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Deborah Abela  

Deborah Abela

Author, Entertainer

Deb Abela is an ambitious author, with an impressive output of fifteen books in ten years. Her dedication to her craft, and sharing it with students across Australia, earnt her the role of National Literacy Ambassador for 2010.

» Read more about Deborah Abela
Steven Amsterdam  

Steven Amsterdam

Author

Steven Amsterdam has been writing for decades, producing everything from speeches for the Tokyo Auto Show to little artsy dance reviews in free weeklies. His most recent book, What the Family Needed (Sleepers, 11/2011) was a chosen as a Great Read by Women’s Weekly. Already the book has been called “exhilarating” by The Australian and “strange and marvellous territory” by The Monthly. His first book, Things We Didn’t See Coming won The Age Book of the Year, was longlisted for The Guardian First Book Award, and has been printed to acclaim in the US and the UK this year, with French and Dutch editions. It has been selected for the VCE reading list for 2011 and 2012. He works as a palliative care nurse on some days and works on his next book on other days.

» Read more about Steven Amsterdam
Felice Arena  

Felice Arena

Author, Illustrator

Felice Arena is one of Australia’s much-loved writers for kids. He is the author of many best-selling and award-winning books, including Wish, the Boyz Rule stories, the hilarious Farticus Maximus and the hugely popular Specky Magee series, co-written with old school mate and football legend Garry Lyon.

Felice is proud to be one of the ambassadors for the National Year of Reading 2012 program and the Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge.

» Read more about Felice Arena
Venero Armanno  

Venero Armanno

Author

Venero has been running writing courses and short workshops with children, teenagers and adults for more than ten years. He teaches in schools, community groups and universities, and brings an innovative approach to all his classes by combining interests in stories, novels, films and songs. Veny’s classes are very loud, passionate and laugh-out-loud funny. In a fun and participative environment that emphasises quick wits and play, students learn a lot about themselves and the things they like, sometimes without even realising it!

» Read more about Venero Armanno
David Astle  

David Astle

Author, Inspirational Speaker

Clue by clue, chapter by chapter, David Astle’s Puzzled meanders through the maze of a cryptic crossword, showing you the dark secrets and wondrous tricks of wordplay. ‘He’s the Sergeant Pepper of cryptic crosswords,’ says award-winning Australian actor Geoffrey Rush.

» Read more about David Astle
Hilary Badger  

Hilary Badger

Author

Hilary is the author of the Space Scout series, which follows the adventures of Kip Kirby, an intrepid space explorer. Hilary’s alter-ego is H.I. Larry, the mysterious author of the popular Zac Power series.

» Read more about Hilary Badger
Meredith Badger  
Tim Baker  

Tim Baker

Author, Journalist

Tim Baker is Australia’s favourite surfing writer, a former editor of Tracks and Surfing Life magazine, who has written a string of best-selling surfing biographies and collected surf stories. He has twice received the Australian Surfing Hall of Fame Culture Award and been shortlisted for the CUB Australian Sports Writing Awards.

» Read more about Tim Baker
Tristan Bancks  

Tristan Bancks

Author

Tristan Bancks tells stories for the page and screen. His background is in acting and filmmaking. His most recent books are Galactic Adventures, First Kids in Space (UQP) and My Life and Other Stuff I Made Up (Random House).

Tristan will tour schools in Victoria in August 2012

» Read more about Tristan Bancks
Max Barry  

Max Barry

Author

Max Barry is an Australian who pretended to sell high-end computer systems for Hewlett-Packard while secretly writing his first novel, Syrup. In fact, he still has the laptop he wrote it on because HP forgot to ask for it back, but keep that to yourself. He went on to publish Jennifer Government and Company. His fourth book, Machine Man, is due in 2011 and is based on a real-time interactive serial Max wrote and delivered online one page per day.

» Read more about Max Barry
Catherine Bateson  

Catherine Bateson

Author

Catherine Bateson has won the CBCA Book of the Year for Younger Readers twice and received three Honour Book Awards, including one for Older Readers. She teaches in the Professional Writing and Editing course at TAFE but is also available for school visits, to talk about both fiction writing and poetry.

» Read more about Catherine Bateson
Katherine Battersby  

Katherine Battersby

Author, Illustrator

Katherine is a children’s writer and illustrator whose first picture book, Squish Rabbit, is published in Australia, the US, China and other countries. She has had many short stories published in anthologies and magazines, and in 2010 was awarded a Marten Bequest Travelling Scholarship for her writing. She adores reading, rabbits and anime, and thinks exclamation marks are evil.

Katherine will tour schools in South Australia in March 2012

» Read more about Katherine Battersby
Michael Gerard Bauer  

Michael Gerard Bauer

Author

Michael Gerard Bauer is an in-demand speaker and a popular writer for children and young adults. His books have been shortlisted, won numerous awards and are used as class texts in many schools around Australia. He has written drama, comedy and adventure.

Michael will tour schools in Victoria and South Australia in 2012

» Read more about Michael Gerard Bauer
Jon Bauer  

Jon Bauer

Author, Inspirational Speaker

Jon Bauer is the author of short stories, and plays for stage and radio. His work has been published in The Daily Telegraph, The Sleepers Almanac and The Bridport Prize, as well as broadcast on national radio. Rocks in the Belly is his first novel.

» Read more about Jon Bauer
Robyn Bavati  

Robyn Bavati

Author

Robyn Bavati lived much of her adult life in Israel, and her published work includes an award-winning short story as well as articles and humorous anecdotes for both Israeli and Australian newspapers and magazines. Dancing in the Dark is her first novel.

» Read more about Robyn Bavati
 

Davina Bell

Author

Davina Bell is a West Australian writer living in Melbourne, who works as an editor in the world of children’s books. Her essays and short stories have been published in various collections. Her books for Penguin’s Our Australian Girl series are her first novels.

» Read more about Davina Bell
Rachel Berger  

Rachel Berger

Entertainer, Author, Inspirational Speaker

Rachel Berger is one of Australia’s most highly regarded, adept, and adaptive comedic talents, working variously as a broadcaster, comic, novelist, columnist, agitator and television entertainer. Rachel’s dynamic presence and engagingly sharp observations have made her an extremely popular performer both live and on television, across Australia and overseas.

» Read more about Rachel Berger
Lola Berry  

Lola Berry

Author, Inspirational Speaker, Entertainer

Lola Berry’s Inspiring Ingredients is a renown health and cook book aimed to inspire you to control weight, boost energy and love food.

» Read more about Lola Berry
Tony Birch  

Tony Birch

Author

Tony Birch is a writer of short fiction, novels and essays. He is also an educator and teacher of writing and history.

» Read more about Tony Birch
Steph Bowe  

Steph Bowe

Author

Steph Bowe is a seventeen-year-old YA author whose debut novel, Girl Saves Boy, was published in 2010 by Text Publishing. She lives on the Gold Coast with her family and writes a blog called Hey! Teenager of the Year.

» Read more about Steph Bowe
Lorette Broesktra  

Lorette Broesktra

Author, Illustrator

Lorette Broekstra writes and illustrates children’s picture books. She wrote and illustrated the best selling Baby Bear and Hugo series.

