sallymurphy.com.au

Sally Murphy, Australian author

World Poetry Day: A Double Celebration

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It’s World Poetry Day, a day to celebrate and share the magic of poetry.

To celebrate the day, my friend and wonderful poet Jackie Hosking, suggested a blog link up, with Australian children’s poets who have been published in The School Magazine posting about our experiences.

If you don’t know, The School Magazine is celebrating is centenary this year. For one hundred years the magazine has been entertaining and educating Aussie kids with poetry, stories and more. That’s a massive achievement.

On a personal level, I feel like School Magazine was where it began for me as a children’s poet, because it was where my first published children’s poem appeared, back in 2002. So, to celebrate World Poetry Day AND the anniversary, here is that poem:

Summer Salad

Cool

Crisp

Crunchy

Carrot

 

Luscious

Leafy

Lacy

Lettuce

 

Delicious

Delectable

Delightful

Dressing

Summer Salad

(Copyright Sally Murphy 2002, 2016)

Since 2002 I’ve had lots of poems published – in the School Magazine, in other journals, in books, and online, but I always feel an extra thrill of delight when one of my poems finds its way into the pages of the School Magazine.

School Magazine

Happy World Poetry Day to you – and congratulations, School Magazine.

You can see what other Aussie Children’s Poets have to say about World Poetry Day and School Magazine here.

 

 

 

 

 

What Jackie Hosking Likes About Children’s Poetry

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If you’ve been dropping in regularly then you’ll know that all month I’ve been hosting visting bloggers who have been dropping in to help me celebrate the release of Toppling by telling me (and you) what it is that they like about chidlren’s poetry. Please welcome today Jackie Hosking, poet, chidlren’s writer and editor of the Pass It On newsletter. Welcome Jackie.

Why I like poetry.

I’ve always liked white space.

I’ve found, over time, that I am more likely to read a thing if there is less of it. This is not to say that I don’t enjoy reading novels, because I do, but I definitely enjoy reading pages that are broken up into lots of paragraphs more than pages that look like slabs of ants fighting for a parking space. With this in mind, as a reader, the verse novel suits me very well. As a writer, on the other hand, I find the verse novel to be somewhat tricky because I like to write in rhyme. It seems, for me that I am better at novel verse, than I am at verse novels, so thank goodness for authors like Sally Murphy who are able to write them for me.

Pearl Verses the World is the fifth verse novel that I’ve read and I loved it. I loved that Pearl preferred not to write in rhyme because life is not all hats and cats. (By the way I’ve written a couple of rhyming poems about cats but none about hats so thanks for that pearl, Pearl – I’ll get right onto it.) Did you notice my use of humour just then? It was very subtle but I think you’ll agree that it was definitely there. Sally uses Pearl’s aversion to rhyme as a way to add some comic relief to what is a very serious story and I think that this is probably key. While rhyming poetry can be a tool to express ideas of a serious nature, many of my poems aren’t funny at all, free verse tends to lend itself to such matters in a smoother fashion.

Toppling, Sally’s second verse novel published by Walker Books, tells another serious story. It’s an important book because illness does not just occur in an adult world. Writing such a story as a verse novel, with plenty of white space, allows the reader to take lots of breaths allowing the story to be delivered gently, like a lullaby.

I admire writers of verse novels because of their ability to pare down story to its essential elements. Rhymers do this too but in a more ordered fashion and such is the beauty of verse, free or otherwise – the VERSEatility of it all.

Thanks Sally for allowing me to share why I like poetry with your readers and for saving me the trouble of trying to write a verse novel of my own, thus giving me the freedom to write another rhyming poem about cats…

