1. Tell us a little about your publication credits. If you have none, tell us about the genres you prefer to write, and your current projects.
With the recent publication of my YA novel Crossing the Line (Ford Street), my published books now total 100. For a long time – until their contractual terms and conditions became ridiculous – I wrote a lot of non-fiction for the educational market. My trade publishers have included Hachette Livre, Penguin, Allen & Unwin, Random House and Angus & Robertson. I have published two series for junior readers, the Grandma Cadbury and Bushranger series, and one picture book, Big Bad Bruce (Koala Books). In April 2009, my non-fiction book, Aussie Kid Heroes will be published by Interactive Publications and I expect to have a series published by ABC Books.
2. How long have you been writing for children?
Over 25 years ago I undertook a correspondence creative writing course. A poem I wrote at that time – about unrequited lust – caught the eye of a schools’ inspector who invited me to join the editorial staff of the NSW Department of Education School Magazine! There I began my children’s writing career under the stern eye of author Lilith Norman and her off-sider Joanne Horniman. Later, I went to live in a remote country area where I wrote my first children’s book, Terri, later published as one of Australia’s first Puffins. Later I became, with Doug Macleod, the co-editor of Penguin Book’s Puffinalia magazine for children. I was also fortunate enough to help kick-start my children’s writing career when I attended to five day writing workshop led by editor Ann Bower-Ingram and children’s authors, the late Eleanor Spence and Joan Phipson. Some people who have been very generous towards me in my career are the late Michael Dugan, Edel Wignell and Hazel Edwards.
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?
I am not as driven in my writing as I once was, when I would spend up to 50 hours a week writing. These days most of my writing is for my online magazine, Buzz Words (www.buzzwordsmagazine.com), for people in the Australian children’s book magazine. When I am working on a specific book project, I tend to research and write up to 10 to 12 hours a day. I have become quite disillusioned by the publishing industry, mostly because manuscripts I submit sit for many months on unsolicited slush piles. And invariably they are rejected. At one time I was accorded a lot more attention by publishers. It’s a real dog-eat-dog industry these days.
4. How much time do you spend reading children’s books? And what are you reading right now?
I am an avid reader, mostly of children’s books, reading about 5-7 books a week, which includes reading for reviewing in Buzz Words. I have just read two wonderful books, The London Eye and A Swift Pure Cry by the late English children’s author Siobhan Dowd whose most recent book, Bog Child, has just been released here in Australia. The next books I am going to re-read are Owl Ninja by Sandy Fussell and Give Me Truth by my husband, Bill Condon, both award-deserving books.
5. What advice would you give other would-be children’s writers, or share with other professional children’s writers?
It is possible to make a living from your writing. To do this, you need to commit 40 hours a week to the job. You need to read extensively and to be familiar with the market and with publishing trends. This means subscribing to professional publications, reading widely, networking extensively, and attending conferences and festivals. Finding niches in the market and filling them is a sure-fire way of getting published. (Study publishers’ catalogues closely.) When you see an opportunity, grab it immediately! If you don’t know how to edit ruthlessly, you may as well forget about getting published. Belong to a writing workshop group that meets weekly and critiques objectively and critically: listen to and learn from your critics! Also be professional, especially when it comes to signing contracts.
6. What is your favourite online resource for children’s writers? Why?
Buzz Words (The Latest Buzz on Children’s Books www.buzzwordsmagazine.com) is the best Australian online resource without a doubt. I know because I spend many hours every week researching markets, competitions and other opportunities, as well as commissioning interviews and articles for it. It’s as up-to-date and comprehensive as I can possibly make it. Because I have spent over 25 years in the children’s book world, I have a vast knowledge and network of contacts and resources. The best magazine resource for children’s writers is Bookseller+Publisher (Thorpe-Bowker); it’s Australia and compiled by professionals.
7. Do you have a website or blog? What else do you do to promote your published works and/or your writing skills?
I share my website with my children’s author husband, Bill Condon. It is www.enterprisingwords.com I write articles based on my novels which always include a biographical note with my latest publication: I don’t always get paid for these, but they are an excellent way of publicising my books. When I speak at conferences or festivals, I always put a flyer on participants’ seats detailing my products and services: this is a cheap and very effective way of promotion. I run online and correspondence writing courses for adults writing for children and for young people (go to my website for details or email me at dibates@enterprisingwords.com)
Thanks for dropping in, Di. Your willingness to share your experiences is appreciated.
If YOU would like to be featured here on the blog and answer my seven questions, email me at sally @ sallymurphy.net. You don’t have to multi-published – it is wonderful to hear from writers of all levels of experience.