Leona Forde, from Bandon, has been selected to present her debut book to international peers at this year’s Children’s Books Ireland International Conference in the Light House Cinema in Smithfield, Dublin, on the 16th and 17th of September.
Leona Forde’s debut book, ‘Milly McCarthy is a Complete Catastrophe’, published by Gill Books year, follows the story of Milly McCarthy as she causes havoc on a school tour of Fota Wildlife Park.
Leona studied English and History at UCC and now teaches at Kinsale Community School. She wrote Milly McCarthy for her eldest daughter, who wanted a Wimpy Kid style story, set in Ireland. Leona also writes poetry, and her work has been published in the Cork Words anthology. Leona is currently working on the third book in the Milly series.
The New Voices slot spotlights debut authors and illustrators nominated by both Irish and international publishers, creating books across a range of genres for young readers of all ages. Each nominee will present their debut work to the conference audience for five minutes.
Elaina Ryan, CEO of Children’s Books Ireland, said: “The theme of this year’s conference is ‘Risk and Reward’. For our New Voices, presenting their debut work to fellow authors, illustrators, publishers and booklovers may seem a daunting brief, but the reward will absolutely outweigh the risk.
“It’s a brave thing to put something you’ve created out into the world but Leona, and all our New Voices, can be assured, they will find only celebration and support from Children’s Books Ireland and our audience!”
Running for over 25 years, this year’s conference will invite speakers to reflect on the theme ‘Risk and Reward’. International speakers include:
- Husband and wife team, author Kiran Millwood Hargrave, and illustrator Tom de Freston, who have together published Julia and the Shark and Leila and the Blue Fox, among other solo titles;
- Shawn Harris, US illustrator of titles including The Eyes of the Impossible and The First Cat in Space ate Pizza;
- Katherine Rundell, author of titles including Impossible Creatures and Rooftoppers;
- Ross Montgomery, author of titles including Spellstone and Sheep School; and
- Manjeet Mann, author of The Crossing and Run, Rebel.
Spotlighting the diversity of writers and illustrators in Ireland, CEO of Black and Irish, Leon Diop and its Managing Director, Briana Fitzsimons, will discuss a new collaborative project with Little Island Books; and Brazilian picturebook creator, Tarsila Krüse, who has lived in Ireland since 2007, will discuss her experience of learning and working in the Irish language for titles such as Púcaí Schmúcaí! and Ná Gabh ar Scoil!.
The conference will also hear from Laureate na nÓg Patricia Forde and from Laura Ryan, Assistant Librarian in DCU’s Special Collections and Archives. Laura will present the partnership between DCU Library and Children’s Books Ireland, which sees hundreds of books transferred each year to the university’s care.
With support from the Arts Council of Ireland, the Children’s Books Ireland International Conference will be live-streamed on YouTube and financial support will be available to delegates to assist in travel, accommodation and childcare costs. Children’s Books Ireland has also made a limited number of free in-person and digital tickets available for unwaged persons who wish to attend in-person and online.
