Janet Reid grew up on a dairy farm in Queensland and spent many hours making up and acting out stories, often neglecting her chores. Later, she became a primary school teacher, working in many different areas in Queensland.
Now she likes to use both her farm and classroom experiences to write for children. Janet's first children's chapter book, The Ruby Bottle, was published by IP (Interactive Publications) this year, and her second book, Granny Rags, is due out early 2013, again through IP.
Janet is currently writing a sequel to The Ruby Bottle, and studying writing at The University of Queensland, but in her spare time, she reads as many children's and young adult books as she can.
WHAT CYA CONFERENCE DID FOR ME
In 2009, I entered the CYA competition for the first time with The Ruby Bottle. While it wasn't shortlisted, the story did rank quite close to the top, and I was encouraged by the feedback I received. I worked on the manuscript and entered it in the IP Kidz competition where it won first prize in 2011, from which I was offered a contract.
My second book, Granny Rags, which is due for release in 2013, also started its journey at a CYA conference when I pitched it to Woolshed Press Editor, Leonie Tyle. Her feedback helped me see some fundamental flaws in my manuscript and I felt once again encouraged to work on this story before entering it in the IP Kidz 2012 competition where it won first place this year.
Not only is the CYA competition a great way to receive valuable feedback for writers, but the conference is also an excellent way for emerging writers to begin their networking and to hone their craft through the various workshops and master classes offered and presented by well-established writers and illustrators.
