Date/Time
Date(s) - 26/Jun/2022
1:00 pm - 3:15 pm
Join us for this very exciting afternoon where we delve into the world of picture books, from the viewpoint of publisher and creator. We are very excited to welcome award winning publisher, Tash Besliev of Affirm Press, who will give a fascinating presentation on the Craft of Picture Books. This will be followed by talented author and illustrator Mandy Foot, who will share insights into how she works and offer tips on all she’s learned about successfully pitching to publishers.
If you would like to participate in the Book Babies, simply fill out the information when you register. Book Babies is open to books published from January 2022 through to July 2022.
Program (all times Sydney time)
1 pm—Welcome with the SCBWI Team and update
1.15–2.00 pm—Craft of the Picture Book with Affirm Press Publisher Tash Besliev
2.00–3.00 pm—Adventure Illustrator: Mandy Foot
3.00–3.15 pm—Book Babies: The Elevator Pitch Edition
Tickets for the Zoom Event
CLICK HERE to book at Trybooking.
SCBWI Members Only— $10
You will be sent a link and password for the Zoom Event at the time of booking your ticket.
Zoom Picture Book Manuscript Critiques with Tash Besliev
We are fortunate to have secured four 15 minute picture book manuscript critiques with Affirm Press publisher Tash Besliev before the SCBWI Zoom event.
Critiques are 15 minutes plus an additional scheduled time for changeover. Critiques are limited to SCBWI members attending this Zoom event. At time of booking you will be able to choose your preference from the available time slots. Critique Tickets will be released April 2 at 8am. This is an automated opening of tickets so it is first in best dressed!
Following your successful booking, submit your manuscript via the form linked below. Deadline for manuscripts is May 22, 2022. Please submit only once with the final version that you would like to be critiqued!
You will be sent an email with instructions for your Zoom Critique at the time of booking.
Tickets for Critiques
CLICK HERE to Book at Trybooking.
SCBWI Members Only— $90
Critique Tickets will be released April 2 at 8am. This is an automated opening of tickets so it is first in best dressed!
Submission Guidelines for Manuscript Critiques
Following your booking CLICK HERE to submit your manuscript. Please take note of the May 22, 2022 deadline and the format for submissions. Unfortunately, submissions that are late or that do not conform to the specifications cannot be accepted. Please submit only once with the final version that you would like to be critiqued!
Your Manuscript critique submission should include the following:
An overview of your project to a maximum of 1 page including your name, email and website (if applicable)
AND IN THE SAME DOCUMENT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
An outline of your project idea with synopsis and short writing samples for comment and discussion to a maximum of 10 pages, double spaced in 12pt Times New Roman or similar
OR
An extract of your draft manuscript to a maximum of 10 pages, double spaced in 12pt Times New Roman or similar
OR
A full picture book draft text to a maximum of 10 pages, double spaced in 12pt Times Roman or similar (One picture book only, even if it’s just a few pages long)
OR
If a writer-illustrator an illustrated picture book dummy with text in pdf format. (One picture book only)
Most assessors prefer word document format so they can make inline notes, however, pdfs are also acceptable. Pdf format for picture book dummies. Please label your file including Surname, Title (abbreviate if necessary), Genre (PB): ex. Surname_Title_PB
Presenters
Tash Besliev, Publisher Affirm Press
Tash Besliev is the kids publisher at Affirm Press. After nearly 20 years in children’s publishing she has worked almost every role yet says every day feels just as exciting at the first. She has worked closely on best-selling series including Billie B Brown, Zac Power and Go Girland was series concept creator for the HumanKind picture books. She’s spent over 15 years working with global and local brands like Disney, Star Wars, ABC Kids and The Wiggles and classic children’s book franchises including Tintin, Thomas the Tank Enginge and Winnie-the-Pooh. As publisher at Affirm Press she has doubled the output and trebled the revenue of the children’s list in two years, largely in the picture book space. She believes strongly that books are a right not a privilege, and that all children deserve access to quality books. Publishing and selling the socks off great books for kids is pretty much her jam!
Mandy Foot, illustrator and author
Mandy thrives on finding the balance between words and pictures as an Award-winning, Best-selling Author/Illustrator of more than 26 picture books. She considers herself an Adventure illustrator, where every manuscript is an opportunity to explore. With two border collies under her feet in her studio, she still loves to paint traditionally, particularly in watercolour and exploring all the happy accidents this creates.
Mother Nature and the animal kingdom are her greatest inspirations. One of her strongest beliefs is that anyone can draw, it’s simply the style that varies.
An Ambassador for Raising Literacy Australia, her books include the heart-warming Joey and Riley, Lucy and Copper and Bev and Kev.