We’re a fortunate crew here at Booked Out. If we’re ever feeling a little low on energy or inspiration as winter gusts its way in we have some never-fail remedies to which we can turn, as warm as Esther’s hot chocolate (with marshmallows) and as sparky as a campfire. BLOGS! Who would have thought that such an unexciting word could encompass the rich medium of musings, ideas and inspiration shared so generously by all sorts of thinkers, artists and doers? And it just so happens that many of our favourites (not that we are at all biased) are created by folk we are proud to represent.

One of those is Katherine Battersby (pictured), a children’s writer and illustrator and a recent addition to our Queensland list. Her blog races around the web under the name of The Well Read Rabbit, delivering unique epistles fizzing with spark. With a lovely interplay of words and images she considers topics big and small in the realm of children’s and YA literature, hopping from rabbits to book publishing and from illustration to self doubt with a playful eye. Her visual diary images are a delight, and a fascinating insight into how ideas and experiences can be grown into images and then into books by a deft and creative hand. So if a particularly frosty southerly is blowing your way this week, grab a hot cuppa and allow yourself five minutes to drink in some impish inspiration.

• Tanya Massy, Booked Out.

Teachers, Just A Few Weeks Left to Finish Your Bookings…

Term 2 finishes in two-three weeks across Australia. Whilst we can always help with last minute bookings, now is the time you want to be wrapping up your enquiries for Book Week, Literacy Week, or any date in Term 3.

Whilst our diligent agents beaver through their to-do lists (we relate to your report writing times!), a surefire way to get ahead of the bunch is to get in touch and follow up or place your final enquiries now.

Did you know, we still have dates in Book Week and / or Literacy Week for some touring speakers such as Deb Abela, JC Burke, Michael Bauer, Brian Falkner, Corinne Fenton, Pat Flynn, Meme McDonald, James Moloney, Narelle Oliver, and David Miller?

Our resident YA know-it-all, Bec Kavanagh, takes on a recent article from the the Wall Street Journal, which slammed Young Adult Fiction for being grotesque, overly graphic, and generally more depraved than in the good old days.

She blogged her response at the site of the A Thousand Words Festival (Melbourne’s own YA festival, founded and run by Kavanagh),here.

The Wall Street Journal uses this tagline for the article: “Contemporary fiction for teens is rife with explicit abuse, violence and depravity. Why is this considered a good idea?” Kavanagh points out that the article argues it’s case with a (questionably) limited sample of only ten novels. We add that the thrust of the article seems to be confusing censorship and/or banning with active parenting.

Today alone we in the office have heard three radio shows comment on and respond to this article; and there is sure to be more. Kavanagh’s assertion in her blog that the dark side of life is more visible nowadays, and for fiction to ring true to an audience should be represented, seems to hold water. Indeed, the strength I feel in Kavanagh’s article is the importance she attaches to the relatable voice, ready and waiting to help teens through what is universally acknowledged as a tough time of life.

It is times like this that Melbourne truly does feel like the city of literature. The entire city has been buzzing about books as festivals collide in and around the city. In the past week, we Booked Outers have been soaking up the literary rays of Reading Matters, The Emerging Writers Festival and the National Young Writers Month.

At an EWF event on Monday night authors Fiona Wood, Tim Pegler and CYL program coordinator Adele Walsh discussed YA fiction with author and blogger extraordinaire Andrew McDonald. There can be no doubt that young readers are reading voraciously when multiple city venues play host to the multitudes of local and visiting authors without missing a beat. At several events recently, the notion of ‘young’ readers has been raised. Why do we classify young adult as a genre unto itself? Does this somehow patronise a readership that is reading well-written, quality fiction and is attracting more and more adult readers?

Tim Pegler suggests that we ‘own’ the genre. A good if slightly controversial idea. Perhaps the YA genre is a way to classify books that are relevant, pacey, emotionally raw and often subversive rather than a way to knock back talented authors from the shelves holding ‘general fiction’ in bookshops. This line is blurred more frequently, especially with the introduction of ‘adult’ and ‘junior’ cover for the same book. Zoe Sadokierski’s brilliant session at Reading Matters looked at this and more, and she would know, having illustrated over 200 YA book covers. Perhaps the classification is unnecessary altogether as crossover titles find their way onto shelves and reading lists for readers of all ages. Reading Matters guest (and the visitor that inspires the ‘Marcus sigh’ when his name comes up in later conversation) Marcus Zusak is an excellent example, as ‘The Book Thief’ has grabbed readers from every age and background imaginable, making them talk excitedly about the power of the written word.

YA fiction is a place for vibrant role models to leap out from pages, encouraging all kinds of readers to identify with characters and explore the world around them between the safety of two covers. A “Damsels in Distress” panel at Reading Matters saw authors Lucy Christopher, Leanne Hall and Ursula Dubosarsky talking about their female characters. A prime example of fiction that can stand proud against many pieces written for ‘adults’, the work of these authors is built around characters that later become vibrant discussion points in classrooms and schoolyards.

