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SCBWI SA– Upcoming Events
Happening in Cape Town


SCBWI (SA): A WEEK-LONG SPRING EVENT

Deadline has been extended to the 25th of August



To celebrate the 40th birthday of the international Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, the South African chapter is arranging a gala Spring Event from 21 to 27 October, open to members and non-members. The event will have three components, each with a separate attendance fee:

1. A one-day children’s book conference
2. Gala luncheon with specialist speakers
3. Four days of specialist review sessions by appointment for individual writers and illustrators

Note:
The conference and luncheon are open to all with an interest in children’s books, e.g. writers, illustrators, parents, teachers, booksellers, librarians, publishers and policy-makers. The review sessions are for writers and illustrators, whether or not they are members of SCBWI or whether they have been published or not.

For more information and the program in full and deadlines for bookings and submissions go to http://springevent2011-scbwi-sa.blogspot.com/

MER Awards



Media24 Books Literary and Jan Rabie Rapport Awards



(formerly known as the Via Afrika Literary Awards)



were announced at an award ceremony on Friday 10 June
2011.





These
esteemed prizes are awarded annually for works published in the previous year
and aim to acknowledge and applaud excellence in local literature. Eighteen
judges from various spheres were appointed to adjudicate the entries received
across the various categories.





The
following two children’s book awards were given:




  • The M.E.R Prize for best youth novel (ages 8 to 16,
    however not exclusive).

  • The M.E.R. Prize for best illustrated children's book
    (ages 0 to 8, however not exclusive).



The
prize money is R35 000 per category. For the M.E.R. Prize for children’s
illustrated books, the prize money is divided between the author and the
illustrator.







The
winner of M.E.R. award for best illustrated children’s book is



Just
Sisi
/ Net Sisi by Wendy Hartmann, illustrations by
Joan Rankin







The
short list for the M.E.R. Prize for best illustrated children's book was
(in alphabetical
order):



Just
Sisi

/Net Sisi

by Wendy Hartmann, illustrated by Joan Rankin, published by Human &
Rousseau



Thandiwe's Choice / Thandiwe
besluit
by Mari Grobler,
illustrated by Elizabeth Pulles, published by Tafelberg



Nici's Pocket Presents / Sandra se seepresente by Marion Drew, illustrated by Vian Oelofsen,
published by Tafelberg









THE WINNERS



Wendy
Hartmann
Joan Rankin







JUST SISI contains five stories by Wendy Hartmann: a
journey past unseen African dangers, a surprise party, painting the wall of
Gogo’s house, welcoming Dad home and saying goodnight. Also translated into
Afrikaans by Philip de Vos. Beautiful, expressive illustrations by
internationally known artist, Joan Rankin, compliment the sparingly written,
but spot on text.





About Wendy Hartmann





Born in Cape Town, South Africa



“When I was about five or six years old, I saw the
Easter Bunny. I was so excited I was hysterical. I was told it was not the
Easter bunny, it was a dog.



At first, I was stunned, but later I thought – ‘but
what if?’ But what if it was the Easter Bunny? What if I was the only person in
the world that could see it? What if… what if…?



Those words started the journey. Only now have I
realised how they have coloured my whole life. They crept into the stories I
told and when I started to write, those words sparked off so many ideas. They
still do.”





Wendy has been writing since 1986. She has had more
than 40 children’s books published. Some of these have been published in
America, Britain and Japan and have been translated into other languages. Her
books have been selected for Honours Lists and have won awards for writing and
illustration.



She has written television scripts for Children’s
Programmes and books ranging from concept and counting, educational and
beginner readers to picture books. She has a studio at home where she writes.
She also paints in her spare time. Wendy lives in Table View, which overlooks
Cape Town and the famous Table Mountain.



www.wendy-hartmann.blogspot.com





About Joan Rankin





Born in Johannesburg, South Africa



“All my life I have loved humorous books. All the
4-page books I made as a child were to amuse my family.



