A friend once told me about an author who visited her school and was mean. I said, “Mean how?” She said, “Nasty in the way they spoke to the children.” Apparently for the rest of the year when the children, who were about seven years old, complained of friends ‘being mean’ someone would ask, “As mean as [insert author name]?” and the response was always, “No. Not that mean!”
Can you imagine delivering a 45-minute presentation to a group of school children and becoming the benchmark for mean? Youch!
I’ve never met this author, but I confess that long before I heard the mean story, I thought their books were boring.1 So given that their books are dull and apparently, they’re mean, I’ve been feeling like to don’t like them.2 The librarian at work recently pointed out one of their books as a favourite and I had to stop myself from saying something awful about this creator whom I’ve never met. I looked up their website and noticed I was screwing up my face. Look at them. So smug. Now I’m the one being horrible. Make me stop.
Teaching in schools I’ve been lucky enough to sneak into many author presentations. I like to see what other people do; it’s professional development. Most of my talks link directly to my books so I can’t lift ideas directly from another presentation, but I’m interested in how people pace their sessions and how they involve the children. I saw Boori Monty Pryor in 2015 and loved how he engaged the audience from start to finish. I could never emulate his style of storytelling but seeing him marked some kind of turning point for me, in how I planned my sessions. Of course, years on my program has morphed and shifted and morphed again but there’s still a bit of Boori buried underneath.
I’ve never seen anyone mean but I have seen a couple of lackluster presentations, like the author who couldn’t remember the names of the characters in his novel. That’s what happens when you don’t care, and you don’t prepare. But most creators care deeply and prepare thoroughly. It’s a hard gig rocking up somewhere new and performing solo. For the most part, we try our best. (I wrote a rather tired post-Book Week newsletter about school visits last year. You can read it here. I’ve removed the paywall for a while.)
Perhaps the mean author was mean because the children weren’t responding in the way they’d hoped. Perhaps they’d planned and prepared for weeks only to find the children were distracted and that felt disrespectful. Perhaps the author felt like a circus animal stuck in the ring while the crowd threw popcorn. What was the ringmaster doing? I don’t know. I wasn’t there but perhaps their books aren’t really that dull. Maybe I should take another look.
Sometimes I dream about living as an Aussie author in the 1980s when there was no social media, books had lengthy print runs without discount sales, and people reached out via snail mail. Awards were awarded with ceremony and schools valued libraries and teacher librarians. What a world. But it’s 2024 and I’m sure there are advantages to this time too. Like, um. Tell me. What are the best things about being a children’s author unique to this time?
Connection perhaps. Communication is easier across cities and states, and I have writer friends whom I love near and far. I’m grateful for that. Also, the industry is less sexist and more diverse (but not perfectly so). Anyway now is now so I should just get on with it. I’m not sure where this has bubbled up from anyway. Perhaps I’m reflecting on public judgment.
Speaking of judging, I’ll tell you something lovely (in case you missed it!) One Little Duck has been shortlisted for a CBCA Early Childhood Book of the Year Award. You can read my gushing thank-yous on Facebook here or Instagram here. I was crying a little as I posted because being shortlisted feels big and I can’t quite believe how fortunate I am to see my name on the list two years in a row.
Danny Snell and I will be presenting One Little Duck together at the SA Meet Our Notables Stars event on Friday, May 3. There might be singing. It was such a joy making this book with Danny. The process was more collaborative than with any book I’ve created before. We’ll talk about that on the night.
For educators focusing on the shortlist this year, I’ve made a One Little Duck video. (I also made one for Bev and Kev. About a year too late but oh well!) Also, I have a couple of dates available on The Gold Coast in October for Author Visits. I promise not to be mean. You can find out more here.
Sometimes I hesitate before publishing a newsletter (what will people think of me?) but then I think about the time it will take me to write something else and decide to share whatever I have, me as I am. Hope that’s okay.
Thank you to
and for recommending this newsletter and sending so many readers this way. Welcome, new readers! Thanks for sharing the ride.Sending lots of love to everyone and I’ll see you in May.
Katrina xx
Even though their work is highly acclaimed.
I know this is wrong and I’m being unfair.
We all judge, and we should be able to. Judging is just an opinion based off observed behaviour. Children, are great judges- especially when it comes to character. The ‘mean author’ most likely is just lacking skills when it comes to teaching children- and children pick up on this.
I’ve seen a contingent of the Kids Lit community - and I’m referring to those who label themselves as ‘aspiring Author’ & ‘soon to be published Author’ etc- who mistakenly think this industry is about them. It’s not, it’s about kids.
Some of these creators have large online followings - but it doesn’t translate to real life on the ground. Some are all about ‘The Instagram Book Launch’ etc- but they’re not prepared to work in schools.
This is the industry we work in- you have to be able to connect with children, to engage them, to teach them. We are actually part of the Education system, and more broadly- the Communication industry. And when you study how to ACTUALLY communicate effectively- you improve the quality of what you deliver to children. A good story is not enough. You have to be able to speak in front of children & make them feel valued. Your books are a GIFT to them- as are any appearances you do at a school etc. It must be this way. If you can’t be bothered to remember your characters or engage meaningfully with kids, you’re in the wrong business. A strong online presence does not equate to this-just because you can speak well to camera, doesn’t mean you speak well publicly. And you can’t edit when you’re live- and in most cases, the opposite is true- take Andy Griffiths for eg. He is a certified ROCKSTAR live but he has a small amount of followers on Instagram ( under 8000 last time I checked.)
New Creators need to realise that a) you need to speak in schools & b) you need to be able to communicate effectively
I realised early on that I needed to upskill- I was a shy person when I started out- but I knew I had to learn how to speak publicly, and to connect with kids. Every school visit is an opportunity to practice those learned skills and to connect with your audience.
We all judge, and we should be able to- so as to hold each other accountable so that the quality of books for children, and how they are shared with children-improves.
We just need to do it in a respectful, constructive way airing on the professional over the personal. Dub Leffler
I reeled at the story of the 'mean' author and then as i read on, i could see that i, too, was judging, and the story was further on than even second-hand! But, still, it had left an awful impression with young children and for that I'm sad. How do we know it didn't turn one child off reading?? I have a toe in both eras of the publishing game and I think having books in bookshops for a lengthier time rather than the dizzying whirl-about as it is now, was a huge advantage. However, due to social media, i've attended/presented at many interstate festivals, received requests from publishers, some ongoing commissions etc. and it certainly has helped in developing friendships and networking and a greater awareness of the publishing industry.