Delighted to Hear from North Queensland Writers
Far North Queensland
Beyond Caterpillar Days – Sneak Peak
So, so exciting! Super, super busy! I think I need a pair of butterfly wings! Flap, flap.
Above is our second last sneak peak of the enchanting illustrations by Helene before the launch. Just one more reveal! No poem to reveal, as you’ll see that in the book. Wow, our caterpillar book is about to fly! No more cocoon. . . so very soon our book will fly into your hands.
It’s final editing of the manuscript time – the point where the poet is not allowed to tinker or fine tune the metre of any more lines, but has to finally be satisfied for the line edits by magic Matilda.
We have some magical people in children’s writing and poetry, writing something about the book as we speak. Can’t wait for their feedback ! They are the first, other than the team, to see butterfly emerge from its cocoon.
Our design wizz Heidi will soon be doing her stuff, taking the manuscript and the art and putting it all together. Ah the decisions on font and so forth will be taking place.
I’ll be off to see the printer to make some final decision before that. Papers, binding, and other mysteries to hide from you all a little while longer. Ah for the mysteries of the cymk that will make the colours Helene has put into her art sing onto the page.
As for launching and so on, there’s still some research to be done, before we fix dates and places. Maybe we will make a trailer? We dream of flying or road tripping North to share our book in the place where the poems were born.
Will our dream come true?
(c) June Perkins
Magic Fish Dreaming
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Magic Fish Dreaming, an illustrated poetry book inspired by the natural wonder of North Queensland, for children and families, celebrates the Australian environment, storytelling and multiculturalism, and draws on the cultural backgrounds and experiences of June and Helene.
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For all those interested in pre-ordering, please email me at gumbootspearlz@gmail.com and I will include you in the upcoming mail out.
Large and small prepaid orders welcome.
Our first 100 preorders will receive a free calico bag. Cost of the pre-order will be $15 AUD plus postage ($13), if within Australia for single orders. For large orders or if from overseas we will give you a shipping or delivery quote and yes we can still send a calico bag per book if it is in our first 100.
If we can achieve at least 350 single book preorders we will be able to print all books HARD COVER.
Those working with migrant and multicultural children and settling them into country areas, those who celebrate unity in diversity, and with an interest in exploring a poetry of place, will especially love this book.
We feel that if you are in the tourism industry, especially in the Far North, you may also enjoy gifting this book to visitors, to take home to read with their families, to learn more about the wonderful place that is Far North Queensland.
Help us spread this news far and wide.
350 pre-orders, Magic Fish Dreaming will go hard cover!
We did it!
Can we make 200 backers?
We’d love to make it to 200+ backers for Magic Fish Dreaming and have the book reach even more homes! Currently at 115 backers with 8 days to go.
Interview with Ali
You can read an Interview with Ali Stegert on Magic Fish Dreaming HERE.
“Magic Fish Dreaming is a children’s picture book project written by my friend and crit-buddy June Perkins and illustrated by Helene Magisson. Today, I interview the author about her beautiful work and her dream of bringing the project to fruition.
A Dreamy Book for Youngsters
Ali: “A dreamy book for youngsters” is my five-word description of your book. How about you describe Magic Fish Dreaming in five words?” FOR THE REST OF THE INTERVIEW CLICK HERE.
Passing the $5000AUD Mark
So excited to let you know we have just passed $5000, and are now at $5049 raised towards our green light $9000 goal.
Just $3951 more and we will have our project definitely up and away!
There are just a few more hours left in our special Cassowary soft toy and book reward, so if you know anyone that would love this reward with the book, do let them know.
Thanks so much to Dimity Powell, who blogged our project today, and shared her blog throughout her networks. We greatly appreciate the assistance of Dimity and many others who are letting the wider community know about our book.
Mr Koala says check out this: ARTICLE BY DIMITY
We acknowledge continual supporters on twitter like the Children Writers Guild, Alesa Lajana, Nancy, Vacen and Lenora Riegel, Pasifika Tales, Australian Women Writers, and Torey-Ann Torres, as well as their retweeting friends!
