28 May, 2019

Presentation: Hayley Chewins


Presentation: Hayley Chewins

Venue: Johannesburg (address will be sent to respondents)
Date: Tuesday 4 June 2019
Time: 10:30
Cost:  R100 (SCBWI members) R200 (non-members)
RSVP: To Jenny at SCBWI.SA.Gauteng@mweb.co.za

About the event:
Hayley Chewins will talk about the process of publishing her debut middle grade novel, The Turnaway Girls, which was selected as one of the Best Middle Grade Books of 2018 by Kirkus Reviews and deemed one of the best feminist books for young readers by the American Library Association. The Turnaway Girls is also an Exclusive Books Recommended Read for April and received a starred review from both Kirkus and Publishers Weekly. It has been published across the English-speaking world with Candlewick Press and Walker Books, and translation rights have sold in three territories. There will be plenty of time for questions and comments.

About the facilitator:
Hayley grew up in Cape Town, South Africa, in a house so full of books that she learnt to read by accident. She studied classical voice for a year before switching to a degree in English Literature and Italian, and realised she wanted to be a novelist while completing her postgraduate degree in law. Hayley holds an Honours degree in English Literature and a Master’s degree in Writing for Young People from Bath Spa University. She lives in Johannesburg, South Africa, with her husband and a toy poodle named Darfer. She loves secondhand bookshops, Audrey Hepburn movies, dark fairy tales, and long conversations over coffee.

This event is for illustrators and writers.


06 May, 2019

Shortlist for the 2019 Sanlam Prize for Youth Literature Announced

PRESS RELEASE
For immediate publication: 30 April 2019
SHORTLIST FOR THE 2019 SANLAM PRIZE FOR YOUTH LITERATURE ANNOUNCED
Sanlam and Tafelberg (an imprint of NB Publishers) are proud to announce this year’s finalists.
English:
• Jayne Bauling from White River, Mpumalanga with Smoke Across the Sun;
• Jenny Hatton from Lynnwood Glen, Pretoria with Upstanding;
• Nerine Dorman from Welcome Glen, Simon’s Town with Sing Down the Stars;
• Sally Partridge from Durbanville, Cape Town with The Whoevers;
• Shafinaaz Hassim from Polokwane with Nisa Qamar and the Legend of Qawthar; and
• Toby Damon Bennett from Claremont, Cape Town with The Music Box Blues.
Afrikaans:
• Annerle Barnard from Bainsvlei, Bloemfontein with Sindikaat;
• Christina Venter from Louis Trichardt, Limpopo with E-pos vir Trui;
• Derick van der Walt from Villieria, Pretoria with Die Toring van Jasmyn;
• Frans Fourie from Strand with Neuk;
• Nerine Ahlers and Aletta Steenkamp from Lynnwood and Waterkloof, Pretoria with Ek is nog hier; and
• Tertius Janse van Rensburg from Framesby, Port Elizabeth with Die sindikaat.
Vernacular:
• Lungile Promise Zwane from Wasbank, KwaZulu-Natal with Umzabalazo (isiZulu);
• Thembisile Kundlwana from Sebokeng, Vanderbijlpark with Tata Siyakuxolela (isiXhosa);
• July Innocent Mtsweni from Lindo Park, Pretoria with Umfelasakhe (Ndebele);
• Thabo Kheswa from Bophelong, Vanderbijlpark with Haeso ke kae! (Sesotho);
• Mokhwatsi Reuben Maponya from Tzaneen with Makhwatšo (Northern Sotho);
2
• Othusitse Moses Lobelo from Delareyville, North West with Mmatla kgomo kodumela (Setswana);
• Mbedzi Nyelisani from Thohoyandou, Limpopo with U Kondelela (Tshivenda); and
• Musa Aubrey Baloyi from Soweto with Tinsimu To Pfumala Mpfumawulo (Xitsonga).
A gold and silver winner will be selected in each category and announced at an awards ceremony in October 2019. The six prize-winning books will be launched at this event whereafter authors will visit local schools and festivals as part of a publicity tour.
The total prize money amounts to R90 000: R20 000 for the gold winners and R10 000 for the runners-up.
The Sanlam Prize for Youth Literature turns 40 in 2020!
This biennial award has been a source of local young adult publications since its inception in 1980. Over the years some changes were made to the competition to ensure relevance to readers and the South African literary and social landscape. The most significant change was to open entries to all eleven official languages of South Africa, thus ensuring that more writers and readers benefit from the competition.
Michelle Cooper (Publisher and Head: Children’s and Youth Literature, Tafelberg) says: “I cherish each Sanlam award-winning book we’ve published. They represent the best of local writing for young adults. Our latest batch of winners cover themes that are right on trend with international YA and I know readers will be enthralled.”
Debut authors compete on level ground against established writers in this anonymously judged competition and some have gone on to succeed as published authors in other genres as a result of winning. With a few exceptions, a Sanlam winner is prescribed in schools regularly, and some have been turned into films. Sanlam award winners have also gone on to win other local literary prizes like the Media24 Books Literary Awards and the Percy FitzPatrick Prize.
“Sanlam believes that learning provides the foundation for building a world of Wealthsmiths. Our investment in this competition for almost 40 years has resulted in thousands of young people getting access to books ‒ laying the foundation for living their best lives, now and for the next generation,” says Elena Meyer (Senior Manager: Sponsorships, Sanlam).
Media enquiries:
Hevette le Grange
Publicist: Children's and YA books
021 406 3414 / 083 234 5774
hevette.legrange@nb.co.za

