Cape Town Book Fair - 2010

30th July - 2 August 2010

Here is a wonderful opportunity for you to exhibit your work at the Cape Town Book Fair

Dear SCBWI Member,

The Frankfurt (European) Book Fair and PASA will be organising the Fifth International Book Fair in Cape Town. Venue: The Cape Town International Convention Centre.

Their aim is to create the most stimulating and exciting fair yet, with far more events.

SCBWI (SA) will be having a stand as usual where SCBWI members can display their work. Our aim is to publicise the advantages of SCBWI membership, to display the work of our members and to help South African writers and illustrators to make contact with the representatives from the international and local publishers coming to the Fair.

We also need your help to run the stand. Celeste Loriston (see contact details below) will be organising this and urgently needs to know the times when you can help.

Non SCBWI Members - We need quite a few people to man our stand during the Book Fair – So if you are not a member yet – if you can help us at man the stand for an hour or two, you can display your books/work in progress. We need two people manning the stand at all times.

Please contact Celeste Loriston (083 708 4917) celloriston@yahoo.co.uk as soon as possible but NOT LATER THAN 19th July 2010 to let her know ASAP what time slots you are able to do (we need two people at a time). Ideally we need you to do a two-hour stint but if that is not possible, a one-hour stint.

More Information about the Book Fair

Inquiries: info@capetownbookfair.co.za

Phone: +27 (0) 21 4185493
Fax: +27 (0) 21 4185949

Entry Fee

Adults - R60 per day except Friday – see below

Students & Pensioners - R25 per day

Children until the age of 13 - Free

Friday 30th July 2010 will be the very first Cape Town Book Fair Professional Day with a professional programme for all exhibitors and trade visitors.

8am till 6pm - Trade Visitors and Exhibitors only

If you want to attend this day, as a writer and/or illustrator, to show your illustrations and/or manuscript to publishers, you have to register as trade visitor – the cost os R 335 per person for the day – for more info and what the benefits are, go to http://www.capetownbookfair.com/trade-visitors/information-for-trade-visitors

To register, go to http://www.capetownbookfair.com/trade-visitors/registration/forms

Writers and/or illustrators who want to show their work to publishers on Saturday, Sunday and/or Monday after 10:00, do not have to be registered as trade visitors. The cost will only be the R60 per visitor for the day

Times:

Saturday 31st July 2010

8:00 till 10:00 - Trade Visitors and Exhibitors only

10:00 till 18:00 - All visitors

Sunday 1st August 2010

8:00 till 10:00: Trade Visitors and Exhibitors only

10:00 till 18:00- All visitors

Monday 2nd August 2010

8:00 till 10:00: - Trade Visitors and Exhibitors only

10:00 till 16:00 - All visitors

Exhibiting your work

Illustrators

• Boards will be displayed in a V shaped poster holder so visitors to the stand can page through them (MAXIMUM OF TWO BOARDS ARE ALLOWED PER ILLUSTRATOR)
• You can display published or unpublished work suitable for children’s books

Instructions

• Use two sheets of Tripex board (620 grams and 1020x770mm) @ R35.00 and Acetate 175 microns (762 width) @ R35.90 a metre. ( Both these products are available at Deckle Edge (Woodstock (021) 448 6800 or Stellenbosch (021) 880 2816)
• Cut 4 mounting boards (50x70 cm) (Two to be used for backing and two for windows)
• Cut window mounts. (leave 2-3 cm breathing space and 3 cm between each illustration)
• Cover each illustration with acetate (Before positioning in the window mounts).
• Attach the extra boards to the back of the board on which you have mounted your illustration for strength and for it to look neater.
• Illustrations must be firmly secured to the board and be displayed on one side only (you can have more than one illustration per board).

