I spent three days in Perth over the weekend, partly doing family stuff, but I also attended a meeting of the Western Australian branch of SCBWI (The Society of Children’s Book Writer and Illustrators). It’s always wonderful to connect with other authors and illustrators – both the well established and the aspiring. We were lucky enough to have Matt Ottley speak to us about his latest book, Requiem for a Beast, which is an incredible offering – part graphic novel, part multimedia performance, it really defies categorisation. If you get a chance, check it out, but don’t be fooled by its picture book size – this one is really for young adults and would be a wonderful classroom tool.

Among other things, the meeting discussed the upcoming SCBWI state conference, planned for February 17 2008, which will be a wonderful opportunity for West Aussie authors and illustrators to meet with publishers and with each other to learn and to network and for fellowship. I can’t wait!

After the meeting, I took the new Harry Potter back to my children. Murphlet three grabbed it and read it in one gulp. I took a little longer, but had finished it my midnight Saturday. Am still digesting it, really, but I think I liked it.

As always, it was nice to come home and back to my desk and my home comforts. Lots of writing and reviewing to do this week.