Festive spirit was the order of the day at the annual SCBWI West Christmas picnic at Kings Park on Dece
mber 5.
Despite the threat of a summer storm and an unseasonable chill in the air, there was a lively party mood and good cheer in abundance among the gathering of members and friends.
Santa was so secretive about his appearance no one saw him arrive and deposit the lucky dip basket of gifts that prompted a fair share of laughter when they were opened and distributed.
However, the wannabe reindeers did have the company of ducks for the day, hopeful of a few leftover crumbs from the expressive gingerbread men that went down a treat.
Fortunately past RA Frané Lessac's Apache-style rain dance didn't deliver. But in a bow to a certain pair's best-selling Viking-themed picture books, it was the Norse Gods who were credited with holding off the forecast downpour until the celebrations were over.
And there was much to celebrate after an exceptionally successful year for the creative talent in the West.
Presenting an overview of branch achievements for the year, RA James Foley reeled off an extensive list that included the release of 26 new books plus poetry and short fiction in anthologies and magazines.
Members also notched up an impressive number of awards, short listings and commendations, including the Queensland Literary Award and the Crystal Kite.
In addition several had their work optioned for film or television or adapted for the stage.
WA members were also out and about at festivals, presenting at a grand total of 17 throughout the State, around the country and further afield in Singapore, Indonesia, China and the US.
The Christmas picnic wrapped up the 2015 calendar of PD and social events which featured workshops on promotion, marketing and self-publishing, the annual Rottnest Retreat and Mainland program with interstate guests Libby Gleeson, Bruce Whatley, Rosie Smith and Zoe Walton, and introductory presentations in Darwin and Port Hedland.
Planning is now underway for next year's program and a coffee catch-up during the Perth Writers' Festival and the Rottnest Retreat are already in the SCBWI West diary.
*Thanks to Teena Raffa-Mulligan for this report.