Writers

• A limit of 15 published Books per person. These books should be DIFFERENT publications and not copies of the same publication. Choose your best work, not necessarily your most recent publications.
• We will also have a work in process section
• In the past the work-in-progress area looked a bit untidy so this year we will have a ring binder with plastic sheets in which writers’ and writer/illustrators’ work in progress can be displayed.
• Each person can have 6 X A4 pages in plastic sleeves for the SCBWI SA ring binder book
• If you would like to display your work/manuscript or picture book dummy separately it must be neatly bound
• Please include a CV which includes a photo and/or images; a list of your publications (Two A 4 pages maximum) and a synopsis of your story and an example of your manuscript (the way you prepare your work for Publishers Day)

Please note:

• Every book or artwork should be clearly marked with your name and contact details.
• NO information about of any company or organisation can be displayed.
• SCBWI (SA) does not accept liability for loss of or damage to property.
• All material must reach us by NO LATER than Tuesday 28 July 2010. Otherwise you will have to bring it to the SCBWI stand at the Cape Town Book Fair before 11h00 on Saturday 31 July.

E-mail scbwi.za@gmail.com to get the address to which your material can be posted or delivered to and if you have any inquirers

Please arrange for your books or art works to be collected on Monday 2 August 2010 (16h00-17h00). Any material that has not been collected will be donated to a school of our (SCBWI SA) choice.

FEBRUARY 2010 (Cape Town)

Annual SCBWI (SA) Publishers Show & Tell Day

Region: Cape Town, South Africa

Date: Friday, February 19, 2010

Time: 09h00 - 17h30

Enquiries: By e-mail to scbwi.za@gmail.com and (NB!) please put Enquiries - Publishers Day 2010 in your e-mail’s subject line.

Venue: Bellville Public Library, Bellville, Cape Town (Tel: +27 21 918-2300)

Cost: SCBWI members R80 and non-SCBWI members R140 (this includes tea/coffee & lunch).

RSVP: Since we have a limited number of slots available, kindly RSVP as soon as possible by e-mail to scbwi.za@gmail.com and (NB!) put Publishers Day 2010 in your e-mail’s subject line. Your e-mail must reach us by no later than 10 February 2010. We repeat, slots are limited and they will be allocated on a strict first-come-first-served basis.

Specific requirements: Please specify if you prefer a vegetarian lunch.

Description of Event: This will be a day for writers and illustrators to pitch their work to the publishers. It provides an opportu­nity for publishers to see what work our writers and illustrators have done during the past year and also for them to meet new writers and illustrators. We will send out specifications for your Personal Details Form after we have received your bookings.

The list of participating publishers will be distributed early in February 2010 and will be posted on www.scbwi-za-capetown.blogspot.com/ early in February 2010.

Writers and Illustrators who are unable to attend: You can send a number of copies (the exact number to be made known as soon as the attending publishers have all confirmed – early February) of a set of three A4 pages consisting of your Personal Details Form (to be supplied) and two pages with examples of your work. We will then distribute these amongst the publishers participating at the event (the cost: R80).

Kindly send an e-mail (subject line: Publishers Day 2010 – Work for Distribution) to scbwi.za@gmail.com stating that you cannot attend the event but that you would like your work to be distributed physically to each of the attending publishers. This should reach us by no later than 5th February 2010. Upon receipt of your e-mailed booking we will send you a return e-mail with a blank Personal Details Form, payment details and the address to which you can mail or courier an envelope containing all the sets of copies of your forms and examples of your work to be distributed.

Notes for Writers and Illustrators:

The representatives from the publishers will be available for meetings from 09h00 to 17h30 on the day.

Each illustrator or writer will be scheduled into 15-minute slots to see one publisher at a time. As soon as the publishers have confirmed their attendance (end January) we will be able to let you know how many publishers you will be able to see during the day.

You must bring along a number of copies (the exact number to be made known as soon as the attending publishers have all confirmed – early January) of a set of three A4 pages consisting of your Personal Details Form (to be supplied) and two pages with examples of your work. You will hand one set to each publisher you meet with and a set will be given to each publisher you were unable to see due to the limited number of slots.

As soon as the list of participating publishers is circulated, you must send us a list of your preferences as to which specific publishers you would like to meet. Number your list of publishers from 1 to 10 in order of preference. We will then draw up a schedule on a first-come-first-served basis, filling up each publisher’s slots. We will e-mail you the completed schedule (grid) one week before the event.

