David Seow's Blog, page 55
April 24, 2012
Bye Bologna
22 March 2012
After a fantastic dinner - thank you again, Kenneth, it was delicious- we awoke bright and early and headed out for one last long walk
before heading to the airport.
Santa spotted in broad daylight in March!
I didn't know Netherfield was in Bologna
Kenneth, Laura (far right) and the ladies of Il Convento dei Fiori di Seta
Me, Laura (far right) and the ladies of Il Convento dei Fiori di Seta
After a fantastic dinner - thank you again, Kenneth, it was delicious- we awoke bright and early and headed out for one last long walk
before heading to the airport.
Santa spotted in broad daylight in March!
I didn't know Netherfield was in Bologna
Kenneth, Laura (far right) and the ladies of Il Convento dei Fiori di Seta
Me, Laura (far right) and the ladies of Il Convento dei Fiori di Seta
April 21, 2012
Last Dinner in Bologna with Corrine Robson, Marjorie Coughlan and Kenneth Quek
21 March 2012
(Photos: Kenneth Quek)
Marjorie Coughlan
(Photos: Kenneth Quek)
Marjorie Coughlan
April 20, 2012
POST FAIR WALKING TOUR AROUND BOLOGNA
Walking through Piazza Maggiore
April 19, 2012
Bologna Children's Book Fair Day # 3
21 March 2012
This was it, the big day three of my really big meetings. I had a meeting in the morning with an American publisher, a meeting in the afternoon with a New Zealand Publisher and a meeting later in the afternoon with a British publisher. Needless to say I was a bundle of nerves. This was to be the last day of the fair for us we were off at noon the next day for the last leg of the trip...a few days of R & R in London.
Ready for my meetings- well more or less.So of course I had to dress a bit more appropriately than my normal dress code of shabby sheik.
We were up early once again and I was looking forward to the day albeit a bit nervous. It was one thing to score the meetings at such short notice but it would be another thing if I was offered anything. Actually it would be a bonus - as Kenneth said, trying to help me keep things in perspective.
First meeting went rather well, and the reps of the American publishers were really nice and asked me to send up some of my files for them to consider in the US. They did not, however, find the illustrations of Soup on My Fly very attractive, a sentiment that was echoed throughout the fair by most of those who saw the book. They felt that it did not do the story justice. So I guess I will have to look for another illustrator to redo the illustrations.
Next up was a meeting with an New Zealand publisher, I guess New Zealand pretty much faces the same problem as we do in Singapore due to the fact that it is a pretty small market.
My final meeting was with a British App developer/publisher. When I got there the editor I was meeting with told me to come back in an hour or two. I agreed to come back in an hour. Well, when you're trying to break into the international market, you've got to do what you've got to do right? Anyway, after an hour or so she returned and pushed my books aside, saying firstly the company did not buy any rights...This kind of puzzled me as we were at a rights fair. And then she said my illustrations were all wrong, not suitable at all. To which I told her I was the writer. "Oh then I suppose I'll have to read the books," she said.
She opened the book and began reading it while I explained the concept. She closed the book and said: "I can understand why children like it, but I don't like it enough to offer you a contract." with that she thanked me abruptly and told me I had to change my illustrator and she asked me to email her any story ideas that I may have in the future, which I take her as saying thanks but no thanks.
So with that my time at the Bologna Book Fair had come to a close and I packed my things and headed back to the hotel with Kenneth and after a quick change we decided to take a more thorough tour of the city before heading for dinner with Corrine Robson and Marjorie Coughlan.
This was it, the big day three of my really big meetings. I had a meeting in the morning with an American publisher, a meeting in the afternoon with a New Zealand Publisher and a meeting later in the afternoon with a British publisher. Needless to say I was a bundle of nerves. This was to be the last day of the fair for us we were off at noon the next day for the last leg of the trip...a few days of R & R in London.
Ready for my meetings- well more or less.So of course I had to dress a bit more appropriately than my normal dress code of shabby sheik.We were up early once again and I was looking forward to the day albeit a bit nervous. It was one thing to score the meetings at such short notice but it would be another thing if I was offered anything. Actually it would be a bonus - as Kenneth said, trying to help me keep things in perspective.
First meeting went rather well, and the reps of the American publishers were really nice and asked me to send up some of my files for them to consider in the US. They did not, however, find the illustrations of Soup on My Fly very attractive, a sentiment that was echoed throughout the fair by most of those who saw the book. They felt that it did not do the story justice. So I guess I will have to look for another illustrator to redo the illustrations.
Next up was a meeting with an New Zealand publisher, I guess New Zealand pretty much faces the same problem as we do in Singapore due to the fact that it is a pretty small market.
My final meeting was with a British App developer/publisher. When I got there the editor I was meeting with told me to come back in an hour or two. I agreed to come back in an hour. Well, when you're trying to break into the international market, you've got to do what you've got to do right? Anyway, after an hour or so she returned and pushed my books aside, saying firstly the company did not buy any rights...This kind of puzzled me as we were at a rights fair. And then she said my illustrations were all wrong, not suitable at all. To which I told her I was the writer. "Oh then I suppose I'll have to read the books," she said.
