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Asphyxia
Author, Entertainer, Online - Virtual Visits, Storyteller/Performer
Asphyxia is the author of the magical series, The Grimstones. She is an experienced motivational speaker and loves to inspire people to be more creative and open-minded. She is an avid art-journaler and generously shares her process to help others benefit from this amazing life tool. Asphyxia is also a …
» Read more about Asphyxia
Randa Abdel-Fattah
Author, Social Commentator
Randa is a prominent Australian author, academic, human rights advocate, former lawyer and mother of four children. She was recently nominated for Sweden’s Astrid Lindgren Award, the world’s biggest children’s and young adult literature award. The award-winning author of 11 novels published and translated in over 20 countries, Randa writes …
» Read more about Randa Abdel-Fattah
Deborah Abela
Author, Online - Virtual Visits
Dip Teach, BA (Comm) After completing a teaching degree, Deb went to Africa where she was caught in a desert sandstorm, harassed by monkeys and thrown in jail…twice! She produced and wrote a national kids’ TV show before leaving to become an award-winning, internationally published author. Her books include the Max …
» Read more about Deborah Abela
Abdi Aden
Corporate, Inspirational Speaker, Speaking Out
Abdi’s world fell apart when he was only fifteen and Somalia’s vicious civil war hit Mogadishu. Unable to find his family and effectively an orphan, he fled with some sixty others, and joined another 300 heading to Kenya. On the way, death squads hunted them and they daily faced violence, …
» Read more about Abdi Aden
Graham Akhurst
Academic, Author
Graham Akhurst is an Indigenous writer and academic from the Kokomini of northern Queensland. He is an expert in the critical study of Indigenous Australian literature and is a teacher of Creative Writing and Indigenous Australian Studies at University level.
» Read more about Graham Akhurst
Ren Alessandra
Author, Entertainer, Poet, Storyteller
Ren is a national award-winning spoken word artist and English teacher who merges her love of both arts into active, engaging and empowering writing workshops and performances. See more at Ren’s website here.
» Read more about Ren Alessandra
Nat Amoore
Author, Online - Virtual Visits, Podcaster
Nat Amoore is a kid’s writer who is passionate about encouraging kids to read and write and explore their imagination without boundaries. She is all about big ideas, big laughs and big fun.
» Read more about Nat Amoore
Marcia Langton AO
Academic, Author, Curriculum Specialist, Social Issues
Professor Marcia Langton is one of Australia’s most important voices for Indigenous Australia. She first became an Indigenous rights activist at Queensland University in the 1970s, and since then has worked with the Central Land Council, the Cape York Land Council and for the 1989 Royal Commission into Aboriginal deaths …
» Read more about Marcia Langton AO
Charlie Archbold
Author, Education Consultant
Through award winning children’s books Charlie creates wonderful stories that leave a lasting impression. From picture book to YA Charlie is able to connect with the hearts, minds, humour, and dreams of her readers. Publications include: Mallee Boys, Indigo Owl, The Sugarcane Kids and the Red Bottomed Boat, Raised by …
» Read more about Charlie Archbold
Felice Arena
Author, Illustrator
Felice Arena is one of Australia’s much-loved children’s authors. His books have topped bestseller lists and garnered several awards, including six Australian Children’s Choice Book Awards. His works include the incredibly popular Specky Magee series, the hilarious Farticus Maximus books, Whippersnapper, Wish, the Boyz-Rule and Girlz-Rock books, the action-packed bionic-hero …
» Read more about Felice Arena
Rawah Arja
Author, Entertainment, Inspirational Speaker, Social Issues
Rawah Arja is a passionate young Muslim author from Western Sydney whose work has featured at the Sydney Writer’s Festival, SBS Voices as well as the Sydney Review of Books. She teaches creative writing workshops at schools, specialising in reluctant readers and writers.
» Read more about Rawah Arja
Sarah Armstrong
Author
Sarah’s school presentations and workshops are interactive, fun and very practical. She shares writing tools she uses in her own books and takes the students behind the scenes of a writer’s life, with stories and photos. Website: http://www.sarah-armstrong.com/ Instagram:@saraharmstrongwriter
» Read more about Sarah Armstrong
David Astle
Author, Corporate, Inspirational Speaker, Speaking Out
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
Luke Atkins
Corporate, Inspirational Speaker, Online - Virtual Visits, Speaking Out
Luke Atkins is an ultra-endurance runner and personal safety expert. Luke has represented Australia in both taekwondo and endurance running competing all over the world from Mongolia to the USA. Luke seamlessly draws the link between the mental toughness required to run for more than 24 hours non-stop and the …
» Read more about Luke Atkins
Clare Atkins
Author
Clare Atkins wrote her first book, Nona & Me, which living in Arnhem Land, and is now based in Darwin. Nona & Me won the 2016 Book of the Year in the NT Literary Awards and was an Honour Book in the 2015 Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Awards. …
» Read more about Clare Atkins
Amal Awad
Author, Education Consultant, Inspirational Speaker, Social Commentator, Social Issues
Amal Awad is a journalist, author and screenwriter who is focused on issues of society, religion and popular culture. She is the author of four books and is involved in several screenwriting projects. Amal is also a public speaker and has produced and presented for ABC Radio National.
» Read more about Amal Awad
Sarah Ayoub
Author, Inspirational Speaker, Social Issues
Sarah Ayoub is a journalist, author and academic researching intersectional literature. Her work has been published in The Guardian, The Sydney Morning Herald, ELLE, Marie-Claire, Griffith Review, Sydney Review of Books and more. She has worked as a lecturer and tutor in journalism and writing with the University of Sydney, …
» Read more about Sarah Ayoub
Dr Joanne Orlando (PhD, M.Ed, B.Ed)
Author, Education Consultant, Inspirational Speaker, Personal Development, Social Issues, Welfare
Dr Joanne Orlando (PhD, M.Ed, B.Ed) is one of Australia’s favourite and most trusted digital wellbeing experts. Through her ground-breaking research she provides specialist advice and solutions to today’s most pressing digital wellbeing issues for children and adults. Joanne is a popular presenter on TV, with over 10 years presenting …
» Read more about Dr Joanne Orlando (PhD, M.Ed, B.Ed)
Marcelo Baez
Comics, Entertainment, Illustrator, Inspirational Speaker
Marcelo is professional illustrator and creative facilitator based on the NSW South Coast. Working internationally and locally as an illustrator for over 27 years, and over 14 years as a creative facilitator and presenter. He also teaches a large variety of drawing comics/character design/visual storytelling for kids as well as …
» Read more about Marcelo Baez
Tim Bain
Animator, TV Writer
Tim has written for some of children’s television’s biggest stars, including Fireman Sam, Bob the Builder, Thomas the Tank Engine, the PJ Masks and Bluey. He is the creator of animated ABC Kids series Kangaroo Beach, airing in 2020 and has performed voices in Go Jetters and Thomas & Friends. …
» Read more about Tim Bain
Emilie Zoey Baker
Entertainer, Online - Virtual Visits, Poet, Storyteller/Performer
Emilie Zoey Baker is an international poetry slam champion who will excite and delight all ages about poetry written for both page and stage.
» Read more about Emilie Zoey Baker
Trace Balla
Author, Illustrator, Inspirational Speaker
Trace Balla loves to illustrate and write songs and stories, and inspire others in their creativity and awareness of the wonders of the natural world and the ample stories that surround us. Her multi award winning books include Rockhopping, Rivertime, Shine, Landing with Wings, Leaflight and The Thank You Dish. Themes include gratitude, grief, slowing …
» Read more about Trace Balla
Tristan Bancks
Author, Online - Virtual Visits
Tristan Bancks tells stories for the page and screen. His books for kids and teens include Two Wolves, The Fall, Detention, the Tom Weekly series, Nit Boy and Ginger Meggs, a 100th anniversary book of brand new short stories based on characters created by his great-great uncle, Jimmy Bancks, in 1921. His books have won and been shortlisted for many …
» Read more about Tristan Bancks
Charlotte Barkla
Author
Charlotte Barkla is a Brisbane-based author and teacher. Her books include Let’s Try Again Another Day, the 11 Ruby Road historical fiction series, All Bodies are Good Bodies, the Edie’s Experiments series and From My Head to My Toes, I Say What Goes. She has a further four children’s books …
» Read more about Charlotte Barkla
Clem Bastow
Author, Inspirational Speaker, Social Issues
Clem is an Autistic advocate, screenwriter and cultural critic who has relished getting in front of an audience ever since they were sent home from a Year 9 birthday party following a tour de force performance of twenty road safety PSAs. Clem is particularly passionate about Autism advocacy and loves …
» Read more about Clem Bastow
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.
» Read more about Michael Gerard Bauer
Sami Bayly
Author, Illustrator
Sami loves to capture her audiences with weird and wonderful stories about the most unusual aspects of nature. She incorporates her non-fiction writing with storytelling, as she finds they really do work hand in hand. You are guaranteed to leave her sessions with a new animal discovery, an updated drawing …
» Read more about Sami Bayly
Adrian Beck
Author, Online - Virtual Visits, Storyteller/Performer
Adrian Beck is the co-author of the best-selling kids’ series Kick it to Nick, with AFL Hall of Fame inductee Shane Crawford. Part-time TV producer / part-time writer, Adrian uses both skill sets to entertain with lively, humorous and interactive sessions on writing, working in television and footy.
» Read more about Adrian Beck
Davina Bell
Author
Davina Bell is a book editor and writer for young people. Her first picture book, The Underwater Fancy-dress Parade, won the Small Publishers category in the 2016 Australian Book Industry Awards, and she is the author of the Alice books in the bestselling Our Australian Girl series of historical fiction for …
» Read more about Davina Bell
Idan Ben-Barak
Idan is an award-winning children’s author who writes thought- (and laughter-) provoking science books. So far, he has written about germs, brains, minds, hands, senses, immunity; he’s even written a picture book about his PhD thesis topic, the origin of life. He’s keen to find out what happens next. …
» Read more about Idan Ben-Barak
Gabriel Bergmoser
Author, Storyteller/Performer
Gabriel Bergmoser is an award-winning author, playwright and screenwriter. His books have been translated into multiple languages and plays performed internationally
» Read more about Gabriel Bergmoser
Amanda Betts
Author, Education Consultant
Amanda (AJ) Betts is an award-winning author, teacher and cyclist, living in Perth. Her novel ‘Zac and Mia’ won the 2012 Text Prize for best unpublished manuscript.
» Read more about Amanda Betts
Danielle Binks
Author, Personal Development, Social Issues
Danielle Binks is a literary agent and author of middle-grade and young-adult fiction books. She is a passionate ‘youth literature advocate’ who champions Australia’s national youth literature and writes compelling contemporary stories for young people.
» Read more about Danielle Binks
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
Alice Bishop
Author, Inspirational Speaker, Social Issues
Alice Bishop is from Christmas Hills, Victoria. Her first book A Constant Hum, tracks the lingering aftermath of Australian bushfire. It was recently shortlisted for the 2019 Readings Prize for New Australian Fiction and recognised in the Penguin Literary Prize. Alice’s work focuses on place, people and climate—often highlighting the …
» Read more about Alice Bishop
Emma Bowd
Author, Online - Virtual Visits
Emma is an award-winning and internationally published author of books for children and adults; an experienced presenter (both online and in-person); and a passionate Literacy Ambassador for the education charity, Ardoch. A vibrant new voice in Australian children’s literature, Emma’s debut rhyming picture book, Wonderful Shoes was awarded a CBCA Notable Book (Early …
» Read more about Emma Bowd
Mark Brandi
Author, New Speakers
Mark Brandi is an award-winning Melbourne author who was born in Italy, then raised in country Victorian pub. He was the first Australian to win the coveted British Crime Writers’ Association Debut Dagger, but his road to becoming a successful novelist took a few unusual detours.
