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Presentations Available:
'Jen has an amazing ability to educate, stimulate and entertain simultaneously.'
Jen McVeity is the Australian head of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and a 2003 Churchill Fellow. She has
published over 20 books for children and young adults in five countries. A mad sportswoman, she lists as her hobbies circus trapeze, rock climbing and she has just won bronze in World Masters beach volleyball.
About Jen's books:-
Dreamcatcher (the story of a girl who starts a Green Guerrilla gang to rebel against her politician father) was short-listed for the Environment Award and won the Family Award.
It is also on the New York Library's Best Books List - and is Hawaii Library's Most Stolen book!
Dreamcatcher is set as a Year 7/8 text in many schools around Australia.
Shadow Seeker the sequel took 22 months to create, and was bid for by the top four publishers in Australia. Released in 2002, the first print run sold out in a week.
Jen has over 16 chapter books published in Australia, Canada and the USA.
Her trademark style is fast moving plots which hook kids into her books – while the underlying family and social explorations bring kids
back to read again and again.
'A very exciting part of the program. Can we have more achievers like Jen please?'
Jen has spoken to audiences from twenty to two thousand and passionately believes in the power of words to take people from where they are - to where
they want to be.
'…an approachable and knowledgeable speaker with a uniquely refreshing style.'
A trained speaker with an ASM rating with National Speakers, Jen has presented keynotes at conferences throughout Australia, Asia and the USA.
'…a great speaker, dynamic, informative, self-effacing humour, wonderful at keeping the audience involved.'
Jen's sense of life and vitality has audiences laughing, learning and above allremembering, as they take up the challenges of nurturing creativity!
1. Pitching and Publishing: How to Rise Above the Slush Pile
A fast moving, entertaining and totally practical presentation on how to pitch to publishers and get a book in print.
Discover:-
- who are the top fiction and non-fiction publishers
- how to submit manuscripts and avoid the slush pile
- the secret of writing killer cover letters
- how to sell a non-fiction manuscript on just a synopsis and three chapters
- and learn the secrets to thinking - and selling - globally
Lively, professional and passionate, Jen McVeity is the Australian head of the Society of Book
Writers and Illustrators and the only Australian ever elected to their international Board of Directors. In 2003 she will take up a Churchill Fellowship to spend two months in the USA
pitching the talents of Australian writers and illustrators to American publishers. (So she really does know how to pitch!) Jen's teenage novel Dreamcatcher was bid for by three top
American publishers. Shadow Seeker, the sequel gathered offers from four of the biggest publishers in Australia.
Feedback: Philippines - Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Conference
- Wonderful. Jen McVeity is a vibrant, engaging speaker who inspires her listeners
. (Loved her quotes!) She sets a primary example of what a determined children's book writer can accomplish - and selflessly shares the "tricks of the
trade" she's learned along the way. (Reni Roxas Singer, publisher, Tahanan Pacific Inc.)
- Very, very informative. Jen is a great speaker. (Frances Alcaraz, illustrator.)
- Fun, light, humorous, but also very informative and encouraging. I'm inspired by Jen's courage and insights.
(Cyan Abad-Jugo, author)
- GREAT AND EXACTLY WHAT WE NEEDED. Honestly, I expected to come to one of
those usual writers' sessions. A DELIGHTFUL SURPRISE that I got a lot from this. Hits the nail on its head. And presented in a fun, engaging way. Very helpful and
informative, delightful information chunks. Well thought out and planned. (Karina A. Bocasco, Publishing manager, Anvil Publishing Inc.)
2. Don't Write Ten Books, Sell One Book Ten Times
How can you work less but sell more? Jen shares with you tips, techniques and inspiration
about selling overseas. Learn how to market your work into other countries - USA, UK, Germany, Italy, Asia - for less effort and more money. Take charge of your own career. Think
big, sell more - act globally!
