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.

Hachette publish fiction and non-fiction picture books such as Spare Kisses (Pip Harry) + Wear a Purple Poppy (Fiona White), popular fantasy chapter books such as the Hedgewitch series (Sky McKenna) and various YA genres such as Once Upon a Tomorrow (Karen Comer) + Poster Boys (Woodard)

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.

Walker Books publish a mix of commercial and literary books such as The Octopus Keeper (McMullin), A is for A Rabbit’s Tale (Hosking, Gifford) and Hazel’s Treehouse (Zanni Louise, Judy Watson)

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. Think Here Come the Cousins (Hutchings), Once I was a Giant (Sworder) and We Live in a Bus (Petzold)

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. Scholastic publish many fun rhyming picture books with animal characters such as Piranhas Don’t Eat Bananas (Blabey) and Otto’s INK-credible First Day of School (Mather)

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 (Vee), The Witch Who Couldn’t Spell (Gatola) and Robo Teacher (Barkla). 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/Authorstrator

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. Angharad also represents Australian emerging talent including Tasmanian author-illustrator Blake Nuto (When You’re a Boy).

Pitch Pro Sessions

PB/GN/MG/YA/Illus/Authorstrator

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/Authorstrator

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 such as A Ghost in My Suitcase (Wang), The 113th Assistant Librarian (Wilson, Goodnight Joeys (Treml) and seasonal titles such as Howl-o-Ween (Bowd)

Pitch Pro Sessions

PB/CB/MG/YA

Author, illustrator, diversity advocate

Gabrielle Wang is an author and illustrator, and the Australian Children's Laureate for 2022 to 2023. Born in Melbourne of Chinese heritage, her maternal great-grandfather came to Victoria during the Gold Rush. Her stories are a blend of Chinese and Western culture with a touch of fantasy.

Gabi’s books have won many awards - A Ghost in My Suitcase 2009 Aurealis Award winner, The Wishbird was a CBCA 2014 Notable Book, shortlisted Yabba Awards, Kroc Awards, Koala Awards, Cool Awards and Crystal Kite Award and Zadie Ma and the Dog Who Chased the Moon shortlisted for the 2023 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards, NSW Premiere and the QLD Literary Awards. Her latest book, The Silken Thread is a 2026 CBCA Notable.

Pen, Paint and Perspective

Every culture has a different heartbeat reflected in word choices or flavours of colour palettes. Gabrielle Wang presents how to tap in to your heritage and how culture shapes the page. A masterclass for authors and illustrators. On-line only.

Illustrator, publisher and mentor

Erica Wagner is an award-winning artist and publisher, and a creative consultant to storytellers. Erica has worked with books for children and young adults for most of her life, including 10 years at Penguin Children’s and 20 years as publisher at Allen & Unwin, and is a co-founder of Twelve Panels Press. The first book she illustrated, Hope is the Thing won the 2024 CBCA New Illustrator Award and the 2024 Wilderness Society’s Environment Award for Children’s Literature.

Mentorships - An Artistic Alliance

Transform your creative practice to find your visionary voice when working with a professional mentor. Learn how mentorships provide a gold-class seat to a personalised, professional support system that bridges the gap between raw talent and a sustainable artistic career. A masterclass presentation perfect for both authors and illustrators. 

Author and poet

Karen Comer is a freelance editor and award-winning author who presents writing workshops to children and adults. Earlier in her career, she worked in educational publishing and was the editor for children’s art magazine BIG. Karen’s debut verse novels, Grace Notes and Sunshine on Vinegar Street were both awarded 2024 CBCA Notables with the YA novel Once Upon Tomorrow out in April 2026.

The Music of Prose

Did you know you can create a musical rhythym on the page without needing to rhyme? Master the use of literary devices and select words to create a “poetic punch”. A masterclass presentation perfect for writers of all genres.

Hardie Grant Children’s (Publisher & Coach)

With over 20 years in children’s publishing, Chren is a publisher at Hardie Grant Children's in Sydney. Chren brings her experience as an editor, author and publisher when working with emerging talent. Hardie Grant Children’s built their success on stories of kindness, diversity, resilience and courage to reflect the world we live in, and the world we want to build. Such as Ladybirds Do Not Go To Daycare (Rutstein) and Worms Are Our Friends (D’Alia)

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

Author & Festival MC

Sue Lawson is an award-winning young adult and children’s author, with a passion for young people, writing and reading.