» Read more about Mark Brandi
Cori Brooke
Author, Inspirational Speaker
Cori Brooke is a Canadian-Australian Children’s Book Council of Australia shortlisted children’s picture book author (All I Want for Christmas is Rain), public servant and Mom. Cori loves to share her books, book-related artifacts and books she loves with kids and adults. She loves talking about her writing process, and …
» Read more about Cori Brooke
JC Burke
Author
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. Pig Boy has been shortlisted for a slew of awards and won Jane the prestigious …
» Read more about JC Burke
David Burton
Author, Inspirational Speaker, Personal Development, Social Issues
David is a multi-award-winning writer from Queensland. In 2015, David published his funny, sad and serious memoir How to Be Happy, which tackled an adolescence of depression, anxiety and sexual confusion head on. He’s regularly requested for his hilarious and inspiring talks.
» Read more about David Burton
Mirranda Burton
Author, Illustrator, Social Issues
Mirranda Burton is an artist, writer and author of graphic novels. Her work is fuelled by a passion for history, social issues and a dream of humans finding new ways to understand each other.
» Read more about Mirranda Burton
Bernard Caleo
Author, Illustrator, Online - Virtual Visits, Storyteller/Performer
Bernard Caleo draws and writes and performs. He loves comic books and what happens when you put words and pictures together. Illustrator of The History of the City of Melbourne Bowls Club, written by Alex McDermott Illustrator of You’ll be a Wonderful Dad (Hardie Grant 2022) written by Ailsa Wild …
» Read more about Bernard Caleo
Michael Camilleri
Illustrator
Michael Camilleri is a Melbourne artist who creates books, comics and visual theatre. Michael’s latest illustration work can be seen in One Minute’s Silence by David Metzenthen. His illustration work also features in The Devil You Know by Leonie Norrington and on the album art and accompanying picture book for …
» Read more about Michael Camilleri
Victoria Carless
Author, Playwright
Victoria is an author and playwright with a special interest in writing and teaching magic realism. She has written books for middle grade and young adult readers, and her workshops and talks are suitable for upper primary and secondary school students.
» Read more about Victoria Carless
Isobelle Carmody
Author, Illustrator
Isobelle Carmody is a well known Australian author who has written many novels and short stories for children and adults and has a host of award winning novels to her credit. She began the first of her highly acclaimed Obernewtyn Chronicles while she was still at high school and worked on …
» Read more about Isobelle Carmody
Reece Carter
Author
As someone who fell in love with writing stories when he was a young reader himself, Reece wants to help the next generation of storytellers reach into the quirkiest corners of their own imaginations too, so they might dream up characters and larger-than-life stories of their own. From choose-your-own-fright stories …
» Read more about Reece Carter
Mark Carthew
Author, Entertainer, Storyteller/Performer
Dr Mark Carthew is an award winning Australian children’s author, poet, musician and educator well known for his books and series celebrating language, humour and wordplay. His illustrated play script series VoiceWorks sold over one million titles worldwide. Mark’s rhyme and riddle books Newts, Lutes and Bandicoots, Wicked Wizards & …
» Read more about Mark Carthew
Felicity Castagna
Author, Curriculum Specialist, Education Consultant, Storyteller/Performer
Felicity Castagna is the multi-award winning author of books for young adults and adults, as well as several works for stage and film. She has run popular workshops on writing and creativity everywhere from universities to correctional centres and is passionate about both working with young people and using her …
» Read more about Felicity Castagna
Adam Cece
Author, Online - Virtual Visits, Storyteller/Performer
Adam Cece is an award-winning author of children’s books, including the hilarious Huggabie Falls series, and an SA Premier’s Reading Challenge Ambassador. His mission, which he has chosen to accept, is to travel the country and inspire children to read and write, by sharing his journey, and his world of …
» Read more about Adam Cece
Tarang Chawla
Inspirational Speaker, Personal Development, Social Issues
Tarang Chawla is a speaker, writer and founder of Not One More Niki, working to end violence against women. He is a gender equality, human rights and mental health advocate who was named a Young Australian of the Year Finalist and listed as one of Australia’s Top 40 Under 40 …
» Read more about Tarang Chawla
Helen Chebatte
Author
Helen is an author and an actor. Using both her performance and writing skills, Helen brings dual knowledge and understanding to the art of expression.
» Read more about Helen Chebatte
Wai Chim
Author, Inspirational Speaker
Wai Chim is the Chinese-American-Australian author of a number of titles for kids and young adults including The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling. Her dynamic and energetic presentations focus on culture, nurturing a love for story and a passion for the human experience.
» Read more about Wai Chim
Freda Chiu
Author, Illustrator
Freda Chiu is an Australian Chinese illustrator, author and educator whose work has been published locally and internationally. As well as writing, she has illustrated children’s books and middle-grade novels for acclaimed authors. In 2022, she was shortlisted for the CBCA Award for New Illustrator and the IBBY Australia Ena …
» Read more about Freda Chiu
Tasneem Chopra
Education Consultant, Inspirational Speaker, Online - Virtual Visits, Personal Development, Social Issues, Storyteller, Well Within, Women's Rights
Tasneem is a whole lot of parts, symbolising the hybrid identity of today’s global citizen, which she speaks to with sheer wit. She is an East African born, Indian origin, Bendigo raised, Melbourne loving, daughter, mother, middle-child, karaoke swooning, sleep deprived, vertically challenged, feminist, Muslim, exhausted, activist – and she …
» Read more about Tasneem Chopra
Bradley Christmas
Author, Musician, Songwriter, Storyteller
Bradley Christmas is the author of young adult novel Saltwater Boy, a coming-of-age story exploring themes of family, conservation and reconciliation with Australia’s First Nations peoples. Away from his writing desk, Brad is often found performing with bands Copperline and the Gin Palace, as well as touring with acts from …
» Read more about Bradley Christmas
Anna Ciddor
Author, Illustrator, Online - Virtual Visits
Anna Ciddor inspires audiences with her passion for uncovering historical secrets and turning them into gripping narrative, and her lively presentations are filled with ‘show-and-tell’ and audience participation. In 2021, Anna won the Nance Donkin Award for Children’s Literature. Her newest book, A Message Through Time is coming out in …
» Read more about Anna Ciddor
Ruth Clare
Author, Inspirational Speaker, Personal Development, Social Issues
Ruth Clare is the author of the award-winning memoir, ENEMY (Penguin, 2016), a three-time TEDx speaker and lived experience mental health coach. In addition to writing for publications such as The Age, Elle, Meanjin and The Good Weekend, Ruth is working on a memoir based on her late life diagnosis …
» Read more about Ruth Clare
Maxine Beneba Clarke
Author, Illustrator
Maxine Beneba Clarke delivers presentations on her short fiction collection Foreign Soil which is a VCE Literature text. Maxine has written portraits for The Saturday Paper for four years, including profiles of Hugh Jackman, Roxane Gay, Julian Assange, Uncle Jack Charles, Paul Barry, Catherine Deveny, and Tony Abbott. She has guest taught short fiction, …
» Read more about Maxine Beneba Clarke
Anton Clifford-Motopi
Author
Anton writes funny stories for children that explore themes of identity, race, belonging, family relationships and friendship. His stories draw on his experiences of growing up in a large adoptive family, discovering his Black African father and white Australian mother, and raising four children.
» Read more about Anton Clifford-Motopi
Danielle Clode
Author
Danielle Clode is a zoologist and natural history writer. She also teaches professional and creative writing.
» Read more about Danielle Clode
Karen Comer
Author
Karen Comer is an author, freelance editor and writing mentor and presents writing workshops to children and adults. She teaches a ten-month online writing course and presents writing workshops to schools and holiday programs. Her work as a freelance editor includes fiction for adults and children, as well as personal …
» Read more about Karen Comer
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. Two of her books for younger readers, Cicada Summer and The January Stars, have been …
» Read more about Kate Constable
Amanda Cooper
Illustrator
Gallery for a Day is a travelling exhibition of the original illustrations and preliminary artwork from Australian picture books. Interactive workshops give the students an understanding of the planning and process involved in creating art for picture books.
» Read more about Amanda Cooper
Maree Coote
Author, Illustrator, Speaking Out
One of the very first to identify the contemporary rise of Melbourne’s cultural and place power, Maree Coote is an energetic inspirational speaker. Her unique understanding of her topic (Melbourne) is made accessible through her command of history, culture, art and design for a wide variety of audiences. According to …
» Read more about Maree Coote
Cath Crowley
Author
Cath Crowley is the author of the Gracie Faltrain trilogy, Chasing Charlie Duskin, Graffiti Moon, Rosie Staples’ Minor Magical Misunderstanding and Words in Deep Blue.
» Read more about Cath Crowley
Sophie Cunningham
Author, Social Commentator
Sophie Cunningham worked in publishing for twenty years before becoming the Chair of the Literature Board of the Australia Council. She is well known for her work as the editor of Meanjin, and is the author of two novels, Geography (2004) and Bird (2008) as well as the non-fiction Melbourne.
» Read more about Sophie Cunningham
Chris Daicos
Education Consultant, Inspirational Speaker, Personal Development, Well Within
Dip Tch, BA, BSW, MAPP, FACEL Chris is a trained teacher and social worker who has also completed the Masters of Applied Positive Psychology. She has over three decades of experience supporting organisations in the public and private sector to enhance functioning and develop wellbeing. Her work was recognized by …
» Read more about Chris Daicos
Robyn Davidson
Author, Inspirational Speaker, Personal Development, Social Issues
A charismatic,engaging, intellectually adventurous, deep thinker who also makes her audiences laugh. Talks accompanied by stunning National Geographic photography.
» Read more about Robyn Davidson
Sue deGennaro
Author, Illustrator, Online - Virtual Visits
Sue deGennaro is an author and an illustrator. She has illustrated 20 picture books, and is the author and illustrator of The Pros and Cons of Being A Frog (shortlist for the CBCA 2013 Early Childhood Prize), Eddie Frogbert and her newest picture book Missing Marvin released May 2018. Sue’s …
» Read more about Sue deGennaro
Alex Dekker
Inspirational Speaker, Social Issues
Alex Dekker is an impact-driven entrepreneur and changemaker, reshaping food relief in Australia through the not-for-profit organization he founded, Alex Makes Meals. At just 24 years old, Alex was named on Forbes’ prestigious 30 Under 30 list for his groundbreaking work in social impact. What began as a small initiative …
» Read more about Alex Dekker
Demet Divaroren
Author, Inspirational Speaker
Demet Divaroren was born in Adana, Turkey, and migrated to Australia with her family when she was six months old. She is the author of Living on Hope Street, which won the 2018 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards Prize for Writing for Young Adults and was shortlisted for a 2018 Prime …
» Read more about Demet Divaroren
Linh Do
Inspirational Speaker, Social Commentator
Linh Do is a Melbourne based activist with a globe-trotting lifestyle, having worked in over 15 countries. She’s done everything from changing one million lightbulbs (and mindsets) in Australia to working at the UN to create social change on environmental issues, and in 2013 was named as Australian Geographic’s Young …
» Read more about Linh Do
Sean Dooley
Author, Corporate, Entertainer, Inspirational Speaker, Social Commentator, Speaking Out
Sean Dooley has written for TV comedies like Full Frontal, Hamish and Andy and Spicks and Specks, is author of books such as The Big Twitch and Cooking with Baz, and is currently editor of Australian Birdlife magazine. He was also the national birdwatching champion, holding the record for seeing …
» Read more about Sean Dooley
Ceridwen Dovey
Author
Ceridwen is a skilled public speaker who is passionate about delving into some of the complexities of the writing process. She loves to provide context and background to her own writing journey so that students (and teachers) feel empowered to engage with her books and with literature in general.
