about the festival
program director
Stef Gemmill’s number one passion is children’s books – reading them, writing them and hanging out with the magical creative teams behind them. Over the years, she signed several book contracts through meeting publishers at writing festivals and pitch events. Children’s literature festivals are also where Stef has met her writer’s group members and lifelong friends. Now, Stef aims to help other creators develop their work further, navigate the publishing industry and find their own writer’s tribe.
Stef lives on the Surf Coast with her family and sleepy cat, Luna, who features in her international award-winning picture book A Home for Luna.
testimonials
“Taking part in the 2025 Sketch and Scribe Festival was an incredibly rewarding experience. Winning the ‘First Pages’ competition in the picture book category gave me a huge confidence boost especially as it was judged by Alyson O’Brien from Little Book Press and other established authors whom I admire. As my prize, I received a mini-mentorship session with Alyson, who generously shared her time and valuable publishing insights. Alyson took my manuscript to acquisitions, and although it wasn’t the right fit for her list at this time, her feedback that she could see it being published one day meant a lot. I highly recommend this fresh new festival to anyone looking to invest in their writing craft. I will be back again for this year’s festival!”
Astrid
“The Sketch and Scribe festival is the best kidlit event I've attended. The program includes a balance of inspirational speakers and time to connect with other creatives as well as publishers. The ten-minute on-line pitch opportunities are perfectly formatted to allow time for questions and feedback, and one of my pitches led to signing a contract with UQP – a very exciting outcome! If you want a warm and friendly kidlit event, with the best professional opportunities, all set in a relaxing venue with views of the sea, then this is the one! I can’t wait to head back this year.”
Billie
“The Sketch and Scribe Festival in-person professional development day was a wonderful opportunity to meet other creatives and mingle with publishers, all in a warm, relaxed and welcoming environment. I gained valuable industry insights from the publisher panels, but I especially relished the opportunity to hear from established authors and illustrators about their process. I took away so many nuggets of wisdom for my own writing. It’s a great value festival with further workshops and speakers available to watch online, and affordable extras like entry to the writing competition, and pitches to publishers. I’ve booked in for a Coach Camp this year as well. You can tell every aspect of this boutique festival has been thoughtfully considered. From the location with its inspiring scenery, to the jam-packed program, even the sustainable catering choices.
I’m excited to be attending Sketch and Scribe Festival again in 2026, and to catch up with friends I made there last year.”
Erin
outcomes for everyone
make connections
Children’s book creators often find their ‘tribe’ at literary festivals and make lifelong friendships. With new connections, creators can find like-minded creatives to meet with after the festival either socially or form workshopping groups.
level up your craft
From emerging to award-winning published book creators, we all have more to learn. Not only will the festival present expert developmental talks, there are hands-on coaching workshops to help you develop your works-in-progress.
inside scoop
The children’s publishing world changes shape constantly. The festival will provide insights into what’s hot and what’s not in the publishing world and opportunities to pitch your work to publishers.
helpful guide
The festival events will provide guidance, both face-to-face and digitally, to help ‘connect the dots’ on how to create quality work and connect with publishers or exhibit your illustrations for the first time.