Contents
More Steps Than I Can Count
Upcoming Writing Comps/Opportunities/Events
Short-B-Read Publication Update
The Giveaway Winner Is …
1. More Steps Than I Can Count
Last month I mentioned my 1-year-old starting to take a couple of steps here and there, and how I’d been taking baby steps of my own.
Now my little one is taking more steps than I can count (he’ll be off and running — with me chasing after him — in no time), and I too am progressing creatively.
I signed up for The Craft & Business of Illustrating (& Writing) Children’s Books course with The Children’s Book Academy, and I’ve been practising illustration on my iPad with Procreate so I’m somewhat prepared when the course starts in June.
YouTube tutorials have been brilliant in helping me get familiar with Procreate and all its features as well as illustration in general.
The image above is something I actually created, and while it isn’t perfect, it’s a finished piece I can be proud of—and yep, the image is based on a recent pic of my littlies. (You can check out the YouTube tutorial I watched for that one here — thank you to Alice Thorpe for such a wonderful easy-to-follow tutorial!)
I don’t know if I’ll ever actually illustrate my own published book, but all that I’m learning about illustration (and still have to learn) is helping me write better picture books and rework already existing ones. Everything I’m doing is adding to my skills and knowledge—the fact that I’m having a lot of fun with it is a huge plus.
Have you made progress towards your own goals or creative endeavours?
Here’s a sneak peek of something I’m working on thanks to a Skillshare class with Vashti Harrison. Again, it’s not perfect (and incomplete) but I’m pleased with my progress and loving the process.
2. Upcoming Writing Comps/Opportunities/Events
June 11–14: Words on the Waves Writers Festival — Taking place on the Central Coast of NSW, Australia, the first ever Words on the Waves will include workshops, author talks, book signings, and more.
June 16-26: Emerging Writers Festival — With a combination of online and in-person events, ‘EWF provides opportunities for emerging writers to develop professionally, and supports them to engage new and larger audiences.’ You can check out the full list of over 50 events here including workshops, talks, performances, and more.
Now-July 1: Madeleine Milburn Mentorship Programme — Now running for its second year, the Madeleine Milburn Mentorship Programme takes place over six months with spots for eight aspiring authors with at least half reserved for underrepresented voices. Check out the link above for more info including rules and guidelines for applying.
Twitter Pitch Parties
May 20, 2021, 8am – 8pm EST: PitDark |For writers of ‘dark’ literature, which can include: horror, dark fantasy, murder mysteries, psychological horror stories, paranormal, non-fiction works about darker subjects, and more. Check this link for a more extensive list.
June 3, 2021, 8AM – 8PM EST: PitMad | The original Twitter pitch party, PitMad is open to all unpublished works of all genres and categories. See the link above for an extensive list of hashtags.
June 17, 2021, 8AM – 8PM EST: PBPitch | For picture book manuscripts. You can pitch as many manuscripts as you like but you can only send out two pitches per manuscript. There’s lots of info via the link above and the website has a handy list of picture book agents too.
June 22, 2021, 8AM – 8PM EDT: PitchDis | For unagented disabled writers with completed manuscripts in all genres and categories. For more specific info you can check out rules and guidelines here.
3. Short-B-Read Publication Update
Dayle has been working away on the SBR newsletter for this month, which is coming soon. In addition to all that work, Dayle has a couple of new short stories that are both relatable and enjoyable to read.
The Diary of Self-Doubt by Dayle Fogarty where self-doubt is the narrator creeping on unsuspecting individuals. Such a cool take on something we all experience (or do we?).
This Here by Dayle Fogarty is a seriously honest but also funny take on the disgusting behaviour of some powerful men and the behaviours that can no longer be ignored.
If you do read, show your support by clapping, commenting, or sharing around.
4. The Giveaway Winner Is …
Lisa Rose! Congratulations, Lisa!
I’ll be in touch via email to discuss details and to get started on editing.
I’m aiming to run another giveaway in July so look out for details on that coming soon.