Sketching and scribing festival aims to get creatives published

A NEW children’s literary festival is rolling into town, helping creatives with a children’s story or art portfolio workshop and pitch their ideas to publishers and agents.

The Surf Coast’s Sketch and Scribe Festival, which will run from October 11 to October 12, aims to help children’s book writers and illustrators get their work published.

The program includes in-person and online events with Australia’s favourite children’s book publishers.

Publishers, best-selling authors and illustrators will host a series of workshops, coaching camps, masterclasses, panels and tech talks to help creators level-up their craft and connect with their creative community.

Workshops with publishers and expert authors and illustrators offer a rare opportunity to learn from the pros.

The festival’s events are set-up so creators can learn from expert publishers, editors, authors and illustrators while building relationships with them. Attendees will also receive an opportunity to submit their works to publishers for consideration.

Most publishers are not open to manuscript or illustration submissions as they receive these via agency channels.

Lee is travelling down from New South Wales to attend the festival.

“I’m looking forward to meeting more of the KidLit community while overcoming my shyness amongst all these talented creative people.

“And, of course, learning while working on my writing with publishers and the chance to submit my work to them.”

The professional development events (in-person and on-line) will provide festivalgoers with the chance to learn new skills and techniques, ask questions about new publishing trends and submission tips, learn how to get published as well as pitch their work to a huge list of publishers and agents.

Everyone will have the chance to ask their burning questions while unlocking the secret to best-selling authors and illustrators’ success.

Geelong emerging illustrator Sherree is looking forward to the event.

“I hope to gain a better insight into the industry, understand what publishers are looking for and build genuine connections with other creatives. Ultimately, I want to improve my illustration portfolio through a workshop with an award-winning illustrator.

“Then I can get my portfolio ready to submit to publishers and start my creative career in illustrating picture books.”

The festival’s writing competition prizes includes publisher manuscript assessments and an art exhibition for illustrators, which more than 20 publishers and attendees will view.

The best part of the festival has to be the networking cocktail party overlooking Jan Juc beach, while rubbing shoulders with publishers, published experts and the creative community.

Online professional development days will also run on October 18 to October 19.

For bookings and information visit sketchandscribefest.com and follow @sketchandscribefest

The Sketch and Scribe Festival is supported by Creative Australia and Surf Coast Events.

//SPONSORED CONTENT