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 needting 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.

Publisher, author at Wombat Books

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

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.

Pitch Pro Sessions

PB/CB/MG/Illus

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.

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

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/JF/MG/YA/GN/Illus

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.

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.

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.

Author, illustrator, artist

Jess Racklyeft has worked on over 50 books as well as creating big canvases and vibrant, wearable art. Jess loves working with watercolours and digital illustration, and finds inspiration in the laneways and city, as well as Merri Creek and trips out of town to the beautiful country surrounding Melbourne where her studio is based.

Her recent awards include 2023 CBCA Eve Pownall Honour Award for Australia – Country of Colour , 2022 CBCA Winner for Iceberg (text by Claire Saxby) and the 2025 Wilderness Society Environment Award for Tree (text by Claire Saxby).

Picture This: A Guide to Visual Storytelling

When an author over-describes a scene, they "lock the door" on the illustrator, leaving no room for visual storytelling. Ultimately, the best books happen when the words and pictures “dance together on the page and don’t step on each other’s toes”. This masterclass focuses on how co-creators can work harmoniously in the creation of the perfect picture book. On-line only.

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.

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.

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.

Author

Claire Saxby is the award-winning author of Volcano, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Tree, Great White Shark, Iceberg, Dingo, Emu and The Wearing of the Green. Claire takes daily walks on the beach and beachcombs for unusual finds thinking  ‘What if...?’ and ‘Why?’. The answer to these questions sometimes become the foundation for a poem or story that later become books.

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/Illustrator

Michelle Conn is a talented author-illustrator working with MidnightSun Publishing, Affirm Press, Windy Hollow Books and Walker Books. In 2024, Michelle was shortlisted for the CBCA New Illustrator Award as well as signing an author-illustrator book deal with Affirm Press in a unique way. Michelle has a Bachelor of Design from The College of Fine Arts in Sydney NSW and has worked as a graphic designer and primary school teacher.

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.