29 April, 2019

Which Children's and Young Adult books are selling?



Venue:  Love Books, 53 Rustenburg Rd, Melville
Date: 9 May 2019
Time: 10:30
Cost:  None (Pay for your own lunch at the Service Station afterwards)
RSVP: To Jenny at SCBWI.SA.Gauteng@mweb.co.za

About the event:
Do you write/illustrate in a vacuum? How often do you browse the bookshelves to look at what is on display? Do you know what books are in the bookstores, which books appeal to children and young adults?

Kate Rogan, co-founder of Love Books and producer of the book show for Jenny Crwys-Williams at Talk Radio 702 for many years, will chat about which children’s and young adult books are selling in her store. This will be followed by lunch (pay for yourself) at the Service Station. You may also like to visit the art gallery upstairs.

This event is for illustrators and writers.

01 March, 2019

Presentation by Staging Post


Presentation by Staging Post

Venue: Jacana Media
Date: Thursday 14 March 2019
Time:  10:00 – 12:00
Cost: R100 SCBWI members, R200 non-members
RSVP: To Jenny at SCBWI.SA.Gauteng@mweb.co.za

About the Presentation
Have you wondered about self-publishing? How much does it cost, who can help you through the process, what are the stages of production? This presentation by Efemia Chela and her team at Staging Post will help to answer those questions. Places are limited and will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Members will receive preference.

About Staging Post

Staging Post was created in April 2015 by the publishing house Jacana Media, the second-largest English-language publisher in South Africa. It publishes up to 80 titles a year and has been in the business since 1992. Jacana’s iconic slogan describes that “they publish what they like”. At Staging Post

the slogan is “we publish what YOU like”. Authors and illustrators remain in control, don’t give away their rights and don’t rely on royalties. Via Staging Post authors and illustrators are able to tap into both the excellent services provided by the in-house production team and Jacana’s networks with the best professionals in book publishing. Under this ‘assisted self-publishing’ model, writers and illustrators are supported through the publishing process with all the invaluable advice and professional guidance they need to produce the best possible version of your book.



For ore information about Staging Post, see www.makebook.co.za

01 October, 2018

Writing Stories for Children


Workshop One: Writing Stories for Children
A Two-part Interactive Course
With Award-winning UK Author Alan Durant

Venue:  Soulistic Expressions, Melville Johannesburg (See www.soulisticexpressions.co.za )
Date: Tuesday 9 October 2018
Time: 10:00 – 15:00
Cost:  R300 SCBWI members, R700 non-members (per workshop)
RSVP: To Jenny at SCBWI.SA.Gauteng@mweb.co.za

About the event: This workshop is the first of two. The second workshop will be held in February 2019 and will give participants the opportunity to discuss work-in-progress. (It is possible to attend one or both workshops.)

 Whether you want to write picture books, middle grade stories or young adult fiction, for yourself, your own children or relatives, or for publication, this workshop with award-winning UK author Alan Durant will explore some of the key techniques and considerations involved. Characterisation, voice, language, style, plot and more will be covered in this fun, practical and informative workshop, suitable for writers of all levels, providing plenty of opportunities for writing and discussion. Book now!

