successes - Create a kids' book

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Successes

Here are some of the titles which have been published with the help of CReATe a kids’ book assessments or workshops.

Molly's Memory Jar

Author: Norma Spaulding Illustrator Jacqui Grantford

How very helpful and fruitful it is to have access to the expert help of Virginia Lowe! As a passionate reader, writer, experienced librarian, reviewer of books, and one who has knowledge of the publishing market, she has a wealth of experience in children's literature, and all of this she generously makes available to budding writers. I have been privileged to benefit greatly from her dedication to the task, her attention to detail, her honesty, her enthusiasm and most of all, her encouragement. I am deeply grateful.

Norma Spaulding

Published by: New Frontier, to find out more go to the link:

http://shop.newfrontier.com.au/shop/products/detail.html?Product__product_id=188

Poonkidoodle

written by Neridah McMullin is based on an imaginary friend created by Neridah's father to ease night time fears. Just knowing that Ponkidoodle was there gave the children great reassurance and security.

Testimonial Little Steps Publishing “Many of the world’s best children’s books are born from the bed time story ritual. These stories ooze the warmth and feeling of parents sharing life’s most memorable moments with their children. Ponkidoodle comes from such stock. He is a funny, clumsy and loveable little monster, who manifested from a father’s desire to ease the night-time fears of the small Bade children. Neridah McMullin has delightfully re-created Ponki, from her childhood memories, into a beautiful picture book that will comfort and enthrall young children. Aaron Pocock’s masterful illustrations perfectly capture Ponkidoodle as the loveable, but rascally rogue culprit of the night-time noises, and the result is a book that will be read and re-read every bedtime.”

Peter Whitfield, Managing Director, Little Steps at New Frontier, Sydney, N.S.W.

It's being published by Little Steps at New Frontier and is due to be launched in November 2009.

Tensy Farlow

When I first began writing Tensy Farlow I became quite overwhelmed by the story. It was the first major piece of fiction I had written and it quickly became much more elaborate than I intended. I wondered how I was ever going to rein it in, let alone finish it. I sent the incomplete manuscript to Virginia Lowe’s assessment agency as I knew I needed an unbiased, informed opinion. Jennifer Dabbs provided me with a wonderfully detailed critique. Her comments were extremely helpful and her enthusiasm for the story was hugely reassuring. We cannot write in isolation, especially when we are starting out. It is impossible to be objective about our own work, and writing groups and family are not always capable of giving us the detailed feedback we need. That’s why it is so important that we take advantage of dedicated, reputable agencies such as Virginia’s. As far as I’m concerned they are vital to our professional development and to our peace of mind. Thank you, Virginia and Jennifer!

Just published by Penguin! Tensy Farlow and the Home for Mislaid Children. View the beautiful haunting publicity video on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HNXppMc3rQ

Ginny Giles Series

Written and illustrated by Marlo Garnsworthy

Marlo Garnsworthy, our assessor in America, wrote three wonderful junior novels, and had Virginia assess them. They will be published by Clean Slate Press in September 2009.

Grandma's Place

Written by James Stead and illustrated by Majory Gardner

“How does your Grandma cuddle you?”
This is just one of the many questions a child will encounter when they experience Grandma’s Place. Grandma’s Place is an interactive picture book which encourages children to explore, and reflect upon the special bond they share with their Grandmother. On a visit to Grandma’s place Jess experiences and creates memories that will last a life time.

As a writer it is important to receive critical feedback from someone who has worked within the industry and from someone who has a writing background. Virginia is passionate about picture books and children’s literature. Virginia and (Marlo’s) advice played an important part in the publication of Grandma’s Place. It certainly gave me confidence to send Grandma’s Place out into the market place after receiving their critical feedback. I recommend Virginia’s services to all ‘want to be’ picture book authors.

James Stead

http://www.windyhollowbooks.com.au/windyhollow.html

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Fatima's Caterpillar

This is the most recent publication to come through the services of Create a Kids’ Book.

I loved Eileen Nelson's assessments. I always felt she was ‘on my wave length’. I have kept her reports and refer to them when working on one of the original stories.
-- Elizabeth Smart

Fatima's Caterpillar is part of the Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! series, published by Blake Education.

Another of the five stories assessed by Create a Kids’ Book, The Bushfire Tree is being published in the NSW School Magazine.

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The Incredibly Boring Monotonous Family

This is the most recent publication to come through the services of Create a Kids’ Book. Philip Barry's hilarious novel is published by Pan Macmillan.

