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Spreading the word
Thu 7 Apr 2011
There has been a lot in the publishing press this week about Arts Council England's funding cuts in the poetry sector, leading to Philip Pullman suggesting that the 'biodiversity of poetry publishing in England' is in 'jeopardy'. This particularly resonated with me as I have received two poetry books over the last few days - one for Mothering Sunday (thanks kids!) and the other one from a friend, via World Book Night (WBN). The WBN book was first given out in York, and who knows where it will end up over the years? Each book has a unique identifying number and it will be fascinating to track its journey. The book, The World's Wife, is by Carol Ann Duffy, and it's reignited my interest in poetry. It's one I would never have chosen myself, and that made it all the more special to receive - and read.
My daughter was really excited at the weekend to receive a set of Rainbow Fairy books from her friend at swimming. She had wanted to read them for ages, and it was totally unexpected, which made her all the happier! This week, she's been looking through her bookshelves, wondering how she can return the favour. The problem for her is that all her books 'mean' something to her - either because she loves reading them or they are a gift. We've got a shortlist now, and I know Amy will be very happy on Sunday when she receives Ella's gift (Ella has decided that Amy may want to try a different author so is passing on some of her Jacqueline Wilson books).
I don't think Ella's Rainbow Fairy books will have as interesting a journey as The World's Wife (they're unlikely to move from her shelves for a while!), but sharing books of all genres - via libraries, book clubs, events like World Book Day/Night, etc - is so important to keep going at the moment, particularly in a culture where encouraging literacy in communities seems to be such a low priority.
Have a good, sun-filled, week!
Tracey
The little things...
Tue 22 Mar 2011
I've been really busy in the last couple of weeks. I'm at what I call the 'first stage of labour' with one project - I know that there will be a beautiful product at the end of all the hard work, but at the moment I don't know how I'm going to get through the pain!!
The other project I have been working on is evidence that the hard work is worth it - and the baby is beautiful! In this case, a series of ICT resources aimed at primary children is the result. It's been a great project to work on and I'm really excited about the materials: www.risingstars-uk.com/series/switched-on-ict/.
Going through these different stages of 'labour' and 'birth' in my projects can be hard. When I'm immersed in a project, I have to try really hard to tip the balance the other way so that I make time to enjoy the 'little' things in life. One of my Facebook friends has been posting regularly about the small things that make her happy, and I have found it really inspiring. On this lovely sunny day, here are a few of mine:
- Sunshine!
- Watching the children play happily in the garden (with mud and worms on Sunday - lovely!)
- A cuppa and a good book/newspaper
- Receiving a finished version of a book/product I have worked on
- Snuggling up with my family watching a DVD
- Going for a run with my running buddy
- Cuddling the cat
- Facial/hot stone massage at Alexandra House Spa
- Lunch with a friend
- Cake and wine with the pudding club gals.
Here's to a sunshine-filled week,
Tracey
Nothing is impossible
Tue 8 Mar 2011
I often say 'Nothing is impossible' to my children when they are struggling with homework or feeling frustrated because they can't do something straight away. Today I was saying this phrase to myself as I attempted to jog up the steep cobbled hill near home (legs burning, muscles screaming, and lungs bursting!). I'm also thinking it now as I face a challenging project with a tight deadline.
It feels like a good day to be having this thought - the centenary year of International Women's Day. It is great to read about the celebrations taking place today in all sectors, including the literary trade: http://www.thebookseller.com/news/female-authors-heralded-international-womens-day.html.
Undoubtedly things have come a long way in the last 100 years - but there is clearly still such a long way to go until women around the world have equality of choice and opportunities socially, economically and politically. This short video, commissioned especially for International Women's Day, includes some very powerful statistics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkp4t5NYzVM&feature=player_embedded#at=20. It's already had mixed feedback, but, I think, the James Bond theme is a clever way to get the message across.
Let's hope that in another 100 years these kinds of statistics are history, and that there is a very different, far more positive, story to tell - of respect and equal opportunities for all. Nothing is impossible!
Happy International Women's Day, and all good wishes,
Tracey
World Book Day
Thu 3 Mar 2011
No one involved in the publishing world, or with young children, can fail to have noticed that it's World Book Day today. It's brilliant to set aside a day like this to celebrate books and reading, and I know that a lot of hard work has gone into marketing it and organising events around the country. (I read somewhere that there may also be a National Libraries Day from next year, in February, which would be great.)
I'm ashamed to say that in the last couple of weeks part of me has felt bombarded with information about today, particularly in terms of the build up of school activities: helping the children decide on and then choose their fancy dress for their favourite book character, Readathon sponsorship forms, remembering to bring in books for book swaps, etc. Focusing on these details threatened to override the real point of the day for me.
Three things have changed my perspective today:
1. Seeing and feeling the energy when I dropped the children off at school this morning - everyone guessing what their friends/teachers had dressed up as and getting their photos taken with their books.
2. Seeing how World Book Day has highlighted some brilliant campaigns. I particularly like http://www.savepublishing.org/about.html.
3. Reading Tom Palmer's blog entry about World Book Day, which reminded me of the importance of books, and why I love working with them: http://footballdetective.blogspot.com/2011/03/world-book-day-2011.html
Happy World Book Day!
All good wishes
Tracey
Libraries and rollercoasters
Tue 15 Feb 2011
It was brilliant to hear that Libraries Day was such a success. There was a real buzz in our local library on February 5. What struck me when we went in was the diversity of people there - young children tottering around looking at picture books, a student sitting at a PC typing up an assignment, an elderly gentleman reading his book in a quiet corner (and looking as though he was enjoying not being in the rain!), families, older couples. One of the things I love about libraries is the different choices it opens up for children. My daughter is reading the Chinese version of Cinderella (in English!) - something she would probably never have done if she hadn't seen it in the library.
Generally speaking, news about the library cuts is mixed - we can only hope that the reality of what will happen if these vital cornerstones of our community are destroyed hits home. Fast.
It's been a week of highs for Passion for Publishing, and for me personally. My application for advanced membership of the Society for Editors and Proofreaders was approved (see www.sfep.org.uk/pub/mship/structure.asp), and I've been beavering away to help meet the first press date for an exciting set of ICT resources for primary-level children - watch this space! I've also started work on a set of health materials - challenging, but I love a challenge! On a personal level, I'm also starting to get fitter and to conquer some (but by no means all!) of Calderdale's hills, in preparation for this year's running challenge - a 10k in April, May, June and July. All good.
But there's also been one big low. The brother of a very close friend was re-diagnosed with cancer in December and passed away yesterday. He was in his 40s. My heart goes out to my friend and her family. Apart from the obvious feeling of shock that someone so young and previously healthy has been taken like this, it does put 'life' into perspective.
Two cliches come to mind: 'Live life to the full' and 'Seize the day'. Often hard to put into practice when day-to-day stresses and pressure come into play. But I'm going to give it my best shot. Starting with a week's holiday next week!
Back in a couple of weeks.
All good wishes,
Tracey