Tips for Writers and Illustrators about pitching your work:

Make sure that the two pages with examples of your work have your name on and use a paper clip to keep the 3 pages together (DO NOT STAPLE & DON’T USE FANCY FOLDERS – this makes it difficult for the publishers to file you material). You can use both sides of the three sheets of paper – this way you will have 6 sides – but not more than three A4 sheets in total.

Make sure you use paper of a good quality. Images or type should not shine through.

Prepare yourself to do your whole pitch in less than 15 minutes. So make a list of information that you need/want to communicate to the publishers – do not waste precious time being chatty.

When showing and discussing your presentation, allow the publisher to give your work quality time and attention, rather than having to rush through a mass of work that cannot be appreciated in your allocated 15 minutes.

If you are pitching your work on a laptop computer make sure that you are comfortable doing it this way. Prepare a special, easily accessible folder with ONLY the work you want to show… It leaves a bad impression if you start searching for your files – and you lose valuable time.

Writers - Prepare a synopsis of your story(ies) with an extract of your manuscript to leave with the publishers. Rather try and get their permission to mail your complete manuscript to them or somebody else at their company. Remember, the person you see will be receiving a lot of material on that day. By mailing your manuscript(s) later (on paper or CD – ask them what they prefer) you will separate your work from the pile. When mailing your manuscript remember to inform the publisher in your covering letter whether you are sending your manuscript to any other publishers.

Illustrators - Prepare your portfolio of original illustrations (the one you will show to all the publishers and then take home with you) in such a way that it can be handled easily: preferably in an A3 or A4 folder that can be paged through. Rather select only a few of your best works than lots of examples with poor quality work amongst them. If your portfolio consists mostly of reproductions of your work (i.e. in published form) bring at least two original illustrations along as well. If you want to show copies of work that is currently at a publisher, make sure that those copies are of very high quality. Do not take too many examples of illustrations (10 is a good number).

IMPORTANT: This is an opportunity for you to introduce yourself and to present your work to the publishers. You must not expect any feedback, comments or analysis of your work at this session – it will be the publishers’ sole decision whether they would like to make any further contact with any of the writers and illustrators they had seen at the day’s sessions.

Show & Tell Day Schedule for each Publisher

09h00 – 09h30 - Registration

09h30 – 09h45 – Slot 1

09h45 – 10h00 – Slot 2

10h00 – 10h15 - Slot 3

10h15 – 10h30 - BODY BREAK

10h30 – 10h45 – Slot 4

10h45 – 11h00 – Slot 5

11h00 – 11h15 – Slot 6

11h15 – 11h45 - COFFEE/TEA BREAK

11h45 – 12h00 – Slot 7

12h00 – 12h15 – Slot 8

12h15 – 12h30 – Slot 9

12h30 – 12h45 – Slot 10

12h45 – 13h00 – Slot 11

13h00 – 14h00 – LUNCH BREAK

14h00 – 14h15 – Slot 12

14h15 – 14h30 – Slot 13

14h30 – 14h45 – Slot 14

14h45 – 15h00 – Slot 15

15h00 – 15h15 - COFFEE/TEA BREAK

15h15 - 15h30 – Slot 16

15h30 – 15h45 – Slot 17

15h45 – 16h00 – Slot 18

16h15 – 16h30 – Slot 19

16h30 – 16h45 – BODY BREAK

16h45 – 17h00 – Slot 20

17h00 – 17h15 – Slot 21

17h15 – 17h30 – Contingency slot

11 March 2009 (Cape Town) Publishers Day

Annual SCBWI (SA) Publishers Show & Tell Day

• Region: Cape Town, South Africa
• Date: 11 March 2009
• Time: 09h00 - 17h30
• Venue: Bellville Public Library, Bellville, Cape Town (Tel: +27 21 918-2300)
• Cost: SCBWI members R70 and non-SCBWI members R100 (this includes tea/coffee & lunch).
• RSVP: Since we have a limited number of slots available, kindly RSVP as soon as possible by e-mail to scbwi.za@gmail.com and (NB!) put Publishers Day 2009 in your e-mail’s subject line. Your e-mail must reach us by no later than 15 February 2009. We repeat, slots are limited and they will be allocated on a strict first-come-first-served basis.
• Enquiries: By e-mail to scbwi.za@gmail.com and (NB!) please put Enquiries - Publishers Day 2009 in your e-mail’s subject line.
  

