Peter Cheong is the illustrator of I’m a Hero Too, Nothing Alike, the Pow Pow Pig series and the Freddie Spector series. Every Night at Midnight is his first book as both author and illustrator. Peter lives in Perth with his very understanding wife and son and less understanding cat. Shadow Judging was the winner of CBCA Picture Book of the Year 2024.

Danny Katz writes books for kids and adults, including the hit Little Lunch series. Born in Canada, Danny moved to Australia because he was allergic to maple syrup. After failed careers as a musician, comedian and car-washer, he turned to writing. Danny lives with his wife Mitch Vane, a speckled dog named Specky and a badly washed car.

Mitch Vane is a multi-disciplinary artist who loves creating quirky, humorous characters with watercolour and her scratchy dip pen. Mitch has illustrated dozens of picture books and collaborates with her husband, Danny Katz, to create the much-loved Little Lunch series.

Graham Akhurst is a Kokomini writer who grew up in Meanjin (Brisbane), and now lives on Gadigal Country in Sydney where he enjoys walking Centennial Park with a good audiobook. His debut book Borderland is a young adult novel that looks at issues of urban Indigenous youth identity.

A.J. Betts is a Fremantle based author, speaker, teacher, columnist and cyclist. Her latest work is a contemporary young-adult novel called One Song, about a teenage band trying to record a song to enter into the prestigious Triple J Unearthed High competition. Her earlier books include the two-book speculative fiction series Hive and Rogue, Zac & Mia (which was adapted into an Emmy Award winning Hollywood television series), Wavelength and Shutterspeed.

Sally Murphy, OAM, is a beachwalking, animal-loving life-loving author of verse novels, poetry and historical fiction. She loves reading and writing, and talking about reading and writing and, when she isn’t doing those things, can be found living in the southwest with her dog and cat, spending time with her large family, or working at Curtin University.

Justin Somper is the award-winning author of the six Vampirates books, published in 35 countries and 25 languages. A Brit by birth, Justin recently relocated to Perth, where he’s writing a brand-new fantasy adventure series, Pirate Academy.

Shane McCarthy is a freelance comics writer, whose work has been published internationally by the likes of DC Comics, Marvel Comics and more. His writing credits include Detective Comics (starring Batman), Batman Legends of the Dark Knight, Star Wars, Deadpool Team Up and Transformers: All Hail Megatron. Shane has been writing comics professionally for over 20 years and presently resides in Perth with his wife and two gorgeous cats.

Wolfgang Bylsma is the Editor-in- Chief for Perth-based publishing house Gestalt Comics, and serves as chief executive for Comics On Country, a not-for-profit organisation established to support more First Nations voices in Australian comics. His publishing endeavours have helped change the nature of the comics industry in Australia and assisted in building reputations and careers for Australian talent in the international market.

Kristy is an independently published author who loves to write junior fiction about small characters who do big things. Her debut book, Looking for Lily, was shortlisted for the 2023 West Australian Young Readers’ Book Award and placed second in the 2022 Children and Young Adult Aspiring Author Competition. Her next book, Mavey and Beth’s Double Act: Where’s My Whistle?, secured fourth place in the 2023 edition of the same competition.

Claudia Lam, also known as The Forest Mori, grew up between Perth and Hong Kong. She is an independent illustrator, designer, and ceramic artist and uses all those mediums to tell stories. Her purpose is to bring joy to people through her artwork and being a children’s book illustrator.

Tracey Dembo, author of picture books An A to Z of Dreaming Differently and This Book Is A Time Machine, is passionate about encouraging big questions, daring dreams and wild imaginations. She believes in the power of good stories, well-timed jokes and freshly baked cakes.

Yuot A. Alaak is an Australian- Sudanese writer whose memoir, Father of the Lost Boys, is about growing up in a warzone, and the bravery of his father. Yuot lives in Perth with his family where he works as a mining professional. When not writing or mining, Yuot loves to relax with family and friends over a barbecue.

Jake is a one-man creative army, making games, illustrations, novels, voiceover, films and many more. Blending entertainment and education, his mission is to engage players, readers and viewers in something meaningful that will enrich their lives and improve the world as a whole. His favourite stories are those with a balance of whimsical fantasy and thought-provoking philosophy - because why shouldn’t we explore the challenges and joys of life with haughty elves or disgruntled aliens?

