Author/Editor

Davina Bell is an award-winning writer for young people of many ages and a children’s book editor and publisher. Some of her most well-known picture books include All the Ways To Be Smart, All of the Factors of Why I Love Tractors, Under the Love Umbrella, The Underwater Fancy-dress Parade, and What To Say When You Don't Know What To Say. Davina has also worked as an editor and publisher at Penguin Books, Affirm Press and Allen & Unwin.

Perfecting Picture-Book Rhythm and Rhyme

Find your picture-book rhythm and lift your rhyme game with award-winning author and editor, Davina Bell.

Author

Mark Smith is the author of five novels: The Road To Winter, Wilder Country, Land Of Fences, If Not Us and Three Boys Gone. He is also an award-winning writer of short fiction, and the co-curator of Minds Went Walking, Paul Kelly’s Songs Reimagined and Into Your Arms, Nick Cave’s Songs Reimagined.

Getting Your Books in Schools

The Road to Winter is a young adult class text in secondary schools across Australia. Mark will present how to align your book to core curriculum, getting your book in schools and school workshop planning and techniques.

Artist/Illustrator/Author

Pete Cromer is a contemporary Australian artist based in the Colac Otway region of Victoria. Inspired by the optimistic personalities in people and wildlife, Pete’s work is renowned for his signature bursts of glowing colour and beautiful textures, all reflected in his bold collages, wildlife books, paintings and sculptures.

Make Art that Sells

Building a career as a full-time artist requires diversified income streams. Pete Cromer will share his experience working across different mediums and markets to help you with your artistic career.

Affirm Press/Simon & Schuster (Publisher & Coach)

With over 20 years in children’s publishing, Tash Besliev has had a varied career across marketing, sales, branding and editorial, spending the last decade in senior management and publishing roles. Tash delights in collaborating with authors and illustrators to create books that resonate in the market and meet readers where they are at.

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

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

Coach Camp

Tash is a publisher and will coach you on either 2 x picture books or a chapter book (early reader or junior fiction) extract.

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.

Pitch Pro Sessions

Illus

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. She is passionate about publishing memorable stories that ignite a lifelong love of reading in children.

Little Book Press publish high-quality, thoughtfully designed books and resources that support early brain development during crucial formative years, such as Little Angler, Almost a Fish and Two Turtles.

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

Coach Camp

Alyson is a publisher and will coach you on either 2 x board books/picture books.

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 across all age groups and 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.

Coach Camp

Kate is a talented senior editor and will coach you on a middle grade or young adult novel extract.

Jacky Winter (agency)

Jacky Winter is an Australian artist agency with offices in the UK and USA. The agency offers a healthy, creative ecosystem where artists can thrive and clients can access a network of the world’s strongest talent,.

Naomi Perry is a literary agent interested in children’s graphic novels texts and illustrations - from junior fiction, middle grade to YA and will consider widely in these categories. She loves mysteries and adventure for younger age groups. Also thillers and romance for GN YA. Naomi is also open to adult graphic novels; both narrative non-fiction or contemporary fiction (not sci-fi or fantasy).

Pitch Pro Sessions

GN/Illus

Larrikin House (Publisher & Coach)

Dani Vee works in acquisitions working directly with the publisher to assess submissions. Dani is also a published author of both picture books and junior fiction and host of the 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, Mr Impoppable and Robo Teacher.

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

Coach Camp

Dani is a commissioning editor and author and will coach you on either 2 x picture books or a chapter book (junior fiction/early reader) or graphic novel extract.

Pitch Pro Sessions

PB/JF/MG/GN/Illus

Larrikin House (Publisher & Bookseller)

James Layton is the Larri-King of Larrikin House and runs two highly successful businesses as both the publisher and bookseller.

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, Mr Impoppable and global best-seller My Shadow is Pink.

Join James sharing top secret publishing and bookseller insights on various panels.

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

Wombat Books

Wombat are passionate about great books with the motto of Stories You Will Want to Share. Wombat Books has national and international distribution of all new titles and is focussing on including audiobooks with each new novel release.

Rochelle Stephens is the editor and publisher at Wombat Books and has repetitively chosen manuscripts from pitch events.

Pitch Pro Sessions

CB/MG

Hardie Grant

Hardie Grant Children’s Pubishing has modern families and children at the core of everything they do. They have 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.

PoojaDesai is the Art Director at Hardie Grant Children's Publishing where she also publishes books into a ground-breaking list, Bright Light.

Actively seeking stories that;

• Champion diverse voices who have meaningful stories to tell

• Stories that weave the traditions of culture with modern life

• Narrative-led everyday stories from marginalised perspectives

• Subversive stories with heart and humour

• Catchy, clever hooks that draw you in and guarantee a laugh

Pitch Pro Sessions

PB/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

Author/Illustrator

Renée Treml is the author and illustrator of several best-selling picture books for very young readers, including Once I Heard a Little Wombat, Goodnight, Joeys, and Ten Little Owls. She is also the creator of the engaging and funny graphic novels featuring Sherlock Bones and the Super Adventures of Ollie and Bea series. Renee’s most recent graphic novel, The Thylacine and the Time Machine, draws upon her background in biology and environmental science, and her passionate love of natural history.

The Ins and Outs of Working with an International Agency

Renée will share her experiences working with international literary agents for the past 10 years. She’ll help you understand the benefits and challenges involved, which may help you when considering if it’s the right path for you.

Author/Illustrator (Coach)

Jess McGeachin is an author and illustrator from Narrm/Melbourne. Drawing inspiration quite literally from the natural world, Jess is the creator of 12 fiction and non-fiction picture books. His non-fiction picture book Deep won the CBCA Eve Pownall Award in 2023 and his books Kind and The Tree at Number 43 were winners of the Environment Award for Children’s Literature. Jess is lucky enough to work for a museum where he occasionally gets lost in the basement.

Jess will present Drawing on Nature or join him in an intimate illustration Coach Camp workshop for a lucky few. Perfect for authorstrators/illustrators.

Drawing on Nature

Join Jess McGeachin for a deep dive into his creative practice. From field sketch to finished book, learn about the importance of napkin sketchs, research rabbit-holes and how to draw seals that won’t lie still. As we stand on an ecological precipice, Jess will look at the importance of finding inspiration in nature and sharing stories that spark hope and action. 

Coach Camp

Jess is a multi-award winning graphic designer/author/illustrator and will coach illustrators and author-illustrators aiming to take their craft to the next levels.

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.

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.”

Pitch Pro Sessions

PB/Illus

Affirm Press

Affirm Press is a Melbourne-based publisher dedicated to publishing great Australian stories, big ideas, and the most engaging local and international authors.

Coral Huckstep is the children’s editor at Affirm Press and loves funny books, eccentric characters and whimsy.

Pitch Pro Sessions

PB/CB/MG/YA