At Booked Out, we love keeping things fresh. We’re always on the lookout new speakers who are in tune with readers and current social issues. We are thrilled to announce our newest speakers:

– ELLA HOLCOMBE: Author of The House on the Mountain, a gently told, beautifully illustrated account of the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires from a child’s perspective. Ella loves to share her own stories of growing up in the bush, as well as her family’s current rebuilding process in Kinglake.

– LEE KOFMAN: Author and editor of seven books. Her most recent book, the critically acclaimed memoir Imperfect, tells her story of growing up while suffering anguish about her body that was severely scarred during multiple childhood surgeries, and later in life raising a child with albinism. Drawing on Lee’s experience and research, Imperfect also explores how we can live a fulfilled life in an ‘imperfect’ body.

– JENNA GUILLAUME: 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, mental health and self-love.

– NEIL GRANT: In 2009, Neil travelled to Afghanistan to gather material for a book on asylum seekers, a journey that changed his life; The Ink Bridge was published in 2012. His newest release, The Honeyman and the Hunter is based partly in India – the birthplace of his mother and a wonderful exploration of dual heritage, cultural identity, family and the power of storytelling.

– SUMAYA HARARE: 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 being bullied and ostracized in school caused her to develop social anxiety and a diminished self-worth which she wouldn’t know about until into her mid to late 20s. She connects with girls from schools all over the country on topics of bullying and overcoming it, body image issues and integrating as a refugee.

– PATRICK GUEST: 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 and involving his whole audience (even the kid at the back of the hall who doesn’t want to be there).