Brisbane Writers Festival

I was VERY fortunate to be given a free ticket to attend the Brisbane Writers Festival. I attended the talk on 'Publishing in the young adult & children's market.'
There were five speakers.
Farrin Jacobs - International Editorial Director, Harper Collins Children's Books, New York,
Emily Rodda - Five time winner of the Children's Book Council of Australia of the Year Award.
Tristan Bancks - One of Australia's most popular and successful writers for young people.
Kristina Schulz - Children's Publisher for UQP.
Gaby Naher - Literary Agent. (Sophie Hamley was suppose to be the guest but had to pull out due to sickness).

The whole experience was well worth traveling from the Gold Coast to the Brisbane Art Gallery. I learnt some new things. After three years of learning as much as I can it is amazing that there are still 'things' to learn.

A couple of weeks ago I had asked the universe a question and that question was 'How do I protect my rights?'

A week later I received (out of the blue) a free ticket to the Brisbane Writers Festival and I knew I would get my answer. I thought I would get it from Farrin Jacobs but it proved not to be. I received it from Emily Rodda.

The answer was to NEVER give up my copyright. It MUST be stated in ANY contract you are to sign that 'you (the author) are the sole owner of the copyright of the work you have produced.' Those words will not appear in that exact way but that is what it means. Your contract MUST say that you have the copyright of your work.

Gold Coast Show 2011

The Gold Coast Show 2011
I was given a generous space to display my models. It was the first time that I been placed in this position and I am going to see if I can have it for next year. If I do get to stay there I am going to look at displaying my models differently. I have always wanted a painted back drop and with a display stand this size that idea would work.

Every year I try to bring different models but in saying that there are two that everyone likes to see. The first is the kitchen of Pebble Cottage (the model sitting under the picture of the Black Hawk Faairy) and the second is Archibald's General Store (the model sitting to the far left of the picture.)

I'm going to be displaying my miniature gourd models at the Gold Coast Show this weekend. At Parklands on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th of September.
I shall be introuducing a new line that I hope people will want to purchase.

Basic Gourd Houses



Above is a photo of just two of the 15 or more houses I shall be bringing along. For the six years I have been displaying my big modles at the show people have always admired them and wanted to know where they could buy gourds from. The answer to that is either Toowoomba or Maitland NSW. There are not many people who could be bothered to track them down soo I thought, or rather I should say my partner Garry thought, I should make them like this (above) and then all people have to do is decorated them. Wholla!

When I have the time I while include some photos of past shows but I'm off to finish the houses as there is soo much to do before the show. See you there.