» Read more about Lorette Broesktra
Kevin Burgemeestre  

Kevin Burgemeestre

Author, Illustrator

Kevin trained in illustration, inspired by Alfred Hitchcock and Bugs Bunny to tell the story with pictures! His writing debut came with B is for Bravo, a dramatic picture book about Australian aviation illustrated using 3D (grab your glasses!) dioramas made from recycled stuff. He loves telling Australian stories and giving inspirational workshops, where he is often heard saying: “There’s nothing you can’t do on paper!”

» Read more about Kevin Burgemeestre
JC Burke  

JC Burke

Author

J.C. Burke was born in Sydney in 1965, the fourth of five sisters. With writers for parents, she grew up in a world of noise, drama and books, but she decided to become a nurse after her mother lost a long battle with cancer. Since Burke started writing in 1999, she has published a number of acclaimed books for teenagers and young adults, including Children’s Book Council Notable Books WHITE LIES and THE RED CARDIGAN, Aurealis Awards finalist NINE LETTERS LONG, THE STORY OF TOM BRENNAN, FAKING SWEET, STARFISH SISTERS and OCEAN PEARL. THE STORY OF TOM BRENNAN won the 2006 CBC Book of the Year – Older Readers and the 2006 Australian Family Therapists Award for Children’s Literature. It is currently on the NSW HSC syllabus list. Jane lives on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and is married with two children.

» Read more about JC Burke
Lauren Burns  

Lauren Burns

Author, Inspirational Speaker

Lauren Burns OAM, Naturopath, Nutritionist, Herbalist (BHSc) Olympic Gold Medallist, Taekwondo Sydney 2000

Lauren Burns created sporting history by winning the first Olympic gold medal for Taekwondo when the sport made its debut at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. The nation watched as Lauren’s victory brought the Australian public and Olympic crowd to its feet. Before her Olympic win, few people knew that Lauren had been 12 times Australian Champion and had achieved a string of international titles including numerous medals at world championship level.

» Read more about Lauren Burns
Thomas Caldwell  

Thomas Caldwell

Author, Education Consultant, Curriculum Specialist

Thomas Caldwell is a freelance writer, broadcaster and public speaker who specialises in film criticism and educational writing on film. He is the author of the secondary school textbook Film Analysis Handbook, he writes the film criticism blog Cinema Autopsy and he reviews films for the Breakfasters on Melbourne independent community radio station Triple R (3RRR 102.7FM). He also co-hosts the Triple R film criticism podcast Plato’s Cave, regularly reviews films for The Big Issue and is one of the film and television columnists for Killings, the Kill Your Darlings blog.

» Read more about Thomas Caldwell
Paul Callaghan  

Paul Callaghan

Author, Education Consultant

Paul Callaghan has worked in game development for over 10 years as a programmer, designer, teacher, and writer. His interests include games and literacy, storytelling, design, and intersection of learning and play and creative expression through interaction.

» Read more about Paul Callaghan
Fiona Capp  

Fiona Capp

Author, Curriculum Specialist

Fiona Capp is the internationally published author of three works of non-fiction including That Oceanic Feeling, a memoir about her love for the sea and surfing. She is also the author of three novels – Night Surfing, Last of the Sane Days and Musk & Byrne. Her most recent book is part memoir, part journey through the landscapes which inspired Australian poet Judith Wright, My Blood’s Country.

» Read more about Fiona Capp
Deborah Carlyon  

Deborah Carlyon

Author, Illustrator

Deborah Carlyon is a talented writer and versatile speaker. Her work forms a bridge between two cultures. Her books have sensitivity, depth, heart, humour, and a soulful, healing imagery.

» Read more about Deborah Carlyon
Isobelle Carmody  

Isobelle Carmody

Author, Illustrator

Isobelle Carmody is one of Australia’s most highly regarded and prominent authors of fantasy for young adult readers. A consummate and much-loved storyteller, Isobelle has a host of award-winning novels to her credit, including The Obernewton Chronicles and The Legend of Little Fur series. Her latest books are The Red Wind and a collaborative collection of short stories based on fairy tales, with Nan Mc Nab, The Wilful Eye.

Isobelle will be touring Tasmania (Hobart) (7-11 May) and Victoria (Melbourne) (15-16 May) 2012.

Isobelle’s dates in Melbourne are now booked out for 2012.

» Read more about Isobelle Carmody
Mark Carthew  

Mark Carthew

Author, Storyteller/Performer, Entertainer

Mark Carthew is an award winning editor and children’s author well known for his many books and series exploring wordplay, music, movement, drama, jokes, rhymes and riddles! Mark’s recent picture book The Gobbling Tree was a winner of the Speech Pathology Australia’s Book of the Year.

» Read more about Mark Carthew
Kathy Charles  

Kathy Charles

Author

Kathy Charles is the author of the novel Hollywood Ending, a startling and timely tale of teenagers obsessed with dead celebrities.

» Read more about Kathy Charles
Tom Cho  
Anna Ciddor  

Anna Ciddor

Author, Illustrator

Anna Ciddor has written and illustrated over 50 books on topics as diverse as Vikings, travel, toilets and Australian history. She is best known for her highly popular Viking Magic trilogy Runestone, Wolfspell and Stormriders.

» Read more about Anna Ciddor
Sherryl Clark  

Sherryl Clark

Author

Sherryl Clark writes stories for all ages – from picture books to verse novels and novels for middle/older readers. She loves inventing characters and doing research, and then weaving the amazing things she discovers into all kinds of stories.

» Read more about Sherryl Clark
Margaret Clark  

Margaret Clark

Author

Margaret Clark is the author of classic Australian children’s novels such as No Fat Chicks, Living with Leanne, and Hot Or What.

» Read more about Margaret Clark
Jane Clifton  

Jane Clifton

Author, Entertainer

Jane Clifton is the genuine show-business all-rounder. Actress, singer and, more recently, published crime novelist, Jane is often asked if there is anything she can’t do, to which she simply replies ‘Ballet and making money.’

» Read more about Jane Clifton
Danielle Clode  

Danielle Clode

Author

Danielle Clode is a zoologist and natural history writer. She also teaches professional and creative writing.

» Read more about Danielle Clode
Sean Condon  
Kate Constable  

Kate Constable

Author

Kate Constable is the author of the acclaimed and internationally published fantasy trilogy, “The Chanters of Tremaris”. She has also written three realist books for teenagers as part of the highly successful Girlfriend Fiction series. Her recent fantasy for younger readers, “Cicada Summer”, has been short listed for the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards.

» Read more about Kate Constable
Gary Crew  

Gary Crew

Author

Gary Crew is one of Australia’s most awarded author of Children’s and Young Adult books, with titles like Angel’s Gate and the much celebrated The Watertower in his impressive catalogue. He began his career in engineering then moved on to teach English at high school before ultimately settling into a full-time writing with ongoing work lecturing at university.

» Read more about Gary Crew
Cath Crowley  

Cath Crowley

Author

Cath Crowley is the author of the Gracie Faltrain trilogy, Chasing Charlie Duskin, Graffiti Moon and Rosie Staples’ Minor Magical Misunderstanding.

