tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49528597442963374102024-03-09T08:47:37.138+11:00Smiley Stories by KayeKaye Bailliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09346561430636672059noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952859744296337410.post-13917809277293001232014-01-02T10:28:00.002+11:002014-01-02T10:28:19.069+11:00Start the Year off Write Challenge 2014Here is one of the challenges I'll be taking this year. Thanks to the amazing efforts of Shannon Fimbel Abercrombie, I will be involved with finishing one writing exercise each day for the month of January beginning on the 5th. www.shannonabercrombie.com<br />
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Having completed the PiBoIdMo challenge last year and thoroughly enjoying the inspiration and prize opportunities, I was keen to take on another challenge.<br />
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It will begin in a few days so looking forward to talking more about that later.Kaye Bailliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09346561430636672059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952859744296337410.post-2000952940364508272014-01-02T10:23:00.002+11:002014-01-02T10:23:29.418+11:00Poem accepted by The School Magazine, NSW Department of EducationHi all,<br />
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Yes, I am a slack blogger, but am inspired by some writing challenges coming up.<br />
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Last month I had an email from The School Magazine offering to buy my latest submission, a poem, 'The History of the Chimneys. They have asked to rejig the title a little which is fine.<br />
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I began the poem as a picture book. But I struggled to make it work. Then I decided to try it as a poem and it became so much better and voila, it has been accepted.<br />
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I'm really delighted that my work will one day be shown in this fabulous magazine.<br />
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Wishing you writerly success in 2014.<br />
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<br />Kaye Bailliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09346561430636672059noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952859744296337410.post-13844408896015377332013-09-18T13:14:00.003+10:002013-09-18T13:14:59.467+10:00KALE - A poem
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kale is not a thing of beauty</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">matt deep green leaves</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">as dark as night</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">their underside a network </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">of wrinkled veins.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Washed</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">ready for the pot</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">there is a surprise.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Glistening glass-like jewels </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">sit shivering</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">trapped in membrane pockets</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">underneath</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">soon to be darkened leaves</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">again.</span></div>
Kaye Bailliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09346561430636672059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952859744296337410.post-31370901369707303982013-06-15T09:27:00.001+10:002013-06-15T09:27:15.450+10:00Wow. It's been more than a year since I blogged. But tragedy and grief have scrambled my brain and I am still crawling but trying to stand.<br />
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Throughout this last year I have not had much energy but writing has been a great comfort to me and I am trying to get some projects done.<br />
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I am still waiting to see my story "Chrissie and a Queen", published in the NSW School Magazine. Hopefully it will be soon as it's been over a year since it was accepted.<br />
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I had a poem 'Lest We Forget', accepted for publication by Celapene Press in this year's anthology, Short and Twisted. I was so pleased about that.<br />
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And yesterday I found out that my short story, 'River Dreaming', has been shortlisted in the Charlotte Duncan Award with Celapene Press. I was delighted about that.<br />
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I am busy writing picture books and have entered several that I wrote over the last two years, in the CYA competition.<br />
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And I have entered two new picture book stories that I wrote recently in the KBR Unpublished Picture Book Award.<br />
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My Miles Franklin story has not found a home. I finished the story as a junior novel/chapter book but it was not picked up by the publisher intended, although I have recently sent it out to another publisher after looking in the Australian Writers' Marketplace book.<br />
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I'm thinking of doing an on-line poetry course through Lorainne Marwood as I am interested in understanding poetry and I love Lorainne's style.<br />
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Must go and make my second cup of tea for the morning. The sun is shining, the dog is peering in at me from the deck, children are currently quiet and husband is making me poached eggs and mushrooms.<br />