» Read more about Ceridwen Dovey
Liv Downing
Inspirational Speaker, Mindfulness, Personal Development, Well Within
Liv is a passionate and engaging speaker with over 15 years of experience working across the corporate and non-profit sectors across both Australia and the US. As a registered psychologist and qualified meditation teacher, her sessions bring a balance of science and practice and are interactive, fun and practical. In …
» Read more about Liv Downing
Sam Drummond
Author, Education Consultant, Social Issues
Sam Drummond is a powerful speaker who gets to the heart of some of society’s most pressing issues such as disability education inclusion and equity He uses his experience as a media presenter and speech writer to weave personal stories through the headlines, to show the people behind the statistics.
» Read more about Sam Drummond
Ursula Dubosarsky
Author
Ursula Dubosarsky wanted to be a writer from the age of six, and is now the author of over 40 books of fiction and non-fiction for children and young adults, which have won several national prizes, including the NSW, Victorian, South Australian and Queensland Premier’s Literary Awards. She and Andrew …
» Read more about Ursula Dubosarsky
Claire Dunn
Author, Inspirational Speaker
Claire Dunn is a writer, journalist, educator, barefoot explorer and author of My Year Without Matches, the memoir of her extraordinary journey living in the bush for a year learning wilderness survival skills. Her latest book is Rewilding the Urban Soul, a memoir about searching for the wild in the …
» Read more about Claire Dunn
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 6 more books. The most recent Nannie Loves was an Honour Book in the 2017 CBCA Early Childhood Category.
» Read more about Kylie Dunstan
Kirsty Eagar
Author
Kirsty Eagar is the award-winning author of the Young Adult novels: Summer Skin, Raw Blue, Night Beach and Saltwater Vampires. She believes storytelling is a life skill, and her author talks and workshops are structured using tenets of performance psychology to ensure they are distilled, sequenced and practical.
» Read more about Kirsty Eagar
Nick Earls
Author, Online - Virtual Visits
Nick Earls is the author of twenty-six books for adults, teenagers and children. Two of his novels have been adapted into feature films, and five have become stage plays. His books have won awards in Australia, the UK and US. He has a PhD in creative writing from the University …
» Read more about Nick Earls
Michael Earp
Author, Bookseller
Michael Earp is a non-binary writer and editor of books for young adults with over 20 years bookselling and publishing experience as a children’s and YA specialist. They love talking about minority representation (with a LGBTQIA+ focus) in literature for young people. Borderlands: Riding the Slipstream edited by Paul Collins …
» Read more about Michael Earp
Scott Edgar
Author, Entertainment, Illustrator, Songwriting, Storyteller/Performer, Videogames
“Scod” is best known as one-third of beloved Australian idiot-band Tripod, with whom he’s won an ARIA and lost a GRAMMY. He’s also a veteran writer, composer and illustrator for videogames, animation and kids’ publishing, working for such clients as Ubisoft, Wizards of the Coast, Penguin Random House, the Cartoon …
» Read more about Scott Edgar
Astrid Edwards
Education Consultant, Social Issues, Storyteller
Astrid is a bibliophile. She is the host of The Garret: Writers on Writing and has interviewed more than 200 of Australia’s most prominent writers. In 2023 she began a PhD at the University of Melbourne exploring potential and perceived barriers to publishing and selling climate fiction in Australia. She regularly moderates …
» Read more about Astrid Edwards
Mick Elliott
Author, Entertainer, Illustrator, Inspirational Speaker, Storyteller
Mick Elliott is an author, illustrator, TV producer, screenwriter, literacy ambassador and professional mischief-maker. As well as multiple best-selling books, Mick has written and produced acclaimed children’s TV programmes for Nickelodeon, the Sesame Workshop, Channel TEN and the ABC.
» Read more about Mick Elliott
Gabriel Evans
Author, Illustrator, Online - Virtual Visits
Gabriel Evans is a picture book author and illustrator. His books have been published in fourteen countries, read on ABC’s Play School and reviewed in the New York Times. They’ve been shortlisted twice in the Children’s Book Council Picture Book of the Year with a further six notable books in …
» Read more about Gabriel Evans
Brian Falkner
Author, Online - Virtual Visits
Brian is an award-winning international author and writing coach. He is a highly sought-after speaker in schools around Australia, the US and New Zealand. His infectious enthusiasm, humour and energy make every appearance a popular and memorable one. He is the author of more than thirteen novels for children and …
» Read more about Brian Falkner
Declan Fay
Author, Entertainer, Inspirational Speaker, Podcaster, Storyteller/Performer
Declan Fay is an award-winning writer who co-created the show Ronny Chieng: International Student which screened on ABC, BBC and Netflix. He has written for numerous shows such as The Weekly with Charlie Pickering and the hugely popular kids sketch show, You’re Skitting Me. Declan has also authored articles for …
» Read more about Declan Fay
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.
» Read more about Corinne Fenton
Fleur Ferris
Author
Fleur Ferris spent the first seventeen years of her life growing up on a farm in Patchewollock, North West Victoria. She then moved twenty times in twenty years. During this time, Fleur sometimes saw the darker side to life while working for a number of years as a police officer …
» Read more about Fleur Ferris
Anna Fienberg
Author
Anna Fienberg’s favourite subjects are words and stories – reading them, writing them, sharing them. As she spills the secrets behind her books, she encourages her audience to search their own lives for ideas, helping them tap into the imaginative possibilities of everyday life. Interactive and inspiring, she offers inside …
» Read more about Anna Fienberg
Carla Fitzgerald
Author
Carla is a writer, a recovered lawyer and a mum of three small dictators. She loves chatting to students about ideas, humour in books and crafting stories.
» Read more about Carla Fitzgerald
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 …
» Read more about Pat Flynn
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
Author, Curriculum Specialist, Education Consultant, Social Commentator, Social Issues
Jackie was the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2014/15 and the 2015 Senior Australian of the Year. She is also an historian, ecologist, dyslexic, and a passionate worker for literacy, the right of all children to be able to read, and the power of books. Jackie’s writing career spans 25 years, …
» Read more about Jackie French
Lisa Fuller
Author
Lisa is a Wuilli Wuilli woman from south-east Queensland, who has been surviving Canberra winters since 2006. Her debut YA novel, Ghost Bird, has won and been shortlisted in a slew of awards. She teaches creative writing at the University of Canberra, where she is also doing her PhD in …
» Read more about Lisa Fuller
Archie Fusillo
Author, Inspirational Speaker, Personal Development
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’s latest book, Tribal Lores …
» Read more about Archie Fusillo
Emily Gale
Author
Emily Gale has seen the book industry from different sides over more than twenty years. She’s worked in publishing houses, a bookshop, two school libraries and a literary agency, has chaired festival panels and is a vocal advocate for children’s literature wherever she goes. Meanwhile she has written novels for …
» Read more about Emily Gale
Kelly Gardiner
Author
Kelly Gardiner writes historical fiction, fantasy, and crime fiction for all ages. Her latest series is The Firewatcher Chronicles and her other books include 1917, shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Young People’s History Prize; Act of Faith and The Sultan’s Eyes, both shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards; and …
» Read more about Kelly Gardiner
Meredith Gaston
Author, Illustrator, Inspirational Speaker
Meredith Gaston Masnata is an internationally acclaimed bestselling author, artist, wellness coach and speaker celebrating mindful, joyous and spirited living in a modern world. Whilst exhibiting her artwork locally and abroad from a young age, Meredith graduated from The University of Sydney, majoring in Art History and Theory and Gender …
» Read more about Meredith Gaston
Nikki Gemmell
Author, Education Consultant, Inspirational Speaker, Personal Development, Social Issues, Storyteller/Performer, Women's Rights
Nikki is known as Australia’s most honest author. Whether it’s her provocative novel The Bride Stripped Bare; After, her non fiction book about the euthanasia death of her mother, or her highly popular column in the Weekend Australian magazine (which tackles many issues pertinent to educators and students,) she gets …
» Read more about Nikki Gemmell
Lucinda Gifford
Author, Illustrator
Lucinda works as a children’s illustrator and author from her colourful, ink-splattered home studio. She loves to draw and especially enjoys improvised sketching with groups of children because – through the chaos – wonderful things can emerge.
» Read more about Lucinda Gifford
Morris Gleitzman
Author
Morris is one of Australia’s most successful and experienced children’s authors. As a speaker he uses the mix of humour and emotion found in his best-selling books. His sessions are informal, interactive and fun. Sharing the secrets of his writing room, Morris leaves students informed and inspired, as well as …
» Read more about Morris Gleitzman
Jane Godwin
Author, Online - Virtual Visits
Jane Godwin is a highly acclaimed author of over twenty-five books for young people, across all styles and ages. Her work is published internationally and she has received many commendations, the most recent being shortlistings in the 2020 CBCA Book of the Year Award with her picture book Tilly (illustrated …
» Read more about Jane Godwin
Caz Goodwin
Author
Caz Goodwin is an Australian award-winning author who writes picture books, short stories and junior fiction. She is best known for her popular rhyming picture books, which have been published internationally. Her stories have been produced in braille for sight-impaired readers. They have also featured on Sarah Ferguson’s Fergie and Friends show, …
» Read more about Caz Goodwin
Gus Gordon
Author, Illustrator
Gus Gordon is an internationally acclaimed illustrator and author. He has illustrated and written over 80 books for children. His illustrations are known for their loose and energetic line work, mixed media and humour. His writing is always anthropomorphic, which he attributes this to his love of Kenneth Grahame’s Wind …
» Read more about Gus Gordon
Erin Gough
Author
Erin Gough is a fiction writer living on Gadigal land in Sydney, whose award-winning work has been published globally. She is the author of three books for young adults: The Flywheel, which won the Ampersand Prize; Amelia Westlake, winner of the Readings Young Adult Book Prize and the NSW Premier’s Ethel Turner Prize …
» Read more about Erin Gough
Neil Grant
Author
Neil Grant was born in Glasgow, Scotland. He spent many years slouching through Europe and Asia with a stack of notebooks until, in 2001, Allen & Unwin agreed to publish his first novel, Rhino Chasers. This was followed by Indo Dreaming in 2005, which saw him researching traditional whale-hunting, surf culture and …
» Read more about Neil Grant
George Green
Author, Inspirational Speaker
George is an accomplished motivational speaker with over ten years experience in inspiring young people. George details his journey from the Hip-Hop industry to finding faith and his transition to successful children’s author.