She opened the book and began reading it while I explained the concept. She closed the book and said: "I can understand why children like it, but I don't like it enough to offer you a contract." with that she thanked me abruptly and told me I had to change my illustrator and she asked me to email her any story ideas that I may have in the future, which I take her as saying thanks but no thanks.
So with that my time at the Bologna Book Fair had come to a close and I packed my things and headed back to the hotel with Kenneth and after a quick change we decided to take a more thorough tour of the city before heading for dinner with Corrine Robson and Marjorie Coughlan.
April 17, 2012
Bologna Children's Book Fair Day # 2
20 March 2011
(uh-oh, he spotted me...got to dash)
So Kenneth set up the Singapore Showcase at the SCBWI booth on the second day of the fair and as you can see he did a bang up job and attracted curious onlooker. I'd like to say that my books had something to do with it, but the reality is that they didn't, why would they?
Kenneth Quek, SCBWI Singapore RA sets up the Singapore Showcase
Job done: Kenneth with the Singapore Showcase
Lin Oliver with Kathleen Ahrens on the right and the translator.Also from Left to Right: The back of heads of Chris Cheng, Binnie and AnitaAlso Lin Oliver, executive director and Co-Founder of SCBWI held an in conversation moderated by Kathleen Ahrens. I also managed to get Tioka, Aquisitions Editor with Hachette to have a look at Catherine Carvell's manuscript Darcy Moon and the Tyrannical Tyke Hoon and she gave it a really positive review. Trust me, people Catherine's going to be a best-selling author. I wish I could write as well as she does.
Tioka with Catherine's manuscriptAfter after that, we headed back to the hotel to call it a night...I had to get ready for my make-or-break interviews the following day. The second day ended with a champagne and cake celebration at the SCBWI booth.
SCBWI Celebration with Chris Cheng, John Shelley, Kathleen AhrensAngela Cerrito and Lin Oliver
Bologna Children's Book Fair Day # 1
19 March 2012
We awoke in the wee hours of the morning. Ah, the joys of jetlag. Kenneth was already hard at work. I really don't know how he does it. Then as day light dawned, we got ready and headed down for breakfast before heading out for the first day of the fair.
Kenneth at breakfast before heading to the fair
Once again we caught a cab and the fair ground was packed with people lining up for tickets. I was grateful that we had booked online and had our fast track entry. All we had to do was pick up our badge holders. Once that was done we headed past the Illustrators' wall and straight to the SCBWI booth where Kenneth was scheduled for the first of his many meetings.
Kenneth Quek, Corrine Robson and Marjorie CoughlanIt was there that we met the lovely ladies of Paper Tigers: Corrine Robson and Marjorie Couglan. I had met Corrine at last year's AFCC but this was the first time I was meeting Corrine. We made plans to meet later in the week for dinner.
Between meetings Kenneth and I walked around the halls and we met my agent Linda Lingard and Zakiah Mohd Isa at the Malaysian Booth.
Kenneth Quek, Linda Lingard and Zakiah Mohd Isa
I have to say that it was quite an overwhelming first day and very exhausting. We left the fair at 6pm and headed back to the hotel for a quick change before going to the famous SCBWI dinner and dance at a bookstore. I met the very talented Rachelle Meyer, who creates the most beautiful illustrations and Tioka who is an acquisitions editor from Hachette. I am not very good in social situations, unlike Kenneth who is able to talk to anyone with ease and confidence, I tend to clam up or say something awkward or embarrassing but Rachelle and Tioka and Kathleen and Angela were all very welcoming so I began to relax somewhat. As we were both extremely exhausted Kenneth and I headed back to our hotel to rest up for what was in all probability going to be a very, very, very long day.
We awoke in the wee hours of the morning. Ah, the joys of jetlag. Kenneth was already hard at work. I really don't know how he does it. Then as day light dawned, we got ready and headed down for breakfast before heading out for the first day of the fair.
Kenneth at breakfast before heading to the fairOnce again we caught a cab and the fair ground was packed with people lining up for tickets. I was grateful that we had booked online and had our fast track entry. All we had to do was pick up our badge holders. Once that was done we headed past the Illustrators' wall and straight to the SCBWI booth where Kenneth was scheduled for the first of his many meetings.
Kenneth Quek, Corrine Robson and Marjorie CoughlanIt was there that we met the lovely ladies of Paper Tigers: Corrine Robson and Marjorie Couglan. I had met Corrine at last year's AFCC but this was the first time I was meeting Corrine. We made plans to meet later in the week for dinner.Between meetings Kenneth and I walked around the halls and we met my agent Linda Lingard and Zakiah Mohd Isa at the Malaysian Booth.