Tutor profile
Alan Durant is an award-winning author of one hundred books for children – from picture books to young adult novels. His titles include Billy Monster’s Daymare, winner of the Royal Mail Scottish Children’s Book Award, Burger Boy, Angus Rides the Goods Train, Always and Forever, Dear Father Christmas, Game Boy and Blood. Alan is an experienced writing tutor, who has run many workshops for children and adults around the world. Find out more on
his website, www.alandurant.co.uk More about Alan…
http://www.alandurant.co.uk/discover.html
http://www.alandurant.co.uk/mybooks.html

Bring your writing, illustration to share with participants and for feedback.

This event is for illustrators and writers.

12 August, 2018

Create a picture with words


Workshop with Joan Rankin: Create a picture with words

Venue: Houghton
Date: 21 August 2018
Time: 10:30 – 15:00
Cost:  R300 non-members, R150 SCBWI members
RSVP: To Jenny at SCBWI.SA.Gauteng@mweb.co.za

About the event:
The workshop will be divided into three parts:
1)     An illuminated letter
2)     Brainstorm
3)     A collage using imaginative forms and words.
              
About the facilitator:
Joan Rankin has been creating art since childhood, but her first books were published in the eighties. One of South Africa’s foremost illustrators, her awards include the HAUM Daan Retief Publishers Competition for Children’s Book Illustration in 1986, the Katrien Harries Award for Children’s Book Illustration in 1991 and 2009, the Oppenheimer Toy Portfolio Gold Award in 2003, as well as the MER Award in 2011 and the Tienie Holloway Gold Medal for Children's Literature 2102.

This event is for illustrators and writers. 

15 July, 2018

Presentation: Jayne Bauling


Presentation: Jayne Bauling



Venue: Sandton Public Library
Date: 30 July 2018
Time: 10:30 – 13:00
Cost:  R300 non-members, R150 SCBWI members
RSVP: To Jenny at SCBWI.SA.Gauteng@mweb.co.za

About the event:
Award winning writer of children’s and adult books, Jayne Bauling, will talk about her writing and books. There will be time for questions and discussion.

About the presenter:
Jayne was born in England but grew up in South Africa. After many years in Johannesburg and 17 women's fiction novels published in the UK, a move to White River, Mbombela in Mpumalanga, coincided with an exploration of new writing directions - youth fiction, short stories and poetry. Her YA novel E Eights won the 2009 Macmillan Writer's Prize for Africa, Stepping Solo was awarded the 2011 Maskew Miller Longman literature award for novels in English, Dreaming of Light won the 2012 Gold Sanlam Prize for Youth Literature and was chosen for the 2014 IBBY Honour List, while New Keepers won the 2017 Silver Sanlam Prize. Her youth short story Dineo 658 MP won the 2009 MML silver medal, while This Ubuntu Thing was shortlisted for the inaugural Golden Baobab award and The Saturday Dress was shortlisted for the same award in 2014. In 2011 she also won the inaugural African Writing flash fiction prize for Settling. She has been shortlisted twice for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize. Another youth novel Our Side of the Wall was shortlisted for the Sanlam Prize. She has also written Soccer Secrets and a trilogy, Soccer Season, for Cover2Cover Books.



Visit her Facebook page Jayne Bauling Writer or follow her on Twitter @JayneBauling (less)



This event is for illustrators and writers.


22 June, 2018

Marketing your Books using Social Media


So, you’ve got your book published. You’re proud of your writing or illustration. If your book is traditionally published, you expect the publisher to advertise and market it? If you published it yourself, you expect your audience to find it? No. Your work is not yet completed. You have to advertise, to market, to mingle with your readers. How do you do this? Find out more by attending our next meeting.

Marketing your books using social media

Venue: Sandton Public Library
Date: 23 June 2018
Time: 09:30 – 13:00
Cost:  R300 non-members, R150 SCBWI members
RSVP: To Jenny at SCBWI.SA.Gauteng@mweb.co.za

About the event:
1. Social Media 101 - Is Facebook still relevant
2. Building your own website and updating it.
3. Paid vs Organic media - Which works, what are you driving and targeting?
4. Self-publishing. How to set business objectives and measure success on digital.
5. Sampling - Using samples to create virility.  