» Read more about George Green
Nicki Greenberg
Author, Illustrator
Nicki Greenberg is an award-winning author and illustrator. Her books include critically acclaimed graphic adaptations of The Great Gatsby and Hamlet (winner, CBCA Picture Book of the Year 2011). She has written and illustrated many books for children, and enjoys giving dynamic workshops and presentations for all age groups. In …
» Read more about Nicki Greenberg
Patrick Guest
Author, Social Issues, Storyteller/Performer
After many years spent gathering stories and tapping away in darkened rooms, Patrick has overcome his fear of public speaking and is now an accomplished performer – equal parts inspiring and entertaining – who isn’t afraid to explore the deeper motivations behind his stories. Patrick has a talent for engaging …
» Read more about Patrick Guest
Jenna Guillaume
Author, Inspirational Speaker, Journalist, Social Commentator
Jenna Guillaume is a lively and engaging author and journalist with a passion for empowering young people – and having a lot of fun along the way. She loves to talk about things like body image, social media and online toxicity, the intersection of feminism and pop culture, digital media, …
» Read more about Jenna Guillaume
Eleni Hale
Author, Inspirational Speaker, Online - Virtual Visits, Personal Development, Social Issues
Eleni Hale is an author and journalist based in Melbourne. Her debut novel, inspired by real life events, won the Readings Book Prize among other accolades and tells the story of one girl’s journey through institutional care.
» Read more about Eleni Hale
Leanne Hall
Author
Leanne Hall is an award-winning author of young adult and children’s fiction. Her most recent YA novel, The Gaps, won the Prime Minister’s Literary Award for young adult literature. Leanne is an experienced teacher and writing mentor who is passionate about youth literature, Chinese Australian history and helping people develop …
» Read more about Leanne Hall
Rosalie Ham
Author
Rosalie Ham achieved a Bachelor of Education (majoring in Drama and Literature, Deakin) and a Master of Arts, Creative Writing (RMIT, 2007). Rosalie teaches Literature at Trinity College, University of Melbourne.
» Read more about Rosalie Ham
Chris Hammer
Author
Chris is the author of Scrublands– the bestselling Australian crime novel set in a drought-ravaged town – and The River – an account of his journey through the Murray-Darling Basin. Now a full-time author, Chris was a journalist for more than 30 years, covering federal politics and travelling as a …
» Read more about Chris Hammer
Alex Hammond
Author, Corporate, Speaking Out
Critically acclaimed novelist and screenwriter Alex Hammond’s debut novel Blood Witness was shortlisted for the 2014 Ned Kelly Award for Best First Crime Novel. Its sequel, The Unbroken Line, was described as “a taut and intelligent thriller.” Both were optioned as a TV series. Each novel was also selected to be part of …
» Read more about Alex Hammond
Sumaya Harare
Inspirational Speaker, Online - Virtual Visits, Social Issues, Storyteller/Performer, Well Within, Women's Rights
Coming to Australia at the age of 7 with her family as a refugee, Sumaya and her family were settled in the suburb of Brighton East, a predominantly Caucasian suburb. She started at a nearby primary school, the only English she knew having learnt from Sesame Street. Her experiences of …
» Read more about Sumaya Harare
Fiona Hardy
Author
Fiona Hardy knew she wanted to be an author after a terrible retelling of Alice in Wonderland in grade one garnered a very normal amount of compliments that she took far too seriously. Now, she is a bookseller, reviewer, and the award-winning author of three books on following your dreams.
» Read more about Fiona Hardy
Fiona Harris
Corporate, Entertainer, Inspirational Speaker, Online - Virtual Visits, Speaking Out, Storyteller/Performer
Fiona has been writing and performing for Australian stages and screens for many years. She wrote and co-starred on the ABC sketch comedy show, Flipside, as well as on channel nine’s sketch comedy series, Comedy Inc – The Late Shift series 5 and on all three series of the Network …
» Read more about Fiona Harris
Tim Harris
Author, Online - Virtual Visits, Storyteller/Performer
Tim Harris is the bestselling author of several laugh-out-loud series for kids, including Toffle Towers, Mr Bambuckle’s Remarkables and Exploding Endings. A former primary school teacher of 15 years, his stories are filled with quirky scenarios, loveable characters and plenty of imagination. Tim’s ‘humour with heart’ writing style has seen …
» Read more about Tim Harris
Scott Harris
Author, Corporate, Inspirational Speaker, Personal Development
Scott Harris traveled the world solo with multiple disabilities to show us we can do anything we put our mind to. After a dirt bike accident in 2008, he spent three years at Epworth Rehabilitation learning to live with these disabilities and came out the other side with a completely …
» Read more about Scott Harris
Jane Harrison
Author
Jane Harrison is descended from the Muruwari people of NSW and is an award-winning playwright and author. Her play The Visitors premiered at Sydney Festival in 2020 in a sold-out season and won the 2022 Sydney Critics Award for Best New Australian Work. Her first play Stolen played across Australia …
» Read more about Jane Harrison
Jacqueline Harvey
Author, Curriculum Specialist, Education Consultant
Jacqueline Harvey is the author of 40 novels for younger readers and a Children’s Book Council of Australia, award winning picture book. Her bestselling Alice-Miranda, Clementine Rose and Kensy and Max series are all published internationally and have garnered various short listings and awards. Jacqueline travels widely, speaking and teaching in …
» Read more about Jacqueline Harvey
Huda Hayek
Author, Inspirational Speaker
H. Hayek learned as an adult to embrace all the parts that make her unique. Hayek believes all children, no matter their backgrounds, can do this early and use it as a tool for success.
» Read more about Huda Hayek
Nicole Hayes
Author, Broadcaster
Nicole Hayes is an award-winning author and podcaster who teaches storytelling to adults and kids of all ages. Whether for the page, your ears, or the screen, Nicole’s workshops explore all aspects of story , including: finding ideas, understanding character, building narratives, and how to bring it all together. As …
» Read more about Nicole Hayes
Jack Heath
Author, Online - Virtual Visits
Jack Heath is the bestselling author of more than twenty action-packed books. He wrote his first novel in high school, and it was published while he was still a teenager. Since then his work has been translated into several languages, shortlisted for many awards and optioned for film and television. …
» Read more about Jack Heath
Jack Henseleit
Author
Jack Henseleit is a children’s author and monster enthusiast who loves writing stories about fairies, pirates, and anything that goes bump in the night. He is the author of seven books for children, including the middle-grade horror series The Witching Hours and the junior fiction series Cross Bones (with illustrator …
» Read more about Jack Henseleit
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
Lia Hills
Author, Poet, Storyteller/Performer
Lia Hills is a poet, novelist and translator. Her work has been published, performed, and translated both locally and internationally, and nominated for numerous awards, including the Miles Franklin Literary Award.
» Read more about Lia Hills
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
Judy Horacek
Author, Entertainer, Illustrator, Inspirational Speaker, Personal Development, Social Issues, Storyteller/Performer
Judy Horacek is an award winning Australian cartoonist, children’s book illustrator and writer. In 2004, she and Mem Fox created Where is the Green Sheep? which became an instant children’s classic, and winner of the CBCA Gold Medal for Early Childhood. She has since done four books of her own …
» Read more about Judy Horacek
Shane Horsburgh
Education Consultant, Inspirational Speaker, Personal Development, Social Issues
Shane Horsburgh is a re-definer of masculinity, constantly challenging the accepted interpretation of what a ‘real man’ is and how this view impacts our everyday lives. From counter-terrorism operative to author, educator and sometime stage actor, Shane’s inspirational and engaging style helps young men become better students, friends, partners and …
» Read more about Shane Horsburgh
Simmone Howell
Author
Simmone Howell is an award-winning internationally published writer. She has written books, plays, screenplays, poetry, comic scripts, advertorials, speeches, shopping lists, blurbs, glossaries and legends. In addition to writing she teaches creative writing, mapping and journaling workshops for young people and adults. Her YA novels are: Notes from the Teenage …
» Read more about Simmone Howell
Eliza Hull
Author, Disability Advocate, Entertainment, Inspirational Speaker, Musician, Social Issues, Storyteller/Performer
Eliza Hull is an award-winning musician, writer and disability advocate. She is passionate about changing the way the world views disability. In her role as disability advocate and consultant, Eliza has presented Keynotes for major Australian and International organisations and given speeches at Parliament House, The Human Rights Convention ‘Free …
» Read more about Eliza Hull
Michael Hyde
Author, Curriculum Specialist, Journalist, Social Commentator
Michael’s novels for young adults, Hey Joe, MAX and Tyger Tyger have experienced critical success and continue to be widely read and taught in many schools. Hey Joe – about the Vietnam War, the movement against it and the sixties in Australia – was named as a Notable Book in …
» Read more about Michael Hyde
George Ivanoff
Author, Online - Virtual Visits
George Ivanoff is the author over 100 books for young people, including many education titles. He is best known for his You Choose books — a series of interactive books where the reader gets to make key decisions about how the story progresses. His latest book is the middle grade …
» Read more about George Ivanoff
Linda Jaivin
Author, Literary Critic, Social Commentator
The author of The Shortest History of China, Linda Jaivin is one of Australia’s most versatile writers. Her work spans history, biography, memoir, travel, humour, eroticism, social issues (her novel The Infernal Optimist is set in an immigration detention centre), China studies, literary translation and cultural commentary. Her first novel, Eat …
» Read more about Linda Jaivin
Cate James
Illustrator
Cate James is an award-winning illustrator of picture books from Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Be prepared for a fun and interactive time – Cate is always keen to prove that anyone can draw.
» Read more about Cate James
Biffy James
Author, Entertainment, Inspirational Speaker, Personal Development/Welfare, Storyteller/Performer
Biffy James understands the tragedy of being a teenager. It’s hard, it’s exhausting and it’s confusing. But also? It can be kinda hilarious. By sharing embarrassing, sometimes heartbreaking anecdotes of her own adolescence; encouraging students to find that thing that makes them feel completely themselves; and reminding them that high …
» Read more about Biffy James
Nicole Jenkins
Author
Nicole is a fashion historian: an award-winning writer, educator and retailer, the author of two books and curator of perhaps the largest collection of Australian fashion in the world. She has presented talks and workshops around Australia.
» Read more about Nicole Jenkins
Nicholas Jones
Curriculum Specialist, Education Consultant, Illustrator
Nicholas Jones is a contemporary visual artist specialising in book sculpture. Nicholas is available for different kinds of events including workshops, literary festivals and artist residencies.
» Read more about Nicholas Jones
Toni Jordan
Author, Online - Virtual Visits
Toni Jordan is the author of four novels. The international best-seller Addition was a Richard and Judy Book Club pick and was longlisted for the Miles Franklin Award. Fall Girl was published internationally and has been optioned for film, and Nine Days was awarded Best Fiction at the 2012 Indie …
» Read more about Toni Jordan
Andrew Joyner
Author, Illustrator
Andrew Joyner is a children’s illustrator and author. In 2009 his first picture book was published, The Terrible Plop, written by Ursula Dubosarsky. Since then Andrew has illustrated many picture books, and his work is now published in more than twenty countries. He has also written and illustrated the Boris …
» Read more about Andrew Joyner
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 practice law.
