Hachette

Hachette Australia believe books have the power to change minds, create empathy, broaden understanding and make our world a better place. Hachette have published children’s books by Jessica Townsend, Pip Harry, Favel Parrett, Davina Bell and Karen Comer.

Jean-Marie Morosin is the Head of Children’s Publishing at Hachette Australia. She’s been editing and publishing picture books, junior fiction, middle grade and YA for more than 20 years in both Australia and the United States, and there’s no other job she’d rather be doing.

Pitch Pro Sessions

PB/CB/MG/YA

Walker Books (Publisher & Coach)

Eve Tonelli brings over 20 years of experience in the publishing industry, having held senior editorial and publishing roles at HarperCollins Australia and Scholastic Australia. Now she is the publisher of Walker Books Australia taking it into its next chapter of growth and innovation.

Join Eve sharing publishing insights on various panels or in an intimate Coach Camp workshop for a lucky few.

Pitch Pro Sessions

PB/MG/YA/Illus/authorstrators

Thames & Hudson

Fay Helfenbaum is a senior editor at Thames & Hudson Australia working across the adult and children's lists with authors such as Zeno Sworder, Dave Petzold, Davina Bell and Sarah Zweck. She previously worked at Penguin Random House and as an independent bookseller.

Fay is open to any genre with original subject matter but her wishlist includes non-fiction picture books and non-fiction middle-grade, illustrated non-fiction with science, environmental or art subject matter, authors from underrepresented backgrounds.

Pitch Pro Sessions

PB/MG/Illus/authorstrators

Scholastic Publishing

Scholastic is Australia’s largest publisher and distributor of children's books, representing nearly 30% of the country's best-selling titles.

Kate Wenban has been working in the publishing industry for 20 years, most of those as an editor at Scholastic Australia. In that time, she’s edited Australian picture books, middle grade illustrated fiction and junior fiction—including Ella Diaries, Minutes of Danger, Liars, Fartboy and Daring Delly.   She brings a wealth of knowledge, insight and encouragement to every session.

Pitch Pro Sessions

PB/CB/MG

Larrikin House (Publisher & Coach)

Dani Vee is a publisher working in acquisitions reviewing the submission pile. Dani is also a published author, English teacher and host of the popular literary podcast, Words and Nerds.

Larrikin House publish quirky, original, funny kid-focused books that push boundaries. The publisher believes in the importance of engaging readers at an early age through fun books such as My Epic Dad, My New Croc and Robo Teacher. Dani’s coaching style supports authors to recognise what is marketable as well as providing feedback to get their manuscripts ready for submission.

Join Dani sharing publishing insights on panels, in a Pitch Pro Session or in an intimate Coach Camp workshop on-line or in-person for a lucky few.

Pitch Pro Sessions

PB/CB/MG/YA/GN/Illus

Kowal Stannus Agency

Kowal Stannus Agency is a UK-based full-service Literary and Illustration Agency dedicated to serving the needs of its clients across books, licensing and entertainment.

Angharad Stannus represents authors and illustrators of fiction and nonfiction for the Adult and Children’s markets, focussing on maximizing clients’ sales potential across multiple income streams and working together to support creative, inventive and dynamic work.

Pitch Pro Sessions

PB/Authorstrators/GN/MG/YA/Illus

Scribble

Scribble, the children’s imprint of Scribe Publications, is an award-winning, independent publisher of vibrant and thought-provoking picture books. Working with artists from around the world, they endeavour to publish titles that are inclusive and represent the many different internal and external realities that children face. Award-winnlng publications include All the Ways to be Smart, Off to the Market, Anemone is Not the Enemy and Saturday is Pancake Day.

Miriam is the Publisher & Art Director and is open to picture book author’s boundary pushing stories & illustrators visuals that stand out from the crowd.

Pitch Pro Sessions

PB/Illus//authorstrators

Alex Adsett Literary

Rochelle Fernandez has worked in publishing for nearly 20 years. She has been an editor and publisher for HarperCollins, and has been a literary agent with Alex Adsett Literary since 2021, representing a wide range of authors across various genres.

