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

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.

The Final Cut

Our world is full of wonder. Join Claire Saxby as she shares many of the fascinating things she has discovered while researching, not all of which could be shoehorned into her stories. Discover how she makes decisions about what belongs and what has to be left out. And what she does with the bits that don’t fit.

Author

Miranda Luby is a YA author, journalist and copywriter living on the Surf Coast. Her short fiction has been published by Bloomsbury UK and Margaret River Press, and has been shortlisted for the Commonwealth Prize. Her debut YA novel, Sadie Starr's Guide to Starting Over, was shortlisted for the Text Prize and The Edge of Everything, launches in May 2025.

Different Steps to Publication (panel)

Emerging writers and illustrators love seeing their work in print. This panel explores getting your work into different types of quality publications that are as exciting as a book deal.

Author

Heather Gallagher is a children’s author, book reviewer and award-winning journalist. She is a regular contributor to the CSIRO’s Double Helix magazine and the NSW-based School Magazine. Heather has a passion for children’s literacy, working as a writer-in-residence in primary schools and presenter for Geelong Regional Libraries.

Different Steps to Publication (panel)

Emerging writers and illustrators love seeing their work in print. This panel explores getting your work into different types of quality publications that are as exciting as a book deal.

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

Author

Stef Gemmill used to write music reviews about big kids in bands but swapped the mosh pit for toys and tantrums to write books for curious smaller kids. Stef is the Program Director and founder of the Sketch and Scribe Festival and also an advocate for children’s literacy and helping her kid lit tribe to 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.

Scrapbook Crafternoon

Progressing your writing or illustration craft means trying new things and getting out of your comfort zone. Join Stef to kickstart a new story seed or character illustration by getting crafty. Learn how to deep dive into character and plot while creating a keepsake scrapbook to help you progress a new project.

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

The dynamic team at Wild Eyed Press aim to promote Australia's wildlife through the publication and distribution of children’s books, greeting cards and more. We encourage public awareness and concern for Australian fauna and the sustainability of their fragile habitats.

Pitch Pro Sessions

PB/Illus