About the facilitator:

Hamish Pillay is a Marketing and Digital Consultant. He hails from East London, now known as Buffalo City. He published his first book ten years ago, winning the Citizen Book Prize and was a finalist in the Mnet Literary Awards. He’s been on the Corporate merry-go-round for the last eight years specialising in digital marketing. You can follow Hamish Pillay on Twitter: Hamish_Hoosen or check out www.hamishhoosenpillay.wordpress.com

This event is for illustrators and writers.

12 February, 2018

Writing for Television: An Introduction by Natasje van Niekerk


Writing for Television: An Introduction by Natasje van Niekerk

Venue: Lynnwood Glen, Pretoria
Date: Monday 26 February 2018
Time:  10:00 –  14:30
Cost: R100 SCBWI members, R200 non-members
RSVP: To Jenny at SCBWI.SA.Gauteng@mweb.co.za

About the event:
... if you are a child at heart, or just really passionate about children's writing and you would like to find out about writing for animated series or adapting a book for the screen, this workshop is for you. You need to be open to NEW ideas, and NEW ways of doing things... if you are married to how you've always been writing, Natasje will frustrate the bejeezus out of you. In the words of Einstein, it's about curiosity and a hunger for greatness.

About the venue:
This event will be held in Lynnwood Glen, just off the N1 freeway. Once you’re on the freeway, it’s easy to find. Lifts can be arranged from Joburg or from Hatfield Gautrain station.

About the facilitator:
Natasje van Niekerk started her career in the entertainment industry as an actress. Upon her return from the London circuit, she landed a job playing the puppet-girl, Thandi in the SABC children’s series, Thabang Thabong, from whence acting became writing.

She soon started writing for Generations, and continued the soap track with Muvhango and Binnelanders. A selection of sitcoms (Askies, Pottie Potgieter and few unproduced ones for Kyknet), magazine programmes and drama series followed. Then Magic Cellar came along opened up the wonderful world of animated series, and provided an opportunity to be mentored by Clive Endersby, acclaimed Canadian story editor. 15 years in television later and Natasje has a list of children’s TV shows, international animated series and PSAs and many SAFTA nominations to her belt. She is most proud of her Aurora (International Award) for Best Comedy on a series called Buzz and Bite.

Natasje was the head of the Script Department for Brave Creative Media and Executive Story Editor on three animated children’s Series – Luminati, Fledglings and Fishpaste for international release. In 2015 she started The Storyteller Pod, a one stop script shop, concept development hub and writing talent incubator.

Currently Natasje is Head of Script Department for MONDO TV (Italy) on Sissi the Young Empress Season 3. She has just been nominated for Best Writing on a comedy for Elke Skewe Pot.

This event is for illustrators and writers and anyone else who feels like joining in, MEN and women.

12 October, 2017

Seminar: Children's and Young Adult Books


to be held on 21 October 2017 in the Auditorium at the Sandton Public Library

This seminar features a number of authors talking about the path to publication, both traditional and independent, about the power of dreams and hard work. It promises to be stimulating, thought-provoking and motivating.

Cost:               Early bird payment by 13 October: R100 SCBWI members, R200 non-members

At the door: R150 SCBWI members, R300 non-members

RSVP:            By 19 October to Jenny at SCBWI.SAGauteng@mweb.co.za

All welcome - members and non-members. This event is for illustrators and writers – aspiring and published.

Tea and coffee will be available but participants are asked to bring their own lunch boxes.

PROGRAMME

09:15       Welcome: A day away from adult concerns to one filled with children’s stories and young adult dreams - Jenny Hatton: writer of numerous textbooks, three children’s picture books published by Jacana Media and a play published by Junkets, editor of children’s fiction and non-fiction, organizer of SCBWI events in Gauteng and general plodder.

09:30       A fairy tale in Joan Rankin style - Joan Rankin: writer and illustrator of more than 100 books published nationally and internationally, awarded the HAUM Daan Retief Publishers Competition for Children’s Book Illustration in 1986, the Katrien Harries Award for Children’s Book Illustration in 1991 and 2009, the Oppenheimer Toy Portfolio Gold Award in 2003, the MER Award in 2011 and the Tienie Holloway Gold Medal for Children's Literature in 2012.

                Traditional publishing                       

10:00       Seeing yourself in the story: Writing a series for young people - Bontle Senne: a literacy advocate and writer of fiction for children and teenagers with two books published by Cover2Cover,  these part of an Afrocentric adventure/fantasy trilogy for 9-12-year-olds called Shadow Chasers, Army of Shadows and Lake of Memories.

