Growing Kids’ Lit in New Zealand

The Sapling:

Growing Kids’ Lit in New Zealand

Kids, parents, grandparents, people who have been children: everybody loves children’s books. Sarah Forster and Jane Arthur, editors of The Sapling have always known this, but they never expected the reception they’ve received for their crowdfunding project on boosted.org.nz.

The Sapling - a new online magazine all about children’s books - reached 73% of its target funding goal in a staggering five days.

“We always knew there’d be a healthy level of support for the website, but we had no idea just how passionate or how numerous our supporters would be.”

Already backed by Creative NZ, the funds raised via their Boosted campaign will help make ‘The Sapling’ a reality and solidify the project’s ongoing success.

The Sapling is a unique offer in New Zealand’s literary world: a free online magazine about books for kids and teens. It’s a multi-contributor site which pays talented, engaged writers to write essays, opinions, interviews and reviews. There will also be craft ideas, book lists, excerpts, and lots of opportunities for local creators to promote their work.

With a combined experience of 25 years in the children’s book world - editing, promoting and selling books

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Sarah Forster and Jane Arthur have both been through the Whitireia Diploma in Publishing, and have an enduring passion for children’s books and the way in which they change lives.

“We came up with The Sapling because books grow humans. It’s as simple as that. We want the conversations about children's literature to be bigger and better, worth the while of anybody interested in books. We want to shine a light on our kids’ lit, and put it in an international context,” says Sarah. “And we can now see that others want this too.”

Sarah and Jane need to raise $10,000 by 24 February, so they can ensure The Sapling can pay its contributors for its first year and beyond.

Find out more and donate now at boosted.org.nz/projects/the-sapling-because-books-grow-humans.

ENDS

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