Month: May 2007

Posted in awards, Books, Literary Awards, Uncategorized, WA Premier's Book Awards

WA’s Gliterati Literati

Posted on by katemccaffrey

Last night it was both a thrill and an honour to rub shoulders with the WA Premier’s Book Awards shortlisted authors at a cocktail function. The function was held in the foyer of the State Library. They weren’t all there- I expect more of them will attend the dinner, but it was a good turn out in a friendly and relaxed environment.

All the shortlisted books were show cased- some beautiful looking books (shallow as it sounds I ALWAYS judge a book by its cover) and I got to mingle with the likes of Julia Lawrinson, Katy Watson Kell, Liliana Stafford and her daughter Sophia Zielinski,  Raewyn Caisley and Diana Chase to name a few.

We drank wine- and made merry, and then we were all presented with a certificate (Julia got two!!) And the night wrapped up quite early. Except for Jason and I! Childless and in town for the first time, in a long time, we ended up having dinner at Valentinos, alfresco-style watching Northbridge crank it up for a Friday night. At the risk of showing my age hasn’t the night life in the city improved?! It was only about eight o’clock and the place was full of people eating out and pubbing it. I think sleepy old Perth has woken up!! Having said that, it was a great vibe- a lovely dinner- I wasn’t too keen on the vino- a little young and sharp. But the gnocchi was good- not as good as Jason’s home-made gnocchi- but honestly I’ve never tasted any as good as his!

Home before eleven and a good evening was had by all. It was only this morning I realised what a blunder I’d made! What a colossal error! Oh the missed opportunity. There I was surrounded by short listed authors discussing all the important issues relevant to the local writing scene and I forgot to ask the most important thing! What were they wearing to the dinner? Formal? Smart dress? Dress? Pants? Oh bum- how could I have been so foolish!! Liliana, Julia, Katy, Diana- anyone out there reading this you MUST comment- what will you be wearing?!!

Posted in Books, cyber bullying, cyber bullying resources, Cyber Cop, Ivanhoe Grammar School, literary appearances, Michael Carr-Gregg, Susan MacLean, Uncategorized, writing

Return from Ivanhoe

Posted on by katemccaffrey

No it’s not the sequel to Destroying Avalon, it’s what I’ve been up to lately. The musings have been quiet because I have been in Melbourne! Late last year as I innocently googled the title of my book (a past time all authors assure me they engage in- except the likes of JK and Stephen King!) I came across a review, on a WordPress blog. Destroying Avalon had only been released in September and this review was written in about October. Intrigued, I read it and was rewarded with praise and glowing recommendations! I returned fire (friendly of course) thanked the anonymous reviewer and addressed several of the questions that had been raised. Pressed send, end of story.

Not quite. When I came home that day there in my Inbox was a reply to my comment. The reviewer was none other than the Head of Ivanhoe Grammar in Melbourne. What developed then was months of corresponding and co-ordinating my trip as Writer-in-Residence to their school.

What a school! On my last night there I attended a Parent Forum- for the launch of Ivanhoe’s Cyber bullying policy and when I spoke I made the point that if I lived in Melbourne I’d send my kids to Ivanhoe. I sincerely mean it! Firstly, Graeme Harder- the head of Ivanhoe Plenty, is a forward thinking man, he seized on Destroying Avalon at its release and began organising cyber bullying forums and sessions immediately. To my mind this is a man with his finger on the pulse! The school is lovely, and the students brilliant.

I had sessions with each year group- engaging and polite kids. I also had a writer’s workshop with the Talented and Gifted Writers’ Group- wow, impressive people. These students are SO smart, and lovely too. We could have extended the time from two hours to four and probably would have needed more. The head of secondary Renata Rowe was a wonderful host, organising and accommodating us (my sister-agent flew over with me) and Chris Norwood (of the library) was wonderful too. It was a fantastic time.

The trip concluded with the parent forum which was lead by Adolescent Psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg and Victoria’s Cyber Cop Susan MacLean. Talk about authorities on the subject. Together these two make a formidable duo- armed with all the latest imformation on cyber bullying and teenage depression. They are fantastic speakers to have in a school and also have resources to help schools tackle cyber bullying. Michael Carr Gregg’s website is certainly worth checking out.

I hope to stay in touch with the kids from Ivanhoe- via this blog (some have already commented) or through my email at jn-arts@bigpond.net.au. One day I’d love to go back- who knows In Ecstasy is out next year- maybe then!!