» Read more about Cath Crowley
Li Cunxin  

Li Cunxin

Author, Entertainer, Inspirational Speaker

Li Cunxin is a professional ballet dancer, stockbroker, and the author of Mao’s Last Dancer, which was adapted for film in 2009. The autobiography recounts his remarkable journey from rural China, to the US, the UK, and to Australia.

» Read more about Li Cunxin
Justin D'Ath  

Justin D'Ath

Author

Justin D’Ath is the author of over thirty books for children and young adults, but is best known for his hugely successful Extreme Adventure series, which are particularly popular with boys and reluctant readers.

» Read more about Justin D'Ath
Chris Daffey  

Chris Daffey

Author, Inspirational Speaker

Chris Daffey worked as a lawyer for a number of years before going part-time to pursue other interests, including writing. A Girl, a Smock and a Simple Plan is a lighthearted memoir chronicling his journey through the final year at primary school as he plans to win over the girl of his dreams.

» Read more about Chris Daffey
John Danalis  

John Danalis

Author, Illustrator, Storyteller/Performer

John Danalis has been writing and illustrating for children and young adults for ten years. His works include picture books, chapter books and non-fiction.

John will tour schools in Victoria and New South Wales in 2012

» Read more about John Danalis
Gregory Day  

Gregory Day

Author, Storyteller/Performer

Gregory Day is a writer, poet and musician whose debut novel The Patron Saint Of Eels won the prestigious Australian Literature Society Gold Medal in 2006.

» Read more about Gregory Day
Terry Denton  

Terry Denton

Illustrator, Author

Terry Denton is best known for the Gasp! series, the Wombat and Fox stories and the best selling Just! books, done in collaboration with Andy Griffiths. He is one of those lucky people who can write and illustrate. He has written twenty children’s books himself and collaborated on eighty more with some of the most popular children’s authors in Australia.

» Read more about Terry Denton
Garry Disher  

Garry Disher

Author

Garry Disher is one of Australia’s best-known authors. He’s written over forty books: crime thrillers, children’s/YA fiction, literary novels, and writers’ handbooks, many of which have won awards and are popular in Europe and the USA.

» Read more about Garry Disher
Mark Dobson  

Mark Dobson

Author, Personal Development, Inspirational Speaker

Mark Dobson is a performance coach that advises some of the most elite athletes on the planet. He was a founding member of New York City’s first University for talented teenagers which was acknowledged by President Barack Obama for its educational innovation. He is a captivating and entertaining speaker that offers very strategic advice on performing at your best.

Mark will take expressions of interest for student welfare/development days with schools in Western Australia and other states in 2012.

» Read more about Mark Dobson
Gary Dornau  

Gary Dornau

Author, Personal Development

» Read more about Gary Dornau
Daniel Ducrou  

Daniel Ducrou

Author

Daniel Ducrou’s first novel, The Byron Journals (Text Publishing, 2010), tells the story of an eighteen-year-old classical musician from Adelaide who goes off the rails on a schoolies trip to Byron Bay.

» Read more about Daniel Ducrou
Kylie Dunstan  

Kylie Dunstan

Author, Illustrator

Kylie Dunstan is an award winning author and illustrator of children’s picture books. Her first book Collecting Colour won CBCA Picture Book of the Year in 2009. She has since written and illustrated two more books and is working on her fourth.

» Read more about Kylie Dunstan
Nick Earls  

Nick Earls

Author

Nick Earls is the author of twelve novels and two collections of short stories. Two of his novels have been adapted into feature films, and five have become stage plays.

» Read more about Nick Earls
Anthony Eaton  

Anthony Eaton

Author

Anthony Eaton has been writing books for children, young adults, and adults for over ten years and speaks regularly at schools and writers festivals across Australia.

» Read more about Anthony Eaton
Brian Falkner  

Brian Falkner

Author

Brian is a highly sought -after speaker in schools, and at literary festivals and conferences. His infectious enthusiasm, humour and energy make every appearance a popular and memorable one. His talks cover everything from tips for budding writers, to inspiration for reluctant readers, to small drops of wisdom on life, the universe and everything in between, in a visual, irreverent and highly entertaining way. His workshops provide practical guidance for student writers on the process of creating a story, and his Story Sports™ Tournaments will get the most reluctant writers champing at the bit to write!

Brian will tour schools in Victoria in May 2012.

» Read more about Brian Falkner
Declan Fay  

Declan Fay

Author, Storyteller/Performer, Inspirational Speaker, Journalist

Declan Fay is one of Australia’s leading comedy writers and motivational speakers. He has performed at the Comedy festival, The fringe Festival and written for some of the best (and worst) television shows. He has spoken at over 600 different schools around Australia. He has never been pelted with fruit, although his dad once threw a Whopper with cheese at him for talking during the Bill.

Declan will take expressions of interest for student welfare/development days with schools in Western Australia and other states in 2012.

» Read more about Declan Fay
Corinne Fenton  

Corinne Fenton

Author

Corinne Fenton has a passion for picture books, especially those that have a connection with history. Her picture books are read by four to ninety-four year olds.

Corrine will tour schools in Tasmania and South Australia in 2012

» Read more about Corinne Fenton
Pat Flynn  

Pat Flynn

Author

An ex professional tennis player and teacher, Pat Flynn writes realistic fiction with a dose of humour for 8-16 year olds. His book The Tuckshop Kid won an Honour Book Prize at the CBCA Book of the Year Awards and his new books include The Trophy Kid and How to Get Dumped.

» Read more about Pat Flynn
Adam Ford  

Adam Ford

Author, Storyteller/Performer

Adam Ford is a poet, novelist and short storialist who also makes zines and draws comics. He lives in Chewton, in Central Victoria.

» Read more about Adam Ford
Arabella Forge  

Arabella Forge

Author, Personal Development

Arabella Forge is a Melbourne-based nutritionist, food writer and proud home-cook.

» Read more about Arabella Forge
Lee Fox  

Lee Fox

Author

Lee Fox writes hilarious stories in rollicking rhyme about the things children do not like doing. She cleverly disguises literacy concepts in her stories so that young readers don’t even know they are learning.

» Read more about Lee Fox
Jackie French  

Jackie French

Author

Jackie French’s writing career spans 17 years, 48 wombats, 132 books, 23 languages, 3,721 bush rats, over 50 awards in Australia and overseas, 6 possibly insane lyrebirds and assorted ‘Burke’s Backyard’ segments, radio shows, newspaper and magazine columns.

» Read more about Jackie French
Archie Fusillo  

Archie Fusillo

Author, Personal Development, Inspirational Speaker

Archie is one of the most in-demand and successful presenters of author talks and workshops in Australia. Archie’s versatility means he can communicate to, and cater for, a range of abilities and interests. The fact that he was a teacher and features writer probably helps.

Archie will tour schools in Tasmania, Brisbane and Adelaide in 2012

Archie will take expressions of interest for residencies with schools in Western Australia and other states in 2012.

» Read more about Archie Fusillo
Scot Gardner  

Scot Gardner

Author, Storyteller/Performer, Personal Development

Scot Gardner came to writing via counseling and youth work. His thirteen novels range from absurd fantasy for children to gritty realism and tragic-comedy for young adults

» Read more about Scot Gardner
David Stavanger: Ghostboy  

David Stavanger: Ghostboy

Storyteller/Performer, Entertainer, Author

Ghostboy is one of Australia’s premier young adult and children’s spoken word presenters.

