Guest at Children’s Book Academy Blog

Presenting at Sandcliffe Writers Festival photo courtesy of Jo Hoffman

“One of the best parts of running the Children’s Book Academy is seeing the beautiful books that our students make. This one is from June Perkins who took our Self-Publishing with Crowdfunding course, co-taught by Jed Alexander and myself. Magic Fish Dreaming is truly gorgeous, getting rave reviews, and most importantly getting into children’s hands in June’s native Australia.

June did not want to wait for an editor or agent and the incredibly slow process of getting contracted and published. Because it’s a book of poems, which also makes it harder to be picked up by a traditional publisher, June was wise to follow her heart and take her destiny into her own hands to create the book that she wanted. With the help of her illustrator Helene Magisson, and a small village of both professional and non-professional help, June has created something very beautiful and meaningful.

We are so grateful that June was sympathetic with our instructions by getting her poems professionally edited and hiring a really high-quality professional illustrator and designer from the money she raised in her successful Kickstarter campaign. We are also grateful that this beautiful book exists because of its beauty, it’s diversity, and the environmental caring it subtly weaves through inspiration.

After the book came out, I was delighted to interview June for this blog in hopes that others will purchase it and learn from June’s innovative poem structures, the exquisite art, and about this magic place in far North Queensland where Magic Fish Dreaming takes place. Here’s the interview where June shares about her experiences of self-publishing and about her process in making the book.”

To VIEW the Video head to the wonderful Blog by Mira Reisberg

To find out more about our Instant Access Self-Publishing with Crowdfunding course click here. There’s currently a $60.00 discount with this Promo Code: ILOVEKidLit

100 kickstarter parcels sent out!

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We’ve sent 100 of the kickstarter parcels for the project out since Friday last week!

Would love to know what you think of Magic Fish Dreaming and about its arrival into your family or school!

So delighted to know it is being used for a poem before sleep in a few families already!

You can catch our second review on Good Reads, and feel free to add your own.

We have some more reviews coming up soon.

And check out Helene’s Christmas book!

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Must be time to put together a Magic Fish Dreaming trailer!

All the very best for Christmas and New Year.

The Magic Fish Dreaming Team

Luminous and Jubliant

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Magic Fish Dreaming – announcing the official poetry book launch, with JUNE PERKINS (poet), HELENE MAGISSON (illustrator) and supporters.

This will be held October 30th 2016, at Magda Community Artz, 80 Boundary Rd, Bardon, Brisbane,  3-5pm.

Join us in a delightful late afternoon of poetry, film, live music, dance and song, art, short inspiring talks, creativity, and photography – celebrating the setting, art and words of the Magic Fish Dreaming poetry book for children and families.

June and Helene will share the beautifully crafted outcome and process of their crowd funding journey, which led to 142 backers from ten countries believing and backing their vision for this book.

Bookings Essential

Link for Booking

 

 

Thank You Dear Backers All

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Art by Helene Magisson

‘Thank you dear backers all’
sing the Magic Fish Dreaming Team.
‘We hold you in high esteem
For believing in our book dream.
We plan to do you proud
And thank you beautiful crowd
for answering our kickstarter call.
Bless you – one and all.’

**

Honour Blog Roll

Yvonne Mes

Dimity Powell

Tahirih Twyford

Anil Tortop

Amanda Francey

Renee Hills

Nancy Kent

Karen Tyrrell

Jacqui Halpin

Rocher

Alison Stegert

Temily Eddington

Pamela Galeano

Felicity Plunkett

Catherine Greenman

Danny Letham

Katyoon Haghseresht

Elizabeth Kasmer

Paul Anthony Gerard

Elizabeth Lhuede

Alexandra Roberts

Zita Klaphake

Jo Hoffman

Ladan Ocora

Sally Knornschild

Christa von Zychlin

Mira Reisberg

Owen Allen

Rebecca Sheraton

Jocelyn Hawes

Lizzie Weigh

Jacque Duffy

Marcia Marseney

Valia Stevens

Laura Law

Robert Tidey

Gloria Webb

David Conley

Mel Irvine

Dr Anne Marshall

Frank and Judith Wark

Candice Lemon-Scott

Anna Gerard

Paul Gerard (Junior)