This one’s called – Bedraggled

A paw in a puddle

A cat in a muddle

She tiptoes in vain

to get out of the rain

And howls at the door

to loudly complain

Wet to the skin

Looking comically thin

We fluff her and puff her

and wrap her in towels

ignoring her howls as

she wriggles and squirms

we each take our turn

to ensure that her fur

is as soft as her purr

~~~~

And if you have a children’s rhyming poem or story that just won’t behave itself, you can contact Jackie’s rhyming manuscript editing service via her blog http://www.jackiehoskingpio.wordpress.com/

Thanks Sally!

Jackie Hosking

Editor/Compiler “PASS IT ON”

http://www.jackiehoskingpio.wordpress.com/

www.versatilityrhymeandrhythm.blogspot.com/

http://www.cbishowcase.blogspot.com/

Thanks for that jackie. I love your poem – and laughed at your jokes, too!

No Names Needed

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On every writer’s networking list I am on, or have ever been part of, one of the recurring subjects is that of the names of editors at particular publishing houses. “Does anyone know the name of the editor at XYZ?” someone will ask, or “Is Josephine Bloggs still the submissions editor at ZXY?”

Nine times out of ten someone on the list will know the answer and it is duly proferred and the askee can then send thier submission addressed to that person.

The first time I came across one of these queries, I  had no idea why it was being asked. I had always just sent my manuscripts to the address in the company’s submission guidelines, and they’d mostly been considered and returned, or (occassionally) considered and accepted.  Was this a problem?

I checked this out and found that many websites, chatlists, articles and even books recommend that when you submit a manuscrirpt you should make sure your envelope and letter are addressed to the right person.

Then I checked some more and found that others (though fewer) said it wasn’t necessary – since if it is addressed according to the submission guidelines, which usually state the recipent as ‘Submissions Editor’ or ‘Children’s Publisher’ or similar, then it will get to the right person.

So, I kept doing what I’d always done, submitting in that way without stressing about the correct name. The exception was where I personally knew the person who would be reading my submission – eiethr directly, through having met them, or indirectly through having ‘met’ them online or via correspondence. If I have some semblance of a relationship with someone, I figure, then it is polite to use their name rather than calling them Dear Sir/Madam.

Anyway, that’s how I do it, and when I see requests onlist for names, I generally don’t respond, since I figure it just isn’t necessary. But I must admit to a teensy feeling of being ineffeicient when I see others going to such lengths to get a name. So I was heartened, when reading yesterday’s Pass It On networking newsletter, to find a link to a piece by the amazing Harold Underdown, discussing the topic in detail. You can read Underdown’s opinion here.  I was heartened especially because he agrees with me (or, I suppose I should say I agree with him).

So, if you don’t know the name of the person who’s going to open your manuscript, why not save yourself some time, and simply address it in the way outlined in the publisher’s submission guidelines? After all, if the editor doesn’t know you, and hasn’t reqeusted your manuscript, the reality is it will be treated in just the same way, whoever it is addressed to.

Seven Answers to Seven Questions: Jackie Hosking

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Today we are joined by Jackie Hosking, compiler of the excellent Pass It On Newsletter – a wonderful networking resource for Australian children’s book creators. Thanks for dropping in, Jackie. Here are Jackie’s seven answers to seven questions.

1. Tell us a little about your publication credits.
My publication credits include poetry and short stories for children published in magazines, anthologies, websites and educational publications. I’m yet to be published in my very own book but that is the dream that I am chasing.
2. How long have you been writing for children?

I have been writing for children since 2004 and had my first children’s poem published “If I Were a Giant” in The School Magazine in 2005. Since then I have had about 40 pieces published.

3. How much time do you spend each week writing and/or revising? And how much time on other writing-related tasks such as promotion, researching markets and so on?
The time I spend on writing varies from day to day. Some days I spend hours writing, some I don’t write at all. I also produce an children’s writing industry newsletter which takes up a bit of time each week as well as running a rhyming manuscript editing service and I also have a blog dedicated to rhyming poetry. Researching markets certainly takes up a fair amount of time as does submitting manuscripts. This I tend to do in fits and starts depending on my mood. I have to be in a very positive mood on the day that I submit manuscripts for consideration.

4. How much time do you spend reading children’s books? And what are you reading right now?
I read a lot of picture books as that is the genre that I am interested in. I have just read “Molly and her Dad” by Jan Ormerod and Carol Thompson published by Little Hare and “Daddy Does the Cha Cha Cha” by David Bedford and Bridget Strevens- Marzo also published by Little Hare.

5. What advice would you give other would-be children’s writers, or share with other professional children’s writers?