• Specific requirements: Please specify if you prefer a vegetarian lunch.

Description of Event: This will be a day for writers and illustrators to pitch their work to the publishers. It provides an opportu­nity for publishers to see what work our writers and illustrators have done during the past year and also for them to meet new writers and illustrators. We will send out specifications for your Personal Details Form after we have received your bookings.

The list of participating publishers will be distributed early in February 2009.

Writers and Illustrators who are unable to attend: You can send a number of copies (the exact number to be made known as soon as the attending publishers have all confirmed – early February) of a set of three A4 pages consisting of your Personal Details Form (to be supplied) and two pages with examples of your work. We will then distribute these amongst the publishers participating at the event (the cost: R70).

Kindly send an e-mail (subject line: Publishers Day 2009 – Work for Distribution) to scbwi.za@gmail.com stating that you cannot attend the event but that you would like your work to be distributed physically to each of the attending publishers. This should reach us by no later than 28th February 2009. Upon receipt of your e-mailed booking we will send you a return e-mail with a blank Personal Details Form, payment details and the address to which you can mail or courier an envelope containing all the sets of copies of your forms and examples of your work to be distributed.

Notes for Writers and Illustrators:

• The representatives from the publishers will be available for meetings from 09h00 to 17h30 on the day.
• Each illustrator or writer will be scheduled into 15-minute slots to see one publisher at a time. As soon as the publishers have confirmed their attendance (end January) we will be able to let you know how many publishers you will be able to see during the day.
• You must bring along a number of copies (the exact number to be made known as soon as the attending publishers have all confirmed – early January) of a set of three A4 pages consisting of your Personal Details Form (to be supplied) and two pages with examples of your work. You will hand one set to each publisher you meet with and a set will be given to each publisher you were unable to see due to the limited number of slots.
• As soon as the list of participating publishers is circulated, you must send us a list of your preferences as to which specific publishers you would like to meet. Number your list of publishers from 1 to 10 in order of preference. We will then draw up a schedule on a first-come-first-served basis, filling up each publisher’s slots. We will e-mail you the completed schedule (grid) one week before the event.

Tips for Writers and Illustrators about pitching your work:

• Make sure that the two pages with examples of your work have your name on and use a paper clip to keep the 3 pages together (DO NOT STAPLE & DON’T USE FANCY FOLDERS – this makes it difficult for the publishers to file you material). You can use both sides of the three sheets of paper – this way you will have 6 sides – but not more than three A4 sheets in total.
• Make sure you use paper of a good quality. Images or type should not shine through.
• Prepare yourself to do your whole pitch in less than 15 minutes. So make a list of information that you need/want to communicate to the publishers – do not waste precious time being chatty.
• When showing and discussing your presentation, allow the publisher to give your work quality time and attention, rather than having to rush through a mass of work that cannot be appreciated in your allocated 15 minutes.
• If you are pitching your work on a laptop computer make sure that you are comfortable doing it this way. Prepare a special, easily accessible folder with ONLY the work you want to show… It leaves a bad impression if you start searching for your files – and you lose valuable time.
• Writers - Prepare a synopsis of your story(ies) with an extract of your manuscript to leave with the publishers. Rather try and get their permission to mail your complete manuscript to them or somebody else at their company. Remember, the person you see will be receiving a lot of material on that day. By mailing your manuscript(s) later (on paper or CD – ask them what they prefer) you will separate your work from the pile. When mailing your manuscript remember to inform the publisher in your covering letter whether you are sending your manuscript to any other publishers.
• Illustrators - Prepare your portfolio of original illustrations (the one you will show to all the publishers and then take home with you) in such a way that it can be handled easily: preferably in an A3 or A4 folder that can be paged through. Rather select only a few of your best works than lots of examples with poor quality work amongst them. If your portfolio consists mostly of reproductions of your work (i.e. in published form) bring at least two original illustrations along as well. If you want to show copies of work that is currently at a publisher, make sure that those copies are of very high quality. Do not take too many examples of illustrations (10 is a good number).
• IMPORTANT: This is an opportunity for you to introduce yourself and to present your work to the publishers. You must not expect any feedback, comments or analysis of your work at this session – it will be the publishers’ sole decision whether they would like to make any further contact with any of the writers and illustrators they had seen at the day’s sessions.