A big thank you to Jan Cornall, the Writer’s Journey, and to Di Bates, at Buzz words for sharing information about our project in their newsletters. We now have a few multiple book order options available, as some people are buying one for themselves and one for a friend or library. So check out our custom rewards.
ABC Far North Queensland did a prerecorded radio interview. We will inform you when we know when and where this is airing and if there is an online podcast link.
Today the following stop press went out to schools.
Stop Press – Additional Note for Schools – Workshops Magic Fish Dreaming
We realise that for many schools and libraries to consider the workshop option and day visits they need to budget well ahead of time.
The schedule for this book is that it will be available October/November 2016 and the workshops will commence in 2017.
We recommend if you would love a presentation or workshop or term project for 2017 pre-purchase at least the book or Education Reward 1 so we make sure it happens and goes into print.
You will then have the satisfaction of knowing you supported a book which encourages the development of poets in our community from the earliest of ages.
We will convert your skype in Education Reward to the introductory talk to a large school group.
June has run poetry workshops in schools and for community groups, and has a graduate certificate in teaching and a PhD in writing empowerments. She is currently on an Australian Society of Authors mentorship for writing picture books and works mentoring University students in creative writing.
Helene has taught art in India. She is an award winning artist with four picture books that will have been published by 2017.
They are combining forces to inspire and share the process of collaboration, illustration, and poetry in programs will be suitable for budding illustrators and poets. Much of the information you will need for budget and grant consideration is on our project blog.
Furthermore you can look at the educational rewards in the kickstarter to get an idea of the costs and programs we provide.
First preference for 2017 workshops will be given to those schools and teachers who supported the kickstarter.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/juneperkins/magic-fish-dreaming
June and Helene are based in Brisbane. Travel outside of Brisbane’s CBD more than 50 km will incur additional travel costs.
(More information will be available on workshops soon)
Sampler
A short video featuring samples of illustrations from the book, alongside June’s photographs of the setting that inspired the poetry for this book.
To support the kickstarter HEAD HERE
Magic Fish Dreaming Update
So we’ve been going just over a week and have just reached $2434 with 42 backers. As you know our first goal it to reach $9000 to give our project a definite green light. We are nearly a third of the way!
The highlight so far has been receiving this energy boosting gift back from Tourism and Events Queensland.
This was accompanied by their own poem!
Dear June,
There’s no way we’re poets. And we’re quite sure you’ll know it. But like Queensland sunshine. We love to shine a light on projects- so divine. So please accept this token of appreciation to thank you for your dedication in making your creation that speaks of the most glorious state in our sunburnt nation. Sending all our love from the rainforest to the sand. Best Wishes and Good luck from your friends at Queensland. #thisisQueensland #loveQueensland
There have also been some wonderful star supporters, who keep encouraging the Magic Fish Dreaming team to keep our energy up! Thanks so much to Vacen, Nancy, Helene and Katrin.
Helene and I managed to meet up for the first time since she returned from France. Katrin took us to meet a primary school librarian. And I actually forgot to take a photograph (rare for me) but it was a great meeting, and has given us some thoughts about school bookings for workshops beyond the kickstarter. More on that later. It was lovely to escape my computer and real space chat with Helene and Katrin.
It is exciting to know our book is receiving support from the United States, Philippines, the United Kingdom, as well Australia.
We are now heading for our next thousand, and a half century of backers.
Keep up the momentum, Magic Fish Dreaming Backing Family! We’re feeling so much love and support, and hope we can announce the green light as soon as possible!
A special mention also to Michelle Worthington and Mel Irwin for their recent blogs about the project and to Writelinks, Buzz Words, Australian Poetry Times and the Children’s Book Academy who are helping put the word out through their networks.
Interview with Michelle Worthington
Mel Irvine on Magic Fish Dreaming
Magic Fish Dreaming 