Little bits ....

I have spoken before about New Zealand's country of honour status at this year's Frankfurt Book Fair and NZ@Frankfurt and expressed my disappointment at the approach that has been taken with this terrific opportunity. Many members of the children's lit community here in NZ have been discussing our concerns at length and are getting behind an open letter to organisers that summarises these. Go here to listen to a radio interview on the topic.

I would be doubly sad if my previous comments are dismissed as sour grapes because I am not going to Frankfurt. Seriously! it doesn't have to be me, although as a writer with a growing book list I would be a fool not to want to go. I am allowed to want to go. But I accept that others might be well ahead of me in the queue. It just doesn't seem like they are going either. The Frankfurt Book Fair this year should be a platform for NZ writers. Other endeavours have their own platforms - this one is for literature from this country.


I am the Star Author this month at the Christchurch City Libraries Christchurch Kids Blog. Check out my first post here. Its extremely cool to be able to connect with book-loving kids and I am very grateful and honoured to have the opportunity.

I also have a guest post and free book giveaways this week over at the fabulous Tall Tales and Short Stories Blog as part of their on going 100,000 hits celebrations. Go check it out.

Kind of shocked...

A brief intermission during my absence so I can express my sadness at yesterday's announcement about New Zealand's contingent to go to the 2012 Frankfurt Book Fair. This is the world's biggest book fair and we are sending 60 authors and 100 performers. Our once in a lifetime opportunity as authors here in this country and we are outnumbered by performers and representatives of other interests (only 35% authors in total, and only 3% of those going write for children, not quite 2% if you look at those with writing for children as their main writing/occupation). Shouldn't this be all about books and our literary culture? Why then the business and cultural and tourism emphases?  Even the Germans seem a little surprised. As the article says - at a book fair include the books. The authors do seem to have been marginalised. The authors who are going were partly selected on the basis that a German publisher has already picked up one or more of their titles.Won't those titles already selected by the Germans already be benefiting from their investment? To maximise the benefit of this opportunity wouldn't it be a good idea to take books that weren't already getting any European exposure? It is incredibly hard to get material seen overseas for reasons that have nothing to do with the quality of writing. Here was an opportunity, a never-to-be-repeated-while-I-am-alive chance, for people like me - to be seen and heard and read. And it really didn't have to be me. I can think of writers of quality and originality who I was sure would be selected, but who weren't. And if we can't afford to send the writers, could we at least send more books?  Writing is not an easy way to make a living here. We are a small country. Imagine what impact it might have had to have the chance to show off a book in Germany at the world's biggest Book Fair. It might have been easier if NZ had not had this opportunity. I guess I thought it would be different.


As Richard Flanagan said in his article on book prizes in Australia in the Brisbane Times on June 16, "Writing rarely brings writers money or even respect. If it offers a certain freedom, it is one edged for most with loneliness, poverty and despair." I don't think things are that different in New Zealand. We don't feel celebrated at the best of times, and this wonderful event sadly, somehow, seems to be no exception.


UPDATE
I am confused. Today I read this about NZ at Frankfurt. Guest Country of Honour status offers the most comprehensive opportunity we have seen in many decades to strengthen New Zealand/German ties in culture, business, tourism, diplomacy and education. If this is indeed the intention behind naming NZ as Country of Honour at this years fair then I think NZ has pulled together a remarkable display. But Germany seems to be wondering why we are focusing on business, culture and tourism instead of books. Has something been lost in translation? Is Guest Country of Honour Status about a country's Literature or is it something else entirely? Whatever happens I hope there is some long term excitement generated for books by NZ authors. 

Kidlit Focus at 2012 Frankfurt Book Fair...

this year New Zealand is the guest country of honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair. Money has been set aside, promotional material organised, preparations are being made and a contingent has already been to the Leipzig Fair a few months back. I was surprised to find today that children's literature is to be the focus at the 2012 Frankfurt Book Fair. Here is a quote from a recent Book Fair Newsletter 

‎"Frankfurt Book Fair is planning to highlight children's and young adult media as a focal topic in October, addressing some 1,500 publishers of children's books from 100 countries."

