10:30 – 11:00
11 – 11:40
11:00 - 12:00
11:45 – 11:55
12:30 – 1:00
1:00 – 1:30
1:15 - 2:15
1:30 – 2:00
2:00 – 2:30
2:30 – 3:00
3:30 – 4:00
2:45 - 3:45
12:00 – 12:30
12:15 - 1:15
1:00 – 1:30
2:00 – 2:30
3:00 – 3:30
1:30 – 2:00
12pm - 4pm
11:00 – 4:00
11AM – 4PM
What does creative bravery look like? Come and find out at a unique display by students from FORM’s Creative Schools program. NOW I OWN shares their experiences of learning.
11:30 – 3:00
Youth buskers performing half hour sets, half past the hour, every hour.
12:00 – 3:30
What does creative bravery sound like?
Tune in to I HAVE MORE TO SAY at Scribblers Conversation Caravan, where students from FORM’s Creative Schools program podcast their personal stories.
Half hour shows, every hour.
11:00 – 4:00
10:00 - 10:40
They say there’s nothing new under the sun, but what about making something new from the old? Graham Akhurst and Scott Wilson are experts at this, having both adapted traditional First Nations stories in their contemporary narratives. Graham and Scott will join Youth Curator Sophie to talk about the importance of keeping ancient cultures alive and writing genre fiction that thrills and entertains.
11:00 - 11:40
A picture tells a thousand words, so how better to tell a story than using both? Graphic novelist Sarah Winifred Searle and comic-book writer Scott Wilson have a way with words and pictures and are telling their stories one panel at a time. Youth Curator Lila will ask them about the similarities and differences of super-hero comics and fantasy graphic novels, and how storytelling can be bright, beautiful, and FUN.
12:20 - 1:00
Rebellious characters are often the central protagonists of YA novels and writing them can be an act of rebellion too. Yuot A. Alaak, Graham Akhurst and Kate Emery will unpack their recent novels with Youth Curator Bella, talking about tackling serious topics for a young audience, how tough times can be a source of inspiration, and the power of words to change the world.
1:20 - 2:00
Prolific children’s and YA author Morris Gleitzman, graphic novelist Sarah Winifred Searle, and comics editor and publisher Wolfgang Bylsma chat with Youth Curator Bella about the high and lows of their careers, how creativity and a rebellious spirit have shaped their work and lives, and their advice for budding creatives dreaming of seeing their own stories and comics published.
Scribblers Festival takes place in the Perth CBD with programming centered in the Cathedral Square precinct and neighbouring vicinities.
Cathedral Square can be found at the corner of St Georges Terrace and Barrack Street.
Key venues:
Scribblers Central – Cathedral Square
Perth Library – Cathedral Square
The Sound Garden – Stirling Gardens
Perth Town Hall - 601 Hay St
Perth Moana Hall - 618 Hay Street Mall
London Court – St Georges Terrace
The City of Perth offers 3 hours free parking on weekends
CPP Cultural Centre car park, 2 Roe Street, Northbridge
CPP His Majesty's car park, 377 Murray Street, Perth
CPP Pier Street car park, 87-89 Pier Street, Perth
More information: www.cityofperthparking.com.au
Travelling on Transperth trains, buses and ferries is FREE for all SmartRider holders on Sundays. www.transperth.wa.gov.au
There are water stations on site.
The Sound Garden is perfect for picnics! Relax on the grass amidst the lush gardens and be entertained by our youth performers and podcasters.
Food options nearby:
PAGE7 Café (inside Perth Library) 53 Hay St
Something French 580 Hay Street Mall
NAO Japanese Ramen 580 Hay St
Just For You The Bread House 585 Hay St
Jaws Sushi Town Hall 580 Hay St
Plus many more in the City of Perth
Scribblers Festival is committed to providing a safe, inclusive experience for everyone. For the first time all Saturday sessions in the Marquee with be Auslan Interpreted, provided by Auslan Stage Left.
All of our venues are wheelchair accessible.
We’ve also included a number of Sensory Friendly Features:
The City of Perth Library will be open during the entire Festival and welcomes adults and children to relax in the quiet reading spaces.
Chill-Out Cubby Head to the 4th floor of the Perth Library where you’ll a cosy nook to escape and unwind. Here you’ll find earmuffs, fidget toys and comfy cushions.
We’re also offering a special low-sensory session with Sally Rippin at 10.30 am on Saturday 26 October. This session is FREE but requires a ticket. Spaces are limited so please ensure you book in advance.
All activities and sessions in Scribblers Central and The Sound Garden are FREE – no tickets required!
FREE ticketed events (bookings required):
Sensory Friendly session with Sally Rippin at 10.30am on Saturday 26 October. Spaces are limited.
YA Collective – Curated by and for youth:
This program is free to attend but registration is required. Book your free ticket here:
Creative Workshop Series (ticket purchase required): Our creative skills workshops offer deeper engagement where you’ll learn new skills, develop creativity and build confidence in a fun, supportive environment. Workshops are run by expert creative practitioners, authors and artists and numbers are capped and everyone gets to participate fully. All materials are provided. Workshops incur a fee, which varies depending on the length of the session.
Buying multiple tickets? Save 10% when purchasing 3 or more tickets. Discount can be used across multiple workshops.
Tickets for children under 12 include free entry for one accompanying adult.
Sheena Dempsey is an award-winning author and illustrator, and creator of graphic novel series Pablo and Splash, which came from a web-comic about a pair of penguins (alter-egos for her and her husband) Sheena created during pandemic lockdowns. She is originally from Ireland, but now lives in England with her husband and pet greyhound.
Morris Gleitzman grew up in England and came to Australia when he was sixteen. After university he became a screenwriter. Then he had a wonderful experience. He wrote a novel for young people. Now, after 43 books, he’s one of Australia’s most popular authors. He was appointed the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2018–2019.
Sally Rippin has over 10 million books in print worldwide. Her most popular series include Billie B Brown, Hey Jack! and School of Monsters. In 2024, Sally became the eighth Australian Children’s Laureate, promoting the importance and transformational power of reading, creativity and story in the lives of young Australians.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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).
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.