Feedback: Tye Picture Book Retreat
- Knowledgeable, entertaining, remarkable personality. (Dorothy Sellers)
- Such a good speaker. Shared so much of herself. (Helen Putland)
- So succinct, witty, entertaining and spot on! (Teresa Culkin-Lawrence)
- Jen makes things seem easier! Never give up! (Jenny Siri)
3. Double your Money in a Day - Negotiating Book Contracts
'We really wanna do this book as a movie. I see Kidman as a cert for the mother. McCauley
will jump at the chance to play the lead. You've got the rights, yeah?'
Rights? What rights?
'I hear your book's sold half a million copies. Of course you got rising royalties, didn't you?'
Er...royalties can rise?
Everything in a book contract – from the international film rights to the number of free author
copies – is totally negotiable. In a series of hilarious role-plays between the 'Publisher from
Hell' and the 'Overawed Author' Jen outlines the top five negotiating points of a book contract. Learn how to hold on to merchandising rights, get higher royalties and best of all, how to
sell your book to countries around the world.
Feedback:
- 'Loved it. I will probably triple my return if I apply all your great wisdom and wit.' (Tessa Newton Terres)
- 'Jen McVeity is honest, personable and gives straight forward information on the reality
of the writing business. Without stating it, she is a MOTIVATIONAL speaker.'
4. What's Hot and What's Not in the Children's Book Markets
A fast moving and practical presentation on what sells in children's writing - covering both the
Australian and the American markets. Find out about the new type of picture books, how well young adult novels are selling and exactly what books publishers are crying out for. Jen
details how to market picture books as opposed to novels, the differences between educational and trade markets and discusses the protocol of simultaneous submissions. Lively
and entertaining, Jen is the regional advisor for the Australian Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and has over 20 books in print. Her latest young adult novel Shadow Seeker was bid for by Australia's four top publishers.
Feedback: Hawaii Writers Conference.
- '"What's Hot and What's Not"... was exactly what we need here in Hawaii: Being
reminded that there's a whole wide world of publishing -- not just Hawaii and the U.S. Mainland. Your lively and witty presentation style packed lots of valuable information
into a small space. You sure know how to work a room!' (Bruce Hale, convenor, SCBWI Hawaii conference)
- '..I could listen to Jen talk all day.'
- 'She is a role model for women – and authors. She is a strong woman who forces her
audience to critically analyse his/her passion. What comes across is an energetic, substantive author.' (Dee Buckingham)
5. How NOT to Write a Novel: Top Ten Tips!
Fast moving, humorous and with the experience of 20 books and two auctions under her belt,
Jen McVeity outlines the top ten traps of writing - and how to avoid them.
What are the hot topics? How do you create action packed starts? When do tension scenes
really come alive? How can you write dynamic dialogue? There's even a section on body language that shows how to team up actions and words - and learn a dozen different flirting
gestures along the way!
In full day sessions you can also learn more marketing information - how to source publishers,
cope with rejection slips, create pitch letters that really sell!
Feedback from the Arizona SCBWI Conference.
- Excellent, excellent presentation by Jen McVeity. What a joy. Gracious, knowledgeable, gutsy, confident lady. (Lynn Murray)
- Very useful. Presented effortlessly and with a real sense of enjoyment. (Diane Staley)
- Wow! I am so glad I came. Jen peeled away lots of garbage (or wrappings) and made it not only understandable, but useable. (Cornelia Kazel. Functions and Program Chair,
Society of South Western Authors)
- So professional, humorous, hard-hitting, informative and extremely educational. Your
graciousness in sharing valuable insights into the craft and the heart of writing was a gift that will influence and elevate the writings of everyone who attended. (Dawn Dixon, conference convenor, SCBWI Arizona).
Jen's keynote and panel presentations include:-
2003
Queensland Writers Centre
NSW Writers Centre
Newington Literature Festival
Mildura Wentworth Arts Festival
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) National Conference
Tucson SCBWI Conference
Salt Lake City SCBWI Conference
2001/02
National Primary Principal's conference, Australia and NZ
Queensland Association Gifted and Talented
Arizona - Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
Manila Society of Writers
National SCBWI conference, Los Angeles
Hawaii - SCBWI Writer's conference (It's a tough life…)
Keynote and workshop sessions together are often possible for a reduced fee. Please consult
Jen's office to negotiate your particular requirements.
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