Children's author, New Zealand
My first hard copy of Grandpa versus Swing arrived yesterday, with a lovely note from the very supportive publishing team at Scholastic NZ. I am so excited to be holding a real book in my hands! Lael Chisholm's artwork is absolutely gorgeous on the printed page. Grandpa versus Swing is already available for pre-order, and … Continue reading Our beautiful book is here
Here is the cover art for Grandpa versus Swing, illustrated by Lael Chisholm. This gives just a taste of the wonderful humour and style of her artwork throughout the book. Lael won the Storylines Gavin Bishop Award for children's book illustration in 2017. You may know her work from the Granny McFlitter books (written by … Continue reading Cover art!
Last things first, Grandpa versus Swing is right now at the printing stage! Thanks to the wonderful illustration, my little manuscript has become a riot of colour and energy, and I can't wait to see it on paper. While I wait, autumn continues its slow, shy appearance. There is a nip in the air morning … Continue reading Happenings, March and April
Oh, there are so many learning curves! Can I call them learning curve balls? We have had another short, sharp lockdown. They are becoming routine, and through a public health lens they seem to work. On a very small scale though, we in our household have yet to iron out the wrinkles. I have just … Continue reading Learning curves
Another annual opportunity for New Zealand writers is coming up. The National Flash Fiction Day competition has a limit of just 300 words, and is open to New Zealand citizens and residents. Submissions are now open until April 15, 2021. Winners will be announced on June 22, which is our shortest day of the year … Continue reading National Flash Fiction Day NZ, 2021
Here is a brief list of annual opportunities for New Zealand picture book writers, in order of closing date. Scholastic NZ Valentine's Day submission: unagented, unsolicited submissions open for one day only on February 14. Walker Wednesdays: Walker Books open submissions for Australian and New Zealand writers. The submission date for 2021 is June 16. … Continue reading Annual submission opportunities
In October 2019 I sent a manuscript to be considered for the Storylines Joy Cowley Award. It felt like daring to me: audacity double-spaced in Times New Roman, and slipped into a courier bag. If nothing came of it, I thought, then at least I had given my little story a chance. Amid the tumult … Continue reading The 2020 Storylines Joy Cowley Award
Tania Sickling 