Kenneth Quek, Linda Lingard and Zakiah Mohd IsaI have to say that it was quite an overwhelming first day and very exhausting. We left the fair at 6pm and headed back to the hotel for a quick change before going to the famous SCBWI dinner and dance at a bookstore. I met the very talented Rachelle Meyer, who creates the most beautiful illustrations and Tioka who is an acquisitions editor from Hachette. I am not very good in social situations, unlike Kenneth who is able to talk to anyone with ease and confidence, I tend to clam up or say something awkward or embarrassing but Rachelle and Tioka and Kathleen and Angela were all very welcoming so I began to relax somewhat. As we were both extremely exhausted Kenneth and I headed back to our hotel to rest up for what was in all probability going to be a very, very, very long day.
April 16, 2012
Tools of Change Conference
Warren Buckleitner. (Not my photo)So over coffee and juice and pastries, Cheryle and Denise told us about their trips to Venice and Rome before heading over to Bologna. While waiting in line I met Warren Buckleitner, the editor of the Children's Technology Review. Mr. Buckleitner who is the Editor of the Children's Technology Review, and one of the judges for The Digital Razzie Award (Not to be confused with the Hollywood Razzie award) chatted with me about his trip to Singapore, where he attended last year's Asian Festival of Children's Content. It's always a pleasure to meet an industry bigwig who is so gracious and down to earth. Thank you, Mr Buckleitner.
Russell HamptonThen we headed in for the keynote address by Russell Hampton of Disney Publishing. After that we broke up to attend the different sessions before hitting the buffet table for lunch. Ok the food was good and the line was long. Kenneth, I hope the food will be as good at this year's AFCC. 
LunchWe caught up a bit with Cheryle and Denise from Bookaburra. After lunch I headed for Kate Wilson's of Nosy Crow talk 'A Year of Appiness'. She's an incredibly good speaker and very funny to boot so I hope that she eventually makes it to AFCC one year. She's got an incredibly inspiring success story.I also attended Nat Sims', Night & Day studios, talk which was equally enjoyable. The conference wound up at about 6pm and Kenneth had to attend to a committment in town before we headed back to the hotel. Exhausted and stuffed from all that eating, we decided on having a light dinner of a Gigante Gelato before collapsing for a hopefully a good night's rest...we were both up at around 4am the next day, though.
February 27, 2012
February 21, 2012
Story Week at the Overseas Family School
Geronimo Stilton was racing down the corridor with Harry Potter, while Cinderella and Tintin darted down the stairs to the school canteen at the Overseas Family School. It was like the characters from every story ever written had leapt off their pages and descended upon the halls of the international school. But in reality, it was Story Week at the OFS and that's why Melissa McGoldrick invited both Susanna Goho-Quek for a school visit to talk to the kids about writing and illustrating children's picture books.I have to say that I felt rather under dressed for the occassion, if I had known there was a fancy dress dress code I would have come as Charlie from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or Voldermort from Harry Potter instead of my plain old boring self.
"Are you David Seow? The author of There's Soup on my Fly? a couple of students asked. "How old are you? asked a few others, probably figuring this follically challenged dude must be way too old to write kids books. 
Q & A SessionSettling down, Auntie Susanna and I began talking about what inspires us. As always I had to mention the antics of my niece and nephews which are always a source of endless inspiration. Then there was a Q & A session and I have to say that the kids asked really good questions. Auntie Susanna and I then told an impromptu story about a small boy who does the silliest of things. The kids loved it!! I guess it's because they could totally relate to it. I mean I can as I still do silly things all the time, just ask my friends and family members.We only had half an hour at each of the four classes we visited and time went by a lot faster than we thought. At the end of each class visit, we handed out book marks which the kids wanted autographed and of course we obliged...I mean if anyone wants our messy signatures we're more than happy to oblige.
Auntie Susanna signing for her fansOk, Auntie Susanna's autograph is really very nice, unlike mine. One kid couldn't even read my john hancock. "What's this?" he asked. "When I explained it was my signature, he looked at me as if I needed handwriting classes. Yes, people, my handwriting is atrocious! Some kids even brought some of my books to be autographed. Thanks guys!
Signing my book for Tintin. We had a blast and we'd love to visit again. Maybe next time we'll come in costume too. Thanks to the kids and teachers of OFS! We had a really fun time.
February 19, 2012
A Visit to International School Singapore
Me, Auntie Susanna, Mick SmithThis past week the talented Author/Artist/Illustrator Susanna Goho-Quek and I were thrilled to be invited to the International School Singapore and the Overseas family School for school visits. The International School Singapore was our first stop where we were met by the affable Mick Smith whom I met last year during my first visit to the School. Mick will be moving to Africa after the end of the school year, It was nice working with him and we wish him the very best as he embarks on his African adventure.
We were accompanied to our school visit by Karen Quek, thanks for all your help Karen. We couldn't have done it without you!!
We had a blast telling the seven classes who attended our talk about writing books and what it's like to put a book together. Our session concluded with a creative exercise where the kids had to come up with a story about a circle...I think they got a kick out of that!! So thank you to Mick Smith and the teachers and kids of International School Singapore for a great morning. We can't wait to do it again... that's if you'll have us again.