He has hosted workshops, performances, talks and poetry slams to wide acclaim from students & teachers at the likes of Voices on the Coast, Whitsunday Voices, Somerset Writers Festival, and Brisbane Writers Festival’s WordPlay.

A live hybrid of performance poetry, spoken weird theatre and surrealist vaudeville Ghostboy has been a hit at many major festivals including Brisbane Writers, Sydney Writers, Byron Bay Writers, Tasmanian Poetry, Broken Hill Poetry, Woodford Folk Festival, and QLD Poetry Festivals.

Ghostboy is the world’s only vaguely legal “literary cannibal”.

Ghostboy will tour schools in South Australia in March 2012

» Read more about David Stavanger: Ghostboy
Morris Gleitzman  

Morris Gleitzman

Author

Morris is one of Australia’s most successful authors. He was born in England and emigrated to Australia in 1969 so he could escape from school and become a Very Famous Writer. Before realising that dream, he had a colourful career as a paperboy, department store Santa Claus and chicken defroster. Morris is the author of some of Australia’s favourite children’s books, including Two Weeks with the Queen, Boy Overboard, Once, Then, and Grace.

» Read more about Morris Gleitzman
Jane Godwin  

Jane Godwin

Author

Jane Godwin is the Publisher, Books for Children and Young Adults, at Penguin Books Australia. She is also a highly acclaimed author of many books for children.

» Read more about Jane Godwin
Anna Goldsworthy  

Anna Goldsworthy

Author, Entertainer, Inspirational Speaker

Anna Goldsworthy is a prize-winning classical pianist and writer. She an engaging speaker and performer, and is passionate about bringing the lessons of classical music to the widest possible audience.

» Read more about Anna Goldsworthy
Peter Goldsworthy  

Peter Goldsworthy

Author

Peter Goldsworthy grew up in various country towns, finishing his schooling in Darwin, which was the site of his first novel, Maestro. He graduated in medicine from the University of Adelaide in 1974 and now devotes his time equally to medicine and writing.

» Read more about Peter Goldsworthy
Jane Goodall  
Robert Greenberg  

Robert Greenberg

Author, Entertainer

Robert’s writing career began when he won the best sentence competition in Grade 3. Since then he’s written TV scripts for Round the Twist, Nickelodeon and has had three books published with Penguin.

» Read more about Robert Greenberg
Nicki Greenberg  

Nicki Greenberg

Author, Illustrator

Nicki Greenberg has a special interest in sequential art narrative, (which is a fancy way of saying comic books). Her first books, The Digits series, were published when she was just fifteen years old and sold more than 380 000 copies. Since then, she has devoted most of her ink to comics, but has also written and illustrated fiction and non-fiction books for children.

» Read more about Nicki Greenberg
Andy Griffiths  

Andy Griffiths

Author, Entertainer

Andy Griffiths is one of Australia’s funniest and most successful children’s authors. Andy began as an English teacher and a publisher/editor of educational books and is now the author of over fifteen bestsellers including the Schooling Around series and the JUST! series, illustrated by Terry Denton.

» Read more about Andy Griffiths
Phillip Gwynne  

Phillip Gwynne

Author

Phillip Gwynne has written widely, from picture books, younger readers, YA novels, adult crime novels (The Build Up) and for the screen (Australian Rules). His book Deadly Unna? is acknowledged as a modern Australian classic.

Due to other commitments, his speaking availability is limited.

Phillip will, however, take expressions of interest for residencies with schools in Western Australia in 2012.

» Read more about Phillip Gwynne
Dave Hackett  
Ken Haley  

Ken Haley

Inspirational Speaker, Personal Development, Author, Journalist

Ken Haley explores the cultural quirks of life in the lands he travels through in his wheelchair while paying due heed to those dark nights of the soul that landed him there. The lingering impression Ken will leave with your group of listeners is that life as a disabled person can be not just a pale imitation of other lives, but every bit as full as that of an able-bodied individual. Ask Ken to share his perceptions with you and your group: it’s an invitation you will not regret.

» Read more about Ken Haley
Tiffiny Hall  

Tiffiny Hall

Author, Inspirational Speaker

Tiffiny Hall is a radiant role model. Author, journalist, human improver, Gladiator, Health Ninja, she is a woman with many titles tucked under her 5th Dan black belt. She has been empowering kids with her self-protection programs and messages of health and confidence in schools for ten years. A lifetime in martial arts as a competitor and instructor, she is best known for her role as ‘Angel’ on Gladiators, as the Health Ninja on Channel Ten’s The Circle and in 2011 you will see her training contestants on The Biggest Loser. The health hero is also a graduate of Melbourne University with Bachelor of Arts/Media and Communications and a Diploma of Modern Languages in French. Her school sessions empower her audience with fun and digestible messages to build self-esteem and confidence.

» Read more about Tiffiny Hall
Leanne Hall  

Leanne Hall

Author

Leanne Hall is an author of young adult fiction, and a children’s specialist at an independent bookstore. Her first novel, This Is Shyness, won the Text Prize for Young Adult and Children’s Writing in 2009.

Leanne will take expressions of interest for residencies with schools in Western Australia and other states in 2012.

» Read more about Leanne Hall
Rosalie Ham  

Rosalie Ham

Author

Rosalie Ham completed a Bachelor of Education majoring in Drama and Literature, then went on to complete a Master of Arts, Creative Writing at RMIT in 2007, simultaneously completing two best selling novels.

» Read more about Rosalie Ham
John Harms  
H J Harper  

H J Harper

Author

When H.J. Harper was growing up in WA, she wanted to be either a mad scientist or an author. She now lives in Victoria and writes books for younger readers, like the action-packed Star League series, but is still working on her Mad Science PhD.

» Read more about H J Harper
Roland Harvey  

Roland Harvey

Author, Illustrator

Roland Harvey writes and illustrates highly detailed, funny and slightly educational books using pen ink and watercolour. He has won a number of awards including the Dromkeen Medal. He demonstrates his craft in an entertaining manner to all ages.

» Read more about Roland Harvey
Karen Healey  

Karen Healey

Author

Karen Healey is a young adult author of contemporary fantasy and science fiction for tomorrow’s heroines. A New Zealander living in Australia, she’s a fan of baking, feminism, and World of Warcraft.

» Read more about Karen Healey
Jack Heath  

Jack Heath

Author

Jack Heath is the author of six action-packed thrillers for young adults. He started writing his first book at age thirteen and had a publishing contract for it at eighteen. His work is now sold in eight countries.

Jack will tour Melbourne for schools and libraries from 13-17 August 2012.

» Read more about Jack Heath
John Heffernan  

John Heffernan

Author

John Heffernan has written about thirty books for a range of audiences from early readers to young adults, in a range of genre that includes realistic fiction, fantasy, futuristic, and picture books. He also writes for junior readers under the pseudonym “Charlie Carter” (most notably, the Battle Boy series).