Janet Tallarigo Murphy

Aurorae Khoo

Melissa Shaw-Smith

Lailani Mirkazemi

Alan and Yvonne Perkins

Simon Michnowicz

Jenny Stubbs

Samantha Wheeler

Marie van Alphen

Lenora Riegel

Kerrie Morgan

Jan Cornall

H Lowe

Kevin Stark

Joly Laurence

Melody Grace Cave

Melina Dahms

Sona

Betty Cabral Collerson

Legoupil

Mandy Downing

Danielle Freeland

Katrin Dreiling

Margaret Morris

Joanna Dumaresq

Lydia Birt

Renee Price

Shirin Leila

Sam Eeles

Sonia Navidi

Chevallier Marthe

Helene Safajou

Kim Walti

Sonja van Kerkhoff

K Lyer

Tracey

Jan Streater

Farah Moshirian

Honora Jenkins

Sam Bowhay

Alison

Cameron McDonald

Melanie

Tanya Hempson

Lyn Oxley

Heidi

Noss Laurence

Moala Eseta Pease

Marion Gaemers

Carol Bonny

Diane Finlay

Helen Ramoutsaki

Renee Farrant

Lucy McGinley

Jessica White

Catherina Van der Walt

Lorraine Gray

Shirley Lynn

Julian Bluett

Aisea and Naz

Carmel Dore

Vanessa Bromley

Jane Nicholsen

Sally Moroney

Brenda May

Krystyna Palka

Georgie Donaghey

Sheryl Gwyther

Debbie Kahl

Phelicia Gardner

Ricardo Vargas Lubbert

Jedda

Sophie Masson

Jacinta

Laurie Trott

Tom Hearn

Karen Lane

Lydia Valeriano

Isobel Dore

Cherrie Ryan

Lea Goward

Vacen Taylor

Lyn Blanch

Joanne Austin

Norah Colvin

Cristina Whitehawk

Elizabeth Dere

Pixi Robertson

Mehera Moroney

Brynda Lattimore

Liz McLeish

Neidenberger Edouard

Stephanie Hansen

Toloui Wallace’s

Tyrion Perkins

Grant Hindin Miller

Edmond Keven Bona

Kate Shapcott

Renee

**

A special thank you to Write Links, Book Links,  the Children’s Book Academy, the Inspiration Garden, Soul Food Writing buddies,  friends from ABC Open, friends from writing groups I have been in, blog followers, the Creative community of Far North Queensland and the Baha’is for their  support.  

Thank you also to all  who so enthusiastically shared the kickstarter link with their friends, family and communities.

(This is now a permanent page link on the Magic Fish Dreaming Blog as well.)

fairy2 by Helene Magisson

Art by Helene Magisson

Thank you

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I have had so many dear messages from friends saying they wish they could give more for the Magic Fish Dreaming project, especially my artistic and poetic friends.

My answer, when you give with love, it shows, and Helene and I value amounts both large and small because of the love our backers show for Magic Fish Dreaming.

There are others who I know have dug deep to give to help this book, and whose belief that our book needs to be out in the world has led to them buying a copy to donate to their local library, buying copies for friends, grandchildren and more.

There were a few extremely special people who gave much more than I would have ever imagined. How could they do this I wondered and why? They just said because they totally believed it had to get over the line.

Who has been backing this book?

The Children’s Writing Community of Brisbane and online, friends and family of Helene and myself, Baha’is from around the world, some of whom I know.

The Children’s Book Academy people I did the course with, people and families never met people from the community of the Cassowary Coast where it is set, people working with children’s organisations who I knew from Wollongong days, fellow poets.

The Brisbane community, people from nature groups I follow on line, friends of friends, people who I have done blogs for BushTV and Australian Women’s Writers as well as Queensland Tourism Events staff, one of whom pledged for a book.

People who knew me growing up and knew I loved writing like high school friends who are going to give it to grandchildren or want to own a copy. Writing groups I have been in or worked with, from Cairns, Cassowary Coast, Wollongong, and more. Flickr friends! Blogger friends. Friends from Soul Food blogs with Heather Blakey.

Some have come from the kickstarter search engines, or seeing the blogs and website.

Helene and I acknowledge the many people who have been spreading the word for the project! We have a very large group of morale boosting supporters, who have been tweeting, blogging, spruiking to friends, and encouraging us to be courageous. You are great supporters whether you have backed financially or not, and we value your help.

So thank you so much to all of YOU. This project is yours too, because you believe in it and have been supporting it.

We hope to make you very proud!

I am working on a thank you poem for the honour roll of backers on the blog.

On Wednesday Helene and I meet to launch the next phase of the project, and very soon we also meet with Matilda and Heidi.