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Bye for now my writerly friends.<br />
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KayeKaye Bailliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09346561430636672059noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952859744296337410.post-12553049343745203902012-05-21T11:19:00.000+10:002012-05-21T11:19:02.318+10:00Story accepted by The School Magazine, NSWHi All<br />
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This year has proven to be one with unexpected circumstances that I won't go into, but my world has been shaken and tipped and changed forever.<br />
However, to maintain stability and sanity, I have begun dabbling again with my writing.<br />
Unexpectedly I received good news from The School Magazine, NSW that they wish to publish a story that I wrote based on my own chook minding experiences in childhood. The story is called 'Chrissie and a queen'. <br />
In the midst of great challenges and sadness, this welcome piece of news was timely and delightful.<br />
All the best everyone.<br />Kaye Bailliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09346561430636672059noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952859744296337410.post-4952356607344045442012-02-22T17:51:00.002+11:002012-02-22T18:31:21.984+11:00My Miles Franklin Project for 2012Last year I entered lots of writing competitions from poetry to short stories to picture books and sent off a few manuscripts to publishers. I was delighted to receive lots of favourable mentions from competition organisers. I was ecstatic to have three stories published in anthologies but failed to obtain acceptance for publication of my very own book. <br />
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That aside, I felt that I had achieved a lot. I had created, I had practiced, I had been acknowledged and I felt engaged in the writing spirit.<br />
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This year I have taken on a project that I thought of half way through last year. It is a project that I never dreamed I would undertake. I am writing a faction chapter book or historical chapter book/junior novel. The subject of my story is Miles Franklin. My research has gained considerable momentum and has continued to delight me.<br />
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In the school holidays my family and I went to Sydney but I managed to include so much more.<br />
We visited the Brindabella Valley, Talbingo, 26 Grey Street Carlton, Goulburn, 'Stillwater' and Tumut. It was fabulous to see the wonderful landscapes that so inspired the wonderful Miles Franklin.<br />
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At the moment I am plotting a story to be told by 'Miles' showing the first ten years of her life. There is a lot of information to distill and my job is to turn her autobiography into a story. I plan to write a sequel which will tell her story from Goulburn to 'A brilliant career'.<br />
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When the Miles Franklin Award was announced last year I wondered if children knew who this person was. My desire to make her story accessible to children began.<br />
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I am dedicated to creating this story and am putting many other writing temptations aside for now.<br />
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So for 2012, I belong to Miles.Kaye Bailliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09346561430636672059noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952859744296337410.post-55626017755091675072011-11-28T14:35:00.001+11:002011-11-28T14:51:39.262+11:00Special Mention KBR AwardThe fabulous people at Kids Book Review held an inaugural competition for an unpublished Picture Book. I entered my picture book manuscript called <em>The Best of Friends</em> in the <em>Unpublished Author</em> category as I have not had a trade book published.<br />
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Although I was not a winner, I was delighted to receive a Special Mention that indicated the KBR judges thought the story was either beautifully written or had a unique or brilliant story idea. I'm pretty happy with any of these comments.<br />
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So I have more work to do on <em>The Best of Friends</em> and certainly appreciate the encouragement. When I need a break from my major project which is a historical fiction story for younger readers, I will revisit my Picture Book Manuscript with fresh eyes. And the story will become all the better for it.Kaye Bailliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09346561430636672059noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952859744296337410.post-90961736608093395262011-10-21T13:17:00.001+11:002011-10-21T13:30:07.793+11:00Ode from an Aussie farmer to his sheep<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>Ode from an Aussie Farmer to his sheep ©</em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I will not turn my back on you </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">And send you to strange lands</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Where you will surely suffer</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">By careless and cruel hands</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Ne’er again will you board damned ships</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The ships that smell of hell</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">No animal of mine will know this fear</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">For you have served me, oh so well</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I am forever grateful </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">No more could you give</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Your humble life is what I ask</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">For me and mine to live</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Australia is your homeland</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">And this is where you’ll stay</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Among the trees and land you know</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This promise I have made</span></div><br />
