Dimity Powell loves filling every spare moment with words. She’s the Managing Editor for Kids' Book Review and writes and reviews exclusively for children with over 30 published stories including Oswald Messweather (2021), Pippa (2019), critically acclaimed, The Fix-It Man(2018), At The End of Holyrood Lane, winner of the 2019 SCBWI Crystal Kite Award and the digital interactive narrative, The Chapel of Unlove for the Story City App, shortlisted for the Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards 2016.
To Read, Write and Inspire, especially for children, has been Dimity’s passion for decades. She’s been actively indulging in it since 2008 along with regularly attending CYA Conferences which she attributes as the source of much of her knowledge and success. She is also an experienced presenter both in Australia and overseas, a Books in Homes Australia Role Model, an accredited Write Like an Author facilitator and online presenter for G.A.T.E.WAYS Education.
Dimity believes kids and great stories are life-essentials, like ice-cream. She spends her spare time reviewing the ones she loves (stories that is, not ice-cream flavours) at DIM’S re VIEWS . Discover more at www.dimitypowell.com
WHAT CYA CONFERENCE DID FOR ME
Since attending my first CYA Conference in 2008 I’ve harboured a secret desire that one day I would be able to share my own success story. Listening to the achievements of others, no matter how tentative or grandiose, thrilled and empowered me to continue on my own quest.
That year I entered picture book manuscripts and a chapter book manuscript into the CYA Competition, motivated mainly by the offer of detailed feedback. All entries, whilst not shortlisted were rated in the top ten placings. I was awestruck. I feverishly savoured every word on the feedback forms, dutifully noting any weak areas.
I have attended the Conference every year since then.
I have entered and attained encouraging (top ten) placings in the competition. I have pitched my wares to Industry personnel and relished the positive, immensely useful feedback. I have gained volumes on how to better myself and my craft from the illuminating seminars and workshops and I have received nothing but undiluted support every step of the way.
I can honestly say that without this gem of a Conference, I would not be in the position to call myself a Children’s Author today. And I would never have persevered with perfecting that chapter book manuscript, which became “PS Who Stole Santa’s Mail?” and my first contracted book.