Posted in awards, cyber bullying, Literary Awards, WA Premier's Book Awards

The Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards 2006

Posted on by katemccaffrey

Yes, it does say 2006- though it’s 2007- but it’s a ceremony about books published in 2006 and awarded in the following year!! Get it????

The shortlist was announced last week (I think) and there are some excellent titles on the list:

Non-Fiction

Sally Clarke                          In the Space Behind his Eyes (self pub)

Dr Quentin Beresford        Rob Riley: An Aboriginal Leader’s Quest for Justice      (Aboriginal Studies Press)

Peter Edwards                  Arthur Tange: Last of the Mandarins (A&U)

Monique La Fontaine         New Legend (Kimberley Law and Cultural Centre)

Elizabeth Jolley                         Learning to Dance (Penguin)

History

Wes Olsen                                  Gallipoli: The Western Australian Story (UWA)

Bobbie Oliver & Patrick Bertola        The Workshops: A History of the Midland Government Railway Workshops (UWA)

James Cameron                          Millendon Memoirs (Hesperion)

Fiction

Marion May Campbell                       Shadow Thief (Pandanus)

Gail Jones                                                Dreams of Speaking (Vintage)

Simone Lazaroo                                   The Travel Writer (Pan Macmillan)

Mike Williams                                         The Music of Dunes (FACP)

Children’s

Raewyn Caisley                              Tai’s Penguin (Penguin)

Anthony Eaton                              Nathan Nuttboard Family Matters (UQP)

Jan Omerod                                   Water Witcher (Little Hare)

Liliana Stafford & Sophia Zielinski              The Shy Mala (Windy Hollow)

Shaun Tan                                           The Arrival (Hachette Livre)

Joy & Mike Lefroy & Marion Duke              The Catalpa Escape (FACP)

Poetry

Deanne Leber                                     Book of Days (self pub)

Dennis Haskell                                       All The Time in the World (Salt)

John Kinsella                                            Sacre Coeur: A Salt Tragedy (Vagabond)

Graeme Miles                                       Phosphorescence (FACP)

Mark Reid                                        A Difficult Faith (FACP)

Young Adults

Julia Lawrinson                                     Suburban Freak Show (Hatchette Livre)

Julia Lawrinson                                       Bye, Beautiful (Penguin)

Diana Chase                                         No More Borders For Joseph (FACP)

Kate McCaffrey                                Destroying Avalon (FACP)

Katy Watson-Kell                                 Mama’s Trippin’ (FACP)

Script

John Aitken                                      The Ships Pass Quietly (Blue Room Theatre)

Melissa Cantwell                                Marmalade and Egg (Perth TheatreCo)

Sarah Rossetti                                     Episode 14 “Pure Poetry” (RB Films)

Hellie Turner                                        Sardines (Tropic Sun Theatre)

Ian Wilding                                     The Carnivores (Black Swan Theatre Co)

The winners will be announced at a gala dinner at the State Library of WA on the 8th June. It’s all very exciting- until the reality hits- what to wear???

Posted in awards, Books, cyber bullying, Difference of Opinion, Literary Awards, Media Appearances

The Lazy Blogger

Posted on by katemccaffrey

A thousand apologies Constant Reader (thanks Stephen King)! I’ve committed a blogger’s cardinal sin- to create a blog and then fail to diligently post! It’s been weeks since my last blog (sounds like a confession- doesn’t it) but though I appear lazy- it’s been a lack of time that’s been the enemy.

After the whirlwind Sydney trip and the excitement of the TV appearance and the Notable mention from the Children’s Book Council of Australia- a thousand other things required attention.

I had a meeting with my editor- over the next stage of my latest work (currently titled) In Ecstasy. She is full of fabulous ideas- an editor sees the words, direction, psychology from a completely different perspective than a writer! It’s an amazing relationship.

I came away (from a lovely lunch) with a head brimming full of ideas, and still no time to formulate them!! So much to do, so much to do. But now I’ve gestated them I will formulate them today and tomorrow and indulge a much needed manic writing frenzy over the next couple of weeks. The plan is to hand it over by the end of May.

Which reminds me!

On the 21st May I fly to Melbourne to workshop Destroying Avalon at Ivanhoe Grammar and participate in the launch of their cyber bullying policy- (I’m sure that means anti-cyber bullying!!)

When I return- the 24th May I’m back at school (remember I teach too!) and then participating in an AISWA (Association of Independent Schools WA) cyber bullying Professional Development Day.

Ohhh, yeah ther’s more news too- but I think that needs a post of it’s own….

So read on!!!