Book Links Mentorship 2023
The Book Links Mentorship is open to all member of Book Links residing in Australia.
Applicants are invited to submit a synopsis and the first two chapters or first 6000 words of a work of fiction for either junior or YA readers, or two picture book manuscripts.
The winner was announced at the Book Links AGM on Saturday 7 October.
Here is the Judge’s Report.
JUDGE’S REPORT
This year an increased number of entries were submitted and the standard was consistently high. Junior Fiction, in particular, was difficult to judge given the calibre of the manuscripts. I have produced a longlist and then a shortlist from which the winner will be selected, as follows. I selected thirteen titles as a Longlist:
The Shortlist for the Book Links mentorship (in alphabetical order) is:
Debra Hudson Fox Finch and the Pet Pampering Salon (JF)
Bethany Loveridge The Mega Division: Joey Macropod (JF)
Jemima Parker What’s for Breakfast? (PB)
Allison Rocca The Little People of Woogaroo Creek (JF)
Ali Rutstein Fred and Dog – A Tale of Friendship, Adventure and Chocolate (JF)
Jemima Shafei-Ongu Zaatar (PB)
The Longlist for the Book Links mentorship (in alphabetical order) is:
Jenny Catalano: Leaving Motherland (PB)
Norah Colvin: Grandpa’s Toolshed (PB)
Margaret Gibbs: This is the House (PB)
Debra Hudson: Fox Finch and the Pet Pampering Salon (JF)
Bethany Loveridge: The Mega Division: Joey Macropod (JF)
Alison McCaffery: Theo-Dino (PB)
Liane McDermott: Where Strangers Hide (JF)
Jemima Parker: A Cloud for Cleo (PB) and What’s for Breakfast? (PB)
Allison Rocca: The Little People of Woogaroo Creek (JF)
Ali Rutstein: Fred and Dog – A Tale of Friendship, Adventure and Chocolate (JF)
Jemima Shafei-Ongu: Zaatar (PB)
Marianna Shek: Love in the Age of Time Travel (YA)
Steve Tyrrell: Ten Pound Pommy Kid (JF)
From the Shortlist, I selected a Winner:
WINNER: Bethany Loveridge The Mega Division: Joey Macropod (JF)
This is the first story in an adventurous chapter book series for 6+ readers. When a Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat called Ursula shows up in 8-year-old Joey’s backyard, Joey hopes her lifelong wish for a pet has finally been granted. But what comes next is a real surprise! This third person narrative is introduced and interspersed with comments by a mysterious narrator speaking directly to the reader. Based on environmental themes, it has undoubted appeal to middle grade readers, and this fast-paced and nuanced writing indicates a very gifted and original author to be nurtured and encouraged further.
I congratulate Book Links (QLD) for their on-going encouragement of emerging writers via this program, and thank you for once again inviting me to judge and mentor. Robyn Sheahan-Bright