I think it’s important to keep positive even when the going gets tough and believe me it gets tough. Surround yourself with writers, network and stay connected. Writing can be a very isolating thing to do so it’s important to connect with people on a real level who understand what it’s like. Join organisations such at The Society of Children’s Writers’ and Illustrators (SCBWI), The Australian Society of Authors (ASA), Local Writers’ Centres and critique groups. Studying your craft at a Tafe or attending writing workshops is another way of keeping in touch with the real world of writing and writers.

6. What is your favourite online resource for children’s writers? Why?
Well I’ll have to say PASS IT ON (PIO) being the compiler, but not only for that reason. PIO is a brilliant resource for everyone interested in the children’s writing/illustrating industry because of the generosity of its subscribers. PIO is able to be published week after week because those who subscribe to it share industry information which ensures that the newsletter is fresh, up to date and therefore relevant. There is no advertising, all information is pertinent to the industry and best of all it is extremely affordable @ 55 cents per week. Nowadays you can’t buy anything for 55 cents, certainly not a cup of coffee.
Writers websites are also another brilliant place to visit as often they will include writing tips and useful links and the information is straight from the horse’s mouth.

7. Do you have a website or blog?
My website can be found at www.jackiehosking.com and my blog for rhyming poetry is at www.versatilityrhymeandrhythm.blogspot.com/

Thanks for sharing, Jackie. If YOU would like to be interviewed here, drop me a line at sally @ sallymurphy.net (remove the spaces).

An Award

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Robyn Opie, from Writing Children’s Books With Robyn Opie has very kindly presented this blog with an award – the Brillante Premio Blog Award. This is one of those awards that has a flow on effect. It’s given to me with the understanding that I’ll then pass the award on to other blogs. Kind of a chain thing – but with the nice effect that blogs are linked to each other, and that the recipient gets the chance to spread the love about blogs that they appreciate.

So, in the spirit of the ‘award’ I am going to share a list of some of my fellow children’s writers blogs which I feel are worth checking out. So, here goes:

Write and Read With Dale is the blog of Dale Harcombe, children’s author and poet. She shares book reviews and insights into life as an author.

Denouement is the blog of children’s author Sheryl Gwyther. In it she writes about her recent May Gibbs residency, her life as a writer and life in general. Sheryl’s blogging style is a real pleasure to read.

VersaTility – Rhyme and Rhythm is the blog of Jackie Hosking, children’s poet and editor of the wonderful Pass It On newsletter. Jackie’s poems always bring a smile.

Last, but not least, Elizabeth Bezant’s Writing Tips Blog is not aimed solely at writing for children, but is a great blog to go when you’re looking for a writing prompt. And dig around Elizabeth’s site while you’re there because she always has lots of useful advice and experience to share.

So, there you have it, just a few of my favourite blogs. Hopefully you’ll visit some of them today – a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Rules for recipients of the Brillante Weblog Premio are as follows:

1. The award may be displayed on a winner’s blog.

2. Add a link to the person you received the award from.

3. Nominate up to seven other blogs.

4. Add their links to your blog.

5. Add a message to each person that you have passed the award on in the comments section of their blog.

Yes, I know this is a chain thing – and if I’ve nominated you and you don’t want to participate, that’s fine. But it is a nice way of sharing some of your favourite blogs and of letting your favourite bloggers know that you like what they’re doing.

Have a nice Sunday.

A Good Day

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Some days are so good you wish you could bottle them. Today’s been one of those days. I started with a buzz when I read my weekly Pass It On newsletter.

First, there were two little articles in there that I’d written. Of course I knew these would be there, but it’s still nice to see stuff you’ve contributed appearing in your favourite newsletter.

Then, in the reviews section was a glowing review of Pemberthy Bear, by the newsletter compiler Jackie Hosking, who said, in part:
Sally Murphy has written a lovely tale in rhyme that is complimented by Jacqui Grantford’s exquisite illustrations. New Frontier certainly have a knack of matching writers with illustrators to produce gorgeous picture books.
Wow! That had me singing.

Then there was a message in the newsletter from Moira, responding to my search for Pemberthy. She has seen Pemberthy no less than three times – in her home, in the Chatswood library (where, she reports, it was looking well-loved), and at a bookstore called Book Review, in St Ives! Moira, it turns out was also the proofreader for Pemberthy Bear, and loves Pemberthy so much that she recently brought a Pemberthy look-alike bear which sits on the shelf with her copy of the book. How cool is that?

So, with Moira’s three new dots added, the map now looks this:

The new dots are the pink, lime green and purple ones on the east coast, part of the cluster around Sydney.

With that kind of start to the day, I found myself singing and humming and working hard. I’m always more productive when I feel good. Today I finished a batch of marking, wrote two new reviews and a new article (about getting going after a slump), prepared and posted a new submission and did a few other odds and ends. I also managed some housework and spent time with my kids, who are still on their mid year holiday.

I also did some random browsing of some other writers’ blogs. I love seeing the variety of styles and formats and even subject matter.

All in all it’s been a good day.

sallymurphy.com.au