Inside Story Success!

Everything you might hope for when organising a big event was realised at the inaugural celebration of SCBWI's Inside Story in Brisbane on Saturday, 2^nd November. 

An initiative of The Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Inside Story - where children's author and illustrators share the 'inside story' of their books - took place on the one weekend in 12 cities internationally.

Convenor and MC for the day, Angela Sunde (me) at Black Cat Books

Held within the tumbling, tropical gardens of Black Cat Books in leafy Paddington, Brisbane, the springtime sunshine dappled us with welcoming warmth, surpassed only by the charm and grace of our host, owner of Black Cat Books, Stephanie Hogan and her staff.

Audience arriving

BlackCat Books is a ‘home away from home’ for many Queensland children’s authors, who often pop in to pick up a latest release, launch their own books or support a fellow author. It’s here that you find writers and readers sitting at tables in the café and chatting over a second or third cuppa.

 

Dimity Powell, Katherine Battersby and (myself) Angela Sunde with the Inside Story Books Table
Photo courtesy of Dimity Powell

Following repeated radio coverage of the event (including a live interview), writers, readers, parents and children collected together to celebrate. A comfortable crowd of about 50 gathered on the terraces, enthusiastic to hear the ‘behind the scenes’ secrets of our 14 featured SCBWI author/illustrators’ most recently published books.

Authors Dimity Powell, Michelle Worthington, Samantha Wheeler and (myself)
Photo courtesy of Dimity Powell

As convenor and MC of the Brisbane Inside Story event I welcomed everyone on behalf of The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (including a note of welcome from Queensland ARA, Sheryl Gwyther, who is presently in the USA).

A full house

Setting a quick pace with my own 'inside story', I then introduced each of the other author/illustrators with a short recount of their awards and achievements followed by a personal anecdote. The professionalism and creativity of each author/illustrator’s three minute talk made for an entertaining session, which zipped past.

A SCBWI welcome
Photo courtesy of Chris Bongers

There were ‘inside stories’ of silly snakes, koalas in danger, surprise endings, missing letterboxes, tumbling chairs, hospital merry-go-rounds and scary chickens. It was a feast for the imagination.

 

Stephen Axelsen shares his 'inside story'
Photo courtesy of Dimity Powell

Candice Lemon-Scott shares her 'inside story'
Photo courtesy of Dimity Powell

Pamela Rushby shares her 'inside story'
Photo courtesy of Dimity Powell

Keeping efficient time management in mind, a program was available on each table, together with a colour flyer (with information on each of the 14 participating SCBWI author/illustrators) placed on each seat. Many attendees took notes during the talks and children eagerly asked and answered questions.

The Raffle Prizes Table
Photo courtesy of Dimity Powell

By now everyone had received a ticket for the Queensland Inside Story draw. The winner was a Brisbane woman interested in illustrating, who had come along having just heard about the event that morning on the radio. Her name now goes in to the international draw for the Grand Prize.

 

Happy Inside Story cake

L-R Back Row - Judy Paulson, Dimity Powell, Angela Sunde, Stephen Axelsen, Pamela Rushby, Chris Bongers, Peter Taylor, Christina Bollenbach, Samantha Wheeler.
L-R Front Row - Michelle Worthington, Candice Lemon-Scott, Julie Nickerson, Katherine Battersby, Jennifer Poulter.
Photo courtesy of Dimity Powell

After a ceremonious cake cutting, more prizes and a loud rendition of ‘Happy Inside Story’, there was little more to do than lick the cream off our fingers, sign autographs and have photos taken by The Sunday Mail’s photographer for the next day’s issue. What a wonderful morning!

 

The Sunday Mail 3/11/2013

Sincere thanks go to SCBWI QLD support team member, Pamela Rushby, for all her help and advice, and to Stephanie Hogan and the staff of Black Cat Books for their continued support of children’s books and the authors and illustrators who create them.

The Brisbane Inside Story Team
Pamela Rushby and (myself) Angela Sunde