» Read more about Kim Kane
Danny Katz
Author
Danny Katz is a Canadian-born author and newspaper columnist who writes for The Age, the Sydney Morning Herald and The West Australian. He is the Modern Guru in Good Weekend Magazine.
» Read more about Danny Katz
Bec Kavanagh
Author, Education Consultant
Bec Kavanagh is a writer, literary critic and academic. She has been published in a variety of publications including Overland, The Big Issue, and The Guardian, and writes teaching notes for a number of publishers. Bec is the Youth Programming Manager at the Wheeler Centre, and a sessional tutor at …
» Read more about Bec Kavanagh
Melissa Keil
Author, Inspirational Speaker, Online - Virtual Visits
Melissa Keil’s young adult novels have been published around the world, and have been described as ‘humorous, heartfelt and angst-y romance with the potential to break the gender barrier’. When she is not writing, she can be found immersed in other people’s manuscripts in her day job as a children’s …
» Read more about Melissa Keil
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
Luke Kennedy
Author, Inspirational Speaker, Personal Development, Social Issues
Luke S. Kennedy is one of Australia’s most sought after Speaker for Primary Schools, High Schools, Staff PDs, Community & Parent events, Corporate sessions, and prisons. Through his unique approach, strong ability to connect with any audience, & his thrilling story – he hits home with some deep topics & …
» Read more about Luke Kennedy
Paul Kennedy
Author
Paul is an author, investigative journalist, TV and broadcaster with the ABC.
» Read more about Paul Kennedy
Chris Kennett
Author, Illustrator, Online - Virtual Visits
Chris Kennett is a Bendigo based digital illustrator with over 20 years of experience. Working his way from animation through to children’s books, Chris has managed to work on some truly “out of this world” projects including the beloved Star Wars series of Little Golden Books. His most recent projects …
» Read more about Chris Kennett
Nina Kenwood
Author
Nina Kenwood is an award-winning author living in Melbourne. Her debut YA novel, It Sounded Better in My Head, won the Text Prize and was a finalist for the American Library Association’s William C Morris Award, a CBCA notable book, as well as being shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary …
» Read more about Nina Kenwood
Valanga Khoza
Online - Virtual Visits, Storyteller/Performer
Valanga Khoza was born in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. He grew up in a traditional setting surrounded by lively singing, drumming and dancing. The Limpopo area is rich in traditional healers, orators and storytellers, highly respected throughout Africa. These were his neighbours. Their nightly ceremonies carried songs and …
» Read more about Valanga Khoza
Anna Krien
Author, Corporate, Social Commentator, Speaking Out, Women's Rights
Anna Krien is an award-winning Melbourne-based journalist, essayist, fiction writer and poet. Her book Night Games: Sex, Power & Sport, won the 2014 William Hill Sports Book of the Year in the UK, and is being developed into a television mini-series. Other publications include Into the Woods: The Battle for …
» Read more about Anna Krien
Jeremy Lachlan
Author
Jeremy Lachlan is a best-selling, award-winning author based in Sydney, NSW. His life-long obsession with adventure (and a trip to the Cairo Museum) inspired him to create The Jane Doe Chronicles, an epic action-adventure/fantasy series about a dangerous, infinite labyrinth between worlds and the girl destined to rule it. An …
» Read more about Jeremy Lachlan
Ingrid Laguna
Author, Education Consultant
Ingrid Laguna is a multi-award-winning novelist and educator. She has published a memoir and numerous books for children. Her work has been published internationally, featured by Reading Australia and given Notable recognition by the CBCA. Ingrid’s writing has featured in various publications, including The Monthly, The Age, Teacher Magazine and …
» Read more about Ingrid Laguna
Remy Lai
Author, Illustrator
Remy is an author and illustrator. She enjoys doing draw-alongs in her sessions, and she particularly loves playing drawing games with the students.
» Read more about Remy Lai
Harry Laing
Author, Entertainment, Poet, Storyteller/Performer
Harry is an energetic and engaging comic performer with a love of language. He loves performing for large audiences of children and keeps them spellbound with his poems, (interactive) chants and the magical creatures from his book covers. Harry also has a gift for inspiring teachers around poetry and creative …
» Read more about Harry Laing
Mat Larkin
Author
Mat Larkin is a writer of middle-grade adventure stories where the not-quite-ordinary meets the nearly-impossible, from Zac Power to The Orchard Underground and beyond.
» Read more about Mat Larkin
Michelle Law
Author, Inspirational Speaker, Storyteller/Performer
Michelle Law is an award-winning writer and screenwriter whose previous speaking engagements include TEDx events, Woodford Folk Festival, writer’s festivals, ABC radio and The Project. Her stories and essays have been widely anthologized and her films have screened nationally at festivals and on the ABC.
» Read more about Michelle Law
Benjamin Law
Author, Corporate, Journalist, Social Commentator, Speaking Out, Well Within
Benjamin Law is a Sydney-based journalist, columnist and screenwriter. He is the author of two books: the black comedy memoir The Family Law (2010) and the travelogue Gaysia: Adventures in the Queer East (2012). The Family Law has been translated into French and is currently being developed for television. Gaysia …
» Read more about Benjamin Law
David Lawrence
Author
David is a comedy writer/performer who has written for numerous TV shows including Hamish & Andy, Comedy Inc., TV Burp and Talkin’ About Your Generation, and accidentally became a children’s author in 2008. His books, Anna Flowers, as well as the Fox Swift, Ball Stars and Maxi the Lifeguard series all have sporting themes and use comedy …
» Read more about David Lawrence
Julia Lawrinson
Author
Julia Lawrinson has written more than a dozen books for children and teenagers, many of them award-winning. She grew up in the outer suburbs of Perth, Western Australia, not long after the first moon landing. She loves dogs, oceans, and sunsets, and still likes to gaze at the night sky, …
» Read more about Julia Lawrinson
Cheryl Leavy
Author, Inspirational Speaker, Social Issues, Storyteller
Cheryl is an award-winning First Nations writer who is passionate about language revitalisation and truth telling through story. She has led some of Australia’s most successful social justice initiatives across health, education and environment.
» Read more about Cheryl Leavy
Charmaine Ledden-Lewis
Illustrator
Charmaine Ledden-Lewis is a proud Bundjalung woman, artist and illustrator, living on Dharug & Gundungurra Country in the Blue Mountains, NSW. Through guidance and demonstration, Charmaine shares her passion and enthusiasm for creativity and visual literacy, and encourages all those she meets to transcend inhibition and engage in artistic expression. …
» Read more about Charmaine Ledden-Lewis
Bri Lee
Author, Social Issues, Women's Rights
Bri Lee is an author, freelance writer, and speaker based in Sydney. After graduating from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Law (Hons) and Arts (Mandarin) degree in 2014, she was admitted to the legal profession early in 2017. Bri is now completing an MPhil in Creative Writing. …
» Read more about Bri Lee
Dub Leffler
Author, Illustrator
Dub is Australia’s Premier Indigenous Illustrator of children’s books and has taught Illustration workshops in over 200 schools across Australia and abroad. Having won numerous awards in his career spanning over 22yrs, Dub’s work is held in private & public collections around the world including The Library of Congress in …
» Read more about Dub Leffler
Rebecca Lim
Author
Rebecca Lim is an Australian writer, illustrator and editor and the author of over twenty books, including Tiger Daughter (a Kirkus, Amazon and Booklist Best Book, CBCA Book of the Year: Older Readers and Victorian Premier’s Literary Award-winner), The Astrologer’s Daughter (A Kirkus Best Book and CBCA Notable Book) and …
» Read more about Rebecca Lim
Matthew Lin
Entertainment, Illustrator, Manga
Matthew Lin is a graphic designer and illustrator who has over 25 years experience — with the majority of that time in publishing, as well as advertising and promotional design. Matthew began his career as a MAC operator in a small ad agency in Parramatta. After a year he moved …
» Read more about Matthew Lin
Steven Lochran
Author
Steven Lochran is the critically acclaimed author of the PALADERO and VANGUARD PRIME series for young readers. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing and has over 15 years experience in the publishing industry, which he draws from in teaching writing workshops and providing author talks.
» Read more about Steven Lochran
Gary Lonesborough
Author
Gary Lonesborough is a writer of young adult fiction, with experience working in the Aboriginal health, the disability sector and the film industry.
» Read more about Gary Lonesborough
Nick Long
Author
Nick Long has a lot more to talk about than just being the author of the hilarious junior fiction series Forbidden Journal of Rufus Rumble. He also brings tales of his adventures as a documentary TV producer, including going into the Amazon jungle in search of lost cities, venturing into …
» Read more about Nick Long
Zanni Louise
Author
Author of over 35 books for kids, Zanni Louise inspires young people to fall in love with books, as well as tell and write their own stories. Too Busy Sleeping Archie and the Bear Tiggy and the Magic Paintbrush Errol Mum For Sale Stardust School of Dance Daring Delly Human …
» Read more about Zanni Louise
David Lovegrove
Illustrator, Manga
David Lovegrove is a gifted artist who studied at two of Australia’s best art schools – The Julian Ashton Art School in Sydney and the Qld College of Art, Brisbane (where he gained his Master of Arts in Visual Arts). His passion is for exploring the ‘Way’ or the ‘Tao’ …
» Read more about David Lovegrove
Anthony Lucas
Entertainer, Illustrator
An acclaimed director and animator, Anthony Lucas has made films that have been celebrated around the world. His 2005 short film The Mysterious Geographic Explorations of Jasper Morello won a host of awards and was nominated for an Oscar.
» Read more about Anthony Lucas
Nathan Luff
Author, Storyteller/Performer
Nathan is a gifted storyteller who recounts in hilarious detail how growing up as one of five boys on a farm in rural NSW has inspired the books he writes.
» Read more about Nathan Luff
Tobias Madden
Author, Entertainer, LGBTQ+
Tobias is a queer YA author, editor, and publishing professional, originally from Ballarat, Victoria, now based in New York City, USA.
» Read more about Tobias Madden
Claire Madden
Corporate, Education Consultant, Speaking Out
Claire Madden is a social researcher, media commentator and next-gen expert, fluent in social media, youth culture, and engagement styles of these global generations, and a professional in interpreting what this means for educators, managers and marketers. Claire is in demand for her skill in effectively identifying the emerging trends …
» Read more about Claire Madden
Melina Marchetta
Author
Melina Marchetta’s first novel, Looking for Alibrandi, swept the pool of literary awards for young adult fiction in 1993, winning the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book of the Year Award (Older Readers) among many others. In 2000 it was released as a major Australian film, winning an AFI …
» Read more about Melina Marchetta
Ellie Marney
Author, Education Consultant, Online - Virtual Visits
Ellie Marney is a qualified teacher, and a bestselling and multi-award-winning author of YA thrillers. Her titles include the New York Times bestseller NONE SHALL SLEEP and the Kirkus-starred sequel SOME SHALL BREAK, as well as THE KILLING CODE, the EVERY series, WHITE NIGHT, and more. Ellie has researched in …
» Read more about Ellie Marney
Marc Martin
Author, Illustrator
Marc Martin is one of Australia’s most talented new picture-book creators. Having formally trained as a graphic designer, he splits his time between his design studio and various illustration projects. His first book, A Forest, explores themes of sustainability, growth, and our relationship with the environment.
