aunty fay muir
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.
samantha ellen-bound
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.
adam wallace
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.
abigail nathan
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
kate whitfield
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.
stef gemmill
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.
jess racklyeft
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.
pete cromer
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 and how book publications help you reach a worldwide audience.
tash besliev
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.
michelle madden
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 seeking emerging and established author-illustrators, book designers, illustrators as well as MG/YA writers. Recent publications include Howl-o-Ween (Bowd, Porter), Eleanor Jones is not a Murder (Doak) and Raised by Wolves (Bancks)
Pitch Pro Sessions
MG/YA/Illus/Authorstrators
kate pickard
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 junior & middle fiction & YA stories with a unique viewpoint and a riveting storyline. Kate is also interested in works from marginalised voices. Recent publications include Ella and the Frog Orchestra (Polimeni), The Belly of a Wolf (Negri) and The Pull of the Moon (Pip Harry)
Pitch Pro Sessions
CB/GN/MG/YA
alyson o’brien
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.
Pitch Pro Sessions
PB/Illus/authorstrators
james layton
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.
rowena beresford
Riveted Press
Riveted Press is an imprint of independent publishing house Rhiza Press '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. Recent publications include The Prime Minister Problem (Cullen) and A Light on the Rocks (Edwards)
Rowena is interested in mystery, historical fiction, contemporary fiction, suspense, crime and verse novels. No picture books.
Pitch Pro Sessions
CB/MG/YA
sarah mckenzie
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/authorstrators
nathan james thomas
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.” Their books are recommended by schools, education and health professionals. Recent publications include The Boy Who Lost His Laugh (Powell), Poppy Makes Pockets (Parker) and Mosaic (Kelly). They mostly work collaboratively with authors under the traditional book publishing process as well as hybrid publishing, in some instances.
Nathan James Thomas is the senior editor and publisher at EK Books seeking original stories on issues that matter from picture books to middle-grade fiction novels.
Pitch Pro Sessions
PB/MG/Illus/Authorstrator
meg whelan
Simon& Schuster/Affirm Press
Affirm Press (imprint of Simon & Schuster) is a Melbourne-based publisher dedicated to publishing great Australian stories, big ideas, and the most engaging local and international authors.
Megan Whelan is the Senior Editor at Affirm Press and loves strong voices, eccentric characters and whimsy and a particular interest in graphic novel author-illustrators. Recently published novels include the Everglade series (Black), The Grandest Bookshop in the World (Mellor), The Graduate (Lim)
Pitch Pro Sessions
MG/YA/GN-Authorstrators/Illus
claire saxby
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.
michelle conn
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.
rochelle stephens
Publisher, author at Wombat Books & Rhiza Edge
Rochelle Stephens is the editor and publisher at Wombat Books and Rhiza Edge (imprint for teenagers).
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.
Rochelle has repeatedly published manuscripts from pitch events and is particularly interested in upper MG & YA fiction. Recent publications include The Ghost Horse of Snowy River (Gemmill), Sea Glass (Fraser) and Poppy & Pipsqueak (Kelly)
Pitch Pro Sessions
Wombat Books
PB/CB/lower MG/Illus/Authorstrator
Rhiza Edge
upper MG/YA