Why conferences are good for you...

We are now at the delicious point of getting all our speakers/presenters on board for Spinning Tales next April in Auckland. If you are unsure whether you should attend an event like this consider the following goodies available to you. 1) a chance to meet with other children's writers and illustrators. I cannot stress enough how important this is. If you are serious about writing and/or illustrating for children one of the best things you can do is join that community. We share information that may help you get published. We encourage and support each other, share the good news and commiserate over the bad. We give feedback on each other's work. We laugh a lot and sometimes drink wine together. 2) a chance to meet, pitch to, or at least put a face to the name of NZ (and hopefully some Australian) publishers and agents. There will be many of them in one place. This does not happen too often. I have benefited from meeting publishers in person. 3) a chance to hear experienced and successful children's writers and illustrators share their wisdom and ask them questions. They live in far away spots all around New Zealand and are usually busy writing, illustrating or promoting their work. At Spinning Tales they will be talking to YOU. 4) a chance to live, breath and talk nothing but children's books for a whole weekend, without anyone saying "can you please put nutella on my toast" or "where is my striped top" or "I'm bored". You can have a look at some of the details here and register your interest while you are at it. I can't wait!