» Read more about Marc Martin
Lucia Masciullo
Illustrator
Born and bred in Italy, Lucia moved to Australia in 2007. Since then she has collaborated with major Australian Publishers, illustrating more than twenty books, including Come Down, Cat!, Family Forest and the successful series Our Australian Girl. For these books Lucia has made it on to the CBCA Honour …
» Read more about Lucia Masciullo
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
Thomas Mayo
Author, Social Issues
Thomas Mayo is a Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkalgal, Erubamle Torres Strait Islander man. He was a wharf labourer for sixteen years and is an official of the Maritime Union of Australia and is the author of four books as well as essays and articles published in the Griffith Review, the …
» Read more about Thomas Mayo
Marc McBride
Illustrator
Marc McBride is the illustrator of the New York Times best-selling series Deltora Quest, which has sold over eighteen million copies around the world and has become an Anime TV show. Marc has illustrated more than two hundred book covers including the Dragon Games series by Maddy Mara. He has …
» Read more about Marc McBride
Andrew McDonald
Author
Andrew McDonald is the author of the Real Pigeons and Hello Twigs series (illustrated by Ben Wood). He loves writing books that make kids laugh, gasp and wonder about the world. His books have been shortlisted for prizes such as the Australian Book Industry Awards, the Readings Children’s Book Prize, …
» Read more about Andrew McDonald
Susannah McFarlane
Author
With over 1 million books sold in Australia alone, Susannah is one of our most popular children’s authors, writing books kids love and parents can trust. Contagiously energetic and inspiring, Susannah’s workshops for primary school students take kids’ reading and writing to a new level of engagement and enjoyment.
» Read more about Susannah McFarlane
Jess McGeachin
Author, Illustrator, Storyteller
Jess is an author and illustrator from Melbourne. Drawing quite literally from a day job at Melbourne Museum, Jess loves sharing stories about nature and encouraging students to draw the world around them.
» Read more about Jess McGeachin
Anna McGregor
Author, Illustrator
Anna McGregor is an award-winning author, illustrator and designer of picture books with humour and heart. Anna is deeply curious by nature and finds her ideas by turning the mundane on its head, merging ideas or exploring wordplay — but always with a story that connects to the human experience.
» Read more about Anna McGregor
Joel McKerrow
Author, Entertainment, Inspirational Speaker, Personal Development, Poet, Social Issues, Storyteller/Performer
Creativity specialist Joel McKerrow is an award-winning author, speaker, educator, and is one of Australia’s most successful and experienced performance poets. For fifteen years full-time he has toured on stages throughout world, including representing Australia at the Individual World Poetry Slam Championships. With seven poetry albums and six poetry books, …
» Read more about Joel McKerrow
Maxine McKew
Author, Corporate, Education Consultant, Journalist, Speaking Out
Maxine Mckewʼs background is in journalism and politics. For many years she was a familiar face to ABC TV viewers and was anchor of prestigious programmes such as Lateline and 7.30 Report. Her work has been recognised by her peers and she is a recipient of both Logie and Walkely …
» Read more about Maxine McKew
Heidi McKinnon
Author, Entertainment, Illustrator, Inspirational Speaker, Storyteller/Performer
Heidi is passionate about sharing her love of story, art and creativity with children and young people.
» Read more about Heidi McKinnon
David McLean
Author, Curriculum Specialist, Education Consultant, Social Issues
Author, educator, actor and broadcaster, David has over a quarter of a century of experience in education, having headed English departments and run workshops for students and professional development for teachers. He has authored novels and developed curriculum resources that are sold nationally and internationally. He has an engaging presentation …
» Read more about David McLean
Fiona Harris & Mike McLeish
Drama, Inspirational Speaker, Storyteller/Performer
Married couple, Fiona Harris and Mike McLeish are award-winning performers who have been working full-time in the arts industry for twenty years. Fiona and Mike have written and acted in two series of the award-winning short-form comedy series; The Drop Off. They have also adapted The Drop Off into an …
» Read more about Fiona Harris & Mike McLeish
Neridah McMullin
Author, Storyteller/Performer
Neridah is an inspiring presenter who knows how to connect with her students, making Australian history, Indigenous history and Sport accessible to children in a fun and engaging way.
» Read more about Neridah McMullin
Amelia Mellor
Author
Amelia Mellor is an award-winning author of kids’ fantasy fiction, and a former English teacher. She is an enthusiastic, theatrical speaker with a passion for all things weird and wonderful in history and nature.
» Read more about Amelia Mellor
Kate Mildenhall
Author, Curriculum Specialist, Education Consultant, Podcaster
Kate Mildenhall is an author, writing teacher and podcaster. Her debut novel SKYLARKING was longlisted for Debut Fiction in The Indie Book Awards 2017 and the 2017 Voss Literary Award. Her second novel, THE MOTHER FAULT was longlisted for the 2021 ABIA General Fiction Book of the Year and shortlisted …
» Read more about Kate Mildenhall
Alex Miles
Author
Since publishing her first play at age seventeen, Alex (Lee) Miles has written for stage and screen, for brides, with the book Sixty Secrets for a Happy Bride, and for spys-in-waiting with eight Zac Power books. Using her background in theatre, Alex entertains with interactive workshops on writing and the …
» Read more about Alex Miles
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
Tristan Miller
Author, Corporate, Inspirational Speaker, Speaking Out
Tristan Miller has had an incredible story, for such a regular guy. He dealt with a number of life’s highs and lows, before finally losing his dream job at Google in the Global Financial Crisis of 2009. Instead of laying down, he turned his life into an amazing adventure by …
» Read more about Tristan Miller
Cath Moore
Author, Social Issues
Cath Moore is an award winning author, filmmaker and academic, specializing in YA and own-voice storytelling for the page and screen. Cath also runs story development workshops for secondary students and new writers.
» Read more about Cath Moore
Martine Murray
Author, Illustrator
Martine Murray is an acclaimed Australian author and illustrator whose work has been translated into more than 20 different languages. She has a long involvement in the arts, including dance, theatre, circus and filmmaking. Her first novel The Slightly True story of Cedar B Hartley was on the White Ravens …
» Read more about Martine Murray
Ron Murray
Curriculum Specialist, Education Consultant, Entertainer, Social Issues, Storyteller/Performer
Ron is a much loved and highly respected Victorian Indigenous educator, storyteller and musician. He is in demand as a speaker, sharing his knowledge of Indigenous culture with passion, honesty and humour.
» Read more about Ron Murray
Belinda Murrell
Author
Belinda Murrell worked as a travel writer and journalist before becoming the award-winning author of more than 35 books, ranging from junior fiction to adult non-fiction. Her presentations and writing workshops are energetic and dynamic, inspiring students from kindergarten to year 12. Belinda’s books include Meet Zoe and Zac, popular …
» Read more about Belinda Murrell
Steve Mushin (Stephen Mushin)
Author, Design, Drawing and Creative Thinking Teacher, Education Consultant, Entertainer, Illustrator, Inspirational Speaker, Social Issues, STEM Teacher
Steve Mushin’s graphic novel style STEM book Ultrawild, An Audacious Plan to Rewild Every City On Earth (Allen and Unwin, Nov 2023) was described by The Guardian as: ‘a brain-meltingly intricate and inspiring compendium of the gigantic ideas needed to repair the planet.’ Steve is an industrial designer, hack engineer …
» Read more about Steve Mushin (Stephen Mushin)
Katrina Nannestad
Author
Katrina Nannestad is an award-winning children’s author who writes humour, adventure, action, mystery and history. Katrina loves sharing her passion for stories, and encouraging others to read, write and find the joy in life.
» Read more about Katrina Nannestad
Sher Rill Ng
Author, Illustrator
Sher Rill is a digital illustrator who has designed and illustrated for SaaS companies before releasing her first author-illustrated picture book Our Little Inventor (2019 Allen & Unwin).
» Read more about Sher Rill Ng
Alice Pung OAM
Author, Corporate, Curriculum Specialist, Inspirational Speaker, Online - Virtual Visits, Personal Development, Social Commentator, Speaking Out
Alice Pung OAM is a writer and lawyer who loves teaching. Alice’s books are studied in secondary schools and universities in Australia as well as the United States, and she has taught writing workshops to students from the ages of 8 to 80 in Australia, China and the States. Alice …
» Read more about Alice Pung OAM
Wendy Orr
Author
Wendy Orr is the multi-award winning and internationally published author of over forty books ranging from picture books to adult, including Peeling the Onion and the Nim’s Island series, which have also become feature films. She is passionate about her craft and is known for the honesty and inspirational qualities …
» Read more about Wendy Orr
Sandhya Parappukkaran
Author
Sandhya Parappukkaran is a picture book author who loves to share stories and her culture. She’ll bring a bundle of saris to unravel and wear. She talks about writing own voices stories, plays games to unlock creativity and move your story forward, and shares craft activities based on her books.
» Read more about Sandhya Parappukkaran
Louise Park
Author, Education Consultant
Louise writes books for children under her own name as well as several secret identities including H. I. Larry, Mac Park and Poppy Rose. She loves writing books with action and grand adventures and is the author of the best-selling series Zac Power Test Drive, Bella Dancerella and Star Girl—soon …
» Read more about Louise Park
Favel Parrett
Author
In 2011, Favel Parrett’s career was launched with her critically acclaimed debut PAST THE SHALLOWS. It was sold internationally and was shortlisted in the prestigious Miles Franklin Award and won the Dobbie Literary Award. Favel won the ABIA Newcomer of the Year Award in 2012. Her next novel, WHEN THE …
» Read more about Favel Parrett
Jacinta Parsons
Author, Broadcaster, Inspirational Speaker
Jacinta Parsons is a broadcaster, radio maker, writer and public speaker who currently co-hosts the Breakfast program on ABC Local Radio Melbourne with Sami Shah. She began her radio-life at community radio station 3RRR over a decade ago, where she coordinated live music broadcasts and hosted several shows including Detour and …
» Read more about Jacinta Parsons
Andrew Paterson
Author
Andrew Paterson is a medical doctor and the author of Rainfish, a middle grade novel set in a small North Queensland town based on Innisfail, the real town where Andrew grew up.
» Read more about Andrew Paterson
Tim Pegler
Author, Journalist, Social Commentator
Acclaimed YA author Tim Pegler is an award-winning journalist, extensively published in newspapers, magazines and online. Tim’s experience covering social issues, such as homelessness, disability and juvenile justice, provides the foundation for much of his writing for young adults.
» Read more about Tim Pegler
Chrissie Perry
Author
Chrissie is the author of over 35 books for Children and Young Adults, including 13 books in the best-selling Go Girl series, the much-loved Penelope Perfect series and the award-winning Whisper. Her work has been published in twelve countries. A new series Blabbermouth will hit bookshops and library shelves early …
» Read more about Chrissie Perry
Maura Pierlot
Author
Maura Pierlot is an author, playwright and filmmaker based in Canberra. Her groundbreaking work on youth mental health, Fragments, is now an award-winning web series and feature length film. Maura’s work has won, and been shortlisted for, numerous writing awards. She has a PhD in philosophy, specialising in ethics.
