write picture books make sure your publisher saddles you with a great illustratorIt makes all the difference.

He wasn’t wrong. And seeing as James and I met on a SCBWI retreat, and first decided there to do the book together, it sort of feels appropriate that we will also be at a SCBWI conference to accept the award. SCBWI, what a great organisation. I love it!

Please tell us about your book!
The Last Viking is a picture book illustrated  by James Foley about Josh, a small, timid boy who is frightened of just about everything, including monsters under the bed. When his grandfather gives him a book about Vikings, where he learns they are brave and fierce, Josh decides to change his name to Knut and become a Viking. He imagines if he makes himself a Viking ship, a sword and horned helmet he will automatically become a Viking and become brave and fierce, just like them.
Later, when the local bullies come for him, goes bravely out to face up to them, however, the Norse Gods, who have been watching out for their newest warrior from their hall up in Asgard, intervene and burst from the clouds in a heavenly Longship to save him. 

How long have you been involved with SCBWI, and can you share what you feel you've gained by being a member?
I joined SCBWI soon after the hugely talented illustrator, Frané Lessac, started our Western Australia chapter ten years ago. Not only have I loved being with the members and sharing their enthusiasm and their successes, but our new book resulted directly because of James Foley and myself both being members of SCBWI.
   
Every year we have a SCBWI retreat on Rottnest Island, a magical spot about ten miles off our coast, and at the retreat three years ago I saw a wonderful picture in James’ sketchbook of a young boy dressed up as a medieval knight. I immediately thought, if a boy can dress up as a knight then why not as a Viking?

With my Danish surname I’ve always wanted to do a Viking story, so a tapped James on the shoulder and asked, ‘Are you busy for the next year?’  I then had to quickly think of a plot involving a boy Viking, and, most importantly, go and convince my publisher, Cate Sutherland at Fremantle Press that I had found the greatest new illustrator since Shaun Tan stubbed his big toe on his Oscar.
  
Do you have any advice to share with other children's book writers and illustrators?
Just two pieces.  
1. Persistence. Never, ever, ever give in.  I’m so reminded of JK Rowling and JRR Tolkien both having had had their books rejected over fifteen times, but they still kept at it.
This Crystal Kite Award took twenty years in coming. 

2. And, most importantly, have fun. Write for yourself and not what you think the market or other people may want to read. 

Sage advice, Norman! Thank you so much for dropping in on the Conference Blog. 

Wednesday 13 June 2012

Talented WA duo win the 2012 SCBWI Crystal Kite Award


Talented WA duo Norman Jorgenson & James Foley Win the SCBWI Crystal Kite Award 2012

 SCBWI congratulates Norman Jorgenson and James Foley for The Last Viking, published by Fremantle Press to be awarded at the SCBWI Conference 29th June-2nd July  at The Hughenden Hotel Sydney.


 A victorious story about a boy with a wild imagination, this humorous and pertinent narrative not only addresses the serious issue of bullying, but also highlights a moving relationship between grandfather and grandson.’ Good Reads.

Norman Jorgenson: "At first I actually couldn’t believe we actually won the award, considering the huge wealth of talent that inhabits SCBWI in Australia. Being a peer chosen award it feels just like winning an Academy Award, but without Angelina Jolie. 
To remind myself of how special this is, I look back through the pages of the book and at James Foley’s gorgeous illustrations and I’m reminded of a piece of advice from a well-known writer who said, if you are going to write picture books make sure your publisher saddles you with a great illustrator. 
It makes all the difference. He wasn’t wrong. And seeing as James and I met on a SCBWI retreat, and first decided there to do the book together, it sort of feels appropriate that we will also be at a SCBWI conference to accept the award. SCBWI, what a great organisation. I love it!"

James Foley: “Being in SCBWI has kick-started my career- it's how I met Norman, it's how I met Cate Sutherland from Fremantle Press, it's how I met Sarah Foster from Walker Books. It's where I've met some of favourite friends. And now it's given me this award. It's very humbling."

The Crystal Kite Awards are given by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) each year to recognize great books from the 70 SCBWI regions around the world.


Illustration by Serena Geddes
Glenda Millard won the inaugural Crystal Kite Award in 2010 and in 2011, it was awarded to Claire Saxby for her picture book, There Was an Old Sailor
Claire's award will also be presented to her at this coming conference along with Norm and James.

And the last words are from James and friends....





Tuesday 12 June 2012

The NSW Writers' Centre partnership



The NSW Writers' Centre has partnered with SCBWI for the conference as part of the National Year of Reading 2012. 

It is a fitting partnership as approximately 25% of the member of the NSW Writers Centre are kids and young adult authors and illustrators. 

As an ambassador for the National Year of Reading 2012, and as the Chair of the Board of the NSW Writers Centre and RA for Australia East and New Zealand SCBWI, I feel it is a wonderful friendship across organisations and celebrates the community of children’s writing. 

From Susanne Gervay

Monday 11 June 2012

BOOK LAUNCHES AT THE CONFERENCE

Celebrating Children’s Authors & Illustrators at
The International SCBWI Conference  Sydney



with Catriona Hoy, Belinda Murrell, Pamela Rushby,
& Crystal Kite Winners James Foley & Norman Jorgenson

The Little Dinosaur by Catriona Hoy & Andrew Plant (Working Title Press)


The Little Dinosaur combines dramatic narrative with scientific fact to tell a fascinating, poignant story. It has been created by the team that created the 2011 CBCA Notable Book, Puggle.
The Little Dinosaur ~ BOOK LAUNCH FRIDAY 29 JUNE 6.30PM at The Hughenden Hotel 14 Queen Street Woollahra


The Forgotten Pearl by Belinda Murrell (Random House Australia)


The forgotten pearl is the key to entering an exhilarating wartime adventure from bestselling author Belinda Murrell, available as a paperback and e-book.
The Forgotten Pearl ~ BOOK LAUNCH SATURDAY 30 JUNE 1.30PM at the NSW Writers Centre Rozelle

The Horses Didn’t Come Home by Pamela Rushby (HarperCollins)


A boy, his horse – a war far from home. The last great cavalry charge in history took place at Beersheba in the Sinai Desert in 1917. It was Australian horses and soldiers that took part in, and won, this amazing, unexpected, unorthodox victory. The men proudly proclaimed it was their great-hearted horses that won the day. But, in the end, the horses didn’t come home …
The Horses Didn’t Come Home ~ BOOK LAUNCH SATURDAY 30 JUNE 7.00PM at the Hughenden Hotel 14 Queen Street Woollahra

Sunday 10 June 2012

The SCBWI 2012 ILLUSTRATOR SHOWCASE Catalogue



With only 19 days to go until the Conference begins, check out the showcasing illustrators and their work in the SCBWI Australia/NewZealand Conference’s ILLUSTRATOR SHOWCASE.

The Online Catalogue of participating illustrators is available now – click the thumbnails on the link above for their art, and for information about each artist.