STORY PREMISE
A catastrophic bush fire had all but destroyed most of the native bushland around Australia. Many animals had either perished or their families broken and homeless due to the tragedy. News had spread far and wide that a small surviving plot of fertile land had miraculously survived the raging inferno. As a result and in search of a new habitat, many victims had found their way to Gumtree Lane, a bush community inhabited by various types of endangered native and foreign animals.
Thanks to a gift from mother nature, this young colony has gradually become an industrious new world where the displaced have come to work side by side for the common good - a new world where the willing can work towards rebuilding their lives within an exciting rural frontier and help create agricultural offshoots for the benefit of all. 

The Gumnutz concept has great depth, providing positive aspects of family loyalty and rewards for facing one's fears during life's challenges. An odyssey for one character in particular, Claude numbat. Each character in the cast has it's own origin, back story and idiosyncrasy. But as is reality in human life, where there is harmony so too are there antagonists who, due to greed, jealousy or a lust for power, wish to spoil the party and undo the hard work and ingenuity created by the productive townsfolk of Gumtree Lane.                    

   


BRIEF HISTORY 
After years of knocking on doors on and off since the early 90s, 'Gumnutz' (not to be confused with May Gibbs' Snugglepot & Cuddlepie) was finally produced on a low budget as an 80 minute 2D animated telemovie for the 7 Network (the 'Gumnutz' are the 2 hero numbat orphans Claude & Peppa who live with their loving koala guardian Uncle Kelvin in Gumtree Lane).
The telemovie rated quite well Australia wide and provided the encouragement with which to move forward.
The production was a daunting exercise under extreme budgetary and scheduling pressure although a real education.
Since the telemovie aired on Christmas Eve in 2007, the concept hasn't been promoted or exploited, so after a few years negotiating some of life's speed bumps, I now feel it's about time I share the vision with others and begin to build a unique Aussie brand for families, beginning with traditional book publishing.

                       


CURRENTLY
I'm working on the Gumtree Lane website from which the intention is to launch the first picture book. An ensuing Christmas story is also being written as is a summarised rhyming version of the first story. Additionally, the DVD of the existing telemovie, Tshirts, prints and more gift items will be marketed from the site depending on feedback. 
Detailed black & white colouring-in designs have also been produced to enable kids to print and enjoy from the site. 
The basic site is scheduled to be active March 2016 and will grow organically as it responds to consumer demand.
A Facebook page will be adapted and linked to the site. You can see how the website is developing at gumtreelane.com.au      

(Current website home page)                                                    
                                                                              
THE PLAN
To self-publish (for greater control) by creating and producing (with your help of course) a beautiful, adventure picture book for 5-9 year-olds, focussed on introducing and establishing the Gumnutz characters and the world of Gumtree Lane. The aim is to have the book produced and available online by April 2016. That's not a great deal of time to produce something of quality, but achievable nonetheless. The selection for choice of artist is Peter Sheehan who is well versed in the kids' publishing market. Peter has published many of his own books as well. Additionally, I have planned for unexpected events so have sourced back-up talent in case Peter's availability is in doubt at the time of commissioning. I'll market the book through the website, on Facebook, at local libraries and school events. If absolutely necessary, I'll consider commissioning an affordable marketing & PR consultant along the way. 

We are blessed with some great creative talent in Australia who can mix it with the best, thus my preference for using Australian artists such as Peter Sheehan. 
The telemovie is a little dated, although value can be extracted from its original story structure, whilst using an updated illustrative style.
Having already written the 'longer' story version, it's now important the 10,000 word long story is rewritten and summarised into a simpler, entertaining adventure story of approx. 6,000 - 7,000 words for the targeted age group.

Production wise, I'd like to print the book on a recycled silky satin 150gsm stock, with an initial short run using digital printers.
FULL COLOUR BOOK - 60 pages plus 4 page 300gsm cover, book size 27cm x 20cm portrait.
- Illustrations x 33 @ $660 = $21,780 (incl. GST)
- Initial Print Run including layout & design = $7,220 (incl. GST)


   

The possible road blocks are usually those stemming from the supplier's side. Apart from the choice of preferred illustrator, unforeseen circumstances could quite possibly arise and disrupt the production supply chain. For that reason, I continue to source additional designers & illustrators with similar scopes of service. Aside from Peter Sheehan, the team of Aussie illustrators to select from include Lesley Vamos, Althea Aseoche and Abeth Delacruz, all of whom have a passion for their craft and show strong support for this Aussie kids' property that is the Gumnutz concept. My expertise in creative direction, co-ordination and print production will ensure the best of quality control throughout these processes.