John/Charlie will tour Queensland schools in August (Brisbane) and October (Cairns) 2012

» Read more about John Heffernan
Anthony Hill  

Anthony Hill

Author

Anthony Hill is an award-winning author of historically accurate books for children and young adults. They include Soldier Boy (NSW Premier’s Award), about the youngest Anzac; and The Burnt Stick (CBCA Honour Book) a powerful story from the ‘Stolen Generations.’

» Read more about Anthony Hill
Robert Hillman  

Robert Hillman

Author

Robert Hillman has published more than sixty works of fiction and non-fiction. His books feature in school libraries all over Australia and his autobiography, The Boy in the Green Suit, won the 2005 Australian National Biography Award. His publications cover sports, Australian history, nation building, Young Australian achievers, and the plight of refugees and asylum seekers

» Read more about Robert Hillman
Lia Hills  

Lia Hills

Author, Storyteller/Performer

Lia Hills is a poet, novelist and translator. Her work has been published, performed, and translated both locally and internationally, and focuses on sources of meaning.

» Read more about Lia Hills
Nette Hilton  

Nette Hilton

Author

Nette Hilton is a compelling and challenging storyteller of exciting tales for children of all ages with a voice that is strong and filled with warmth and humour. She creates the extraordinary in the everyday lives of families captivating her readers while opening new worlds and realities for them.

» Read more about Nette Hilton
Kate Holden  

Kate Holden

Author, Inspirational Speaker

Kate Holden is the author of the best-selling In My Skin and a columnist for The Age. She speaks frankly and movingly of her time as a heroin addict and sex worker, talks of personal dignity and survival, and also speaks about her writing career as a memoirist and freelancer.

» Read more about Kate Holden
Elizabeth Honey  

Elizabeth Honey

Author, Illustrator

Elizabeth Honey is an award-winning author of poetry, picture books and novels. She is also an artist and illustrates her own books. Her playful humour, originality, and energy strike a chord with children everywhere. Her novels are published in many countries.

» Read more about Elizabeth Honey
Joanne Horniman  

Joanne Horniman

Author

Joanne Horniman has been writing for twenty-five years and is an experienced writing teacher to both adults and children.

» Read more about Joanne Horniman
Simmone Howell  

Simmone Howell

Author

Simmone Howell has written everything from advertorials to short plays to soap opera dialogue. But mainly, she writes realistic teenage fiction and runs zine workshops.

» Read more about Simmone Howell
Rebecca Huntley  
Melinda Hutchings  

Melinda Hutchings

Author, Personal Development, Inspirational Speaker

Melinda Hutchings is a media commentator, author, speaker and mentor on the topic of body image and teen issues. She is the author of four books and is passionate about empowering young people to face and overcome challenging issues and to recognise their enormous potential to create a happy and fulfilling future.

» Read more about Melinda Hutchings
Carol Jones  

Carol Jones

Author

Carol Jones has been a teacher, children’s magazine editor and publisher. She has written more than 40 books for children, including educational fiction and non-fiction, eight novels and trade non-fiction.

» Read more about Carol Jones
Toni Jordan  

Toni Jordan

Author

Toni Jordan’s debut novel, the international best-seller Addition, was published in 2008 and shortlisted for both the Barbara Jefferis award and the ABIA best general fiction book, longlisted for the Miles Franklin Literary Award and won best debut fiction in the 2008 Indie awards. Addition was published in 16 countries and has been optioned for film. Her second novel, Fall Girl, was published in November 2010 in Australia and will be published in 2011 in the UK, Germany, France and Taiwan.

» Read more about Toni Jordan
Kim Kane  

Kim Kane

Author

Kim Kane was born in London in a bed bequeathed by Wordsworth to …a writer, a painter or a poet'. Despite this auspicious beginning, she went on to practise law.

In 2004, Kim threw her unbridled materialism to the wind and started to write. Kim now works exactly part-time as a lawyer and exactly part-time as a writer and the combination is perfect.

Kim has noticed that most proper children’s writers like chickens. Kim hates chickens. She does, however, like being backstage, her nephew, Angus, and, if she is strictly honest, most fatty snacks. Above all of these things (except perhaps Angus), Kim likes telling stories, and on a good writing day she wouldn’t trade her life for anything.

» Read more about Kim Kane
Geoff Kelly  

Geoff Kelly

Author, Illustrator

Geoff has worked in most areas of illustration from magazines and publishing to the many faceted world of commercial art. He has written and illustrated a number of children’s books and made the pictures for many more.

» Read more about Geoff Kelly
Cate Kennedy  

Cate Kennedy

Author

Cate Kennedy writes across most genres – fiction, poetry and non-fiction. Her short stories and essays regularly appear in magazines and literary journals. She is one of Australia’s most popular teachers of the short story form.

» Read more about Cate Kennedy
Phil Kettle  

Phil Kettle

Author

Phil is an award winning author of over 150 books. Phil is a much sought after school speaker.

» Read more about Phil Kettle
William Kostakis  

William Kostakis

Author

William Kostakis is an award-winning author for young adults who prides himself on still being a young adult. His debut novel, “Loathing Lola” was released when he was just 19 and met with critical acclaim. Since then, he has split his time between writing his sophomore, a fledgling journalistic career and touring high schools nationally.

» Read more about William Kostakis
Sofie Laguna  

Sofie Laguna

Author, Storyteller/Performer

Sofie Laguna is an actor, author and playwright. Her many books for children have been published in the US and the UK and in translation throughout Europe and Asia.

Sofie will take expressions of interest for residencies with schools in Western Australia in 2012.

» Read more about Sofie Laguna
Judith Lanigan  

Judith Lanigan

Author, Entertainer, Inspirational Speaker

» Read more about Judith Lanigan
Julia Lawrinson  

Julia Lawrinson

Author

Julia Lawrinson is an award-winning author for children and young adults and an engaging presenter for students of all ages. She had published ten novels from Aussie Nibbles to young adult fiction.

» Read more about Julia Lawrinson
Sue Lawson  

Sue Lawson

Author

Sue Lawson worked as a teacher and a radio announcer/producer before serious illness motivated her to devote more time to her true passion – writing.

» Read more about Sue Lawson
Doug MacLeod  

Doug MacLeod

Author

Doug MacLeod had his first book published at the age of sixteen, which earned him a fan letter from British comedian John Cleese. After graduating from the writing course at The Victorian College of Arts, Doug became head writer of the hit show The Comedy Company, and continued working full-time in TV for fourteen years, before leaving to write novels for young adults.

Doug MacLeod will take expressions of interest from schools in South Australia in May 2012

» Read more about Doug MacLeod
Emma Magenta  

Emma Magenta

Illustrator, Author

Emma Magenta was born in Sydney and began her career drawing and writing her thoughts down on brown paper bags while working at Berkelouw Books in Paddington. After pinning them to the front window, they accrued a cult status and a publishing deal was offered to her by Australian publishing phenomenon; Bradley Trevor Grieve.

Since then, she has written and illustrated several adult picture books; The Peril of Magnificent Love, A Gorgeous Sense of Hope, The Origin of Lament and The Gradual Demise of Phillipa Finch. These books explore aspects of the feminine psyche, one’s emotional world and the secret life of relationships. They have resonated with thousands of women around the globe as an antidote to depression and a validation of hope.

