Fantastic news – Stellarphant has been shortlisted for three more awards!
Continue reading “Three more shortlists for Stellarphant”Three more shortlists for Stellarphant
Tag: SCBWI
My new picture book took 7 years to make
My new picture book Stellarphant is out in November this year. I’ve been working on it since 2014, so it’s been 7 years in the making.
That might not seem like much compared to Jurassic Park‘s ’65 million years in the making’. But it’s still a lot … but I digress.
I drew the first sketch for what would become Stellarphant on a whim in June 2014. I was sitting with my illustrator buddies in a cottage on Rottnest Island for our annual SCBWI WA Retreat, when I started sketching an elephant and a penguin in spacesuits. No reason why – it just came out on the page. I added some colour and there was the beginnings of a story. The image stayed with me, and I started trying to write something to go with it.
Continue reading “My new picture book took 7 years to make”Upcoming Events, Dec 2019 / Jan 2020
Dec 8: Backyard Book Fair (for families)
Be entertained. Write. Draw and create!
Meet Western Australian children’s authors and illustrators and have your favourite book signed.Entry is $20 per family (of up to six). Hand in your ticket at the book sales table on the day for $20 credit toward the book(s) of your choice.•• You only need to book ONE FAMILY TICKET per family/group of up to six people ••
Meet Western Australian children’s authors and illustrators and have your favourite book signed.Entry is $20 per family (of up to six). Hand in your ticket at the book sales table on the day for $20 credit toward the book(s) of your choice.•• You only need to book ONE FAMILY TICKET per family/group of up to six people ••
•• Receive ONE $20 credit voucher toward book(s) per family/group booking only ••
WHEN: Sunday 8 December 2019
TIMES: 10am – 12:45pm
WHERE: State Library of WA, Francis St, Perth
COST: $20 per family (up to six people) – and each family group receives one $20 credit voucher to spend on books on the day.
BOOKINGS: Essential. Click here to reserve your place.
TIMES: 10am – 12:45pm
WHERE: State Library of WA, Francis St, Perth
COST: $20 per family (up to six people) – and each family group receives one $20 credit voucher to spend on books on the day.
BOOKINGS: Essential. Click here to reserve your place.
Jan 31: Joondalup Libraries Summer Reading Challenge closing party (for kids)
The City of Joondalup Libraries are holding a Summer Reading Challenge from Sunday 1 December 2019 to Friday 31 January 2020. Are you up for the challenge?
- Kindergarten to year three students – aim to read for 10 hours on your own or with your family
- Year four to year six students – aim to read for 15 hours
Pick up a reading log from your nearest City of Joondalup library, or download it here – Summer reading challenge A5 Booklet.
Participation in the challenge is free. All kids who complete the challenge get invited to the closing party with me, your friendly neighbourhood children’s author/illustrator.
DETAILS: to be advised
ENTRY: By invitation only – to all kids who complete a reading log for the Summer Reading Challenge. More info here.
Free family event: Backyard Book Fair
Hi everyone,
I’m going to be at a free family event this Saturday December 2nd. There will be kids activities, storytelling and book signings, plus a Christmas gift stall. PLUS free cupcakes! It’s going to be awesome. Details below. Hope to see you there.
– James
Dec 2: Backyard Book Fair (for families)
Free fun for kids and their carers. Be entertained, write and draw with Western Australian children’s authors and illustrators. Purchase signed Christmas gifts and meet your favourite local book creators including Aśka , Cristy Burne, Kelly Canby, Frané Lessac, Meg McKinlay, Teena Raffa-Mulligan and Dianne Wolfer – plus some guy called James Foley! Authors and illustrators will be available for book signings too. All materials for activities and a scrummy morning tea will be provided. Suitable for ages 10 and below, but everyone is welcome!
Free event. Registration required. Places are limited.
Presented in partnership with The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (WA).
WHEN: Saturday Dec 2
TIMES: 10:00am – 12:30pm (see below for program)
WHERE: State Library of Western Australia (Theatre), 25 Francis St, Perth, WA
AGES: 10yo and below
COST: free, but bookings are essential: click here to register.
FAQ: How do I get my book published?
This is my most Frequently Asked Question by far.
So you’ve written and/or illustrated your amazing children’s book. Now you want to get it published. You have two options available: traditional publishing and self-publishing … plus a third option that you should avoid.
FAQ: How do I find an illustrator for my book?
Here’s another in my Frequently Asked Question series.
So you’ve written a picture book manuscript; now you want to find an illustrator.
Before we get to that, we need to clear up some misconceptions about how writers work with illustrators, and consider how they’re paid and contracted.
Continue reading “FAQ: How do I find an illustrator for my book?”
FAQ: How did you get into books?
To the pre-published, the children’s book industry can seem like a secret club. How do you get to be one of those people on the inside, who have their stories and illustrations published professionally? It’s something I get asked a lot.
Upcoming events, January-March 2017
I’ve got bunch of workshops over the next three months, most of them free! But firstly, a public service announcement:
Please check my upcoming events page for updates to these and other events – sometimes new events are added at the last minute, or details can change.
To get email notifications of future events, you can either:
– subscribe to this blog via the little box on the right; you’ll get each post emailed to you.
OR
– sign up for my free newsletter, The James Foley-o, and get all my news and events in a single quarterly email.
Jan 21 – Books From Your Backyard – FREE EVENT
I’m doing a free mini-workshop this school holidays!
Come to ‘Books From Your Backyard’ at the State Library of WA. I’ll be there along with 9 other local authors and illustrators – Frané Lessac, Gabriel Evans, Kelly Canby, Teena Raffa-Mulligan, Bec J. Smith, Cris Burne, Aska, Elaine Forrestal, Dianne Wolfer and Norman Jorgensen. We’re each hosting a little session, giving readings, and running fun activities for kids. And it’s all FREEEEEEE. My session is from 3-3:25pm, after which I’ll be signing copies of my latest book Brobot.
The Rottnest Island Retreat, & other SCBWI news
Every year since 2009, members of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) have gathered on Rottnest Island in June for a winter retreat. We spend four days writing, drawing, working on stories and learning from guest speakers. It’s my favourite time of the year.
Continue reading “The Rottnest Island Retreat, & other SCBWI news”
How to survive as an illustrator: advice for a student
Once or twice a year I get an email from an illustration student. They usually have an assignment to write, which requires them to ask a professional illustrator about their work. I got one of these emails last week, asking me for advice on how I got started, how I survive in the industry and how I self-promote. This is my reply.
Continue reading “How to survive as an illustrator: advice for a student”
James Foley 