Show & Tell Day Schedule for each Publisher

• 09h00 – 09h30 - Registration
• 
  
• 09h30 – 09h45 – Slot 1
• 09h45 – 10h00 – Slot 2
• 10h00 – 10h15 - Slot 3
• 
  
• 10h15 – 10h30 - BODY BREAK
• 
  
• 10h30 – 10h45 – Slot 4
• 10h45 – 11h00 – Slot 5
• 11h00 – 11h15 – Slot 6
• 
  
• 11h15 – 11h45 - COFFEE/TEA BREAK
• 
  
• 11h45 – 12h00 – Slot 7
• 12h00 – 12h15 – Slot 8
• 12h15 – 12h30 – Slot 9
• 12h30 – 12h45 – Slot 10
• 12h45 – 13h00 – Slot 11
• 
  
• 13h00 – 14h00 – LUNCH BREAK
• 
  
• 14h00 – 14h15 – Slot 12
• 14h15 – 14h30 – Slot 13
• 14h30 – 14h45 – Slot 14
• 14h45 – 15h00 – Slot 15
• 
  
• 15h00 – 15h15 - COFFEE/TEA BREAK
• 
  
• 15h15 - 15h30 – Slot 16
• 15h30 – 15h45 – Slot 17
• 15h45 – 16h00 – Slot 18
• 16h15 – 16h30 – Slot 19
• 
  
• 16h30 – 16h45 – BODY BREAK
• 
  
• 16h45 – 17h00 – Slot 20
• 17h00 – 17h15 – Slot 21
• 17h15 – 17h30 – Contingency slot

END

Upcoming Events for Dec 2008, Jan, 2009 and March 2009

Please circulate this to anyone you think might be interested
(non-SCBWI members are very welcome to attend our events)

See news relating to Children's Books at:

www.scbwi-za-news.blogspot.com/

NOTE: NEW!!! >> Our chapter is launching a new SCBWI (SA) Showcase on the Internet. Through this electronic Showcase we aim to promote South African children’s book writers, illustrators, editors and publishers locally and internationally. If you want to find out more about the Showcase and how to secure your own presence on it, go to our website at www.scbwi.za.org.

Upcoming SCBWI (SA) events for Cape Town

Contents:

• December 9: End-of-Year Season's Greetings Book Party
• January 28: What’s Happening in the SA Educational Book World?
• March 11: SCBWI (SA) 2009 Publisher's Show-and-Tell Day

• April: How to draw children: an in-depth look at children of different ages and how their bodies change – An illustrators’ workshop with Marjorie van Heerden. Details will be circulated in February.

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

December 2008 (Cape Town)

We will end 2008 in a high note with our annual... SCBWI (SA) End-of-Year Season's Greetings Book Party

• Region: Cape Town, South Africa
• Date: Tuesday - 9 December 2008
• Time: 11h30 – 15h00
• Venue: 153 Beach Rd, Gordon's Bay.
• Cost: Free & gratis (SCBWI will pay for the coffee and tea!)
• RSVP: Please e-mail Marjorie at marjorie@grafikon.co.za before 30 November and put SCBWI SA Party in subject line.

Description: Writers, illustrators, or anyone interested in children's books are invited. Come dressed as your favourite children’s book character. Make and bring a fantasy Christmas hat for your character to wear. There will be prizes for best hat and best book character! (As in previous years, after the party the hats will go to the Tygerberg Hospital oncology ward for the children who have to stay in hospital over Christmas.)

Also, bring along a small inexpensive wrapped gift, AND a plate of decadent stuff to eat. We will exchange gifts, talk Children's Books, eat, drink coffee and tea and be merry.

A space will be available where you can display recently published books or work in progress. (Publishers are also welcome to come and show us their latest books!)

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

January 2009 (Cape Town)

What's Happining in the SA Educational Book World?