» Read more about Emma Magenta
Shane Maloney  

Shane Maloney

Author

Shane Maloney is a popular novelist. His books have been published in the US, Britain, Japan, Germany, France, Finland and Tasmania.

» Read more about Shane Maloney
John Marsden  

John Marsden

Author

John Marsden is the author of titles including So Much to Tell You, Letters From the Inside, and the much celebrated Tomorrow series, adapted for film in 2010. From a childhood at a deeply conservative paramilitary school with strict standards and a culture of rugby and rowing, John developed a passion for reading, writing and education at an early age. So far has published fiction and non-fiction for children, young adults and adults and has founded the Candlebark School in Victoria.

» Read more about John Marsden
Felicity Marshall  

Felicity Marshall

Author, Illustrator

Felicity is an author and illustrator of children’s picture books, as well as an accomplished painter. She believes in a holistic approach to art, and its role in all forms as both expression and therapy. She also believes that the process of creating art is as important as the end result.

Felicity makes a trip to Western Australia most years, around October. She is able to visits schools, libraries and other institutions at these times.

» Read more about Felicity Marshall
Prue Mason  

Prue Mason

Author

Prue Mason lived for many years in the Middle East and draws on her own many exciting life experiences to write her children’s adventure novels that have been particularly successful with boy readers. She has also written many articles and short stories for children’s magazines in Australia and internationally.

» Read more about Prue Mason
Maureen McCarthy  

Maureen McCarthy

Author

Maureen McCarthy is one of Australia’s best loved writer’s for Young Adults. Her novels are full of gutsy and believable characters caught at the cusp of adulthood – a time when so much is changing and being decided. Her strong storylines celebrate the complexity of contemporary life with honesty and humor.

» Read more about Maureen McCarthy
Andrew McDonald  

Andrew McDonald

Author

Andrew McDonald is an author, a blogger and a mammal. His debut book for children, The Greatest Blogger in the World, features a protagonist, a blog, and a duck.

» Read more about Andrew McDonald
Meme McDonald  

Meme McDonald

Author

Meme has written nine books (most recently the novel Love Like Water) that have received six major literary awards. Her other writing includes the ABC online documentary, A Year On The Wing; co-writing rock musicals Riff-Raff and Xenophobia and numerous theatre productions; and co-writing a feature filmscript based on the bestselling book – My Girragundji – written in collaboration with Boori Monty Pryor. She recently wrote and directed the short film Warrima – Shake-a-Leg Dance for YouthWorx Productions focusing on the importance of traditional dance for young indigenous men both from Melbourne and from Kuranda, North Queensland. Meme is experienced at engaging audiences of all ages and inspires creativity within others through her unique approach to writing workshops.

» Read more about Meme McDonald
Russell McGilton  

Russell McGilton

Inspirational Speaker, Entertainer, Author

Russell McGilton is a writer, comic performer, avid cyclist and adventurer. He has written travel narratives for The Australian, The Age, Big Issue and is an award winning playwright.

» Read more about Russell McGilton
Michael McGirr  

Michael McGirr

Author

Michael is a well known author, commentator and presenter. He is a familiar voice on radio. As well as writing his own books, he has reviewed over 900 books for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald. He is the author of Bypass: The story of a road.

» Read more about Michael McGirr
Esther McKay  

Esther McKay

Author

Esther Mckay has led an incredible life, from her work as a crime scene examiner in Sydney to best selling author. She is an advocate for Police suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and works actively to improve conditions for mental health in emergency workers. She speaks regularly about her experiences and is an Australia Day Ambassador.

» Read more about Esther McKay
Peter Meares  

Peter Meares

Author, Journalist

With forty years experience in sports media, Peter Meares is one of Queensland’s best-known sports commentators. He has published three books and has another two out later this year. A regular on ABC radio, he will be covering his fifth Commonwealth Games in Delhi in October, 2010.

» Read more about Peter Meares
David Metzenthen  

David Metzenthen

Author

David Metzenthen is a writer of Australian stories for readers aged from six to young adulthood. He has won many prizes for his work and his books have graced many shortlists.

» Read more about David Metzenthen
Glenda Millard  

Glenda Millard

Author

Glenda Millard writes picture books, novels for younger readers and for young adults. Her books have been published in Australia and internationally and have won many accolades.

» Read more about Glenda Millard
David Miller  

David Miller

Author, Illustrator

David Miller is having a lot of difficulty answering this question, so here are a few kind words from publisher Helen Chamberlin: ‘David is a leading Australian children’s book author/illustrator with a hugely impressive track record. His unique paper sculptures are of the highest artistic merit and he has a consummately professional approach to all he undertakes.’

David’s Tasmania tour in May 2012 is now fully booked — but we can recommend alternative visiting speakers for you.

» Read more about David Miller
James Moloney  

James Moloney

Author

James Moloney has written more than thirty books for readers between seven and seventeen years old. Many of his YA novels are widely studied in schools and two have won the CBCA Book of the Year Award. He is an engaging speaker for all ages from seven upwards.

James will tour schools in Victoria and Tasmania in 2012

» Read more about James Moloney
Bernie Monagle  

Bernie Monagle

Author, Personal Development, Education Consultant, Inspirational Speaker

Bernie regularly runs workshops for teachers and writers, describing himself as a Storyteller, Writer, Educator. He frequently visits schools and talks to students in schools about writing stories and living stories. His own story is inspirational. A gifted communicator, he never fails to engage and inspire his audience.

» Read more about Bernie Monagle
Chris Morphew  

Chris Morphew

Author

Chris Morphew spent his childhood writing stories about dinosaurs and spaceships. More recently, he’s written fifteen books for kids and young adults.

» Read more about Chris Morphew
Kirsty Murray  

Kirsty Murray

Author

Kirsty Murray is a multi award-winning author of fourteen books whose dynamic and inspiring presentations are guaranteed to send young people away itching to read more widely and to believe that they too can share their stories with the world.

Kirsty will tour schools in South Australia in August 2012

» Read more about Kirsty Murray
Martine Murray  

Martine Murray

Author, Illustrator

Martine Murray left university to study art. After art school she studied more physical things like acrobatics and dance. Then she tried to join it all together in theatre. Meanwhile, she started writing just to keep track of what was going on. She spends a lot of time walking with her dog, Bear, and thinking up ideas. She has never learnt practical skills except how to cook rice. She lives in Melbourne.

» Read more about Martine Murray
Josh Nelson  

Josh Nelson

Education Consultant, Curriculum Specialist, Author

Josh Nelson (BCA Hons, PhD) has worked as a lecturer at the University of Melbourne, Monash University and Victoria University, and has extensive experience presenting to secondary schools on a number of film and media-related topics. He has appeared on Triple R as a guest reviewer for Film Buffs Forecast, and his writing has been published in Screening The Past, Arts Hub and on his website, Philmology. Josh is currently working on a number of film projects.

» Read more about Josh Nelson
Richard Newsome  

Richard Newsome

Author

Richard Newsome has worked as a journalist, a strategy consultant and the communications director for a multinational media company. His Billionaire’s trilogy of children’s books, which has been sold into eight countries, started as a bedtime story for his children.

