Michelle Worthington's Blog, page 19

Top Tips for Authors: What to wear to writing festivals

 When I go to writing festivals, I see many people dressed many different ways. It is important at any writing event that you are representing your author brand, not only by how you interact with others but by how you dress. You are your own calling card and dressing to impress at a writers festival is very important, especially if you are meeting up with publishers for potential contracts during the day.

Jeans are fine, comfy and serviceable and able to be dressed up without looking too over the top. My jeans are from Rivers and I love the stretch in them, letting me sit up and down a million times in the day without them getting crinkled.

http://www.rivers.com.au

My shoes are from Novo, not everyone's cup of tea to where heels all day but you will be sitting down for most of it. Wear shoes that you can walk in comfortably because you will have to walk around the different workshops and you do not want blisters. No new shoes for a writers festival.

http://www.novoshoes.com.au/

My top is block colour with no funny sayings or logos, unless that is your signature style, it is best to dress classic. I bought it online from Wish and they have great bargains coming up all the time.

http://wish.com.au/

I hope this helps, just remember to show who you are through your style, be approachable by feeling good about how you look and take heaps of photos for social media. Writing festivals are super fun and a great place to network and learn more about doing what we love!

Talk soon
Michelle

www.michelleworthington.com

www.michelleworthington.com

Top Tips for Literacy: Everyone, Everyday

Literacy for modern children needs to evolve. Literacy needs to be attached to everyday tasks of life where children are treated as integral active members of their own learning. It also needs to start before children enter formal education, while they are learning to find a value for literacy in their immediate sphere of influence. It doesn't have to be rocket science, in fact, the simpler the better.

Make out a shopping list together



Your child learns that you write down things to be remembered later; an important practical function of print. At the shops, use the shopping list to buy the items written down, moving through the aisles and searching the shelves, reading and discussing the prices. Your child is learning fundamental literacy skills through an authentic literary experience.

Involve the family in dinnertime discussion



At dinnertime, let your child participate in family discussions at the dinner table with all electronic items switched off. Every family member has  a story about their day to tell and the others must listen carefully without interrupting, then ask questions that promote responses and perhaps further discussion. From this authentic literacy experience, the child learns about storytelling, questions and responses within the context of social literacy. It also teaches them to be a good listener.

Children will develop literacy gradually through authentic experiences and have a deeper connection that simply being 'told' it is important. Only a few children who start Prep may know how to read, but this doesn't mean they have failed to acquire important, fundamental concepts of print and storytelling.

Talk soon
x Michellewww.michelleworthington.com

Back to School: Author Visits Available

 Author visits are one of my favourite things to do. Please contact me if you would like me to come and read my stories, conduct a writing workshop or talk about being an author. I can cater for any age, any size of group or any theme you have in mind.  A list of my published books are available in my bookstore at www.michelleworthington.com. Bookings are nearly full for February but I am more than happy to schedule an event in 2016 while I have times available. Contact me directly at mworthington.author @gmail.com for more details.

Talk soon
x Michellewww.michelleworthington.com

Top Tips for Authors: We Need Diverse Books

  Modern children are struggling to transition to becoming independent readers, by which I mean picking up a book to read instead of  using an electronic device. I don't want to get into a 'boys are harder' debate because I have 3 boys, one who loves reading and one who hates it and one who won't sit still long enough for me to change his nappy, let along read him a story plus a niece who struggles with wanting to read. 

This day and age, all children are getting lost when they become 'too old' to be read to and prefer to do other things at bedtime besides read a book.

The same debate is happening today about children taking Ipads to bed as the debate when I was growing up about kids having televisions in their rooms. How can we get books to compete with the lure of modern technology?



Children no longer separate forms of language. Reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing and illustrating can all be done on one handheld device. Reading is supported by speaking and drawing. They do not occur sequentially. They do not stand alone. Language forms are integrated, not isolated. Language is a dynamic tool for thinking and communicating, not words on a page. Children's literacy is based on family experience with print and technology. They still have an active imagination, but they use it differently. Our kids are critical thinkers who make personal, text and world connections between what they already know and analysis of new information. They are clever cookies.

Bedtime stories will always be important , but the modern child requires the connection of the story events to what has happened in their daily lives.  These connections are different for different children within our community. Modern children give meaning to the text by drawing on what they know from personal experience. The learn language through experience. They connect daily through the use of language, fulfil their basic needs and describe experiences, all in a social format, during the day. What they are struggling to find is a language that speaks directly to them in the books.