When I was at university, I spent much time on something that might never become a real book. But I felt a refreshing lack of guilt that I had neglected assignments that I would some day forget all about. There, saved on the computer, amidst a hundred uni assignments was something that I was really proud of. Not knowing exactly what to do with it I hit the internet and immediately found ‘Create a Kid’s Book.’ The name of the web site says it all - don’t ever change it! It was exactly what I needed to see. And so, with the assistance of Jennifer Dabbs and Virginia Lowe I began the first of three drafts which would ultimately result in the book becoming a reality.

Being a teacher myself, what I found particularly encouraging was the constructive criticism I read on every page, along with the acknowledgement of things I had written well. The more they threw at me, the more I was able to refine and polish my story to its best possible standard. And with the letter of recommendation at the end of it all, I knew I had a manuscript which had an advantage over others when it was pulled out of the slush pile.

I can honestly say that I would not even be able to write these words had I not taken grasp of the terrific opportunity to have such wonderfully dynamic and passionate people read and assess my manuscript. Even though three years passed between the first draft and the release of the book, what is three years of waiting compared to a lifetime of not knowing? My sincere thanks (even though it’s more than that!) go to Virginia and Jennifer – they are incredibly supportive.

Philip Barry
13 May 2008

Jessica's Box

My first book Jessica's Box was created as part of Virginia's e-course and I can't thank her enough. My little picture book about a girl trying to make friends was published by New Frontier with very few changes and has since been given a second print run and has been shortlisted in a few awards. Jessica's Box was shortlisted in the 2008 Queensland Premier's Literary Award, the 2009 Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Award, the 2009 CBCA Crichton Award for Emerging Illustrators and listed as a CBCA Notable Book. When I look back at the drafts I was writing before Create a Kids' Book, it's strikes me how much I have learned from Virginia. Her advice is always incredibly constructive and leads only to stronger stories. With a toe in the door of the industry, I'm now trying to squeeze the rest of my foot in with my second book, Sarah's Heavy Heart (New Frontier), with several more to follow in 2010. I have also had the pleasure of exhibiting my illustrations at Marks and Gardner Gallery and have presented at writers festivals to both children and adults.

Lofty's Mission

A picture book by Krista Bell, illustrated by David Miller

To be published by Lothian Books, an imprint of Hachette Livres Australia, in March 2008.

Krista Bell says ‘'Thanks, Virginia, I'm so grateful for your encouragement and insightful editing of my early manuscript. You definitely helped Lofty get off the ground and begin his long flight towards publication.'

Lofty’s Mission is a wartime story set in the early 1040s in suburban Australia when Frank’s racing pigeon is commandeered for war service. Krista Bell has been widely published, for more information see www.kristabell.com.

Czenya Cavouras

Stark and beautiful, Rainbow Bird is a book of rare insight. More than a children’s book, or an art book, this is a work of pain, hope, and simple, profound truth. An unseen, unnamed narrator takes us on a journey through fear, uncertainty and despair to hope. Every page challenges us to think and, above all, to feel.

Created by a fourteen year old, Rainbow Bird has something to say to everyone, young and old.

‘A painful Australian story is here distilled and transformed through remarkable prose and image.’ – Eva Sallis

‘A beautiful and moving book.’ – Arnold Zable

Czenya Cavouras' inspiration to write and illustrate Rainbow Bird came from conversations with her grandfather about his trips to the Baxter Detention Centre in Port Augusta. She believes it will strike a chord with readers of all ages and challenge them to imagine how they might respond in a similar situation.

Virginia Lowe assessed and advised on Czenya’s first draft.

Order Rainbow Bird from Wakefield Press.

Marianne Musgrove

It was only three or so years ago that I enlisted the help of Virginia with my first manuscript, The Worry Tree. After taking her feedback on board, it was eventually published by Random House Australia and short-listed for four awards, winning the 2008 Australian Family Therapists Award for Children s Literature. It has been reprinted several times and has been published in the USA, Germany and Indonesia, with Italy soon to follow.

My second novel, Lucy the Good , has been short-listed for the 2009 Speech Pathology Australia Children s Book of the Year, and my new novel, Don t Breathe a Word is out now and soon to be translated into German.

It s a tough industry to break into and I can only say thanks to Virginia for helping me to pick the lock.

-- Marianne Musgrove, author of The Worry Tree
www.mariannemusgrove.com.au

Glenn Melenhorst

Sharon and I attended Virginia’s ‘Create a kids’ book’ course and found both the information, and Virginia’s industry insights invaluable. We not only learned about writing for picture books but about the formatting and illustration from artist-tutor Jacqui Young, which Sharon and I (as illustrators) found very informative.

