The Fierce Little Woman and the Wicked Pirate

It was going to be hard to match the original version of this story published in 1984 by Shortland Educational Publications with delightful illustrations by Jo Davies capturing the spirit of the story so perfectly, but Gecko Press have done it, with a new edition of Joy Cowley's story illustrated by Sarah Davis. As the author herself says "I’m in love with this book! Everything about it is utterly beautiful: the design, the colours, the characters... [Illustrator Sarah Davis] has turned it into a classic that people will hug for generations."

Here is a link to Joy's website, with various resources for getting to know Joy - her books and her life, and this page has some useful tips for "Getting young authors started" http://www.joycowley.com/stories.shtml

The artist, Sarah Davis is a New Zealander, now resident in Sydney, and here is a link to her website and her blog called Pseudoarmadillo, a Links page with various connections to "internet goodness" and a few pictures from her Sketchbook.

Joy Cowley’s book for new writers

Celebrated children’s author Joy Cowley distils 40 years of experience as a writer in her new book, Writing from the Heart – How to Write for Children.

Writing from the Heart is essential reading for practising or intending children’s writers – and could well be used by senior students or teachers as a guide to “best practice” creating engaging and exciting works for children of any age. Joy covers plot development, discipline, dialogue, humour, presentation and editing, and there are chapters on the special genres of early readers, fiction for children and teenagers, poetry and plays.

Writing From The Heart is published by the Storylines Children’s Literature Charitable Trust and all proceeds go to assist Storylines in its work to promote children's books and literature. It is available from good bookshops and directly through the Storylines website http://www.storylines.org.nz
RRP $25.00

Joy Cowley writing workshop opportunity

Storylines Children’s Literature Charitable Trust of New Zealand is organising a 2 day interactive writing workshop with JOY COWLEY "WRITING FROM THE HEART"
in Auckland on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 February 2010

Joy is generously donating her time to help Storylines in its national advocacy work for New Zealand children’s reading and books. She has run many such workshops in America and other countries, but infrequently in New Zealand. This is a rare chance to attend an intensive two-day course with this master storyteller, covering all aspects of writing for children and young adults (getting started, plot, character, voice, humour, writing disciplines, picture books, chapter books, YA novels, presenting a manuscript, getting support.)

• Maximum 30 participants, $500 – price includes critique of story (max 1000 words).
• Participants who wish to submit manuscripts to Joy for prior critique should send to Storylines for forwarding by 22 January, 2010
• Venue – Kohia School, Kohia Terrace, Epsom, Auckland, sessions from 9am to 4pm
• Applications will be accepted on first come, first served basis. To register, please send payment of $500 (includes GST) with your full name, address, email and phone number. A receipt will be sent. Make cheques payable to ‘Storylines Children’s Literature Trust’ and send to: Storylines Children’s Literature Charitable Trust of New Zealand, PO Box 96 094, Auckland 1342. For internet banking use Storylines’ bank account: 123067 0187408 03
• Please watch Storylines’ website, www.storylines.org.nz for further information.