• Presenters: A panel consisting of an educational publisher and a number of selectors of educational books (readers, text books and school library books) for the SA education departments.
• Region: Cape Town, South Africa
• Date: 28 January 2009
• Time: 10h00 – 15h00
• Venue: Bellville Public Library, Bellville, Cape Town (Tel: +27 21 918-2300)
• Cost: SCBWI members R50 and non-SCBWI members R80 (includes tea/coffee & lunch)
• RSVP: To reserve a place, please e-mail SCBWI.ZA@gmail.com before 15 January 2009 and (NB!) please put Educational Books Event in the subject line.
• Enquiries: By e-mail to SCBWI.ZA@gmail.com and (NB!) in the subject line put

Enquiries-Educa­­tional Books Event.

• Specific requirements: Please specify if you prefer a vegetarian lunch.

Note: More information and the CV’s of the presenters will be circulated and also posted on www.scbwi-za-capetown.blogspot.com/ early in January 2009.

Description of Event: Dr Nicol Faasen (Publishing Manager at Nasou Via Afrika’s Language Centre) will moderate a discussion and chair a Q&A session with a panel of educational book selectors, covering areas like (TBC):

What is happening in the educational book world?

What are the selection criteria?

Is there a typical (annual?) cycle for the various steps in publishing and distributing educational books?

What types of books are being looked at and what are the numbers?

Who are the target readers/consumers and are their clear groups, possibly along cultural lines?

How does the budget for educational books work?

Who are the main players (and decision makers) in the chain of creation, development, production, selection and distribution of educational (school-) books?

Who is responsible for getting the books to the selectors and can writers and illustrators play a role here?

What kind of books have been selected in the past and what books will be needed in the future?

What can writers and illustrators do to ensure they are producing materials that have a better chance of being considered for selection?

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

March 2009 (Cape Town)

Annual SCBWI (SA) Publishers Show & Tell Day

• Region: Cape Town, South Africa
• Date: 11 March 2009
• Time: 09h00 - 17h30
• Venue: Bellville Public Library, Bellville, Cape Town (Tel: +27 21 918-2300)
• Cost: SCBWI members R70 and non-SCBWI members R100 (this includes tea/coffee & lunch).
• RSVP: Since we have a limited number of slots available, kindly RSVP as soon as possible by e-mail to scbwi.za@gmail.com and (NB!) put Publishers Day 2009 in your e-mail’s subject line. Your e-mail must reach us by no later than 15 February 2009. We repeat, slots are limited and they will be allocated on a strict first-come-first-served basis.
• Enquiries: By e-mail to scbwi.za@gmail.com and (NB!) please put Enquiries - Publishers Day 2009 in your e-mail’s subject line.
  

• Specific requirements: Please specify if you prefer a vegetarian lunch.

Note: More information will be circulated and also posted on www.scbwi-za-capetown.blogspot.com/ early in February 2009.

Description of Event: This will be a day for writers and illustrators to pitch their work to the publishers. It provides an opportu­nity for publishers to see what work our writers and illustrators have done during the past year and also for them to meet new writers and illustrators. We will send out specifications for your Personal Details Form after we have received your bookings.

The list of participating publishers will be distributed early in February 2009.

Writers and Illustrators who are unable to attend: You can send a number of copies (the exact number to be made known as soon as the attending publishers have all confirmed – early February) of a set of three A4 pages consisting of your Personal Details Form (to be supplied) and two pages with examples of your work. We will then distribute these amongst the publishers participating at the event (the cost: R70).

Kindly send an e-mail (subject line: Publishers Day 2009 – Work for Distribution) to scbwi.za@gmail.com stating that you cannot attend the event but that you would like your work to be distributed physically to each of the attending publishers. This should reach us by no later than 28th February 2009. Upon receipt of your e-mailed booking we will send you a return e-mail with a blank Personal Details Form, payment details and the address to which you can mail or courier an envelope containing all the sets of copies of your forms and examples of your work to be distributed.

