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

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 picture books and graphic novel (GN) texts and illustrations - GN 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

PB authorstrators only/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

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 Children’s Publishing

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.

Pooja Desai 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

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

Perentie Press

Perentie Press is an independent publisher of graphic novels for 5-17 year old readers. The publisher is seeking exciting mysteries, contemporary stories, humour and school-yard tales, as well as intergenerational, multicultural stories with heart. Not a good fit for toilet-humour, erotica, graphic horror or graphic violence.

Pitch Pro Sessions

GN/Illus

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

UQP

UQP is an independent publisher of children's books based in Brisbane. They publish bold and inspiring literary books for children including award-winners Mina and the Whole Wide World (Sherryl Clark) and Three Dresses (Wanda Gibson).

Cathy Vallance is the children's publisher seeking picture books, chapter books, middle grade and YA. For picture books, no rhyming verse, no talking animals, and no looking for lost items please. For chapter books, MG and YA verse novels are welcomed as well as diverse/marginalised voices and unique stories that have something important to say and leave a lasting impression on the reader. No series or graphic novels.

Pitch Pro Sessions

PB/CB/MG/YA

New Frontier Publishing

New Frontier Publishing is an independent publisher of children's books based in both London & Sydney. They publish high quality picture and board 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.

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

Pitch Pro Sessions

PB/Illus

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.

Palmina is a senior editor at Ford St Publishing.

Pitch Pro Sessions

PB/CB/MG/YA/Illus

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