</span> </div>Kaye Bailliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09346561430636672059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952859744296337410.post-46602477629759314192011-10-09T10:16:00.001+11:002011-10-09T12:49:00.049+11:00Tidying my studyA few nights ago I decided to tidy the study. I have manilla folders all over a trestle table but the contents are often in many places instead of the folder they are meant for. So I went out and bought about 10 different coloured manilla folders, some sticky notes, pens and exercise books. I sorted out existing folders, created new ones, labelled the front of each folder in bold texta, put sticky notes of due dates on works in progress and put an exercise book inside each folder to force myself to write in one book for that particular project. Once I had laid out the projects that I need to work on, I found that I had five things to complete. I put them in due date order. There is a picture book, reworking a junior fiction piece, a poem and another junior fiction piece. These four have deadlines which is good for me as it means I will get them done. <br />
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But my main project of a historical junior novel has no due date. I will get to it soon. I am researching my character and have contacted those involved who are responsible for the biographical information I need to create my novel. I also have an idea for the plot. I will use one incident which happened to the character in real life and use it to shape the story.<br />
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So I know where I'm heading thank goodness, and when the kids go back to school tomorrow, I had better set myself some writing time to get these projects done. I'm looking forward to all of them.Kaye Bailliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09346561430636672059noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952859744296337410.post-80547561317179543792011-10-04T12:47:00.002+11:002011-10-21T14:44:04.924+11:00Highly Commended in Poetry CompLorraine Marwood recently ran a poetry competition called 'Note on the Door' after her recently released book of same name.<br />
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From four topics, I chose 'A family note' and entered my poem, Summer Night, which was highly commended.<br />
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I can't tell you how thrilled I was at this result. I talked about it for days. Here is the poem:<br />
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<div><span style="font-family: Arial;"><u>Summer Night</u></span><br />
</div><div></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>Too hot to sleep, kick off sheet,</em></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>tiptoe downstairs</em></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>and out into the cool night air.</em></span></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>Earth's night light so still and round,</em></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>resting in a blanket of stars.</em></span></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>A creaking board, movement, a hug,</em></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>Mum's out here too.</em></span><br />
</div><div></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial;">Thanks to Lorraine I created this poem and loved the opportunity to submit to her competition. I just love Lorraine's style and enjoyed her book, Star Jumps which won the Prime Minister's Literary Award, 2010.</span><br />
</div><div></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial;">The experience has ignited my interest in poetry. </span></div>Kaye Bailliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09346561430636672059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952859744296337410.post-17089751701364922582011-09-26T11:39:00.000+10:002011-09-26T11:39:11.093+10:00More prizes!This morning I received an email saying I'd won the five pack of the Skulduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy. The slightly creepy covers of the books take me back to when I was a kid and used to write kind of gruesome little stories. Thanks to Kids Book Review who have me reading so many great kids' books because of their reviews, I was able to enter this competition which asked what I would call one of the books in this series. <br />
The week before I was delighted to find out through the Handmade Canberra website that I'd won "Riley and the Grumpy Wombat" picture book by Tania McCartney. I had to say what I would do in Melbourne because Riley flies about over some amazing Melbourne sights and great Victorian landmarks. I just love these creative, fun competitions and it's pretty nice to be a winner of some great books.Kaye Bailliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09346561430636672059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952859744296337410.post-81921099203127980922011-09-16T17:10:00.000+10:002011-09-16T17:10:51.079+10:00Creative FellowshipsI just got an email that I'd been waiting for. Unfortunately it didn't carry the news I was hoping for. I did not get shortlisted for the Rosebank Writers' Residency. I looked through the list of successful applicants for last year and I realised that my application and genre was probably not going to get me onto that shortlist.<br />