Now, more than ever, we should be encouraging publishers to promote new and modern voices in children's literature. We need more diverse books. It's simple. We need books that kids can find a connection with by hearing their own voice echoed in the words. Until that happens, technology will always win.

Talk soon
x Michelle

www.michelleworthington.com

Top Tips for Authors: Australian Kidlit Publishers accepting Unsolicited Submissions

   This is a list of Australian publishers who are accepting unsolicited manuscripts direct from authors/illustrators at this time without an agent. Every book publisher has different requirements for submissions so please visit their website for submission details. I will add more as I find them, please follow my blog for the latest updates.


Allen and Unwin
https://www.allenandunwin.com/about-allen-and-unwin/submission-guidelines/children-young-adult-submission-guidelines

Big Sky Publishing
http://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Submissions.aspx

Fremantle Press for authors of Western Australian origin or residence
https://www.fremantlepress.com.au/submissions

Little Pink Dog Books
http://littlepinkdogbooks.com/submissions-here/

Magabala Books for Indigenous writers and artists.
https://www.magabala.com/submission-guidelines


New Frontier Publishing
http://www.newfrontier.com.au/page/guidelines/


Scholastic/Omnibus
http://www.scholastic.com.au/corporate/manuscript.asp

Pademelon Press
http://www.pademelonpress.com.au/information-for-authors/


Random House Books
http://www.randomhouse.com.au/about/childrens-manuscripts.aspx

Scribe
https://scribepublications.com.au/


Windy Hollow Books
http://www.windyhollowbooks.com.au/pages/information

Wombat Books
http://www.wombatbooks.com.au/authors/submissions


We need diverse books, submit away!

Talk soon
x Michelle


www.michelleworthington.com

Top Tips for Literacy: How to Create Answer Books

One of the greatest cues for learning that parents most overlook is the constant stream of questions asked by young children. My kids gushed with them.

How long will it take me to get to the moon?
When are the dinosaurs coming back? I'm scared.
What do chickens think about?
Can I fly out this window?


 
Yes, my boys are an inquisitive bunch. Then all of a sudden, when they started school, they stopped. Once they start school, it is the teachers who ask all the questions and they are no longer allowed to question the world around them as freely.

Our new age children are inventors. Inventors ask questions to find out tried and true answers but to also consider alternative solutions. The inquiry-based learning that is built into their modern psyche is another opportunity for parents to create authentic literary experiences because they are centred on the child's interests and innate curiosity.

Asking questions connects children to authentic reading and writing experiences. Develop your child's own 'answer books' from cheap scrap books purchased from the $2 shop. Select one topic per book and write it on the front page. Use newspapers, magazines or junk mail to find articles or pictures. Search for answers on the internet and print them out or write down the web address. Incorporate whatever medium your child is interested in and that will lead to a solution, whether it be books, maps or asking a grandparent or professional.  Draw pictures, write words and don't try and finish it all at once. Make it a project that takes time, only focusing for as long as your child is interested.

Children will learn to associate reading with finding solutions and by working togther you can give further meaning to the value of reading and writing.

I'd love to see any books that you make with your kids, please post them to my Facebook page. The ones I made with my kids were so well loved they fell apart! I will post some pics back of the ones I still have left.

https://www.facebook.com/michelleworthington.author


Talk soon
x Michelle
www.michelleworthington.comwww.michelleworthington.com

Agent and Publisher Twitter Pitch Dates for 2016

If like me, you are looking for a home for your precious picture book or kidlit story, here is a growing list of twitter pitches coming up in 2016. Follow my blog for updated details or new events. I will add more as I find them, please contact me if you find them too!

Talk soon,
Michelle
www.michelleworthington.com


January 22: #PitchCB
February 3: #Pit2Pub
February 26: Pitch Madness submission window opens
March 17: #PitMad Twitter Pitch Party
June 9: #PitMad Twitter Pitch Party
August 3: Writers submit applications to mentors for Pitch Wars
September 8: #PitMad Twitter Pitch Party
December 1: #PitMad Twitter Pitch Partywww.michelleworthington.com

