Something for the weekend

Francesca Simon Audio interview

Just One More Book has a  really interesting interview with Francesca Simon. Despite being a global phenomenon  since the mid nineties Horrid Henry is only now being published in the US. The interview touches on what might have delayed the US release, and there is also much discussion of the pleasure of reading aloud.  Well worth the 25 minutes for this one.

Shaun Tan, words and pictures

Today’s Guardian has a great piece with illustrator Shaun Tan – who as you all know is a VHC favourite.

All fiction is false; what makes it convincing is that it runs alongside the truth. The real world has lots of incidental details, so a painting also has to have that element of imperfection and irregularity, those incidental details.

There’s also a slide show with the story of Eric, as contained in Tales from Outer Suburbia here.

Snip Snip went the report

There has been so much written about An Bord Snip already that in some ways I am loathed to add more google hits but here goes…..

The McCarthy report makes some recommendations specifically in relation to the Department of Arts Sports and Tourism (DAST) that will have a direct impact on the sector. For arts and literature the three key alarm bells are

1. The Department of Arts, Sport & Tourism should also be critically examined in light of the extensive savings that are proposed in this area and scope for transferring its functions to other Departments.
   Adopting the above proposals would allow for the creation of up to two other Departments, whose creation could reflect emerging priorities for the Government.
2. Reduction of allocation for Arts Council €6.1m
3. Discontinuation of allocation for Culture Ireland €4.6m

For children’s books there are other key areas of concern specifically within Education and these added to the cuts to the school library budgets already discussed are terrifying, how and ever that is for another post. Back to DAST.

The first thing that seems clear to me at least, is that DAST might not have the guts to fight for their own survival. There is a sense of inevitability about this recommendation and nothing since or before (when the rumours about the future of the department were rife) has shown me that there is a plan or a notion to oppose this from within the department or specifically the Minister’s office. Maybe I’m wrong and maybe behind closed doors there is a helluva barney going on. But if it is, its a very very quiet one. Taking away the department and its specific remit will be counterproductive in the long run.

A reduction in allocation to the Arts Council is probably no great surprise to anyone, least of all the Council themselves. What remains to be seen is how Council will react. Early signs indicate they are prepared to come out fighting. Of Course, as a state body they won’t comment about specifics but this week’s release of the long awaited Touring Experiment report might be an indication that they are intent on moving forwards instead of retrenching. Likewise the strong words from Galway at the weekend might be a sign of stronger words to come. What size of Merrion’s Square pie will be allocated to Literature is anybody’s guess. About 5% of Arts Council budget went specifically to Literature in 2009. There is other support through festivals, bursaries and the cnuas etc no where near enough to challenge theatre’s current 28%.

A €6mn reduction the Council’s budget is about a 10% decrease overall. Add to this the cuts rolled over from 2009 and it  is unlikely that literature’s allocation will do anything but fall. One very serious implication is where this leaves Dublin’s application for designation as UNESCO city of literature. In a time where cultural tourism is the happiest story that the arts sector can share, an under resourced literature sector won’t be able to fully support, celebrate and define a new designation.

And what is to happen to Culture Ireland- the body charged with promoting Irish Arts abroad. Its modest budget goes towards Irish arts and artists participating in international projects and events, helping to build our reputation and our cultural profile. For literature, Culture Ireland supported Irish publishers and organisations attending bookfairs and making international contacts. International rights deals are hugely important to irish publishing, offering a vital supplement to retail income. And while CI’s support to literature was lower than other artforms, taking away an organisation charged promoting arts abroad will have a detrimental effect on the sector as a whole. Similar to disbanding DAST, if Culture Ireland goes, it will be very hard to get it back.

So far, so gloomy. I’m sure there are so bright sparks out there its just that the fog has fallen now and its hard to lift it. Hopefully more cheery posts to follow later in the week!

Poetry Ireland event on google and digital publishing

For anyone in Dublin on Monday you might want to attend

The Google Book Settlement and the Future of Digital Publishing

Poetry Ireland present an information seminar on the Google Book Settlement alongside a discussion on the future and present state of digital publishing. Primarily for and in the interest of writers and poets, the event is open to all. The panel is to include: chair, Seamus Cashman, author and CBI board-member; Sam Holman, ICLA; and Oisín McGann, author and CBI board-member.

Venue: Cheyne Theatre, Royal College of Surgeons, York St Entrance, D2

Time: Monday 20th July at 11.00am

T: 01 4789974 E: RSVP info@poetryireland.ie

When great things happen to great people

For many people in Ireland Robert Dunbar is the voice of children’s books having being a regular contributor on radio and in print. Robert has pioneered the study of children’s literature as an academic discipline. Today, Trinity are recognising Robert’s enormous contribution with an Honorary Doctorate. A very worthy accolade for a career dedicated to children’s books.

(rumours that CBI staff will be in Trinity Front Square wearing fake beards to celebrate are completely without foundation).

Here’s what Trinity have to say about Robert

Born in Co. Antrim and a graduate of QUB, Mr Dunbar for decades has been the doyen of children’s literature in Ireland. He has been a key figure for the establishment of children’s literature as an academic subject in Ireland and beyond. He has been the public face and voice of the study of children’s literature on television, radio and in the newspapers. Founding member of the Children’s Literature Association of Ireland and its President for two years. Most of his teaching career was with one of TCD’s associated colleges, the Church of Ireland College of Education, where he taught for over 25 years; he also lectured for many years on TCD’s Bachelor in Education programme.

School Library Budget cuts – put ‘em under pressure

Martina Devlin has an opinion piece in today’s Irish Independent about the cut to the school library budget.

It didn’t cost a lot, at around €2m a year, but it made a difference. It meant books — not textbooks but attractively packaged, recently-published novels and non-fiction books — were introduced into the classroom.

After almost 40 years, the scheme has now been discontinued. There is no School Library Grant for 2009 — the budget is gone. Not reduced but removed. Teachers and librarians expected some decrease, in view of economic circumstances, but to their dismay it has simply vanished.

The impact of the cuts for children, teachers, authors, illustrators, publishers and suppliers is huge. If you feel as strongly about this as we in CBI do, please please tell your elected representatives local, national and European.  You might also want to Talk to Joe about it. The more we can raise our voices the better.

There is also a good report about how the scheme operates available from Wexford Libraries here

Some Link Love

What books people worldwide are buying right now

What to do when a ten year old wants to read Twilight

Reach Out and Read – Coming Soon to Temple Street Children’s Hospital

A reminder about OFFSET

The relationship between publishers and bloggers

Guest Post on Eoin Purcell’s Blog – An Author’s view of Electronic Publishing

VulpesLibris on Losing and Finding her reading Mojo and being a teenager

BookTrust Teenage Prize Longlist

The Secret of Kells wins Audience Award at Edinburgh Film Festival

What’s a baby worth (to a bookseller)

Browne begins to beat the drum

New children’s laureate Anthony Browne has fired his first shot as laureate. As an illustrator, he has been clear that much of his laureateship will focus on words and pictures.

Read his piece in yesterday’s Guardian about the role of  visual art in schools.