Anyhow, I wish everyone else all the best. The Victorian Writers' Centre encouraged me to apply again next year and I shall. I have a different project in mind and by then, it should be well underway.Kaye Bailliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09346561430636672059noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952859744296337410.post-16939024559123537752011-09-16T16:23:00.000+10:002011-09-16T16:23:28.330+10:00Moment with a MentorOn Saturday 10th September I went to Albury to attend the 'Write around the Murray' Festival. Well, I only managed to attend one session which was 'Moment with a Mentor'. There were other sessions I would like to have attended but I had to decide whether to catch up with my cousin who I hadn't seen for twenty years, or attend readings and a dinner. Of course I would have loved to attend as many writing sessions as possible but I knew that if I left Albury without seeing my cousin, that I would have missed a great opportunity. It was wonderful to see my cousin.<br />
That aside, I met with Jenny Darling the next morning. Jenny was a lovely person who put me at ease immediately. I knew that her Literary Agency was a top one so I felt quite intimidated. Our half hour together was gone in a flash. We talked about the ten pages which I submitted from my children's book. We discussed the title, the blurb, the genre, the beginning, writing to strengths, character names, plot problems and being disciplined in setting aside time to write. It was a unique opportunity for me to chat with an agent. To gain knowledge from a professional, one on one, is a gem. I hope that next year I will earn other such opportunities.Kaye Bailliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09346561430636672059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952859744296337410.post-27835917942743793042011-08-31T17:56:00.000+10:002011-08-31T17:56:59.513+10:00Rosebank FellowshipsYesterday I sent off my application for 2011 Writing @ Rosebank Fellowship. In Macedon there is a writer's cottage where some lucky writers will be spending three weeks on their chosen manuscript, (to be decided on 16 September). After I was chosen as one of the applicants to meet with Jenny Darling, Literary Agent, based on her reading ten pages of my junior novel manuscript, I decided that I would apply for the creative residency at Rosebank Farm through the Victorian Writers' Centre. If I am chosen for the residency, I will further develop my manuscript which I began two years ago. I think that three weeks of writing will help me achieve more than I could spending three months at home! We shall see.Kaye Bailliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09346561430636672059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952859744296337410.post-41878108499501975482011-08-25T13:55:00.000+10:002011-08-25T13:55:03.320+10:00Moment with a MentorToday I received a phone call from the organisers of the 'Write around the Murray Festival' to be held in Albury next month.<br />
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A session called 'Moment with a Mentor' asked for applications from authors who would like to get advice on how to get a manuscript published. Part of the process was to submit a ten page extract from a completed manuscript and upon selection, a $25 fee would be requested. I was one of six applicants chosen and will have the opportunity to spend 30 minutes with Jenny Darling of Jenny Darling Associates, one of Australia's leading literary agencies.<br />
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I have never met a literary agent and am totally looking forward to this experience. Kaye Bailliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09346561430636672059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952859744296337410.post-837356252790095562011-08-24T11:15:00.000+10:002011-08-24T11:15:43.977+10:00What I learn from resultsAlthough I did not get a place in this year's Marshall Allan Hill Writing Award, I am able to take something away from the results. <br />
My entry may not have been the most appropriate style or story for the judges and therefore it is crucial to get everything right. Subject matter, relevance to the Award and voice are something I will work on next year. Again, I was proud to be shortlisted.Kaye Bailliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09346561430636672059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952859744296337410.post-35638920042273922432011-08-24T10:43:00.000+10:002011-08-24T10:43:43.780+10:00Waiting for resultsToday Jelli-Beanz Publishing announce the winner and commended entries of the Marshall Allan Hill Writing Award. I was one of ten authors shortlisted for this award. To be shortlisted is always an honour so for that I am really happy. I will let you know today how I went. Thanks to Jelli-Beanz and Marshall's parents for this opportunity.Kaye Bailliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09346561430636672059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952859744296337410.post-47187884541622341942011-08-24T07:18:00.000+10:002011-08-24T07:18:33.588+10:00Kids Book Review: Review: The Tall Man and the Twelve Babies#comment-form<a href="http://www.kids-bookreview.com/2011/08/review-tall-man-and-twelve-babies.html#comment-form">Kids Book Review: Review: The Tall Man and the Twelve Babies#comment-form</a>
<br />Kaye Bailliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09346561430636672059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952859744296337410.post-52885476143562158612011-08-16T11:41:00.000+10:002011-08-16T11:41:18.472+10:00Bits and PiecesThings that I've been working on lately are:<br />
A short story competition for Words in Winter;<br />
A short story competition for National Water Week;<br />