Kristin Connolly has been using stories to understand the world around and within her for as long as she can remember. As a visual storyteller and life coach, Kristin uses creativity as a tool to connect people to themselves and each other. Combining her background in art and creative direction; skills in live scribing, illustration, and painting; with her life coaching experience, she aims to do her part in making the world a better, more connected place, with a lot of heart.

Renée Treml lives on Beeliar Country (Fremantle). She is the creator of picture books and graphic novels, including the Sherlock Bones mysteries and The Super Adventures of Ollie and Bea series. When Renée isn’t writing or illustrating, she enjoys walking in the bush or on the beach with her family and her superenthusiastic little dog.

Scott Wilson is a proud Gooniyandi and Gadgerong man from the remote Kimberley community of Muludja. Ever since Scott was a kid, he’s always had a vivid imagination and passion for storytelling, drawing and comic books. Adam Heart (aka Dark Heart) of the Indigiverse is Scott’s Aboriginal superhero character, inspired by his ancestors and the Dreaming.

Sarah Winifred Searle originally hails from the USA and now lives in Perth with their beloved spouse and cat. They write and draw comics and prose, exploring themes of identity, health, relationships, and history across many genres. The Greatest Thing, their YA graphic novel, is a Lammy Award and CBCA Book of the Year finalist, and a Prime Minister’s Literary Award winner. Their latest book, The Sweetness Between Us, comes out in October 2024.

As a Portuguese-born, Frenchraised book enthusiast, married to a Peruvian, it’s no wonder Filipa has raised a multicultural family and owns and runs Le Toboggan, an online bookstore that exclusively sells international and bilingual titles.

Ebony is a Wardandi Noongar woman born in Busselton (Undalup). She now lives and works in Perth on Wadjuk Country with her family. Djinang Bonar: Seeing Seasons is her first published work. Ebony hopes her book will increase awareness and respect for Noongar language and culture, and inspire the next generation of Indigenous allies.

Olman Walley is a Wilman, Balardong, Binjareb, Wadjuk Nyoongar man who was raised in the Wilman (Wheatbelt) region and now lives in Boorloo (Perth). He was taught Noongar culture by his family and elders, and as owner and director of Boorloo Aboriginal Cultural Experiences, is passionate about sharing the stories, history, music, dance and knowledge of the ancient Noongar culture. His Noongar name is Chitty Chitty (Willy Wagtail).

Bringing the page alive on the stage, Lit Live is a collective of performers who make theatre for the mind and soul from the world’s most beloved stories. Lit Live is produced by seasoned actor and storyteller, Sarah McNeill, who develops and presents each Lit Live show with a team of talented actors and musicians.

Annick Akanni is a textile designer, arts educator and teaching artist. She is passionate about creating inclusive, accessible, and immersive spaces where explorative art and multi-sensory play allow people of all ages to engage in mindful, meditative art therapy methodologies that promote, disrupt, and encourage open dialogue. She has worked in FORM’s Creative Schools program since 2023, and previously served on the ArtPlay Disability and Inclusion Advisory Group for the City of Melbourne.

Rachel Riggs is an internationally experienced visual theatre artist/ producer and puppeteer who has designed and directed work all over the world using traditional and contemporary puppetry techniques. She is the director of DNA Puppetry.

Jazz is a proud resident of Port Hedland of Maori descent (Ngati Porou, Ngati Kahununu tribe), who is deeply connected to her cultural roots through the teachings of her rangatira (Elders) and the stories passed down through generations. Jazz shares these stories to preserve cultural heritage, and pass on the wisdom and knowledge of her ancestors.

Bianca Breen is a professional book nerd, founder of YA for WA, and former Communications Director at the Australian Young Adult Literature Alliance (#LoveOzYA) and co-host of The YA Room. Bianca devours stories with magic, adventure, forests, and a dragon or two and her debut YA fantasy novel will be released in 2025 with Stag Beetle Books.

Kate Emery lives in Perth and works as a senior reporter for The West Australian. Her first novel, The Not So Chosen One was shortlisted for the 2020 Text Prize, the Aurealis Awards (Best Fantasy Novel) and longlisted for the CBCA Book of the Year Awards, Older Readers.

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