Karen Collum">Australian Children's Author

CYA logo by Bec Timmis

The CYA Later, Alligator – Children’s and Young Adult Writers And Illustrators Conference is an absolutely fabulous conference held in Brisbane each September, specifically targetting the needs of children’s authors and illustrators. This year it will be held on September 4, with the Hatchlings program for young writers (aged 8-18) held on September 5. Every year CYA run a competition in a number of categories for aspiring and published authors and illustrators. I entered SAMUEL’S KISSES in the competition in 2008 and although I didn’t make the shortlist, I was delighted to finish in the top ten. Even better than that, however, was the feedback I received from the judges. Their comments gave me the confidence to start submitting to publishers. Shortly after, I secured a contract with New Frontier Publishing for SAMUEL’S KISSES which was fantastic.

This year I entered four picture books in the competition. (Although I do have contracts on a couple of picture books, I was still eligible to enter the unpublished category as none of those books are actually in print as yet.) After long deliberations, I entered two manuscripts in Category 1 Picture Books: Preschool and two manuscripts in Category 2 Picture Books: Primary School (equivalent to elementary school).

I’ve been waiting nervously for the results to be published and on Friday I got the very exciting news that SLOW DOWN, STANLEY made the shortlist in Category 1 Picture Books: Preschool. I was delighted that my manuscript was strong enough to make the shortlist of four picture books and will now be shown to a range of Australian editors, with Tegan Morrison from Hachette Australia judging the final winner. Then today, I got some more good news. THE GATE has been shortlisted in Category 2 Picture Books: Primary School with two other entries. Tegan is also the judge for this category.

I’m still grinning madly at the thought that two of my manuscripts will be read by a range of editors. Exposure like this is simply incredible and I’m so thankful to Tina and Ally, organisers of CYA for putting in the hard work to give up-and-coming authors like myself this golden opportunity. I really hoped I’d make the shortlist with one of my entries, but it’s mind-blowing to know I’ve got two picture books on the shortlists.

The winners are announced at the conference on September 4. Unfortunately, due to personal commitments, I won’t be able to be there in person but I will be there  volunteering at the Hatchlings program on the Sunday. Of course it would be lovely to win either category, but as far as I’m concerned, I’ve already won. Exposure and access to editors is difficult to get in this industry and thanks to the CYA competition, I have two chances to impress.

Wish me luck! And don’t forget to enter CYA next year. It might just be the break into the industry you need.