Sue collaborates with other writers, including Boonwurrung Elder, Aunty Fay Stewart Muir. Together they create books that explore and celebrate Australia’s First Nations’ people and their rich culture and history. Aunty Fay and Sue’s books include Respect and Always Was, Always Will Be.

Sue will share her expert author and publishing world insights throughout the day as the festival Master of Ceremonies.

Author and poet

Aunty Fay Muir is a senior Boon Wurrung and Wamba Wamba Elder, First Nations community leader and Koori Court Elder. She is a Language Specialist, working as a prison educator in First Nations languages and is a creative language revival consultant and collaborator.

Aunty Fay provides cultural and curriculum guidance to students and teachers at all levels of the Victorian education system. She cares deeply about sharing her culture and stories and loves to take readers on a journey of learning. Aunty Fay co-created books with Sue Lawson books include CBCA award winners Respect and Always Was, Always Will Be.

Collaboration

Industry pros—authors, artists, and publishers—share their experiences working together to create the perfect book, proving that magic happens when teams sync up, share visions, and collaborate to bring stories to life.

Author, editor, publishing consultant, podcaster

Samantha-Ellen Bound is a children’s author, editor, and publishing professional living on Victoria’s Surf Coast. She manages Bound Publishing Services (editing, assessments, marketing, printing) and hosts KidLit Classics podcast. Her recent works are the epic folklore-inspired middle grade series, Seven Wherewithal Way and the upcoming magical-boarding school adventure, Weyward Academy.

Twice Upon a Time: The Art of Editing

Every great children’s story requires a bit of magic, but it’s the editorial polish that makes it a "classic in the making." Join Samantha for an intensive workshop designed to transform your manuscript from a rough draft into a professional-grade story. Master your redrafts with Samantha’s tried and tested editing techniques. A workshop perfect for writers of all levels, genres and formats. On-line only.

Best-selling author

Adam Wallace is an Australian NY Times best-belling children’s book author. With 15 MILLION books sold (so far) and SEVEN Number 1 New York Times Bestselling books including Don’t Go to Bed, 18,000 Holes in the Universe, Pugnacious and Scuttlebutt and graphic novel Hatman. Adam’s mission is always to entertain and inspire millions of children and get them EXCITED about books and reading. Adam travels globally to present at schools and festivals and is known for his humorous and engaging drama performances of book scenes.

Permission to Play

Bestselling author of over 150+ picture books, junior fiction, middle fiction and graphic novels, Adam Wallace, will help you ditch the seriousness and find the joy in your creative process. This high-energy workshop is designed to help you learn techniques to open streams of creativity, so you never get stuck again. A hands-on workshop for authors and illustrators. On-line only.

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

Allen& Unwin (Publisher & Coach)

With 15+ years experience in publishing, Kate Whitfield is a Senior Editor of children’s/YA books at A&U. Kate is highly skilled in structural and copy editing, working with acclaimed authors such as Emily Rodda, Wendy Orr and CS Pacat. She works with middle-grade and YA authors across all genres . 

Allen & Unwin is a leading independent publisher with a strong focus on Australian creators and stories exploring Australia’s history, culture and identity. 

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

Author, Festival Program Director

Stef is the Program Director and founder of the Sketch and Scribe Festival and an advocate for helping her kid lit tribe get published. She lives on the Surf Coast with her family and sleepy cat, Luna, the star of her international award-winning book, A Home for Luna. Stef writes picture books and middle-fiction and is published with EK Books, New Frontier Publishing, Storm Books, Wombat Books, CSIRO Children’s Publishing with a WIP with Simon & Schuster.

Stef Gemmill is your festival host and will welcome you to the Sketch and Scribe Festival community in-person and on-line.

Your Creative Resume

Pitching to publishers, agents and fellowships/grants requires you to write a creative resume. But how do you write a “stand-out” resume or biography when you are unpublished? Stef will guide you on how to turn everyday skills and interests into a resume that highlights your writing or illustration ability. A workshop for writers and illustrators. On-line only.