Author/Editor

Davina Bell is an award-winning writer for young people of many ages and a children’s book editor and publisher. Some of her most well-known picture books include All the Ways To Be Smart, All of the Factors of Why I Love Tractors, Under the Love Umbrella, The Underwater Fancy-dress Parade, and What To Say When You Don't Know What To Say. Davina has also worked as an editor and publisher at Penguin Books, Affirm Press and Allen & Unwin.

Perfecting Picture-Book Rhythm and Rhyme

Find your picture-book rhythm and lift your rhyme game with award-winning author and editor, Davina Bell.

Author

Mark Smith is the author of five novels: The Road To Winter, Wilder Country, Land Of Fences, If Not Us and Three Boys Gone. He is also an award-winning writer of short fiction, and the co-curator of Minds Went Walking, Paul Kelly’s Songs Reimagined and Into Your Arms, Nick Cave’s Songs Reimagined.

Getting Your Books in Schools

The Road to Winter is a young adult class text in secondary schools across Australia. Mark will present how to align your book to core curriculum, getting your book in schools and school workshop planning and techniques.

Artist/Illustrator/Author

Pete Cromer is a contemporary Australian artist based in the Colac Otway region of Victoria. Inspired by the optimistic personalities in people and wildlife, Pete’s work is renowned for his signature bursts of glowing colour and beautiful textures, all reflected in his bold collages, wildlife books, paintings and sculptures.

Make Art that Sells

Building a career as a full-time artist requires diversified income streams. Pete Cromer will share his experience working across different mediums and markets to help you with your artistic career.

Author/Illustrator

Renée Treml is the author and illustrator of several best-selling picture books for very young readers, including Once I Heard a Little Wombat, Goodnight, Joeys, and Ten Little Owls. She is also the creator of the engaging and funny graphic novels featuring Sherlock Bones and the Super Adventures of Ollie and Bea series. Renee’s most recent graphic novel, The Thylacine and the Time Machine, draws upon her background in biology and environmental science, and her passionate love of natural history.

The Ins and Outs of Working with an International Agency

Renée will share her experiences working with international literary agents for the past 10 years. She’ll help you understand the benefits and challenges involved, which may help you when considering if it’s the right path for you.

Author

Stef Gemmill used to write music reviews about big kids in bands but swapped the mosh pit for toys and tantrums to write books for curious smaller kids. Stef is the Program Director and founder of the Sketch and Scribe Festival and also an advocate for children’s literacy and helping her kid lit tribe to get published. She lives on the Surf Coast with her family and sleepy cat, Luna, the star of her international award winning book, A Home for Luna.

Scrapbook Crafternoon

Kickstart a new story seed or character illustration by getting crafty. Learn how to deep dive into character and plot while creating a keepsake scrapbook to help you progress a new project.