This is a tremendous opportunity for the Children's literary community in this country and I hope it is grasped with both hands and made the most of. When I was a child the children's literary scene here was just starting out but over the years, thanks to the quality, strength and commitment of publications like the School Journal (Learning Media) filled with local content, supporting and encouraging local writers and illustrators, and the presence of internationally renowned children's authors and illustrators like Margaret Mahy, Lynley Dodd, Gavin Bishop, Maurice Gee, Joy Cowley and Robin Belton, and the continuing efforts of long standing, and new  publishers of children's material, the local industry has blossomed. New writers are coming through all the time and I think our current scene is strong. Yet it is a struggle to find opportunities to have our voices heard overseas. In an article in the NZ Society of Authors magazine within the last year well known children's author David Hill lamented the difficulties of having titles picked up by foreign markets. He acknowledged the infrequency and unlikelihood of this happening. Is this our golden ticket - our chance to win some change in this trend? I sincerely hope so. 

A lot we can learn from Weepu...

Watched an interview with All Black Piri Weepu on TV last night. There is a lot an author can learn from Piri. He had some dreadful blows to his rugby career; being dropped by Coach Graham Henry before the 2007 World Cup and then breaking his leg in horrible fashion during a game last year. Both could have been career ending if he'd let them. They weren't the only things interfering with his position in the All Blacks but Weepu hung in there. He learnt from his mistakes. He wanted to come back. He got match fit. He demonstrated he deserved inclusion in the team. And look at him now! He's a bit of a star. And he's handling it well. Life is what happens while we're making other plans, so John Lennon sang. We have to deal with what life hands us and make the most of it. Weepu obviously had the raw talent that made him a contender for the best rugby team in the world. But he purposefully did what he needed to do as well and kept faith in himself. Go the All Blacks - good luck for the game tomorrow night.

My head and heart dropped a little when I read this in the NZSA's newsletter yesterday

The Society of Authors has unofficially learnt that "He meomoça he ohorere / While you are sleeping / Bevor es bei Euch hell wird” is the slogan under which New Zealand will present itself as 2012 Frankfurt Book Fair’s Guest of Honour. The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage, which is dedicated to preserving the national heritage of Aotearoa, views the country’s selection as the Guest of Honour for the Frankfurt Book Fair as a unique opportunity to present the cultural diversity of New Zealand. The announcement was made at a media conference in Germany, as part of this year's Frankfurt Book Fair. “New Zealand’s role as Guest of Honour in 2012 is an unprecedented high point for our writers, publishers and artists. The opportunity to share our creativity and unique perspective with Germany and Europe at the Frankfurt Book Fair is a once in a life-time opportunity and we are excited to bring our voice to you next year,” says Tanea Heke, Project Leader.


This is such a wonderful opportunity for New Zealand. As we sit, small and discrete, way down here at the southern end of the Pacific it is hard to grab the attention of Europe all the way across the other side of the globe (unless its about rugby). Here is our chance to show what we are made of to the Olde Worlde. I hoped one of my books might make it in to the catalogue but I missed out. I would love to be a part of this opportunity. When I saw the slogan I thought of my as-yet-unpublished picture book manuscript While You Are Sleeping which has done the editorial dance several times but been unable to jump the final hurdle into publication. It is out on submission at the moment. If only ...

"... While you are sleeping…

Rain may fall, and winds may blow,

Clouds come and go,

And the stars get their chance to shine ..."

Halloween teen...

The Frankfurt Book fair is on right now. I was interested to see on Graham Beattie's blog (http://beattiesbookblog.blogspot.com/) a day or so back the news that Publishers from Canada, Australia and New Zealand had got together at Frankfurt and formed a coalition in pursuit of closer cooperation. All three countries have had concerns about the dominance of Britain and America in the english language markets and their proprietorial attitudes towards other english speaking markets like Canada, Oz and NZ. I like the sound of this coalition but I'm not sure what impact it will have on me and my writing/books, if any. The bigger impact at the moment is bound to be from the global financial squeeze. Right now I feel strangely calm about it all. Long may this calm continue.

In a delicious touch of irony, this year my youngest daughter turns teen on Halloween. Is there any more frightening prospect than adding another teen to the household mix? It seems perfect for this particular festival. She is off to high school next year, and as her younger brother moves to intermediate I will no longer have any children at primary school. Another milestone is passed, another era ends. I wonder if losing that connection with primary age children will have an impact on my writing. Will i drift away from writing picture books? I hope not. There is something truely magical about crafting a story for this genre. I never cease to be amazed, even as a picture book writer myself, how the brevity and apparent simplicity unfolds and gently reveals complex themes and feelings. It is immensely satisfying that despite repeat readings my favourite picture books can still move me to tears, smiles, out right laughs and understanding. If I'm feeling down 'Olivia' is guaranteed to bring a smile to my face, 'Tulevai and the Sea' reminds me of the power of a mother's love and 'Dear Greenpeace' chokes me up on the final page. How cool is that.