» Read more about Maura Pierlot
Ailsa Piper
Author, Corporate, Inspirational Speaker, Speaking Out
Ailsa Piper has worked throughout Australia as a writer, theatre director, actor, speaker, teacher and memorably, a pate-wrapper! She completed her MA at the University of Melbourne during her three-year stint as an actor in Neighbours’ Ramsay Street, winning the Patrick White Playwright’s Award in her spare time. She is …
» Read more about Ailsa Piper
Angela Pippos
Author, Corporate, Inspirational Speaker, Journalist, Social Commentator, Speaking Out
Angela Pippos is a journalist, TV and radio presenter, columnist and author of The Goddess Advantage – One Year in the Life of a Football Worshipper. It’s as much about love, loyalty, stuffed tomatoes and Greek mythology as it is about Australian rules football.
» Read more about Angela Pippos
Andrew Plant
Author, Illustrator
Andrew trained as a zoologist before discovering he preferred painting and writing about animals rather than dissecting them! Now he loves creating books about almost any subject, and is passionate about sharing that creativity with kids. A scientific artist, or an artistic scientist!
» Read more about Andrew Plant
Shivaun Plozza
Author, New Speakers
Shivaun Plozza’s critically acclaimed debut novel, Frankie, was nominated to ALA’s Best Fiction for Young Adults List, highly commended at the Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards, shortlisted for the CBCA Book of the Year Awards, and won the Davitt Award for best YA crime novel. Her second novel, Tin Heart, was …
» Read more about Shivaun Plozza
Ben Pobjie
Author, Journalist, Social Commentator
Ben Pobjie is the author of the Reality Recap of Australian History Error Australis and Aussie, Aussie, Aussie. He is the resident satirist for Medium and TV writer for the Saturday Age, he co-hosts the comedy podcast Gather Around Me, and is a regular voice on ABC radio,Triple R and 3CR as well as writing occasionally …
» Read more about Ben Pobjie
Liz Porter
Author
Liz Porter is a freelance journalist best-known for her prize-winning books about “the real CSI” – the way forensic science is used to solve crime. Based in Melbourne, she is a former award-winning legal affairs reporter for The Sunday Age.
» Read more about Liz Porter
Sian Prior
Author, Corporate, Entertainer, Inspirational Speaker, Personal Development, Speaking Out
Sian Prior is probably best known as an ABC radio presenter, a columnist and critic for The Age, and a musician. But this accomplished public performer is also the author of two acclaimed works of non fiction, ‘Shy: a memoir and ‘Childless: a story of freedom and longing’ (shortlisted for The Age …
» Read more about Sian Prior
Sharon Torpey – The Drug Education Project
Personal Development, Well Within
One life lost due to alcohol or drug misuse is one too many…. The reality is all young people need drug and alcohol education, whether they indulge or not, as everyone can be affected by the choices of those who do. Our aim is to reduce the adverse health, social, …
» Read more about Sharon Torpey – The Drug Education Project
Michael Pryor
Author, Online - Virtual Visits
Michael Pryor is one of Australia’s most popular and acclaimed authors of Fantasy and Science Fiction. He has published more than thirty-five novels, more than sixty short stories, and has over one million words in print. He is one of the co-publishers of Aurealis, Australia’s longest running Fantasy and SF …
» Read more about Michael Pryor
Jess Racklyeft
Author, Illustrator
Jess Racklyeft is an award winning illustrator (and sometimes author) of over 30 picture books. She creates work with a variety of media including watercolour, mono prints, acrylics and digital illustration – resulting in a very messy studio!
» Read more about Jess Racklyeft
Dean Rankine
Illustrator
Dean Rankine is a Ledger and Stanley Award winning comic book artist and writer best known for his work on Simpsons Comics. His other credits include; Futurama, Rick and Morty, Invader Zim, Underdog, Oggy and the Cockroaches and The Riverdale Diaries : Starring Veronica. He’s the illustrator on the Timmy …
» Read more about Dean Rankine
Solli Raphael
Author, Curriculum Specialist, Education Consultant, Entertainment, Inspirational Speaker, Personal Development/Welfare, Social Issues, Storyteller/Performer
Solli Raphael is a globally renowned and award-winning speaker and performer who has delivered inspiring presentations for nearly a decade. Within schools, Solli has become known for turning pressing and complex social concerns and concepts into relatable and meaningful conversations for young audiences. Limelight Spotlight 29 Things You Didn’t Know …
» Read more about Solli Raphael
Dr Jodi Richardson
Anxiety, Author, Education Consultant, Inspirational Speaker, New Speakers, Online - Virtual Visits, Personal Development, Social Issues, Well Within
Dr Jodi Richardson is dedicated to elevating the mental health and wellbeing of others. She empowers parents, educators and other professionals with practical skills and techniques for maximising wellbeing and overcoming the inattention, overwhelm and avoidance that come with anxiety.
» Read more about Dr Jodi Richardson
Sally Rippin
Author, Illustrator, Online - Virtual Visits
Sally Rippin was born in Darwin, but grew up mainly in South-East Asia. As a young adult she lived in China for three years, studying traditional Chinese painting. Sally has over seventy books published, many of them award-winning, including two novels for young adults. Her work includes the highly acclaimed Polly and …
» Read more about Sally Rippin
Trent Roberts
Author, Personal Development/Welfare, Storyteller/Performer
Trent is an energetic and passionate speaker who loves to excite, educate and engage kids of all ages.
» Read more about Trent Roberts
Michael Robotham
Author, Corporate, Speaking Out
Michael Robotham is an internationally celebrated crime writer whose books have been translated into 25 languages and sold more than six million copies around the world. Born in country NSW, he began his career as a journalist and went on to write for newspapers and magazines in Australia, Britain and …
» Read more about Michael Robotham
Mike Rolls
Inspirational Speaker, Personal Development, Social Issues
Mike is a survivor of one of the deadliest diseases on the planet. His story of courage, determination and pure resilience will inspire, educate and entertain!
» Read more about Mike Rolls
Judith Rossell
Author, Illustrator
Judith Rossell created the best-selling, award-winning Stella Montgomery series (Withering-by-Sea, Wormwood Mire and Wakestone Hall) and her new middle-grade novel, The Midwatch, will be published in 2024. She has written 16 books and illustrated more than 80. She enjoys sharing her love of illustrating and writing, and encouraging others to …
» Read more about Judith Rossell
Andrea Rowe
Author, Personal Development
Energising, passionate, sometimes silly and forever hunting stories, Andrea turns children’s light bulbs on for their own story creations and loves inspiring text connection chats. As a professional copywriter for Australia’s top charities and past media manager for Government Ministers, she’s inspired teenagers to explore career opportunities in writing and …
» Read more about Andrea Rowe
Andrew Rule
Author, Corporate, Journalist, Social Commentator, Speaking Out
Since starting on a country newspaper in 1975, Andrew Rule has worked on three metropolitan newspapers and in both radio and television production. He has written, co-written, edited and published many books, including the Underbelly true crime series and the Chopper series, which inspired the successful feature film. He hosts a regular fortnightly …
» Read more about Andrew Rule
Shabnam Safa
Inspirational Speaker, Personal Development, Social Issues, Storyteller
Shabnam is a driven community development practitioner who is passionate about cultivating true partnerships between communities and structures of power to create lasting solutions and social change. She grew up as a Hazara Afghan refugee in Pakistan before arriving in Australia at the age of 15. Inspired by her own …
» Read more about Shabnam Safa
Ellen Sandell
Corporate, Inspirational Speaker, Social Commentator, Speaking Out
Ellen has been National Director of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, one of Australia’s largest non-profit climate organisations. During her leadership, the organisation grew from a handful of friends wanting to change the world to a national organisation with over 80,000 members and the ear of politicians and business leaders …
» Read more about Ellen Sandell
Melanie Saward
Author
Melanie Saward is a proud Bigambul and Wakka Wakka woman based in Tulmur (Ipswich), Queensland, a city west of Brisbane. An experienced university lecturer, Melanie loves to talk about her books and writing, and run practical writing workshops.
» Read more about Melanie Saward
Claire Saxby
Author, Curriculum Specialist, Social Issues, Storyteller/Performer
Claire Saxby writes poetry, fiction and non-fiction for young people. She speaks (and sometimes sings) about history, humour, our environment, making stories, writing poetry and researching.
» Read more about Claire Saxby
Lisa Shanahan
Author, Inspirational Speaker, Storyteller/Performer
Lisa is an award-winning writer of picture books, and novels for younger and older readers. Some of her funny, heartfelt books include The Grand, Genius Summer of Henry Hoobler, which received the 2017 Queensland Literary Award for Children’s Fiction, the 2018 Speech Pathology Book of the Year for 8–12-year-olds and …
» Read more about Lisa Shanahan
Jonny Shannon
Inspirational Speaker, New Speakers, Online - Virtual Visits, Personal Development, Social Issues, Well Within
I found school extremely difficult, having dyslexia and other disabilities which led to failing all my subjects and being bullied a lot. After overreacting too many times, I was finally expelled for fighting too much. It wasn’t until my last school that a counsellor took me aside to work through some …
» Read more about Jonny Shannon
Craig Smith
Illustrator
Craig Smith’s warm, quirky illustrations have amused kids for more than three decades. With over 360 books to his credit, the humor and pathos of home and school life, and a fondness for unusual perspectives are features of his work.
» Read more about Craig Smith
Mark Smith
Author
Mark is an award-winning author who offers a unique insight into reading and writing – he came to both late, but has now published four books, including The Road to Winter, which is taught in schools around Australia. His first adult novel entitled Three Boys Gone, will be published January 2025. …
» Read more about Mark Smith
Anna Snoekstra
Author
Anna Snoekstra is the bestselling author of four novels, which have been published in twenty countries and translated into many different languages. She is also a screenwriter for film and television.
» Read more about Anna Snoekstra
Alicia Sometimes
Author, Broadcaster, Poet, Storyteller
Alicia Sometimes is a writer, poet and broadcaster. She regularly appears on ABC radio talking books and culture and is often touring with her poetry. She has also appeared on ABC TV’s Sunday Arts, News Breakfast, Recovery and SBS’s Nomad program. Alicia was a 2014 Fellow at the State Library …
» Read more about Alicia Sometimes
Trent Southworth
Corporate, Personal Development, Social Commentator, Speaking Out
Trent Southworth is a former NSW Police Officer with over fourteen years policing experience, including eight years employed in the Youth Liaison role. In his role, Trent worked closely with numerous government and non government agencies to identify youth related initiatives such as underage drinking programs, truancy, road safety, drug …
» Read more about Trent Southworth
R.A. Spratt
Author
R.A. Spratt is an award winning author and television writer. Her latest book is Peski Kids: The Bear in the Woods – the second instalment of the Peski Kids series. It is 10 years since R.A’s biographical account of the world’s most glamorous flying pig, Nanny Piggins was first unleashed upon …
» Read more about R.A. Spratt
Anne Spudvilas
Illustrator
Anne Spudvilas is a multi award-winning illustrator of children’s books. Her work has been awarded the NSW and Queensland Premiers Awards, CBCA Picture Book of the Year, ABIA Award for Younger Readers, the Crichton Award for Illustration and more. Her passion is bringing to life the characters in her books …
» Read more about Anne Spudvilas
Jo Stanley
Author, Entertainer, Inspirational Speaker, Personal Development, Storyteller/Performer
Having started her career as a comedian, Jo is a dynamic and entertaining speaker. She has presented to schools, universities, conferences, the corporate world, and community groups. Her areas of expertise are: Gender equality Resilience and mindfulness Purpose Media Personal branding
» Read more about Jo Stanley
Anne E. Stewart
Storyteller/Performer
Anne E Stewart is an acclaimed storyteller with an international reputation. A versatile performer Anne has the energy and voice to engage any audience. Her focus is on the shared stories of Australia honouring Indigenous, Celtic, Asian and World stories. Anne has told stories in some of Australia’s major cultural …
» Read more about Anne E. Stewart
Nathan Strempel
Education Consultant, Inspirational Speaker, Online - Virtual Visits, Personal Development
Nathan’s unique blend of humour and sincerity is unanimously well received. He gains an immediate rapport with audiences via his dynamic storytelling and his work as a sports presenter on Channel 9 and Fox Sports having covered NBL & WNBL basketball, AFL footy, Big Bash Cricket, A-League Soccer, Super Rugby …
» Read more about Nathan Strempel
Zeno Sworder
Author, Illustrator
Zeno Sworder is an award winning writer, artist and picture book maker. He is passionate about literacy, creativity and diversity.
