Belinda Landsberry's Journey to Publication via the KBR Award

I feel both privileged and honoured to write a few words regarding the KBR Unpublished Picture Book Manuscript Award for 2015. This life-changing literary event is fast approaching for unpublished authors and illustrators, so my advice is enter – as many times as you can!

I submitted a total of eight manuscripts in 2013. I know, eight is a lot, but I’d been writing and illustrating picture books for some 20 years, and to be honest I couldn’t choose my favourite. Better to enter as many as possible and let the experts decide, right? Because as any writer will tell you, choosing a favourite manuscript is like a parent choosing a favourite child; it’s a daunting and impossible task!

Interview: KBR Unpublished MS Award Winner Rebecca Colless

even as a tot, our winner was a creative soul

In just one month, Kids Book Review is launching its second annual Unpublished Picture Book Manuscript Award. We've made some changes to the award, making it easier to enter - with a larger cash prize for the winner. But most exciting of all, we have a wonderful publisher who is willing to look at the winning manuscript!! We will reveal ALL on 16 April . . .

To celebrate our second year running this award, we are taking a look back at our 2011 award - and are excited to introduce you to the winner of our Unpublished Author category - Rebecca Colless - whose fabulous story - Bollinger's Feast - was an absolute joy to read.

Enjoy this peek into the life a true lover of words - and stay tuned for our interview with our Published Author 2011 winner - Catriona Hoy.

Who are you? Is this a trick question?

What do you do? Currently, I am developing a non-fiction picture book for our local water supplier. It’s for toddlers. I previously developed a kindergarten book for the same business. I also manage the marketing for my husband’s business: www.redbeardbakery.com.au. And I’m a mum. In my spare time I sing, walk and read (not always simultaneously).