Rochelle’s Wishlist: Funny, charming children’s books with heart. I'm especially looking for books that celebrate or normalise difference. 

Pitch Pro Sessions

PB/MG/YA/Illus

Penguin Random House

Amy Thomas is a commissioning editor for Penguin Random House and has worked with many of their award-winning and beloved authors. She edits and commissions across the Penguin Random House Young Readers list, working on books ranging from picture books through to junior fiction, middle-grade and YA titles.

Pitch Pro Sessions

PB/CB/MG/YA

Alex Adsett Literary

Abigail Nathan is a literary agent at Alex Adsett Literary, where she focuses on all things genre – from romance, crime and thrillers to science fiction, fantasy and even a touch of horror, for kids through to adults. She represents authors including Amy Hutton, Michael Pryor, Amy Adeney and Meg Caddy.

Abigail is also an editor and mentor who has run Bothersome Words Editing & Writing Services since 2004. She works directly with emerging and self-publishing authors, as well as Australian and UK publishers including HarperCollins, Penguin Random House, Hachette and Gollancz.

Wishlist

Character and emotion over worldbuilding (though that’s good too!). Make her laugh, think, swoon or freak out. For picture books: humour and heart. Especially keen on authorstrators.

Pitch Pro Sessions

PB/MG/YA/Illus/authorstrators

Penguin Random House

Penguin Random House (PRH) is the world’s largest trade book publisher. PRH strive to make the perfect book for every reader producing some of the world's most iconic children's books and characters.

Michelle Madden is the children’s list commissioning editor seeking emerging and established author-illustrators and illustrators as well as MG/YA writers.

Pitch Pro Sessions

MG/YA/Illus/authorstrators

UWAP

UWA Publishing (UWAP) shares stories, research and education with the world to encourage thought, inspire action and create and connect with engaged communities.

Kate Pickard is interested in stories with a unique viewpoint and a riveting storyline. Kate is also interested in works from marginalised voices.

Pitch Pro Sessions

CB/GN/MG/YA

Little Book Press (Publisher & Coach)

Alyson O’Brien has worked in children’s publishing for over 15 years, in editorial and commissioning roles including leading the Hardie Grant imprints Little Hare and Bright Lights. She is passionate about publishing memorable stories that ignite a lifelong love of reading in children. Alyson is currently the Publishing Director at Little Book Press, the not-for-profit publishing arm of Literacy Rights Australia.

Little Book Press publish high-quality, thoughtfully designed books including best-selling/award winning titles Two Turtles. The Thing About Christmas and this year’s Simultaneous Storytime book Luna Roo.

Join Alyson sharing publishing insights on various panels or in an intimate Coach Camp workshop for a lucky few.

Pitch Pro Sessions

PB/Illus/authorstrators

Riveted Press

Riveted Press is an independent publishing house 'Where unforgettable stories are forged' and that epitomises what the publisher is looking for. Rowena acquired, edited and published CBCA award-winning title Aster’s Good, Right Things by Kate Gordon, and has had multiple titles longlisted and/or shortlisted in a variety of established literary awards.

Rowena is interested in science fiction, mystery, action/adventure, fantasy, myths/fables, historical fiction, clever humour (not toilet humour), dystopian, contemporary fiction.

Pitch Pro Sessions

PB/CB/MG/YA/Illus

Sarah McKenzie Literary Management (SMLM)

SMLM represents a growing list of Australian authors and illustrators. As well as proudly representing a range of best-selling authors, SMLM love to identify and champion new and emerging writers of adult fiction, nonfiction and children’s books.

As a boutique, author-focused agency, SMLM works closely with authors to provide personalised and friendly support and guidance at every stage of the publishing process.

Sarah McKenzie is a literary agent interested in stories with unique ideas & empowering themes. SLML is actively pursuing diverse and marginalised voices and First Nations authors.

Pitch Pro Sessions

PB/CB/MG/GN/authorstrators

EK Books

EK Books publish children’s books aimed primarily at kids aged 4 to 8 as well as fiction for young readers, and their motto is “Books with heart on issues that matter.” Their books are recommended by schools, education and health professionals.