» Read more about Zeno Sworder
Penny Tangey
Author, Storyteller/Performer
Penny is the author of three books for young people. Her first novel, Loving Richard Feynman was shortlisted for the 2010 CBCA Book of the Year (older readers). Penny performed stand-up comedy for many years beginning by winning the Victorian final of Triple J’s Raw Comedy Competition. Most recently she performed …
» Read more about Penny Tangey
Lian Tanner
Author
Lian Tanner is an award-winning author of children’s books, as well as an engaging and and entertaining speaker. She uses laughter, storytelling and challenges to inspire students to read, while at the same time providing them with tools they can use to write their own stories. Museum of Thieves: The …
» Read more about Lian Tanner
Jared Thomas
Author, Education Consultant, New Speakers, Online - Virtual Visits, Social Issues
Dr Jared Thomas is a Nukunu person of the Southern Flinders Ranges and the Research Fellow, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Material Culture and Art at the South Australian Museum, and an internationally recognised author.
» Read more about Jared Thomas
Gabrielle Tozer
Author, Journalist
Gabrielle Tozer is an internationally published author with a background in journalism, editing and copywriting. Her YA novel, The Intern, won the State Library of Victoria’s 2015 Gold Inky Award, and its sequel Faking It is out now. Gabrielle has shared her passion for storytelling and creativity at numerous events, …
» Read more about Gabrielle Tozer
Coral Tulloch
Author, Illustrator
Coral Tulloch has worked on close to 60 books for children for both Australian and International publishers. As an author and illustrator, working in both fiction and non-fiction, Coral brings a wide range of presentations from cartooning to discussions on the environment, for a wide audience group. Her latest book, One …
» Read more about Coral Tulloch
Maria Tumarkin
Author
Maria Tumarkin is a Melbourne-based writer and historian, and a 2013-2014 Sidney Myer Creative Fellow. 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
Samantha Turnbull
Author, Poet, Storyteller/Performer
Samantha Turnbull is a children’s author, journalist, podcast producer and slam poet. Her books include Remember the Rainbows (Five Mile), Fierce Girls (Five Mile), and The Anti-Princess Club series (Allen & Unwin). Her podcasts include Fierce Girls, Dino Dome, News Time, and Little Green Pod (all ABC). She has worked …
» Read more about Samantha Turnbull
Robert Vescio
Author, Storyteller/Performer
Robert Vescio is an internationally published award-winning author of children’s picture books, based in Sydney. Robert is an Australia Reads ambassador and a Books in Homes role model. His aim is to enthuse and inspire children to read and write and leave them bursting with imaginative ideas. Today Natures Song …
» Read more about Robert Vescio
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
Bic Walker
Author, Entrepreneur, Illustrator, Inspirational Speaker
Born in Vietnam in 1974, Bic Walker escaped war torn Vietnam at the age of four. Bic’s experience as a refugee was the catalyst for her first Book A Safe Place to Live. This autobiographical children’s book recounts her experience in fleeing Vietnam with her family in 1979 on a …
» Read more about Bic Walker
Jessica Walton
Author, Inspirational Speaker, Personal Development, Social Issues, Storyteller
Jessica Walton is a queer, disabled writer and speaker. They co-wrote an episode of Get Krack!n focused on disability, which aired on ABC in 2019. They are the author of graphic novel Stars In Their Eyes, with artwork by Aśka (Fremantle Press 2021) and Introducing Teddy, illustrated by Dougal MacPherson …
» Read more about Jessica Walton
Gabrielle Wang
Author, Illustrator
Gabrielle Wang is an author and illustrator born in Melbourne of Chinese heritage. Her maternal great grandfather came to Victoria in 1853 during the Gold Rush. Her father is from Shanghai. Gabrielle’s stories are a diverse blend of eastern and western culture with a touch of fantasy. She has written …
» Read more about Gabrielle Wang
Sally Warhaft
Author, Corporate, Journalist, Speaking Out
Sally Warhaft is a Melbourne broadcaster, anthropologist and writer and the host of the Wheeler Centre’s live journalism series, The Fifth Estate, now in its third year. She is a former editor of The Monthly magazine and the author of the bestselling book Well May We Say: The Speeches that …
» Read more about Sally Warhaft
Ally Watson
Education Consultant, Inspirational Speaker, Social Issues, Well Within, Women's Rights
Ally Watson is the founder and CEO of Code Like a Girl, a social enterprise that provides girls and women with the confidence and tools to take on the world of code and re-imagine the future of technology. As one who has seen first-hand how traditional gender stereotypes have limited …
» Read more about Ally Watson
Nova Weetman
Author, Online - Virtual Visits
Nova Weetman wrote her first book at 12. A dystopian story about jelly eating, it’s predictably unpublished. From there, she honed her story writing skills in the world of film and TV, before returning to the thing she loves most – writing prose. Now she writes YA novels and middle …
» Read more about Nova Weetman
Paula Weston
Author
Paula has worked as a print journalist and government communication specialist, and is now one half of a writer-designer consultancy. She has been writing fiction for many years, finding her niche penning gritty young adult speculative thrillers with an Australian flavour in The Rephaim series and The Undercurrent.
» Read more about Paula Weston
Christian White
Author
It took Christian White over a decade to find ‘overnight success’. Before he became a screenwriter and an award-winning author with his bestselling novel, The Nowhere Child, he slogged away at his computer on nights and weekends, relying on a long list of unusual day jobs to supplement his writing …
» Read more about Christian White
Sue Whiting
Author, Education Consultant, Storyteller
Sue Whiting is an acclaimed children’s and YA author and editor who has worked in publishing for twenty years. Sue has written numerous books for a variety of age groups, including the bestselling Missing, the award-winning The Book of Chance and a number of CBCA Notable Picture Books. As a …
» Read more about Sue Whiting
Philip Wilcox
Author, Entertainment, Inspirational Speaker, Poet, Social Issues, Storyteller/Performer
Philip Wilcox is an awarded and published full-time poet, touring nationally and internationally. He is an Australian Poetry Slam champion and two-time New South Wales Poetry Slam champion. He believes poetry is for everyone: sleazy advertising executives, criminals, and even school students. He has made it his mission to share …
» Read more about Philip Wilcox
Ailsa Wild
Author, Inspirational Speaker
Ailsa Wild is an author of more than twenty books and a performer with a history in circus and collaboration. She writes for audiences of all ages, both fiction and non-fiction. In her day job, Ailsa facilitates story-making with children and adults in all kinds of circumstances. Her appearances are …
» Read more about Ailsa Wild
Lili Wilkinson
Author, Education Consultant, Inspirational Speaker, Online - Virtual Visits
Lili Wilkinson is a reader and writer of YA literature. She is the author of nine books for teenagers, and has a PhD in Creative Writing.
» Read more about Lili Wilkinson
Rhiân Williams
Author, Inspirational Speaker, Personal Development/Welfare, Social Issues
Rhiân is an enthusiastic and engaging story teller, equally at home running a treasure hunt for beetles and Australian animals for a group of three year olds at a public library, to bringing fire fighters and other emergency personnel together with kids and grown ups alike to discuss emergency preparedness, …
» Read more about Rhiân Williams
Tony Wilson
Author, Corporate, Entertainer, Inspirational Speaker, Speaking Out
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
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.
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Jake Wilson
Curriculum Specialist, Education Consultant, Journalist
Jake Wilson is a freelance writer whose film reviews appear weekly in The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and other Fairfax Media publications. His book Mad Dog Morgan, a critical study of the film of the same name, was published in 2015 as part of the Australian Screen Classics series.
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Daniel Witthaus
Author, Education Consultant, Inspirational Speaker, Storyteller/Performer, Well Within
Daniel has spent a quarter of a century challenging homophobia and working on LGBTIQ inclusion one cuppa at a time in schools, rural communities and, occasionally, developing countries like Poland, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. He has also worked with Kids Help Line, VicHealth, the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights …
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Ben Wood
Illustrator
Ben Wood is the illustrator of best-selling crime-fighting series Real Pigeons with Andrew McDonald, which is currently being adapted by Nickelodeon for the screen. He has illustrated over fifty books for kids, which include the popular graphic novel series Hello Twigs, and picture books Give Me a Home Among the …
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Fiona Wood
Author
Fiona Wood is the author of Six Impossible Things, Wildlife and Cloudwish. Six Impossible Things was shortlisted for the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book of the Year, Older Readers in 2011. Wildlife won the CBCA Award in 2014 and was shortlisted for numerous other awards. Cloudwish won the …
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Clare Wright
Author, Broadcaster, Historian, Social Commentator, Women's Rights
Professor Clare Wright is an award-winning historian, author, broadcaster and public commentator who has worked in politics, academia and the media. Clare holds a PhD in Australian Studies from the University of Melbourne and an MA in Public History from Monash University and is currently a Professor of History at La …
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Leanne Yong
Author
Leanne is an Asian-Australian YA author who speaks about writing with your unique voice. She also enjoys talking about game and puzzle design, as the owner and designer at acclaimed Sydney escape room Next Level Escape.
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Manal Younus
Author, Inspirational Speaker, Online - Virtual Visits, Poet, Social Issues, Storyteller/Performer
Manal Younus is a writer, poet, performer, and creative producer. As a young, black Muslim woman of Eritrean origins living in Australia, Manal uses her art forms to create and explore her own identity and spark thought in the minds of the audiences and communities she engages with.
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Tyson Yunkaporta
Academic, Author, New Speakers
Tyson Yunkaporta is an academic, an arts critic, and a researcher who belongs to the Apalech Clan in far north Queensland. He carves traditional tools and weapons and also works as a senior lecturer in Indigenous Knowledges at Deakin University in Melbourne.
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Anna Zobel
Author, Illustrator
Anna Zobel is an author and illustrator from Melbourne. Her middle-grade series Little Gem was a CBCA Notable in 2022, and was also shortlisted for the Readings Prize. She is the illustrator of several books including Who’s Your Real Mum?, which made the 2020 CBCA Shortlist and was chosen for …
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Paul Dillon (DARTA)
Author, Education Consultant, Online - Virtual Visits, Personal Development, Social Commentator, Well Within
Paul Dillon has a unique investment in the wellbeing of young people. Founder of Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia and a former school teacher, Paul continues to conduct drug information sessions and workshops for school students across Australia and internationally, in countries as diverse as the UK, the …
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