Allen& Unwin (Publisher & Coach)

With 15+ years experience in publishing, Kate Whitfield is a Senior Editor of children’s/YA books at A&U. Kate is highly skilled in structural and copy editing, working with acclaimed authors such as Emily Rodda, Wendy Orr and CS Pacat. She works across all age groups and genres but specialises in fantasy and science fiction. 

Allen & Unwin is a leading independent publisher with a strong focus on Australian creators and stories exploring Australia’s history, culture and identity. 

Join Kate sharing publishing insights on various panels or in an intimate Coach Campworkshop for a lucky few.

Author/Illustrator (Coach)

Jess McGeachin is an author and illustrator from Narrm/Melbourne. Drawing inspiration quite literally from the natural world, Jess is the creator of 12 fiction and non-fiction picture books. His non-fiction picture book Deep won the CBCA Eve Pownall Award in 2023 and his books Kind and The Tree at Number 43 were winners of the Environment Award for Children’s Literature. Jess is lucky enough to work for a museum where he occasionally gets lost in the basement.

Jess will present Drawing on Nature or join him in an intimate illustration Coach Camp workshop for a lucky few. Perfect for authorstrators/illustrators.

Drawing on Nature

Join Jess McGeachin for a deep dive into his creative practice. From field sketch to finished book, learn about the importance of napkin sketchs, research rabbit-holes and how to draw seals that won’t lie still. As we stand on an ecological precipice, Jess will look at the importance of finding inspiration in nature and sharing stories that spark hope and action. 

Author

Claire Saxby is the award-winning author of Volcano, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Tree, Great White Shark, Iceberg, Dingo, Emu and The Wearing of the Green. Claire takes daily walks on the beach and beachcombs for unusual finds thinking  ‘What if...?’ and ‘Why?’. The answer to these questions sometimes become the foundation for a poem or story that later become books.

The Final Cut

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

Author

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

Different Steps to Publication (panel)

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

Author

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

Different Steps to Publication (panel)

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