Animals have been a favourite subject. They are
non-racist and don't get offended when drawn doing silly things.



My first real efforts to become a children's book
person, were made in the years when my two younger daughters were writing their
matriculation. I must have been under the impression that I would have lots of
time on my hands. I did twelve books - none of which ever got published. It was
only when I won the Daan Retief prize that I got books to illustrate - all from
Daan Retief Publishers.



After illustrating forty books one gets a good idea
how to write. However, I have had a wonderful mentor in Niki Daly who has
helped and inspired me.



My grandchildren have also been a source of
inspiration.



It's quite a lonely career and one seldom hears if
anyone has even seen any of the books. On the other hand Grandchildren like you
to read the same book over and over until you are sick of it.



Another way to get together with people is to do
workshops. One not only learns a lot but it is such a reward to see the sparkle
in peoples’ eyes when they have achieved things that they didn't expect.”





Joan studied graphic art at Michaelis Art School Cape
Town and studied Fine Art with Sidney Goldblatt for several years. She worked
in Fibre Art and puppetry; mainly shadow theatre. She has illustrated over
thirty books for children, many of which she has written herself and which have
been published internationally. She won the HAUM Daan Retief Publishers
Competition for children’s book illustration in 1986, the Katrina Harris Award
for Children’s Book Illustration in 1991and the Oppenheim toy portfolio gold
award in 2003. Joan has participated in exhibitions in Barcelona, Bratislava,
Sarmede, Italy, New York and Japan. She lives with her husband and family in
Johannesburg.
http://www.scbwi.za.org/2008/417-Joan-Rankin/about/











M.E.R.
Award for best Youth Novel is



Willem
Poprok
by Derick van der Walt (Tafelberg)







The
short list for the M.E.R Prize for best youth novel was
(in alphabetical
order):



Sidekick by Adeline Radloff, published by Tafelberg



Speurhond Willem op reis by Elizabeth Wasserman, published by Tafelberg



Willem Poprok by Derick van der Walt, published by Tafelberg









THE WINNER





Willem Poprok by Derick van der Walt





The story of the Van Vuurens of Pretoria, who own the Blou Bul Slaghuis in
the mall. There are three sons and a “laatlammetjie” little sister, with whom
the youngest son, Willem, has a special bond. The story revolves around a
competition for “Dad of the Year”, in which the sons enter their father.

This is an honest portrayal of an average South African family’s individual
struggles, loves, hopes, fears and how these keep them together. Very funny at
times – every reader will recognize dynamics from their own family life in this
story.



Also
Silver winner: Sanlam Prize for Youth Literature 2009



More about Derick van der Walt





Derick is the owner of a Pretoria-based communications
consultancy, specialising in corporate publishing.



He has been writing professionally for many years and,
although he won his first award for creative writing when he was only 11 years
old, in a competition organised by the South African Broadcasting Corporation,
he only recently tried his hand at serious writing. Lien se Lankstaanskoene,
his first book, won the 2007 Sanlam Golden Award for Youth Literature. Derick
plans to continue writing youth novels, as it is a genre he feels at home with.
However, he has also written a number of short stories aimed at adult readers.



But his interests are not limited to the written word.
Derick loves good food, cold wine and rugby (not necessarily in that order!),
and he is passionate about music of all kinds - from Norah Jones to Gershwin.
Prokofiev and Rachmaninoff's piano concertos are special favourites.



He lives in Pretoria with his wife, Lenie, and they
have three grown sons - Tjaart, Werner and André.
http://www.tafelberg.com/authors/5851



The South African Chapter of SCBWI, Cape Town
(Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators)
would like to announce
A week-long SCBWI (SA) Spring event 2011
Friday 21 October – Thursday 27 October

For more info go to http://springevent2011-scbwi-sa.blogspot.com/


The event will have three separate components, each with a separate attendance fee:
  • A one-day children’s book conference
  • A luncheon with specialist speakers
  • Four days of review sessions for individual writers and illustrators
Note: The event will be open to anyone with an interest in children’s books, e.g. writers, illustrators, parents, teachers, booksellers, librarians, publishers and policy-makers.
However, SCBWI members will be given preference.

