
on-line festival weekend
The on-line program provides access for those who can’t make days 1 & 2 in-personl.
On day 3 of the festival, you will receive a recording of Development day part 1 of the in-person program, filled with expert presenters, panels, TEDx talks and the inside scoop from the publishers. A recording offers flexibility in soaking in the festival information at your own pace.
Day 4 of the festival is the Developmental day part 2 live via ZOOM, filled with workshops and developmental presentations from expert creators to help you level-up your writing and illustration skills.
Wait – there is more! During the month of September, you can pitch your manuscript or illustration to publishers, editors and agents in the Pitch Pro Sessions.
festival details
Dates
Pitch pro sessions
1-19th September
On-line weekend
Festival days 3 & 4
18-19th October 2025
Location
Digital media and ZOOM
download program
While all publishers, speakers and workshop coaches have confirmed their appearance, no responsibility can be accepted for changes which are beyond the festival’s control.
creative speakers
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.
pitch publishers - more announcements coming!
PB - picture book, CB - chapter book (earlyreader, junior fiction), MG - middle grade, YA - young adult, GN - graphic novel, Illus - illustrators or author/illustrator
Riveted Press
Riveted Press is an independent publishing house 'Where unforgettable stories are forged' and that epitomises what the publisher is looking for. Rowena acquired, edited and published CBCA award-winning title Aster’s Good, Right Things by Kate Gordon, and has had multiple titles longlisted and/or shortlisted in a variety of established literary awards.
Rowena is interested in science fiction, mystery, action/adventure, fantasy, myths/fables, historical fiction, clever humour (not toilet humour), dystopian, contemporary fiction.
Pitch Pro Sessions - PB/CB/MG/YA/Illus
Wombat Books
Wombat are passionate about great books with the motto of Stories You Will Want to Share. Wombat Books has national and international distribution of all new titles and is focussing on including audiobooks with each new novel release.
Rochelle Stephens is the editor and publisher at Wombat Books and has repetitively chosen manuscripts from pitch events.
Pitch Pro Sessions - CB/MG
MidnightSun Publishing
MidnightSun Publishing is a small press based in Adelaide dedicated to finding new and unknown voices.
The publisher is seeking stories that are unusual, especially about characters with diverse backgrounds. Also middle-grade adventure stories, YA addressing complex questions and picture books that cover historical non-fiction as well as books that are environmentally aware (and books that are plain fun).
Pitch Pro Sessions - PB/CB/MG/YA/Illus
Perentie Press
Perentie Press is an independent publisher of graphic novels for 5-17 year old readers. The publisher is seeking exciting mysteries, contemporary stories, humour and school-yard tales, as well as intergenerational, multicultural stories with heart. Not a good fit for toilet-humour, erotica, graphic horror or graphic violence.
Pitch Pro Sessions - GN/Illus
Affirm Press
Affirm Press is a Melbourne-based publisher dedicated to publishing great Australian stories, big ideas, and the most engaging local and international authors.
Coral Huckstep is the children’s editor at Affirm Press and loves funny books, eccentric characters and whimsy.
Pitch Pro Sessions - PB/CB/MG/YA
Penguin Random House
Penguin Random House (PRH) is the world’s largest trade book publisher. PRH strive to make the perfect book for every reader producing some of the world's most iconic children's books and characters.
Michelle Madden is the children’s list commissioning editor.
Pitch Pro Sessions - PB/Illus
EK Books
EK Books publish children’s books aimed primarily at kids aged 4 to 8 as well as fiction for young readers, and their motto is “Books with heart on issues that matter.”
Pitch Pro Sessions - tbc
Wild Eyed Press
The dynamic team at Wild Eyed Press aim to promote Australia's wildlife through the publication and distribution of children’s books, greeting cards and more. We encourage public awareness and concern for Australian fauna and the sustainability of their fragile habitats.
Pitch Pro Sessions - PB/Illus