10:45       Tea                                                       

11:00       Where to now: What happens after the first book has been published?            - Susie Dinneen, writer, thinker, doodler, picture lover, general nerd, reader and copy editor whose first book, Nombulelo and the Moth, was published by Puffin Books.

                Traditional and self-publishing      

11:45   Going hybrid: traditional publishing versus publishing my own books - Joanne Macgregor, a bird of many feathers, is a prolific writer of children’s and young adult books amongst which are two children’s picture books about Jemima Jones, three eco-warrior YA books published by Protea Books, six YA self-published books and even a book for adults, all this between counseling work as a psychologist.

12:30       Lunch                                                  

13:15       Don’t preach! Writing about serious topics for teens - Fiona Snykers, author of the Trinity series of novels, the Sisterz series of mobile phone novels commissioned by the Shuttleworth Foundation and  Now Following You, a thriller published by Modjaji Books, nominated for the Sunday Times Fiction Prize; also a reviewer of books for the Times and the Sunday Times

14:00       The marketing of self-published books: a tough exercise for a shy person - Damaria Senne, an activist, journalist, writer, communications specialist, blogger and publisher had her first story, The Doll That Grew, published in 1993 by Macmillan Boleswa but has also written educational materials, brochures, pamphlets, newsletter copy, website and blog content and established Storypot where she began to publish some of her content online independently and later established Damaria Senne Media.
14:45   Thanks

28 March, 2017

Exhibition: Adelle van Zyl

Exhibition: Adelle van Zyl

Venue: UNISA Art Gallery (Kgorong Building, Ground Floor, UNISA, Preller St, Pretoria)
Date:  Tuesday 4 April 2017 (Exhibition from 1 - 21 April 2017)
Time:  10:30
Cost:  Lunch at own cost at Cafe 41 in Groenkloof
RSVP: To Jenny at SCBWI.SA.Gauteng@mweb.co.za

About the event: Adelle van Zyl is an illustrator of children’s books and graphic designer. She will walk us through the exhibition and talk about her artworks on display.

  Adelle van Zyl posted in S(H)ELVES .       Adelle van Zyl March 16 at 5:27am   Press Release for S(H)ELVES “For what you really collect is always yourself” (Baudrillard 1996) In her Masters Degree exhibition titled S(H)ELVES, Adelle van Zyl engages with the phenomena of collecting and hoarding on a personal level. Through intra- and interpersonal relationships with her father, her husband, and herself, she explores how people surround themselves with objects that become a reflection of their owner. Through the medium of installation the artist invites the viewer to immerse themselves in the density of these persons’ living spaces, offering a glimpse into their complex and idiosyncratic personas. The exhibition aims to offer a sympathetic view of anyone who was ever faced with a mass of objects that are, on the surface, meaningless, but really form the fabric of their lives. In The Collector, the artist created an almost exact replica of her father’s study. Through the sourcing of near identical items she constructs a one-to-one scale map. The main theme that is deliberated through this installation are the concepts of progression and regression. The completion of the collection becomes an important factor in this work, as Van Zyl’s father is in the process of completing his collection, in order to bequeath it to his grandchildren. The Quiet Man is based on the artist’s husband and their struggle to communicate within their relationship. The installation is an exaggeration of his assemblage of “stuff”: pc components and cables are applied as media and as metaphor for broken communication. Through this installation the artist considers how their combined hobby – birding - can be seen as a way of collecting but also as a channel for communication. The Pockets Of My Jeans consists of a very personal and meaningful collection of yellow items from the artist’s past, stacked and layered in a column stretching from floor to ceiling. Within this work the artist explores the idea that meaning is created through our collections of objects – the basis of her search for a spirituality that exists outside of formal religion.   Like Comment    
   
   
   
   

Press Release for S(H)ELVES

“For what you really collect is always yourself” (Baudrillard 1996)

In her Masters Degree exhibition titled S(H)ELVES, Adelle van Zyl engages with the phenomena of collecting and hoarding on a personal level. Through intra- and interpersonal relationships with her father, her husband, and herself, she explores how people surround themselves with objects that become a reflection of their owner. Through the medium of installation the artist invites the viewer to immerse themselves in the density of these persons’ living spaces, offering a glimpse into their complex and idiosyncratic personas. The exhibition aims to offer a sympathetic view of anyone who was ever faced with a mass of objects that are, on the surface, meaningless, but really form the fabric of their lives.

