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Hi Beckett,

It’s hard to believe that we haven’t sent out a newsletter in almost eight week, and we have just been using the blog to get the news out, along with social media. So we figured it was time to spread the news for those of you who don’t read the blog or are lucky enough to not be chained to social media platforms.

Competition news

The judging of the competition is well underway, and with almost 600 entries, it’s a big year. The volunteer judges are doing an amazing job, and I can only be thankful as the judging forms come in that they are putting so much time into each and every entry. Ultimately, all we can give is honest feedback on your work – and sometimes that is the only thing a person needs to get your foot through the door of a publishing house next!

The shortlist will be out on 20th June, and the final places will be announced at the conference on 9th July (children’s and young adult genres) and 10th – Adult genres.

This year's judges are

Adult genres: Clive Hebard: Penguin Random House
Aspiring & under 18 illustrations: Cathy Vallance, UQP
Aspiring chapter books, younger and older readers: Kate Stevens, Hachette
Aspiring picture books - preschool: Cristina Pase, Windy Hollow Books
Aspiring picture books - primary school, fiction and non-fiction: Nicola Santilli - Allen & Unwin
Aspiring young adult: Lisa Berryman, HarperCollins
Under 18 Aspiring picture books and chapter books: Nicola Santilli - Allen & Unwin
Children’s published writing: Clare Hallifax, Walker Books

Don’t forget that booking for some assessment sessions close on Sunday the 15^th May including:

Children & Young Adult manuscripts:
Fiona Johnson (Beyond Words Literary Agency)
Kristina Schulz (Independent)
Kristy Bushnell (Independent)
Mary Anastasiou (Larrikin House)
Maryann Ballantyne (Wild Dog Books)
Meredith Costain (Ford Street Publishing)
Rochelle Stephens (Rhiza Press)
Sam Rutter (Storytorch Press)
Sue Whiting (Independent)

Adult manuscripts:
Fiona Johnson (Beyond Words Literary Agency)
Kevin O’Brien (Affirm Press)
Sam Rutter (Storytorch Press)
Sophie Hamley (Hachette Australia Books)
Tom Langshaw (Pantera Press)

Illustrations:
Mary Anastasiou (Larrikin House)
Rochelle Stephens (Wombat Books)
Sam Rutter (Storytorch Press)
Sarah Davis (Walker Books Australia)

You need to get your assessments in by 15th May

Make sure you follow the guidelines in the download on the assessment page. The recording of Getting your assessment and bootcamp submission ready is available on the video page if you’d like to watch it for some additional tips, tricks and information.

Please make sure you follow these guidelines as we do check each entry. If you are unsure, rather ask us so you can get it right; it’s a lot less work in the long run.

Children & Young Adult manuscripts:

You will be able to book assessments with editors and agents who will remain longer but you will need to submit your work at the time of booking.

Submissions for bootcamps are only due by 22nd May – so please concentrate on your assessments this weekend.

Finally – remember it is a requirement that you have booked your conference or bootcamp for your assessment to take place.

Book an assessment

Talking bootcamps

We’ve changed the date of Lauren Clarke’s bootcamp to 3rd July so that it doesn’t clash with Natasha Lester’s masterclass. If you’ve ever wondered about working with an independent editor, and write YA or for adults, this is a great way to get an introduction to the experience.

Independent editor Kristy Bushnell also has a few places left for her bootcamp.

Did you know that a lot of publishing companies outsource their editing to independent editors? Just saying…

Book a writing bootcamp

Illustration bootcamps

After Freya Blackwood’s bootcamps sold we asked Margrete Lemond to help with a second illustration bootcamp on 24th July, and we’re thrilled to announce that she said ‘yes’.

Book a illustration bootcamp

Presenter news

Megan Albany has been added to the Sunday program on 17th July.

She will be running a session on ‘Black Comedy – How to tell the truth in fiction and make it funny’.

We hope you will love this topic as we think you will.

Take a look at Megan’s CYA presenter page.

Success stories

Please let us know if you have a book accepted for publication because of CYA. Unfortunately, we don’t make it to every book event and often are not aware that we helped you on your journey, so why not let us know that we are doing our job still in helping you on your road to publication…and beyond. We love to hear from you.

I'm a success!

Overall, it’s about to be a busy time for the CYA team leading up to the conference.

Be creative and stay healthy!

Tina
and the CYA Team

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