A meeting at the SCBWI-BI conference gives Cath Howe a flying start!

This week we're delighted to announce that Cath Howe is up, up and away with the amazing agent Anne Clark, of the Anne Clark Literary Agency! She is looking forward to a real creative partnership and says thanks to SCWBI for all the warm support, courses and workshops. 

Cath tells us how it all began 

“When I began writing for children I was writing drama scripts for them to perform at local arts festivals in South West London. I think that's really how I found my voice and my confidence, because I saw my work performed and got feedback from the children and lots of encouragement from parents and teachers. Working in schools helps - children are so startlingly honest in their comments!

"My writing for educational publishers (two fiction books for 8-10s and three plays) was a good preparation for sending work to agents and publishers because I saw how editors worked and I had deadlines and word limits to stick to. I've also had the support of an excellent writers' group throughout. Everyone tells you how important it is to be persistent in trying to develop your career and that's certainly true but I think the other key thing is to build a relationship with fellow writers who believe in your work, aside from your family and friends. I think I've been very lucky in that respect.

"Anne Clark is an agent I can really collaborate with and I'm so glad I got the chance to meet her at the SCWBI Conference because it is now so much easier to speak on the phone and to email each other having met in person. We seem to get on really well and we're both pretty direct. I think she will bring out the best in me."

Anne Clark says, "I'm delighted to welcome Cath Howe to the agency. I was taken by the particular charm and humour of Cath's writing, and her sharp insights into how children think and feel."

So let's celebrate with Cath this week. Here's to her future success and the beginning of a fantastic relationship!

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Tania Tay is an ex-advertising copywriter and has been published in Sable LitMag. She is currently writing a YA romantic thriller, is a member of The Golden Egg Academy and is on the editorial team at Words & Pictures.

Summoning up Success!

Dancing shoes on today people because it's time to do a happy jig for one of our very hardworking volunteers. Benjamin Scott, former Assistant Regional Advisor for SCBWI, has signed with Gillie Russell at Aitken Alexander Associates!

 





Benjamin confesses the timing couldn’t have been more perfect.

“I absolutely loved being ARA, but it was time to focus on my writing – after all, it’s our passion for children’s books that bring us together. It was completely unexpected to be signed up with an amazing agent so quickly, but Gillie’s enthusiasm for my writing makes me certain I made the right decision,” 

It's wonderful to see Ben's hard work being rewarded at last and he's convinced that  SCBWI and his years of volunteering have helped him achieve his dream.

“It wouldn’t have happened without SCBWI or volunteering. I’ve made amazing contacts and I’ve learnt that the industry has a lot of respect for our hardworking volunteers. I’ve met some brilliant critiquing partners, had the support of some special SCBWI friends and listened to the advice of a range of fabulous speakers!” 

He first met his agent Gillie when he chaired the Agents’ Panel in 2011 and only intended to submit the one book to Gillie, a 7+ project, but when she heard he had received an Honorary Mention for a YA project in Undiscovered Voices 2010 she wanted to see that too! Together they are working on his YA title, The Summoning of Freiya Rolandson, a gritty fantasy about how much one girl is willing risk for those she loves and whether she can resist the corruptive force of power.

@Benjamin_Scott

“It’s a book that’s been close to my heart for a long time. With Gillie’s help I hope there are big things ahead for Freiya!” Benjamin is also developing a 7+ contemporary with a quirky twist book series called Eureka Evans: A Disaster Waiting to be Invented about a boy inventor whose plans frequently go wrong in spectacular and unexpected ways, including accidentally sticking his mum to the ceiling like a helium balloon!

Benjamin is the lead author on the ghost-written Star Fighters series (Working Partners/Bloomsbury) and has lots of fun promoting the series in schools. He also reviews children’s books for Carousel Magazine and tutors in Writing for Young Adults with the Oxford University’s Department of Continuing Education. And, Benjamin continues to support SCBWI by being a volunteer editor for the Undiscovered Voices 2014.

 
His agent Gillie is full of praise for Benjamin and his work, so read on and find out exactly why she signed him up!

"As soon as I started reading The Summoning of Freiya Rolandson (which may not be the book’s final title) I felt an irresistible magic tingle. It drew me in immediately with its visceral narrative voice, tangible sense of place, and a strong young female protagonist (Freiya) at its core. This, combined with a powerful mix of myth, magic and legend made it completely compelling. I was reminded of Garth Nix’s Old Kingdom trilogy – fantasy that reads like reality – so what more could one want? I’m thrilled to be representing Ben, and with these two strands of his writing I’m sure he will go on to achieve the success he deserves."

  So wiggle those hips people and do your best funky moves for  Benjamin Scott and hopefully we'll all be reading about Freiya in the not too distant future! If anyone would like to imitate Ben's success by becoming a SCBWI volunteer do please contact the team.

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Lorraine Gregory has been writing fantasy adventure books aimed at middlegrade boys for the last three years. She's been a chef and a restaurant manager and now works from home as an Antenatal Teacher. She belongs to the Words & Pictures Team and helps Tania to bring joy to our Saturday Celebrations' posts. 

What Did Jo Franklin Get For Christmas?

Jo Franklin

I'm  happy to report that Jo Franklin did not get a mouldy satsuma and half a dozen nuts in her christmas stocking. Jo got herself  an agent! Anne Clark of the Anne Clark Literary Agency.

Anne says, What drew me most to Jo's writing was the confident and skilful way she combines a funny, far-fetched plot with an engaging, very believable context of family, friends and school. Daniel's interactions with his annoying big sister and his best friends feel authentic as well as comic, and I love the way Jo weaves through a subtle theme of fitting in (or not) which makes us care about the characters and builds to a satisfyingly warm but schmaltz-free ending.

Jo writes every day in Peckham library. Her favourite seat is sandwiched between thrillers and The Unexplained with a great view of the pie and mash shop.

Jo uses her rejection letters to prop up her wobbly desk. Her favourite SCBWI event is the retreat as it’s the perfect excuse to go away for the weekend with her brilliant friends.

She is writing middle grade boys humour.

We look forward to more success for Jo soon - well done Jo!