In The Collector, the artist created an almost exact replica of her father’s study. Through the sourcing of near identical items she constructs a one-to-one scale map. The main theme that is deliberated through this installation are the concepts of progression and regression. The completion of the collection becomes an important factor in this work, as Van Zyl’s father is in the process of completing his collection, in order to bequeath it to his grandchildren.

The Quiet Man is based on the artist’s husband and their struggle to communicate within their relationship. The installation is an exaggeration of his assemblage of “stuff”: pc components and cables are applied as media and as metaphor for broken communication. Through this installation the artist considers how their combined hobby – birding - can be seen as a way of collecting but also as a channel for communication.

The Pockets Of My Jeans consists of a very personal and meaningful collection of yellow items from the artist’s past, stacked and layered in a column stretching from floor to ceiling. Within this work the artist explores the idea that meaning is created through our collections of objects – the basis of her search for a spirituality that exists outside of formal religion.

   

After viewing the exhibition, we will have lunch at a restaurant nearby. Please indicate in your response, whether you would like to join us for lunch.

This event is for illustrators and writers.All welcome.

South Africa's Children Book Fair


Jozi Book Fair 2017


Illustration Competition


27 February, 2017

Writing and illustrating workshop: Create the setting for your story

Writing and illustrating workshop: Create the setting for your story

Venue:  Johannesburg (address to be sent to respondents)
Date: Tuesday 7 March 2017
Time:    10:00 – 15.00
Cost:  R50 SCBWI members, R100 non-members
RSVP: To Jenny at SCBWI.SA.Gauteng@mweb.co.za

About the event:
Donna Wyckoff-Wheeler, writing teacher, will facilitate the workshop on setting. Using movement to create setting – inspiration from the previous meeting. Elements of setting: physical and social geography, mood, season, ambiance, time (macro and micro aspects), people, objects, technology, lighting, relationships  etc.

About the facilitator:
Dr Donna Wyckoff-Wheeler, who offers courses in writing, is an alumnus of the Ohio State University, where she specialised in Applied English, folklore and narrative studies.

This event is for illustrators and writers.

Pre-Workshop Task – Bring to Workshop.
Use some aspect of “motion” to create a fragment of “setting” for a book entitled: The A-frame House on Baker Street.
Writers:  500 word outside limit, less is fine. Do not describe the house directly, although you may include mention of the house if you like (but this is not essential). The setting you create needs to use some concept of motion to support some aspect of the story at this particular point in the narrative – context, character, or plot. Remember, each of these elements involves multiple aspects of contextual details. Yes, I’m being vague just to allow you to play with the concepts. Work toward any genre (including poetry) and any target age. You don’t need to know the whole story at this point.
Illustrators: One art work (any medium or style, rough or finished) that might appear at some point in a book entitled: The A-frame House on Baker Street. Incorporate some idea of motion into the illustration. As you don’t know the “story” at this point, you can image any genre, length or age group you like. 

05 November, 2016

Unlock your creativity

We had a fantastic workshop with Yvette de Beer. The pictures tell the story.

The workshop was held in Yvette's lovely home on Witbank Dam where she has a beautiful work room flooded with natural light.

We began by painting backing board. Then we were asked to draw characters based on random pieces of driftwood and other natural items.

We were asked to juxtapose two characters. We placed these on the backing boards. As can be seen, many different approaches were taken.

What a fabulous way to unleash creativity, free the mind and be inspired! Thanks Yvette.















31 October, 2016

Writing for second-language / additional language children


Workshop: Writing for second-language / additional language children

Venue:  Houghton (Johannesburg)
Date: 17 May 2018
Time: 10:00 – 15:00
Cost:  R300 non-members, R150 SCBWI members
RSVP: To Jenny at SCBWI.SA.Gauteng@mweb.co.za

About the event:
Writing for second-language speakers of English is a challenge. How do you change your use of language without “talking down”? How do you bring the same level of excitement to the story? Ruth Pressler has been doing just this for a number of years. She will work with participants on specific writing skills.