Top Tips for Authors: What to wear to Author Visits

 When I conduct my writing workshops, a lot of my sista fashionistas ask the question, but what do I wear to school visits? Most people will tell you to wear something you feel comfortable in. I will tell you to wear something that makes you unforgettable. You have a chance to imprint your brand not only by reading your stories, but by marketing yourself as an author, and the best way to do that is visually. What you wear is very important. I came across my 'author visit dress' while shopping online for my favourite vintage dresses with MisKonduct Clothinghttp://www.miskonduct.com/ I saw the perfect dress that suited my style and would be a fun way for kids to immediately engage with me during author visits. "You have books on your dress!" It is a Bernie Dexter Chelsea Dress in book print that as far as I know is currently out of stock, which makes it even more special because I am the only author I know who has one locally. http://berniedexter.com/    I team it up with some Vincenza vintage heels which are super cute,  https://www.facebook.com/VicenzaShoes or my black Mary Janes from Payless shoes and my bag was a present from my Godmother who made it online with Snapfish with pictures of the covers of my books. http://www.snapfish.com.au/snapfishau/photo-bags I never have to think about what to wear, my outfit is sorted and it has become my calling card, so even if I wear it twice, the kids recognise it and recognise me and my books.

 

Author style is more about how and what you write, market yourself every time you are working with your own unique fashion style as well!

Talk soon
Michelle
www.michelleworthington.comwww.michelleworthington.com

Top Tips for Authors: How to create a Facebook Fan Page

 One of the most frequent questions I am asked at workshops about social media is "Where do I start?" Facebook is the best place for authors to begin building their online presence.  How do I create a Facebook Fan Page? To create a Page:Go to facebook.com/pages/createClick to choose a Page categorySelect a more specific category from the dropdown menu and fill out the required informationClick Get Started and follow the on-screen instructions
Top Tips
Add a description and your website address, if you have one.Add a profile picture from your computer or device.You can also add your Page to your Favourites on your Facebook account, so you'll have easy access to it when you log in.With Reach More People, you can start reaching new audiences immediately.Click Save Info and your Page is ready to go.
Your fan page has the potential to promote a relationship between author and reader that can only be achieved via Facebook.     What do I post? Let your fans know what you are working on, offer sneak peeks of projects you are working on or extracts from recently published work and remind them of your previous books. Give them a sneak peek into your life. People buy from people they know. Let your fans get to know you, but don't overshare. Try to give your fans an idea of what makes you unique and why you are worth following via social media. Top Tip People who like your author page do not want negativity. You can post funny memes about how hard it is to get published from time to time, but if you use your author page to vent, then you risk losing followers. Turn negatives into positives. Display a professional image and at all times, try to build a community of like minded people and inspire others. Aim for people to interact with what you post and try different types of posts to see which is the most popular. The more likes and comments you get, the more people will see your posts and your page and the quicker your fan base will grow. How often should I post? Try to post once a day.  Be consistent so your fans will come to recognize and look forward to your posts.  If you can't manage once a day, as long as you are consistent, do what is manageable for you. It helps if you schedule posts.To schedule a post:Start creating your post at the top of your Page's Timeline Click next to Publish and select ScheduleBelow Schedule Publish Date, select the date and time when you want the post to publishClick Schedule  Here is the link to a video tutorial from Facebook if you are a visual person like me and need to see it done before you attempt it yourself. https://www.facebook.com/business/learn/facebook-page-basics  If you have any other questions, or would like to book me for a social media for authors workshop, please don't hesitate to contact me. Talk soonx Michellewww.michelleworthington.com   www.michelleworthington.com

Top Tips for Authors: How to establish a writing routine

  The most important thing you can do as an aspiring author is establish a routine as quickly as you can. Anticipation, predictability and routine are useful principles in getting and keeping your creative juices flowing.
 
Establishing a routine Sometimes the simplest tools and practices can evoke the greatest transformation in your writing·         Consistency in routine. ·         Changes will happen, stay informed and plan ahead to reschedule writing times.·         Deep breathing.·         Positive non-material/non-food based rewards instead of mental punishment if it doesn't happen as expected. ·         Involve your writing time in family decision making.·         Limit the amount of current affairs and news you watch, read or hear unless it is research for writing. Write instead·         Provide a place in the home that is solely for your use.·         Read.·         Listen to people without interrupting. Be in the moment.·         Recognize the physical signs of anxiety with your writing. Take a break.·         Discourage avoidance of situations and events that can help your writing or writing career. ·         Get into a sport or do yoga/mediation.·         Purchase a relaxation CD to play while writing.·         Avoid too much chocolate and soft drinks. Coffee is the lifeblood of an author, so...·         Keep the room clutter free.·         Make sure you get sufficient sleep.·         Turn off all forms of social media alerts while you are writing.·         Spend some time every day talking out your writing experiences with other authors. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to talk about your writing experiences, I would love to help!Talk soon
x Michelle 

You can follow Michelle on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/michelleworthington.authorwww.michelleworthington.com