Book Links StoryArts Brisbane 2022
A very wet weekend kept a few people away, but overall, Book Links StoryArts Brisabne (BSAB) was a huge success with thanks to all the volunteers who helped out in the lead up and on the day, especially Danielle Freeland and Kayt Duncan. Thanks also to the publishers for their support. .
Dr Robyn Sheahan-Bright started the conference with the announcement of the Book Links Mentorship before chairing panels firstly with the publishers and then the creators. More sessions followed with picture book creators Freya Blackwood and Zanni Louise chaired by Lara Cain Gray. Sean Williams followed with a solo session on Middle grade and YA novels introduced by Amanda Worlley. The final session of the day was the innovative First Page Pitches with Mia Macrossan doing an amazing job of reading the first pages to the panel, who then held up a response card using a colour coded system to indicate their interest.
The Sunday morning began with the Pitch Party where particpants lined up behind the publishers and agent to do a three minute ptich, before returning to the end of the line to come back for another go. The rest of the day was filled with inspiring workshops with Freya Blackwood and Sean Williams. Keep your eyes posted on the Write Links News page for upcoming blog posts on these workshops.
The weekend provided great stimulus for the writers and illustrators both emerging and published as well as the few teachers who were part of the audience.
A number of publishers made requests from appointments, First Page Pitches and the Pitch Party to receive manuscripts for work presented. Sixteen stories were requested to be seen by publishers and an agent after the first page pitches session.
There was much positive feedback from everyone who enjoyed the opportunity to attend a face-to-face conference at a reasonable price.
Comments included:
‘StoryArts Brisbane is the BEST Writers Conference I’ve ever attended, showing me HOW TO write and publish a children’s book. This conference gave me hope.’ Karen Tyrrell
“I finally met a lot of people I’d been connecting with online for the last few years. I was also able to introduce myself to new people, including authors, publishers and an agent. I thought the reading of the pitches was interesting to watch and listen to, but my favourite was thing was hearing from the panellists. I particularly like the opportunity to ask questions.” – Bethany Loveridge (Teacher and Writer)
“The Brisbane StoryArts had an excellent range of presenters; workshops and the quality of the sessions was outstanding. I personally received great feedback from my editor appointments, plus from the pitching session I received a request for my middle grade novel from one editor and two requests from other editors for my junior fiction pitch. Thank you for organising such an excellent and professional event for the kidlit creator community in Brisbane!” – Rebecca Sheraton (Teacher, Emerging writer)
“Thanks again for a fabulous StoryArts. I loved it! The panels were excellent and well-represented the publishers and guest authors and illustrators. Even for published authors it was a worthwhile experience. I especially loved Sean Williams masterclass, and hearing from the publishers on the first day.” – Sheryl Gwyther (Author)
“Re: Manuscript feedback session – It was invaluable. I felt a bit stuck with my manuscript, and this was exactly what I needed. I gained new friendships and a much better understanding of the acquisition process. This was the best run writing and illustrating conference I’ve ever attended.” – Helen Gearing
‘I cannot emphasise enough how wonderful the conference was. It was my first in-person conference and that made the world of difference in terms of the whole atmosphere, seeing friends from Write Links and the assessments with publishers.’ – Alison Rutstein
This program is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.