Please email scbwi.za@gmail.com to express your interest in attending.
Please put Spring Event 2011 in the subject line and indicate which of the three components you interested in.
Please state if you re a SCBWI member


FRIDAY 21 OCTOBER - ONE-DAY CHILDREN’S BOOK CONFERENCE

• The primary focus of the conference will be on the opportunities and challenges facing children’s book writers and illustrators in educational publications in South Africa.
• A secondary focus will be on possible opportunities opening up in international markets (maybe including the rapidly expanding markets in the East?) for South African children’s Publishers, book writers and illustrators – both in English and in translation.


SATURDAY 22 OCTOBER – SCBWI (SA) SPRING LUNCHEON

• An gala luncheon to celebrate SCBWI’s 40th birthday which will feature Steve Mooser (SCBWI President and a visiting international children’s book writer and Literary Agent, Erzsi Deak

Note: At the luncheon venue local publishers will be given the opportunity to display and promote their latest children’s book publications.


MONDAY 24 TO THURSDAY 27 OCTOBER – REVIEW SESSIONS

• Four days of review sessions in which the literary Agent, children’s book editors and established writers and illustrators will provide thirty-minute one-on-one critiques of the work of local writers & illustrators. (SCBWI Members will be given preference)

Note: SCBWI Members who do not have a review session will have the opportunity to display their work in an exhibition space.

IBBY Africa 1st Biennial Conference

Changes to dates and venue of the 1st Biennial IBBY Africa Conference – see below



Circulated by SCBWI (SA) for Prof Thomas van der Walt, CLRU, Department of Information Science, University of South Africa.


Enquiries: please contact Prof Thomas van der Walt


Fax: +27 12 4293792; e-mail: vdwaltb@unisa.ac.za


For more info go to http://www.unisa.ac.za/Default.asp?Cmd=ViewContent&ContentID=25142




1st Biennial IBBY Africa Conference: 31 August-2 September 2011


Venue: The Ranch, Polokwane, Limpopo Province



The travelling of stories: children’s literature and reading in and of Africa



Call for papers


· 31 August-2 September 2011


· Venue: The Ranch, Polokwane, Limpopo Province


· Organised by the Children’s Literature Research Unit, University of South Africa on behalf of the IBBY Branches of Africa


· Closing date for submissions: 15 June 2011



The following topics serve as suggestions:


The travelling of stories across borders and cultures


Children’s literature in translation


Folktales and imagination


Writing in indigenous/colonial/minority languages


Colonialism and post-colonialism in children’s literature


Traditional folktales and the modern tale


Cultural relevance of children’s books


The distinction between African children’s and adult books


Oral narratives and literary research


Converting oral literature into written literature


Literature for didactic purposes


The African diaspora and children’s literature


Reading across cultures


Library services for children


Reading in the information age


Comparative research in children’s literature and reading


Depicting reality in children’s books


Reading preferences of African children


Teaching children’s literature


Storytelling for young people


Publishing for children in the 2nd World



Abstracts of not more than 250 words that address particular issues regarding reading and children’s literature related to Africa and the developing world are welcomed.



Mail abstracts and direct enquiries to: Prof Thomas van der Walt, CLRU, Department of Information Science, University of South Africa, PO Box 392, 0003 Pretoria, South Africa Fax: +27 12 4293792 e-mail: vdwaltb@unisa.ac.za

Call for Papers 1st Biennial IBBY Africa Conference

The travelling of stories: children’s literature and reading in and of Africa

Call for Papers

1st Biennial IBBY Africa Conference

21-23 September 2011

Venue: Pigg’s Peak Hotel, Swaziland

Organised by the Children’s Literature Research Unit, University of South Africa on behalf of the IBBY Branches of Africa

Abstracts of not more than 250 words that address particular issues regarding reading and children’s literature related to Africa and the developing world are welcomed.

