I'm a reviewer again!

I'm so pleased that I have been able to begin to review children's books again for Kids' Book Review.

Thank you to the Kids' Book Review Team for welcoming me back to the fold after so many years away while I was President and Vice President for CBCA ACT Branch.

So far I have reviewed three books for KBR which can be viewed on their Website or Facebook page or using this link.

Aleesah Darlison's Canberra workshops

I recently attend two sessions with Aleesah Darlison, author Guest Speaker and Owner of Greenleaf Press.

Aleesah has written more than 35 books including picture books and chapter books for children. In 2016 she founded Greenleaf Press to provide assistance to Authors, Illustrators and Small Business Owners.

The first session was at Libraries ACT, Dickson branch on Social Media.
Alessah spoke about Social Media at an introductory level, specifically; Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Aleesah showing how her header & photo are the same on all of her Social Media platforms.

I learnt more. 
Got some great tips. 
Plus I had a chance to network with other Canberra authors. 

Cate Whittle, Krys and Brownyn

Now to apply some of this new knowledge. 

I don't have time but I found time to have an Evening with Emma Grey

I don't have time, do you? Do you know how to say No? When someone asks 'How are you do you?' do you respond with one of these words - Busy, Exhausted? 

This is the premise of Emma Grey's book that she co-authored with Audrey Thomas,
I don't have time: 15 minute ways to shape a life you love. The authors bring to the front of our mind that in our society today being busy is means that you're important and valuable, exhaustion has become a status symbol. We are so busy that we often neglect ourselves. We don't have time to follow our passions, make appointments that we should nor do we spend enough time with people that we love.

Storytellers Galore

What stories are being created by local children's writers? 

If you were one of the crowd at the 2017 Celebrate Story Creators Night hosted by The ACT Branch of the Children's Book Council of Australia then you are now up-to-date. 

For those of you who missed out here is an overview of the night.

Emma Allen, Carlie Walker, Anthony Hill, Robyn Siers, Tony Flowers and Stephanie Owen Reeder
Cate Whittle, Gina Newton and Tracey Hawkins

Still touching hearts: an evening with May Gibbs

Over 50 people gathered to celebrate the author and illustrator May Gibbs.

The National Centre for Australian Children's Literature brought together two passionate speakers on May Gibbs; Jane Brummitt and Tania McCartney.

Jane Brummitt donated the artwork below to The Centre. The painting is an original May Gibbs artwork, created in 1915 as a preparatory painting for an illustration in her first Australian bookGumnut Babies, published by Angus and Roberston.

Belle Alderman AM, Jane Brummitt and Tania McCartney

Redactionart art, Snake Skins and Embroidery

What do these things have in common?
They are all artworks that are currently showing in 3 exhibitions at the Belconnen Arts Centre, Emu Bank, Belconnen ACT until the 28 Mary 2017.

• Beauties and Beasts

• Mono and More

• Shed

Beauties and Beasts
Faculty of Arts and Design University of Canberra
This is the 23rd UC staff exhibition. It highlights the commitment to the creative practice of the arts in the world by staff and research-artists from the Faculty of Art and Design at UC.

'Beauties and Beasts' harnesses the power of creative practice to represent what is beautiful and/or beastly about our relationship with the natural world,' says Dr Jordan Williams.

Canberra Women Writers Network Launch

Recipe for Collaboration

Take 30 women.

Place them in the main hall of Gorman House.

Add an interest in writing.

A large splash of enthusiasm and support.

Sprinkle with a generous dose of hope.

Stir, no bake required.

You have a Canberra Women Writers Network.

Eat straight away.

Last night was the launch of the Canberra Women Writers Network. 
The Noted Festival gave a group of inspirational female writers; Rhyll Biest, Bec Fleming, Rose Chen and Stella Frances a fabulous opportunity to launch a new network for women writers in Canberra.

These four ladies met at through the Romance Writers of Australia. They have a passion for writing, creating and supporting other women in their pursuits.