About the facilitator:
Ruth Pressler has a teaching background, having taught in the Junior Primary (now Foundation Phase) for many years and also having served as Head of Department (FP) for eleven of those years. After leaving the Education Department, Ruth upgraded her Higher Diploma in Education to a Bachelor of Education Honours (Adult Education) in 2005 and a Masters of Education (Education, Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights) in 2008, both through Wits. Since leaving teaching Ruth has worked as a trainer of adult facilitators for an Adult Education training company. She writes material for educators and learners, at levels across the board, for a number of Educational Publishers, among them Pearson, MacMillan, Ochre Media and others. Ruth has gained much experience in writing for English FAL (First Additional Language) learners in the Foundation, Intermediate, Senior and FET phases. For the Intermediate Phase Ruth has written a number of titles for MacMillan’s ‘Readers are Leaders’ series; ‘Man of the House’ – aimed at adult English Second Language (ESL) learners at ABET Level 2 (equivalent to Grade 5) for New Readers Publishers and ‘Siege of Mafeking’ for Heritage Publishers. More recently she has written a wrap-around study guide on how to teach English as a First Additional Language (FAL) for students on a Bachelor of Education (Intermediate Phase) course for Educor.

This event is for illustrators and writers.

Jozi Book Fair

The Jozi Book Fair was held from 1-4 September at the Wits Science Stadium, a lovely open and sunny venue surrounded by tutorial rooms. The theme  was “Youth Rising” and young people were in evidence everywhere, singing, dancing, acting and talking about books and reading. 

Young people were invited to send short stories  in to a school competition. Ten of these were selected by Jenny Hatton, Mohale Mashigo and Joan Rankin for publication and the book was launched at the fair.

SCBWI had a stall at the Jozi Book Fair. 

SCBWI members were invited to display their work and assist at the stall. This was all organised by  Matina Genkova-Mpofu.

Joan Rankin sat at a nearby table and helped young people to be creative. Many went away with their own little books which they had illustrated.

Thursday and Friday’s programme for school children was followed by workshops for the general public on Saturday and Sunday. These included ones for aspiring and established  writers and illustrators of children’s books such as the one offered by Joan Rankin and Jenny Hatton: Stealing Ideas – learning from the experts. See the website www.jozibookfair.org.za  

Alan Durant, author of over 100 books for children and young adults, was a special visitor to the fair and his workshop on picture books was a highlight for many.

20 July, 2016

The World has gone Colour Cray-Cray

See an interesting article about Marleen Visser and colouring in.


Reverting back to childhood through colouring-in.
What’s the deal with adult colouring-in Books? http://bigcitylife.co.za/the-world-has-gone-colur-cray-cray/

Presentation by two authors: Edyth Bulbring and Susie Dineen

Venue:  Sandton Public Library
Date: 27 July 2016
Time: 10:00
Cost: R25 SCBWI members, R50 non-members
RSVP: To Jenny at SCBWI.SA.Gauteng@mweb.co.za

Programme
10:00 Tea
10:15 Edyth Bulbring
11:15 Susie Dineen
12:30 Lunch in the square at own cost

About the presenters
 Edyth Bulbring has published the following books:
Cornelia Button and the Globe of Gamagion. Jacana. 2008. 
Melly, Mrs Ho and Me.
Penguin. 2010.  Published in the UK by Hot Key Publishers as A Month with April-May in 2013.
Melly, Fatty and Me.
Penguin. 2011. - Awarded the 2012 Percy Fitzpatrick prize for youth literature. Published in the UK by Hot Key Publishers as 100 Days of April-May in 2013.
Pops and the Nearly Dead. Penguin. 2010.
The Club. Jonathan Ball. 2008.
The Mark. Tafelberg. 2014.
The Summer of Toffie and Grummer. OUP. 2008. Published in the UK by Hot Key Publishers as I Heart Beat in 2014.

The focus of the presentation will be on Edyth’s new book, Snitch, which was published in May this year. It’s a book about mothers and sons, bully boys and tough girls, falling in love for the first time, and of course, a dog with anger issues.

Susie Dineen has had her very first picture book for children published by Struik this year. It is called Nombulelo and the Moth and is illustrated by Maja Sereda. SCBWI is thrilled to share her excitement and joy at seeing her idea turned into a story. We’re looking forward to a reading.

There’ll also be lots of time for questions and informal discussion.

All welcome - members and non-members. This event is for illustrators and writers.

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