Notes for Writers and Illustrators:

• The representatives from the publishers will be available for meetings from 09h00 to 17h30 on the day.
• Each illustrator or writer will be scheduled into 15-minute slots to see one publisher at a time. As soon as the publishers have confirmed their attendance (end January) we will be able to let you know how many publishers you will be able to see during the day.
• You must bring along a number of copies (the exact number to be made known as soon as the attending publishers have all confirmed – early January) of a set of three A4 pages consisting of your Personal Details Form (to be supplied) and two pages with examples of your work. You will hand one set to each publisher you meet with and a set will be given to each publisher you were unable to see due to the limited number of slots.
• As soon as the list of participating publishers is circulated, you must send us a list of your preferences as to which specific publishers you would like to meet. Number your list of publishers from 1 to 10 in order of preference. We will then draw up a schedule on a first-come-first-served basis, filling up each publisher’s slots. We will e-mail you the completed schedule (grid) one week before the event.

Tips for Writers and Illustrators about pitching your work:

• Make sure that the two pages with examples of your work have your name on and use a paper clip to keep the 3 pages together (DO NOT STAPLE & DON’T USE FANCY FOLDERS – this makes it difficult for the publishers to file you material). You can use both sides of the three sheets of paper – this way you will have 6 sides – but not more than three A4 sheets in total.
• Make sure you use paper of a good quality. Images or type should not shine through.
• Prepare yourself to do your whole pitch in less than 15 minutes. So make a list of information that you need/want to communicate to the publishers – do not waste precious time being chatty.
• When showing and discussing your presentation, allow the publisher to give your work quality time and attention, rather than having to rush through a mass of work that cannot be appreciated in your allocated 15 minutes.
• If you are pitching your work on a laptop computer make sure that you are comfortable doing it this way. Prepare a special, easily accessible folder with ONLY the work you want to show… It leaves a bad impression if you start searching for your files – and you lose valuable time.
• Writers - Prepare a synopsis of your story(ies) with an extract of your manuscript to leave with the publishers. Rather try and get their permission to mail your complete manuscript to them or somebody else at their company. Remember, the person you see will be receiving a lot of material on that day. By mailing your manuscript(s) later (on paper or CD – ask them what they prefer) you will separate your work from the pile. When mailing your manuscript remember to inform the publisher in your covering letter whether you are sending your manuscript to any other publishers.
• Illustrators - Prepare your portfolio of original illustrations (the one you will show to all the publishers and then take home with you) in such a way that it can be handled easily: preferably in an A3 or A4 folder that can be paged through. Rather select only a few of your best works than lots of examples with poor quality work amongst them. If your portfolio consists mostly of reproductions of your work (i.e. in published form) bring at least two original illustrations along as well. If you want to show copies of work that is currently at a publisher, make sure that those copies are of very high quality. Do not take too many examples of illustrations (10 is a good number).
• IMPORTANT: This is an opportunity for you to introduce yourself and to present your work to the publishers. You must not expect any feedback, comments or analysis of your work at this session – it will be the publishers’ sole decision whether they would like to make any further contact with any of the writers and illustrators they had seen at the day’s sessions.

Show & Tell Day Schedule for each Publisher

• 09h00 – 09h30 - Registration
• 
  
• 09h30 – 09h45 – Slot 1
• 09h45 – 10h00 – Slot 2
• 10h00 – 10h15 - Slot 3
• 
  
• 10h15 – 10h30 - BODY BREAK
• 
  
• 10h30 – 10h45 – Slot 4
• 10h45 – 11h00 – Slot 5
• 11h00 – 11h15 – Slot 6
• 
  
• 11h15 – 11h45 - COFFEE/TEA BREAK
• 
  
• 11h45 – 12h00 – Slot 7
• 12h00 – 12h15 – Slot 8
• 12h15 – 12h30 – Slot 9
• 12h30 – 12h45 – Slot 10
• 12h45 – 13h00 – Slot 11
• 
  
• 13h00 – 14h00 – LUNCH BREAK
• 
  
• 14h00 – 14h15 – Slot 12
• 14h15 – 14h30 – Slot 13
• 14h30 – 14h45 – Slot 14
• 14h45 – 15h00 – Slot 15
• 
  
• 15h00 – 15h15 - COFFEE/TEA BREAK
• 
  
• 15h15 - 15h30 – Slot 16
• 15h30 – 15h45 – Slot 17
• 15h45 – 16h00 – Slot 18
• 16h15 – 16h30 – Slot 19
• 
  