After the course, I wrote ‘The Sock Monster’ and posted it to Virginia for assessment. What followed was a happy collaboration, resulting in the book being accepted almost immediately by Lothian.

We hope you enjoy it.

Glenn Melenhorst
www.glennmelenhorst.com

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Jan Miles

Virginia's manuscript assessment of my two books has been a wonderful assistance to me in finding my way as a writer. While I'm relatively bullet proof in my normal work environment, any criticism of my writing is a whole other matter - I really, really care, in an I'm six again kind of way! Friends who promised me they had an eagle eye handed the manuscript back with one or two spelling corrections and a strange expression, like I had stepped in dog droppings and no-one was telling me. Sending the first manuscript to Virginia was terrifying.

If only I had known! Virginia's assessment was pages long; overall comments at the beginning, then lots of encouragement, then a page by page break-down of lapses in style or logic or both or just delight at the funny bits, suggestions for improvements and then more lashings of encouragement. In between books I attended one of Virginia's workshops in Melbourne and came away with a sense of I can do this. The assessment of the second book was even more encouraging.

The first book hasn't moved on - it was kinder to leave it unfinished. Maybe one day it will be sold on e-bay as an early unfinished work. The second is now in print, and I published it myself. I elected to go this way because the websites of the various publishers terrified me. Don't even think of taking up our valuable time if you only have one book in you! We're only interested in people who can write a series of books, someone we can invest in. Well heck, this one took me three years. It's got a Christmas theme and I've already missed three Christmases. I don't need any more pressure!

There's lots of advice on the internet to people who want to self-publish. The publishing part is easy - step up to the counter with your credit card. What they don't tell you is how to self-sell. My version is this: guess what you're getting for Christmas this year!

However, if you want to go down this path, I do recommend Seaview Press.

Good luck!

Jan

Amy Hamilton

Indigo Dreaming book cover After stumbling in the dark for several years I was fortunate enough to come across Virginia’s website. I eagerly applied to take part in the Create a Kids’ book e-course to hone my writing skills. What a revelation! I learnt more about writing for children in the first module than I had in the last 10 years. It was brilliant. I refer to the course notes continuously.

Virginia’s comprehensive and supportive feedback gave me the confidence to submit a book I had been working on for two years for an assessment. Considered “new age” I was a little apprehensive about what Virginia would think and how my book would be critiqued. Virginia was a true professional, providing me with invaluable advice and support through each draft. Her suggestions regarding layout, grammar and word use helped me to develop my work to a publishable standard.

I am happy to say that the result was Joshua Books accepting my book for publication, a lifelong dream come true. I have no doubt that Virginia’s thorough assessments and letter of recommendation were instrumental in achieving this.

Amy Hamilton
www.indigokidz.com.au

Thomas Perry

Almost ten years ago I had a rough idea for a children's book, and went along to the first writing workshop conducted by Dr Virginia Lowe and artist Jacqui Young. I attended many subsequent workshops, which turned out to be one of the best decisions I've made. Virginia and Jacqui helped me take what was a fairly pedestrian story about a pirate cat and turn it into something more original. They encouraged me to push the boundaries and take the story to another level. All of a sudden the pirates became environmentalist vegetarian new-age hippies, and I knew inspiration had struck!

Virginia Lowe has boundless passion and enthusiasm for childrens' literature, combined with a wealth of knowledge and a razor-sharp critical faculty. Due to Virginia's crucial early guidance and assistance I have finally exprienced the thrill of seeing my little story published by MacMillan. Thank you Virginia for your great insight and wisdom, and for nuturing so much quality Australian children's writing.

Regards,
Tom
20 June 2006

Peter Cleary

After submitting manuscripts to publishers for six years and being rejected 70 times, I finally had the good fortune of stumbling upon Create a Kids’ Book. Virginia Lowe and Jennifer Dabbs helped guide my manuscript along the best path possible, and finally towards publication in June 2006!

Trickery at the Toyworx was given two detailed assessments before Virginia wrote a recommendatory letter to send along with the manuscript to publishers. Virginia is highly respected in the world of children’s literature, and I believe her opinion made all the difference in my junior novel being accepted by Lothian Books. I highly recommend Create a Kids’ Book to anyone who wants to get the very best out of their writing for children.

Tom Skinner

Virginia is the perfect blend of support and criticism. When I hired her as my tutor in August 2002, I did not even know that a picture book had 32 pages! Fortunately Virginia, who owns more than 1000 of them, did! I’ve heard that it is practically impossible for an unknown, unpublished author to get a picture book published in Australia. Well, with Virginia’s guiding and steadying hand, the impossible became possible with the release of my first picture book, Round Fish Square Bowl in 2006. Not only was Virginia instrumental in finding me an agent which led to the above breakthrough, she was able to advise me on the many industry "what not to do"s. So, after 3.5 years and 54 rejections I congratulate Virginia and her eagle-editing husband John for their enthusiasm, massive knowledge and down-to-earth advice. This square peg eventually found his hole!