» Read more about Richard Newsome
Robert Newton  

Robert Newton

Author

Robert Newton works as a full-time firefighter with the Metropolitan Fire Brigade. His wrote his first novel, My Name is Will Thompson in 2001 and since then has written four other novels for young adults, including Runner in 2005 and Black Dog Gang in 2007. His upcoming novel for young adults is set for a 2011 release.

» Read more about Robert Newton
John Nicholson  
Leonie Norrington  
Patrick O'Neil  

Patrick O'Neil

Author, Journalist

Patrick O’Neil is a 31-year-old travel writer, journalist, editor and author. His debut travel memoir, spanning six continents, was published by Penguin in 2009 and reprinted in 2010. In between overseas jaunts, he works editing news and writing headlines for The Age newspaper.

» Read more about Patrick O'Neil
Paddy O'Reilly  

Paddy O'Reilly

Author

Paddy O'Reilly is a multi-award winning writer of fiction and non fiction and a passionate speaker on the art of writing.

» Read more about Paddy O'Reilly
Narelle Oliver  

Narelle Oliver

Author, Illustrator

Narelle Oliver is author and illustrator of award-winning picture books which feature narratives based on both natural history and imaginary/social/mathematical themes. Equipped with a Bachelor of Education, teaching experience, and twenty years of publication experience, she has conducted writing and illustrating workshops across Australia and South-East Asia.

Narelle will tour schools in Melbourne, Victoria and Sydney, New South Wales in August 2012.

» Read more about Narelle Oliver
Sonia Orchard  

Sonia Orchard

Author, Journalist

Sonia Orchard is a freelance writer and author with a background in classical music, marine biology, teaching (music and environmental education), cooking and scuba-diving instruction.

» Read more about Sonia Orchard
Wendy Orr  

Wendy Orr

Author

Wendy Orr has spoken to groups as little as 5 and as big as 5000 people across Australia, Canada and the USA. She is known for the honesty and inspirational qualities of her sessions.

» Read more about Wendy Orr
Amra Pajalic  

Amra Pajalic

Author

Amra Pajalic is a young novelist with a big future. Her debut novel The Good Daughter was published in May 2009 by Text Publishing. Her short stories have placed in competitions, been published in magazines, journals and anthologies. She lives in St Albans, Melbourne, with her husband, daughter and three cats.

» Read more about Amra Pajalic
Tony Palmer  

Tony Palmer

Author

Tony Palmer is a graphic designer by profession and writes part time about Australian History. His first novel, Break of Day is written with ringing clarity and real immediacy, putting his readers inside the skin of his characters.

» Read more about Tony Palmer
Michael Panckridge  

Michael Panckridge

Author

Michael Panckridge has written over thirty five books, many with a sporty theme, making them ideal reads for boys and reluctant readers. They are pacy, readable and hit the spot!

» Read more about Michael Panckridge
Chrissie Perry  

Chrissie Perry

Author

Chrissie Perry has written twenty-five books for kids, including thirteen in the popular Go Girl! series that explore ‘real life, for real girls’.

» Read more about Chrissie Perry
James Phelan  

James Phelan

Author

James Phelan was born in 1979 and lives in Melbourne. He studied and worked in architecture, before turning to English literature. He graduated with a Master of Arts in writing, which he used to waste five good years at a newspaper. He first non-fiction book was published at age twenty-five and he has been a full-time novelist since 2006, and currently divides his time between writing the Lachlan Fox thriller series, and the Alone post-apocalyptic trilogy for Young Adults.

James will be featured in the 2012 Get Reading! program. He will tour nationally in August – lodge your expressions of interest with us now.

James will be available for Melbourne schools and libraries in Book Week (20-24 August) exclusively through Booked Out.

» Read more about James Phelan
Oliver Phommavanh  

Oliver Phommavanh

Author

Oliver Phommavanh loves to make people laugh, whether it’s on the page writing humour for kids or on stage as a stand-up comedian. He also shares his passion for writing with the kids he teaches at a primary school in Western Sydney. As a comedian, Oliver has appeared on stage, and on national TV and radio.

Oliver will tour schools in Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania and South Australia in 2012

» Read more about Oliver Phommavanh
Nick Place  

Nick Place

Author, Journalist

Nick Place is an internationally-published writer of comedy adventure novels for pre-teen and early teen readers. He is also a published poet and has credits as a screenwriter, TV writer and playwright. Away from writing fiction, he is a career journalist/media identity.

» Read more about Nick Place
Michael Pryor  

Michael Pryor

Author

Best-selling author Michael Pryor has published more than twenty books and fifty short stories. He is one of Australia’s leading fantasy writers. Michael has been shortlisted six times for the Aurealis Awards (including for BLAZE OF GLORY and HEART OF GOLD), has been nominated for a Ditmar award, and five of his books have been CBCA Notable Books, including WORD OF HONOUR.

» Read more about Michael Pryor
Felicity Pulman  

Felicity Pulman

Author

Felicity’s stories reflect her passion for history (both Australian history and medieval England) and her fascination with the unknown in our world: time travel, ghosts and reincarnation.

» Read more about Felicity Pulman
Jeff Raglus  

Jeff Raglus

Author, Illustrator

Jeff Raglus is a well known artist, illustrator and musician. He has worked for Mambo Graphics, Swatch Watches and has played in musical ensembles such as The Black Sorrows and The Bachelors from Prague.

» Read more about Jeff Raglus
Sally Rippin  

Sally Rippin

Author, Illustrator

Sally Rippin is one of Booked Out’s most versatile speakers. She has run workshops and given presentations from Prep to Year 12 in both writing and illustrating. Sally travels regularly throughout Australia to speak at schools and festivals and has recently had residencies in Beijing, Singapore, Shanghai and Ghana.

» Read more about Sally Rippin
Marion Roberts  

Marion Roberts

Author

Marion Roberts is a fiction writer with two novels published for young readers following the misguided adventures of eleven-year-old Sunny Hathaway. Marion also has a Masters in creative writing and enjoys teaching children to develop their writing skills by running workshops in schools.

» Read more about Marion Roberts
Jeannette Rowe  

Jeannette Rowe

Author, Illustrator

Jeannette Rowe is one of Australia’s best selling preschool authors/illustrators. She has published over serventy picture books over the past twelve years and has sold nearly two million books around the world.

» Read more about Jeannette Rowe
Penni Russon  

Penni Russon

Author

Penni Russon is an intelligent literary author for young people with a Masters in Creative Writing. She has worked as an online editor and in book publishing, and in teaching creative writing at university.

» Read more about Penni Russon
Sue Saliba  

Sue Saliba

Author

Sue Saliba is the prize-winning author of novels for Young Adults. She has taught English at secondary school, Novel Writing at RMIT and Creative Writing at Melbourne University.

» Read more about Sue Saliba
Craig Smith (NZ)  

Craig Smith (NZ)

Author, Storyteller/Performer

Craig Smith is the performer and author of The Wonky Donkey, the biggest selling picture book in Australia in 2010. It is still amongst the top 3 best selling children’s picture books, outsold only by Mem Fox’s Where’s the Green Sheep and Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

» Read more about Craig Smith (NZ)
R.A. Spratt  

R.A. Spratt

Author, Illustrator

R.A.Spratt is an award-winning comedy writer with thirteen years experience in the television industry. She started out writing political satire, then moved into sketch comedy, then pre-school drama and in more recent years has worked mainly in animation. R.A. Spratt lives in Sydney. She used to enjoy bellringing, hapkido and long distance running. But then she had two children has rarely left the house since. She is currently working on the 6th installment in the Nanny Piggins series.