• 16h30 – 16h45 – BODY BREAK
• 
  
• 16h45 – 17h00 – Slot 20
• 17h00 – 17h15 – Slot 21
• 17h15 – 17h30 – Contingency slot

END

Notes on traslating and illustrating Nina and Little Duck

A few notes about translating Nina and little Duck [2008 MER award - winning book], the translator Dr Johann van Heerden gave the members of IBBY South Africa at their annual general meeting in Cape Town. To read the notes go to the SCBWI SA News Blog

At the same meeting Marjorie van Heerden gave a 10 minute talk -
The Mind of an Illustrator: illustrating Nina and Little Duck
(if you want to read what she said - click on the title)

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR CAPE TOWN Aug to Dec

SCBWI South Africa’s August 2008 Event, Cape Town.

A Book Day & Critique session at Marjorie’s Home
Region: Cape Town, South Africa
Date: 23 August 2008
Time: 11h00 – 15h00
Venue: 153 Beach Rd, Gordon's Bay.
Cost: R30.00 per person (includes a snack lunch and coffee and tea)
RSVP: to Marjorie before 20 August. Please put Book Day in subject line
Description: SCBWI SA will have a Get-together… Publishers, writers and illustrators are invited to spend a day with Marjorie at her home to talk, and talk, and talk about children’s books. We will talk about the CT Book Fair, writers and illustrators will have a chance to show their illustrations or read an extract from their work in a critique session. Marjorie will talk about how to promote yourself and how to generate work in the lean months. She will also show how to start a blog.

SCBWI South Africa’s September 2008 Event, Cape Town.

SCBWI South Africa’s 2008 Exhibition, Cape Town.
Date: 01-20 Sept 2008
Where: Bellville Public Library, Bellville (Cape Town)
Inquirers: Samantha van Riet
Description: SCBWI SA will be staging an exhibition of original South African children’s book illustrations. After the initial showing, the library service is interested in having a travelling exhibition to be shown at other public libraries across South Africa. TBC
More information will be posted here on www.scbwi-za-capetown.blogspot.com/ soon.

SCBWI South Africa’s December 2008 Event, Cape Town.

We will end 2008 with our usual SCBWI SA end-of-year Season’s Greetings Book Party.
Date, time, venue and costs: TBC
Description: Writers, illustrators, or anyone interested in children’s books are invited; come dressed as your favourite book character; Make and bring a fantasy Christmas hat, a small inexpensive wrapped gift, AND A plate of decadent stuff to eat. There will be prizes for the best hat and best book character! As in previous years the hats will go to the Tygerberg Hospital oncology ward for the children who have to stay in the hospital over Christmas.
We will exchange gifts, talk Children’s Books, eat, drink coffee and tea and be merry.
A space will be available where books published or work in progress can be displayed. (Publishers welcome to show their books too!)

NOTE:

Publishers Day will be held in February 2009 – not in September – see below
When we started with our preparations for the Publishers Day we found that September is a very busy time for most publishers and as result quite a few will not be able attend. We have therefore decided to shift the publishers Day to our usual February slot. We will circulate the date early next year. We apologise for any inconvenience.

SCBWI South Africa’s February 2009 Event, Cape Town.

Publisher's Show-and-Tell Day
Region: Cape Town, South Africa
Date: Date TBC
Time: 09:00—17:00
Where: Bellville Public Library, Bellville (Cape Town)
RSVP: Details will be circulated in January 2009
Description: This will be a day for writers and illustrates to pitch their work to the publishers. It provides an opportunity for publishers to see what work our writers and illustrators have done during the past year and also for them to meet new writers and illustrators.
More information will be circulated and posted here on www.scbwi-za-capetown.blogspot.com/ early in January

Unfortunately SCBWI SA had to cancel the event we planned for October…
Rosemary Canter, Literary Agent UK will not be able to come to South Africa anymore. Her illness that prevented her to join us at the SCBWI SA retreat in May was more serious that she first realised and therefore she will not be able to travel for some time. She sends her sincere apologise.

See Children’s Book related news at www.scbwi-za-news.blogspot.com/