Wondering if I'll hear soon from publishers about my picture book manuscript;<br />
Researching a famous Australian for a future story;<br />
Joined a Webinar in the US which was fascinating and enlightening as it was all about writing for children;<br />
Have borrowed stacks of books from the library, mainly children's books;<br />
Applied for May Gibbs Creative Literary Award Fellowship;<br />
Written down ideas for next picture book MS;<br />
That's all I can think of right now. But it's all great stuff.Kaye Bailliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09346561430636672059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952859744296337410.post-12115205244414840922011-06-24T14:52:00.001+10:002011-06-24T14:53:56.641+10:00HopscotchI am so delighted to have just found out that my short story, <em>Scaredy Cat</em>, is to be included in an anthology of children's stories and poems called, <em>Hopscotch</em>. <em>Hopscotch</em> will be released in November 2011 and will be distributed to all Ronald McDonald houses across Australia. A lovely gift to all those great kids.<br />
Jellibeanz publishing is to be congratulated for putting together this book and I am so looking forward to the launch.Kaye Bailliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09346561430636672059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952859744296337410.post-3797644605131443372011-06-20T07:03:00.000+10:002011-06-20T07:03:18.794+10:00Short and TwistedYesterday I went to the launch of this year's anthology, "Short and Twisted" published by Celapene Press. Kathryn Duncan is a passionate editor who has created this book of poems, short stories and illustrations with a twist in the end. S&T is a great read which can be dipped into any time. In January I received the acceptance email for my stories. I was buzzing for the rest of the day.<br />
It was such a wonderful experience to have my family at the launch knowing that two of my stories were accepted into the anthology. <br />
Oh, and they served chocolate and lemon tarts as well and the cafe was cosy and comfy.<br />
Will be trying again for next year's Short and Twisted.Kaye Bailliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09346561430636672059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952859744296337410.post-85667261577416739652011-06-03T09:26:00.000+10:002011-06-03T09:26:46.871+10:00Diary from the pastI have had loaned to me a handwritten diary in beautiful script, of the first two years of a baby boy's life in London, 1889. Luckily the handwriting is easy to read and it is a privilege to take a peek into the life of this family. The father kept daily notes and added photos or newspaper clippings to the diary. <br />
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Once I have had time to digest this snippet of life, I plan to write a story based on this family and the events that took place. It will be wonderful tossing around ideas about who should tell the story and where that journey ends.Kaye Bailliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09346561430636672059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952859744296337410.post-21467840415513688612011-06-02T10:47:00.000+10:002011-06-02T10:47:05.387+10:00Little Writing CompetitionsI have had some good fortune recently when entering competitions to win Picture Books. Over the last two months, I have entered four competitions, found through Twitter as I follow various authors and publishers. There is usually a question to answer like, "What was your greatest expedition?" or "What does Mothers' Day mean to you?". I have managed to win each competition. The latest book, "Our Gags," by Catriona Hoy will be arriving soon. It really feels great to be selected worthy enough to win these lovely books.Kaye Bailliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09346561430636672059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952859744296337410.post-59846860845413408592011-05-21T11:21:00.000+10:002011-05-21T11:21:44.868+10:00Rejection LettersI have a feeling that the more manuscripts I send out the more rejection letters I will receive. When I see that SSAE sitting in the mailbox, I pick it up with a sense of dread, knowing too well what is inside. I sit on a weathered bench seat under the tree near the mailbox, open the envelope and see the words of 'unfortunately....' But in some strange, dark and disturbing way the rejections give me at least some contact with publishers. One day I have a feeling that I will get a happy letter. It's just a matter of when. Tootle pip!Kaye Bailliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09346561430636672059noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952859744296337410.post-89693826581282889522011-05-15T16:03:00.001+10:002011-05-15T16:05:02.217+10:00Pleasant SurprisesI was so delighted yesterday to find out I had won a copy of Peter Carnavas' latest picture book, "The Great Expedition". I have recently come to love Peter's books. Each one is a gem.<br />
Some weeks before that I won a copy of Catriona Hoy's "George and Ghost". I was excited then too. Both books were ones that I really wanted so the opportunity to enter a competition to win them was great fun.<br />
On Mother's Day I entered another competition and won two picture books, <span style="color: #595959;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>My Mum’s the Best</em> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">and also</span> <em>I Love My Mummy! through Kids Book Review.</em> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;">I felt pretty pleased with myself I must say.</span> <span style="color: black;">I'm looking forward to reading my new books. As a writer, it's a pleasure to read and also a learning experience.</span></span></span></span>Kaye Bailliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09346561430636672059noreply@blogger.com0