I celebrated the ultimate event in my Writer’s year …
The Australian CYA Conference 2016 at Southbank TAFE, Brisbane celebrated its 11th birthday. A one-day action-packed creative retreat for writers. Refreshing. Exhausting. Exhilarating.
I shared this amazing day with my writing buddies and colleagues, participating in writing courses. I scribbled down blueprints for my next writing projects, revitalizing my creative brain to the MAX.
Who WON first place in the CYA Conference 2016 Writing Competitions?
DRUM ROLL ...
Picture Book Preschool …
Oh, So Many Kisses! – Maura Finn,
Picture Book Primary School …
The Midnight Feast – Kim Astill
Picture Book Non Fiction …
Loop the Loop – Jenny Gahan
Chapter Books – Younger Readers
Vikings Behaving Badly – Catherine Pelosi
Chapter Books – Older Readers
Ist Over Ice Under Sea – Marian McGuinness
2nd Winifred Weatherby Saves the Century – Alison Stegert
Young Adult
Bram – Helen Shorrocks
Graphic Novels, Illustrated Picture books & Illustrated Middle Grade Novels
Six Sleepy Mice – Heidi Cooper Smith
Published Author
Bessie And Mo : Hat : Freya And The Scaredy-Dog – Karen Collum
Pitching to Publishers & Agents…
Writer friends from my Brisbane writer’s group Write Links pitched their stories to editors and publishers, receiving positive feedback and encouragement, Fingers crossed they ‘ll receive a contract too.
What WINNING ideas did the Presenters teach me?
James Phelan —How to write popular fiction. — Find & keep your audience when there’s SO much media competing for attention.
Aleesah Darlison —Write It! Pitch It! I learned valuable insider tips and tricks for writing chapter book stories and getting published.
Dee White — Waging WAR with your characters — Putting your characters into conflict. PLUS Conquer critiquing and finding fabulous feedback.
Brian Falkner— Grab ’em by the b@#%s! Ratcheting up the suspense and tension.
Publisher Panel: — Industry editors and publishers shared exactly what they’re looking for in The First Page: hooking them to read on.

James Phelan, Brain Falkner, Yvonne Mes, Megan Forward, Katrina Germien, Shannon Horsfall, Dee White, Chrissie Krebs, Aleesah Darlinson
Success Panel Winners …
Congrats to Yvonne Mes, Shannon Horsfall, Megan Forward and Chrissie Krebs who divulged their truly inspirational and surprising journeys on how they became published.
Yvonne Mes Write Links — published Oliver Grumbles and Meet Sidney Nolan.
Shannon Horsfall Write Links –published Was Not Me on 3 July.
Megan Forward published — A Patch from Scratch.
Chrissie Krebs published – This is a Circle and Whats Weird about Santa’s Beard.
My Success Story …
Two years ago, I , Karen Tyrrell shared my own Success Story at CYA Conference with publishing Bailey Beats the Blah and STOP the Bully. Both resilience books winning endorsements from Kids Helpline and a mental health achievement award. Since then I launched picture book, Harry Helps Grandpa Remember, winner of a RADF grant. Plus I published Super Space Kids series: Jo-Kin vs Lord Terra and Jo-Kin Battles the It.
Who were the REAL Winners of CYA Conference 2016?
We who attended, who were willing to embrace the wealth of experience, knowledge and inspiration from TOP publishers, agents, illustrators and authors.
CYA Conference 2016 delegates shared a unique opportunity to shape our writing lives and craft us into the writers we could be.
Only if we believed!
What was your favourite experience at CYA Conference 2016?
How were you INSPIRED?
Thanks for including me Karen!
Hi Ali,
My Pleasure. You came a very close second. You are on the brink of your writing career. I can’t wait to hear what happens next …
Wishing you every success!! Karen 🙂
Great wrap up, thanks Katen.
Lovely overview of the conference Karen, thank you, and it was delightful to finally meet face to face.
Hi Debra,
Lovely to see you here. Thanks for checking out my CYA Wrap up. Thrilled you liked it.
Happy writing … Karen 🙂
Hi Cecilia,
What a lovely surprise to finally meet you. Thanks for coming over to say hi.
Thrilled you like my conference overview… Karen 🙂
Thank you Karen for showcasing the Success Stories. Was an honour to be among such talent. You are a such an advocate of your industry and peers.
Congratulations on launching your book today, Shannon. Thrilled you came over here to check out the CYA Conference and your Success Story, Cheers, Karen 🙂