Nathan James Thomas is the senior editor and publisher at EK Books seeking original stories on issues that matter from picture books to middle-grade fiction novels.

Pitch Pro Sessions

PB/MG/Illus

Simon& Schuster/Affirm Press

Affirm Press (imprint of Simon & Schuster) is a Melbourne-based publisher dedicated to publishing great Australian stories, big ideas, and the most engaging local and international authors.

Megan Whelan is the Senior Editor at Affirm Press and loves strong voices, eccentric characters and whimsy and a particular interest in graphic novel author-illustrators.

Pitch Pro Sessions

MG/YA/GN-Authorstrators/Illus

Publisher, author at Wombat Books

Rochelle Stephens is the editor and publisher at Wombat Books and Rhiza Edge (imprint for teenagers).

Building a Creative Career, Together

Rochelle Stephens - author, publisher, editor and teacher - brings 15 years of independent publishing experience to this masterclass on building your author brand and career.

Working with a small press brings some differences and the key to a successful book is working in partnership together. Topics covered include building an author platform before you start to pitch your work, things to do when you get a contract and how to boost yourself and your book in the market.

This masterclass will get you viewing being an author as a career, with tips to help you build your business plan.

Rochelle has repeatedly published manuscripts from pitch events and is particularly interested in upper MG & YA fiction.

Pitch Pro Sessions

Wombat Books

PB/CB/lower MG/Illus

Rhiza Edge

upper MG/YA

MidnightSun Publishing

MidnightSun Publishing is a small press based in Adelaide dedicated to finding new and unknown voices.

The publisher is seeking stories that are unusual, especially about characters with diverse backgrounds. Also middle-grade adventure stories, YA addressing complex questions and picture books that cover historical non-fiction as well as books that are environmentally aware (and books that are plain fun).

Pitch Pro Sessions

PB/CB/MG/YA/Illus

New Frontier Publishing

New Frontier Publishing is an independent publisher of children's books based in both London & Sydney. They publish high quality books for children that inspire, educate and uplift children. Many of their books have won CBCA awards including Don’t Worry Felix, Lionel and Me and Please Handle With Care. New Frontier Publishing is looking to publish more junior fiction, middle fiction and young adult books.

Sophia is the children's publisher where her role involves both commissioning and editing.

Pitch Pro Sessions

CB/MG/YA

Windy Hollow Books

Windy Hollow Books is an independent publisher of children's books based in Melbourne. They publish high quality, literary picture books for children so that they have wonderful reading experiences.

Cristina is the children's publisher where her role involves everything from commissioning to editing and sales and marketing.

Pitch Pro Sessions

PB

Ford St Publishing

Ford St seek to maintain excellence as a publisher of high quality books for children and young adults. Their books explore themes of contemporary relevance, including childhood grief, ageing, interfaith issues, war, bullying and whaling. Ford Street have published award-winning books such as My Dog Socks, Country Town , Our Mob and I Need a Parrot.

Rebecca is an editor at Ford St Publishing.

Pitch Pro Sessions

MG/YA

Wild Eyed Press

Wild Eyed Press publishes Children's Picture Books with an Australian natural environment focus - whether it be wildlife, bushland, nature play, humour or storytelling.

They also sell Australian art by Australian artists, available as Greeting Cards, Children's Books, Stationery, Mugs, Giftwrap at over 140+ retail stockists and pay quarterly royalties to artists.

They encourage public awareness and concern for Australian fauna and the sustainability of their fragile habitats.

Leanne White is the commissioning editor and art director.

Pitch Pro Sessions

PB/Illus

Woodslane Press

Woodslane Press primarily publishes Australian fiction and non-fiction books with a growing children’s list by Australian authors. They mostly work collaboratively with authors under the traditional book publishing process as well as hybrid publishing, in some instances.

Virginia Greig is the commissioning editor interested in fiction and narrative/innovative non-fiction picture book author and illustrators and diverse voices.

Pitch Pro Sessions

PB/Illus/authorstrators