The following topics serve as suggestions:

The travelling of stories across borders and cultures

Children’s literature in translation

Folktales and imagination

Writing in indigenous/colonial/minority languages

Colonialism and post-colonialism in children’s literature

Traditional folktales and the modern tale

Cultural relevance of children’s books

The distinction between African children’s and adult books

Oral narratives and literary research

Converting oral literature into written literature

Literature for didactic purposes

The African diaspora and children’s literature

Reading across cultures

Library services for children

Reading in the information age

Comparative research in children’s literature and reading

Depicting reality in children’s books

Reading preferences of African children

Teaching children’s literature

Storytelling for young people

Publishing for children in the 2rd World

Closing date for submissions: 15 June 2011

Mail abstracts and direct enquiries to:

Prof Thomas van der Walt, CLRU, Department of Information Science, University of South Africa, PO Box 392, 0003 Pretoria, South Africa

Fax: +27 12 4293792

e-mail: vdwaltb@unisa.ac.za

ENGLISH ACADEMY AWARDS IN 2011 - Call for Entries

OLIVE SCHREINER PRIZE

The prize is awarded for original literary work in English. It is expressly intended as encouragement for a writer who has produced work of great promise, but cannot yet be regarded as an established novelist, short story writer, poet or playwright. It is conferred for excellence in prose, poetry and drama, and devoted to one of these categories each year. In 2011 it will be awarded for DRAMA.

Entries are invited for the prize from publishers and/or authors who have published plays during 2008, 2009 and 2010. Plays of two or more acts (alternatively, two one-act plays) which have been published and/or performed in South Africa by a recognized theatre group or company (amateur or professional) will be accepted. Radio and television plays are also eligible. The length of the stage plays should be such as to provide a substantial evening’s entertainment in the theatre; radio and TV plays should take up to approximately one hour (or two half hours) of viewing or listening time. Typescripts of plays which have been produced must be accompanied by all relevant details (where and when produced, name of producer and theatre company, copies of programmes and reviews, etc.).

SOL PLAATJE PRIZE

The prize is awarded for excellence in translation of a literary text of at least 1 000 words (except in the case of poetry which is, of necessity, exempt from the length criterion) in one of the other official South African languages into English. The English text must represent a reasonably accurate translation of the original, while standing as a well expressed literary text in and of itself.

The translation must have been published in 2009 or 2010. One published copy of the original work and one published copy of the translation must be submitted.

The purpose of the prize is to encourage effective mutual understanding in our multilingual country.

THOMAS PRINGLE AWARDS

The awards are for various achievements, attention being turned to three different categories each year. Below are the three areas for achievement which will be honoured in 2011:

  • Reviews of plays, books, films, art exhibitions, radio or television programmes published in newspapers and magazines during 2011 (Ideally, a portfolio of work should be submitted).
  • Poems in journals and magazines published in 2009 and 2010
  • Articles on English in education and the teaching of English published in journals in 2009 and 2010.

Entries for these prizes are invited from editors of journals, magazines and newspapers as well as from individual authors. Entries published in online newspapers, magazines or journals are also eligible, as long as they were published within the years under review. Details of such publication must be provided.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Works submitted must have been written by a resident of a Southern African country and published in Southern Africa.

More than one entry by the same author may be accepted. There is no entry form. However, all entries must be accompanied by a covering letter listing the entries and providing the full contact details of the entrant.

Three copies of each entry must be submitted, excerpt in the case of the Sol Plaatje Prize (see specifications above). All entries must be sent to the Academy’s Administrative Officer at P O Box 124, Wits, 2050.

Works submitted will be acknowledged but cannot be returned.

Each winner will receive a cash prize and a certificate.