» Read more about R.A. Spratt
Jen Storer  

Jen Storer

Author

Jen Storer is the author of Tensy Farlow and the Home for Mislaid Children (Penguin/Viking) which was short-listed for several awards including the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards, 2010. She has a first class honours degree in Literature from Monash University.

Due to other committments, Jen will not be taking school visits in 2012. You are welcome to express interest for future visits.

» Read more about Jen Storer
Shaun Tan  

Shaun Tan

Author, Illustrator

After completing a Fine Arts degree in Literature, Shaun’s focus on illustration has taken him to the science-fiction genre, political cartooning and picture books. Shaun’s work with writers like John Marsden and Gary Crew, along with writing of his own, has established him as a progressive of contemporary picture books.

» Read more about Shaun Tan
John Tesarsch  

John Tesarsch

Author

John is currently a solicitor, and before that was a barrister. Before that, he was a musician, and as a cellist was a part-time member of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Vienna Bach Soloists and Haydn Sinfonietta. (He’s also worked as a Berlitz teacher, a warehouseman and a fertiliser salesman.) So when he came to publish his first novel, The Philanthropist with Sleepers Publishing in late 2010, it’s no wonder many reviewers described him as a Renaissance man of many talents, and rare insight. John draws on his work outside writing: he is fascinated (and he argues, due to his work in the legal profession) by the profound effect that even a momentary indiscretion can have on a person’s life.

» Read more about John Tesarsch
Tony Thompson  

Tony Thompson

Author, Education Consultant, Curriculum Specialist

Tony Thompson is a Melbourne based writer and teacher. He has written two non fiction books for teenagers. His articles on education have appeared in The Age and The Australian.

» Read more about Tony Thompson
Kim Toft  
Ian Trevaskis  

Ian Trevaskis

Author

Ian writes picture story books, novels for older readers and young adult novels as well as dabbling in some freelance journalism. He was, until recently a primary school teacher, but after 40 years in front of a chalkboard he finally decided writing is heaps more fun and so much quieter.

» Read more about Ian Trevaskis
Maria Tumarkin  

Maria Tumarkin

Author

Maria Tumarkin is a Melbourne-based writer and a historian. She is the author of three critically acclaimed books of narrative non-fiction, which explore some of today’s most pressing issues – identity, immigration, family, moral courage and trauma.

» Read more about Maria Tumarkin
Erin Vincent  

Erin Vincent

Author, Inspirational Speaker, Personal Development

Erin Vincent is a highly respected journalist who has worked both here and in the US for publications such as The Australian, Marie Claire, The Sunday Telegraph and America’s biggest selling publication People Magazine. She is also the author of the acclaimed memoir Grief Girl: My True Story that is now in its seventh printing in the US and was named a New York Public Library’s Best Book for 2007.

» Read more about Erin Vincent
Michael Wagner  

Michael Wagner

Author

Michael Wagner is one of Australia’s most original and successful writers for children. His 45+ books successfully engage readers (even reluctant ones) with quirky humour, fast-paced action and unpredictable storytelling.

» Read more about Michael Wagner
Anna Walker  

Anna Walker

Author, Illustrator

Anna Walker has illustrated and written delightful books for young children. Her books have won awards for their design and content and are published internationally.

» Read more about Anna Walker
Gabrielle Wang  

Gabrielle Wang

Author, Illustrator

Gabrielle Wang is an award winning author and illustrator of novels and picture books for children and young adults. She was born in Melbourne of Chinese heritage. As a result, Gabrielle’s books are a blend of both Australian and Chinese culture with a touch of fantasy. She has conducted workshops in writing and illustrating around Australia and overseas.

Gabrielle Wang will take expressions of interest from schools in South Australia in May 2012

» Read more about Gabrielle Wang
Trudy White  

Trudy White

Author, Illustrator

Trudy White is a painter, illustrator, author and designer. She draws in watercolour, ink and acrylic paint, making large paintings and small books, and she also designs books and other things.

» Read more about Trudy White
Frances Whiting  

Frances Whiting

Author, Journalist

Frances Whiting is Queensland’s best-known and best-loved newspaper columnist. For five years her weekly column in the Sunday Mail has made readers smile, cry, tear their hair out, and on several occasions, fall out of bed laughing. Frances is also the Associate Editor of the Sunday Mail and Senior Feature Writer. When she isn’t doing all of these things she enjoys playing guitar badly and falling off her surfboard.

» Read more about Frances Whiting
Kim Wilkins  

Kim Wilkins

Author

Kim Wilkins is the author of widely published supernatural and fantasy novels for young adults and adults and now publishes romance novels under the pseudonym Kimberly Freeman.

» Read more about Kim Wilkins
Lili Wilkinson  

Lili Wilkinson

Author, Education Consultant, Inspirational Speaker

Lili Wilkinson is a reader and writer of YA literature. She is the author of five books for teenagers. When she’s not reading or writing, she can often be found making monsters out of wool.

» Read more about Lili Wilkinson
Gabrielle Williams  

Gabrielle Williams

Author

Gabrielle Williams has a brown-belt in karate, and once she hits black-belt status, things are gonna change dramatically around her house. Her kids will suddenly find themselves a whole lot more helpful with the housework – namely the dishes – and a whole lot less mouthy. Oh, and she writes a bit as well.

Gabrielle will take expressions of interest for residencies with schools in Western Australia and other states in 2012.

» Read more about Gabrielle Williams
Mark Wilson  

Mark Wilson

Author, Illustrator

Mark Wilson is one of Australia’s most successful author/illustrators of children’s books. He currently has seventeen books in print in Australia and the USA. His picture books have won many awards including two Whiteley Awards for children’s picture books, two Wilderness Society Awards and five CBCA Notable Picture Book awards.

» Read more about Mark Wilson
Tony Wilson  

Tony Wilson

Author, Entertainer, Inspirational Speaker

Tony Wilson has written two hilarious satirical novels about celebrity and tabloid media. He is also the author of five picture books, and has worked successfully on television (Race Around the World and Santo, Sam and Ed’s Cup Fever!), radio (Triple R’s Breakfasters) and print media (The Age and The Monthly).

» Read more about Tony Wilson
Fiona Wood  

Fiona Wood

Author

Fiona Wood has been writing television scripts for the last ten years on shows ranging from MDA and The Secret Life of Us, to Home and Away and Neighbours. Her first YA novel is Six Impossible Things. She lives in Melbourne with her husband, two YAs and a bad old dog.

» Read more about Fiona Wood
Arnold Zable  

Arnold Zable

Author, Storyteller/Performer

Arnold Zable is an award winning writer, storyteller and human rights advocate. He is the author of eight books, including three novels, numerous stories, essays and columns. He has lectured in creative writing and social issues, and conducted writing workshops in the past 25 years.

» Read more about Arnold Zable

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