YA authors know what readers want. How often do you hear an adult author say that they spent all night in the park (and getting asked by youths to pose as their mother and sign a tattoo permission form) to really get out of their comfort zone to identify with their characters? Cath Crowley can truly say that she knows what it is like to walk the streets of Melbourne now at night. The fact that many adults don’t read, read very little, read fluff, or read YA fiction (!) could be seen as a thumbs up from reader to writer. Perhaps it’s because they think about their audience and what they want from a book. This issue was discussed at the Reading Matters between Richard Newsome and Oliver Pommovanh and echoed in a similar discussion by panellists at the EWF on Monday.

So perhaps it’s time to give these authors the credit that they very well deserve, and admit that we all enjoy quality fiction, regardless of the shelf it’s placed on in the book shop.

• Bec Kavanagh, Booked Out

Combine your Book Week and footy day celebrations with one exciting event.

Felice Arena, award-winning author of the Specky Magee series, is hosting a fun and interactive presentation for Book and Literacy Weeks only. Suitable for prep to grade 6, Felice will have the whole school buzzing with excitement. Get into your footy gear, practice your marking skills and get ready to show off your best slow-motion replay, Specky Magee is coming to town!

Take this flyer to your next meeting and call us to book your session. Smaller schools could consider teaming up with neighbouring schools to make one big event.

Earlier this week Rob Forbes, an English teacher at Kyneton Secondary College, wrote a thought provoking opinion piece in The Age. Titled‘Corporate-speak sucks the life out of our education system’ the piece discussed the power of language in shaping thought and identity and the way this power is increasingly misused across different parts of contemporary society including politics, the education sector and the corporate world. The danger of this corporate speak, Forbes wrote, is that it can ‘deaden’ minds and ‘contract our horizons’; a scary proposition when considering the role of education.

Reading the piece brought to mind three events from over the past week. The first was a type of booking enquiry we regularly receive from a secondary school teacher asking for guidance in selecting an author capable of engaging a less academically inclined English class. The others were at various events – standing in a crowd of spell-bound folk listening to Cate Kennedy read a poem at the launch of her latest collection on Friday and sitting at the launch of The Emerging Writers Festival and hearing Meg Mundell sweep the audience into another realm with the artistry of her words. For Rob’s piece closes with the question ‘who do we want to help create the minds of future generations – rigid-thinking bureaucrats, or vibrant real people who speak and write language young people understand?’ Over the last week, as per any week of the year, various ‘Booked Outers’ have been visiting schools, libraries and festivals doing just that – using their skills as wordsmiths to engage, excite and open up new worlds.

• Tanya Massy, Booked Out.

Cath Crowley’s Graffiti Moon just goes from strength to strength with a shortlisting in the Young Adult category of the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards to add to her recent win in the 2011 NSW Premier’s Literary Awards. Morris Gleitzman is also shortlisted for a PM award, in the Children’s category for Now.

In other literary news, Karen Healey has won the Aurealis Award for best Young Adult Novel with Guardian of the Dead. The awards acknowledge the best writing in Australian science-fiction and fantasy. Her latest novel The Shattering has been receiving stellar reviews also. A name to watch!

Author Steph Bowe is the first in a long line of speakers Booked Out has arranged to conduct online residencies for the Brisbane Libraries online project, iBrary. The project hosts each author for a month, running a blog and then also online discussion boards. Take a look at what she’s been up to so far, over at iBrary.

It appears this month many Booked Outers are pondering the same thing: is literature sexist?

As mentioned earlier in a news post, Dr Leslie Cannold gave a fantastic lunchbox/soapbox address at The Wheeler Centre on the importance of female fictional characters across the entire virtue spectrum from the good girl to the villainess. This was published in The Sydney Morning Herald as the opinion article Fighting for the right to be equally mediocre.

Benjamin Law’s article, A prize of one’s own: the case for an Aussie Orange over at ABC’s The Drum has attracted a lot of heated discussion. He weighs in on the debate over literary prizes that are open only to female authors. There’s been a push to introduce an Australian version of the UK’s Orange Prize which is awarded only to women. Benjamin – in his trademark witty/crass/intelligent way – unpacks the pros and cons and ends up not only backing the idea, but offers some inspiration as to potential corporate sponsorship.

According to a recent Guardian article, the problem isn’t just for grown-ups. Children’s literature is also male-dominated according to a recent study. A concept children’s author and illustrator Sally Rippin explores over at her blog in a post today, Is the Hungry Caterpillar a boy or a girl?

Is there a collective noun for authors? Last weekend a herd/pod/mob of Booked Out authors headed north for the sparkly Gold Coast Literati Festival.

Angela Savage has treated us to an insightful write-up of the literary weekender, in two parts here and here.

Angela was paired up with fellow female crime writers, LA Larkin and PM Newton for the aptly named panel Deadlier than the male? as well as the adorable Kate Holden for a discussion of the impact of setting on a story. Daniel Ducrou was also up there to talk about setting in his session on “Slightly obscure” towns. Nick Earls and Max Barry spilled the beans on being published overseas. And Gregory Day, David Astle, Tony Wilson and Peter Rix shared some of their trade secrets with aspiring authors.