Tom Skinner
www.tomtombooks.com

Success so far:
First print run sold out in first year (hardback)
Reprinted in paperback
International hardback order (South Africa)
Round Fish Square Bowl was a selected title for:
The Advertiser’s Little Big Book Club (SA)
SA Premier's Reading Challenge
NSW Premier's Reading Challenge
Victorian Premier’s Reading Challenge
Vegemite Little Aussie Reader program

Click here for review:
http://thebookchook.blogspot.com/search?q=round+fish+square+bowl

Catriona Hoy

I used Virginia's manuscript assesment in fine tuning my picture book, My Grandad Marches on Anzac Day. Virginia was able to assist with focussing on the logical flow and visual elements of the story. Virginia's assistance helped me to polish the story to the high level required before publishers will consider a picture book manuscript. I would recommend that all beginning writer's seek some external evaluation of their work as initially the skills of self-editing are not always easy.

31 January 2006

Robert Favretto

As a first-time author, I am indebted to Dr Virginia Lowe, for her support and encouragement, in helping to develop my work to a publishable standard.

I appreciated the comprehensive feedback that Virginia provided on aspects of my manuscript, relating to characters, plot, pace, tone and grammar and language.

Virginia's recommendations helped to ensure that my work was plausible, well crafted and a pleasure to read.

Web Site: www.limelightpress.com - go to Our future releases

Jennifer Cook

I first met Virginia through her CReATe a kids’ book workshop and it was from there that my children's picture book The Screaming Irrits was penned. While I was waiting for the rejections to roll in I got on and wrote Ariadne, which was picked up by Lothian who also took my picture book, which will be published next June. I can honestly say that without the careful assessments done by Virgina Lowe and in my case, her classicist husband, John, neither Ariadne or Persephone persephone.jpg - 15093 Bytes would have been published. Virginia's knowledge of children's literature, her eye for detail and the depth of her critiques helped me to bring out the best in my writing.

Her praise is not given lightly and it is for that reason that publishers within the world of children's books rate her opinion so highly. I am proud to have my books included in her website.

For more information on Jennifer Cook, look here.

jack learns

Andrew Coram

CReATe a kids’ book workshops are invaluable to the first time author/illustrator. In my case I required development of both text and illustration.

The advice I received steered my work in a professional direction that culminated in a two book publishing deal.

The workshops also provide a warm and relaxed environment in which to discuss your own work and ideas with others who are struggling with the same creative process - it is good to find out you are not alone! CReATe a kids’ book workshops provide a forum in which we, as prospective authors and illustrators, can receive advice and direction that can raise our work above the ordinary, and hopefully grab the attention of those all-important editors.

For more information on Andrew Coram and release of Jack Learns to Swim and Crimson Feathers For Ty, look here.

Tina Marie Clark

Virginia was alongside me as African Orphans expanded from a picture book, into a 7,000 word primary school reader. Her help, insight, and professionalism along the journey were a lifeline to me.

She helped me to achieve my dream of getting a children’s book published. My ideas and her know-how - of not only the English language, but what the publishers were after - and our determination, led to the publication of African Orphans.

Would I employ her services again? She already has my next manuscript for ‘honing.’

Tom Beckers & Judy Prosser

Virginia Lowe and her husband John did an excellent job editing our book and gave invaluable advice about layout and presentation.

Their assessment of the manuscript came in a practical printed format and by using email we were able to cover a lot of ground in a short period.

They turned the dreadful business of editing into a pleasant and manageable exercise.

Virginia's enthusiasm and support for our story and illustrations charged up our energy, depleted after months of creating, and helped us in completing this project.

To pick the right editor is a matter of life or death for your book, and we obviously made the right choice.

For more information on Joboy's Walkabout look here.

Peter Osborne

Acknowledgements: "Dr Virginia Lowe of CReATe a kids’ book in Melbourne for her continuous encouragement and editing skills. [She] worked with me through numerous drafts to turn a manuscript into a publishable work".

For more information on Peter Osborne and the Golden Dragon, look here.

David Demant

Among the people who inspired me to write this book, I count Virginia as one of the most important. Virginia is critically supportive and she encourages thinking 'beyond the square'.

For more information on The First Computer Mouse, please look at the Museum Victoria site.

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