DEADLINES

Thomas Pringle Award for Reviews only – 30 June 2011

All other awards – 31 May 2011

For more information, please contact Naomi Nkealah on 011 717 9339 or at englishacademy@societies.wits.ac.za

PERCY FITZPATRICK PRIZE FOR YOUTH LITERATURE AND

The English Academy of Southern Africa is pleased to announce the winners of the above listed awards which were run in 2010.

PERCY FITZPATRICK PRIZE
Seven books were shortlisted for this award. These were:

The Billion Dollar Soccer Ball by Michael Williams (Maskew Miller Longman, 2009)
Dance of the Freaky Green Gold by John Coetzee (Tafelberg, 2008)
Daniel Fox and the Jester’s Legacy by Andy Petersen (Penguin, 2009)
Fuse by S A Partridge (Human & Rousseau, 2009)
Jesse’s Story by Fiona MacGregor (Maskew Miller Longman, 2008)
Sharkey’s Son by Gillian D`Achada (Tafelberg, 2008)
The Summer of Toffie and Grummer by Edyth Bulbring (Oxford University Press SA, 2008)

The award goes to Andy Petersen for Daniel Fox and the Jester’s Legacy (Penguin, 2009). The judges noted that ‘the novel is interesting, with engaging complex characters, an imaginatively constructed world and surprising plot twists’.

Honourable mention goes to Gillian D`Achada for Sharkey’s Son (Tafelberg, 2008) and to S A Partridge for Fuse (Human & Rousseau, 2009). Fuse was highly commended for its exploration of school violence, bullying and abuse, showing what might drive a bullied child to strike back, and Sharkey’s Son was described as a beautifully written novel, with an almost lyric feel to it at times.

Judges: Crystal Warren (Convener), Marike Beyers and Megan van der Nest


THOMAS PRINGLE AWARD (Short Story)
The following six stories were shortlisted for the award:

‘Buiten Street’ by Stephen Watson (New Contrast, Vol. 36 No 4 2008)
‘Arrested Development’ by Sandisile Tshuma (Words, Fourth Quarter 2008)
‘Help’ by Liesl Jobson (New Contrast, Vol. 36 No 2 2008)
‘Hannah Hunter Watson’ by Stephen Watson (New Contrast, Vol. 36 No 2 2008)
‘Strangers’ by Arja Salafranca (New Contrast, Vol. 37 No 4 2009)
‘Venus Crossing’ by Gail Dendy (New Contrast, Vol. 37 No 6 2009)


The award goes to Stephen Watson for ‘Buiten Street’. The judges were impressed by his discursive style and mastery of language and imagery. They noted that the story ‘captures the poignancy of the struggle we all go through to accept and understand the experiences that form us’.

Honourable mention goes to Sandisile Tshuma for ‘Arrested Development’. The judges described it as a ‘beautifully observed story of a journey – both literal and figurative’. They loved its “hustle, hassle, bustle and bluster” and felt that the images and noise came across beautifully.

Judges: Jo-Anne Richards (Convener), Hugh Hodge and Phakama Mbonambi

******************************************************************************


Each award is a cash prize and an illuminated certificate. The Percy FitzPatrick Prize carries a cash value of R7 000 and the Thomas Pringle Award R2 000. The award ceremonies will be organised in due course in collaboration with the publishers.

For more information on English Academy awards, please contact Naomi Nkealah on 011 717 9339 or at englishacademy@societies.wits.ac.za. You can also visit the English Academy web site www.englishacademy.co.za.

Children's books a secure category

Judith Rosen writes in Publisher's Weekly that one of the chief findings of a joint study undertaken by Bowker/PubTrack and the Association of Booksellers for Children is that children’s books are a secure category in the marketplace and bookstores will continue to play a key role as a driver of sales.

While some of the statistics came as no surprise—women buy nearly 70% of kids' books and most purchasers fit solidly in the middle class in terms of income and education—others were more startling, including the fact that books ranked number one over all other media for the youngest kids. Click on the title to read the article.