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Magic Fish Dreaming Press Clippings

Blog over at Love the People You Meet

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Radio Interview

My Family

Australia Poetry Times, pp. 47 -8

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Article with Quest Paper p. 4 City North News March 10th 2016

ABC Far North Radio Interview

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Poetry for Children interview with Ali Stegert

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Art Books for Children -an article by Mel Irvine at Love the People You Meet

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The Fabulous Write Links 

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DimsWriteStuff visit to a Dimity’s blog

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June Perkins Talks to the Tune of Magic on Just Write for Kids Blog

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Kids Poetry Book interview with Karen Tyrrell

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Buzz Words Did a Few Things for Us

15th February

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1st March

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15th March

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Meeting with Councillor Vicki Ward to Discuss the Project

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Also included in Newsletter and Mail Outs from friends with teachers

And in the newsletters of 

Jan Cornall

Children’s Book Academy

Last Chance to Pledge for Magic Fish Dreaming

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The kickstarter has just 3 days to go.

We are currently at $9491AUD and would love to make it to $10,000AUD if we can – Anything more would be amazing as we would dearly like to print the book hard cover, but we are so thrilled with how much we have been able to raise for our project.

We are preparing our thank you honour roll blog and have been already saying lots of thank yous.  We think maybe it needs to include its own special poem.

We may still look at a few more  creative ways to fund our project up to hard cover level if we can, so keep a look out for future announcements.

To visit the Kickstarter and Pledge for a Book  click here.  KICKSTARTER LINK

For our overseas and blog fans on a budget, there is a $10AUD PDF option and there is still a chance to purchase a top level reward, art by Helene, workshops, Cassowary, education kits.  And don’t forget two books, two calico bag special, and we may have another special tomorrow morning! So look out for that.

We are going to organise and online and real space launch for later in the year, for those who can make it.  We look forward to a very special event for our launch.

A big thank you to everyone who has been following our journey.

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We have the green light! Now what?

 

 

We’re so happy and thankful to announce that Magic Fish Dreaming has the green light.

Our project has lift off thanks to you,  all our wonderful backers.

We are so happy to know this book is going out into the world and grateful for everyone that believed in us from the first mention this kickstarter would be happening. Yes, thanks so much Writelinks, Children’s Book Academy,  and many, many more! The blog honour roll is going to be so much fun to put together.

Well Helene is beginning more intensive work on the storyboard!  She is keen to get cracking on the rest of the illustrations.

As for me, I am definitely going to sleep better tonight!  And we are still going to have some media coverage next week and have some brilliant news to share.

But there is more. Now we can go for a stretch goal!

A stretch goal is what we can do if we raise above our $9000AUD funds.

When putting together a kickstarter budget the thing most project coordinators do is work out the lowest amount they can raise in order to achieve their project.

However, there is always a goal post beyond that first goal.  For Magic Fish Dreaming we had further goals if we were able to manage to raise more funds this is what we would do.

STRETCH GOAL 1 – Add more pages of art and poetry! $15,000 AUD / 10348 USD/ 9478.71 Euros/ 7307 (GBP)pounds We can increase number of pages for the book to 40! Do some beautiful end papers with a special design from Helene.

STRETCH  GOAL 2 – Cover Charisma! $20,000+ (AUD)/ 13679.90 USD /12550.47 Euros/9611 (GBP)pounds Now we can print all the books in hard cover with a durable and attractive case binding. One poem can be translated into French or motu.

STRETCH GOAL 3 – Another Film! $25,000 (AUD)/ 1725 USD/ 15789 Euros/ 12171 (GBP) pounds. June can create another engaging creative short poetry film featuring Helene’s art and June’s photography, voice, and poetry. We’ll give you a chance to vote on which poem has a short film outing. June will also ‘sound cloud’ the most popular poems for those who would like to hear readings by the poet.

Help us to expand upon the initial  dream by continuing to invite others to pledge https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/juneperkins/magic-fish-dreaming

We would be delighted to welcome more to the Magic Fish Dreaming family!

If you could keep sharing our project that would be brilliant, because we have a chance over the next week, to attempt to make a stretch goal.

Would be fantastic if we could unlock another goal!

The best thing is that now, you, and we, can tell everyone this project is definitely happening.

Thanks to everyone joining our happy project green light dance.

You can keep following our progress for this project at  our blog or facebook, where we also love to keep up with environmental news from around the world and share interesting links about that, and art and Queensland.

magicfishdreaming.wordpress.com

https://www.facebook.com/magicfishdreaming/?ref=hl

All the best,

From June, Helene and the Rest of the Magic Fish Dreaming Team