Victorian based Authors and Illustrators
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Abdi ADEN – contact via Booked Out Agency
Amy ADENEY
Amy is a primary teacher and author of picture books and junior fiction.
She is passionate about instilling a love of reading in children, and is available for school visits and writing workshops.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Sarah ALLEN
Author / Illustrator
Sarah Allen is an illustrator, visual artist and author. Through her artwork, Sarah explores Australian flora and fauna, environmental themes and hopes to foster a connection to nature.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
James AITCHISON
contact via jimbooks@hotmail.com
Mary ANASTASIOU
Children’s Author / Book Creator / Presenter
With 30 years of design and marketing experience, Mary is responsible for the creation of over 50 titles for Indie publisher, Larrikin House including ‘My Shadow is Pink’, ‘Keeping up with the Dachshunds’, ‘My ExtraOrdinary Mum’ and ‘Heartbeat of the Land’ - Mary works exclusively with authors and illustrators to create books that (she hopes) will one day become classics.
Mary’s own ‘I want to be…’ series of picture books are favoured by children, parents, and educators alike for their imaginative and creative themes - with ‘I want to be a Sports Star’ recently shortlisted for the Speech Pathology Book of the Year Award in 2022.
With three more picture book titles set for release in 2023 ‘Jimmy Bottoms’, ‘Julius Squeezer’ and ‘The Art of Making Friends’, Mary loves creating stories that make kids giggle.
A frequent guest-assessor of both manuscripts and illustrator portfolios for KidLit and CYA,
Mary looks forward to helping others achieve their publishing dreams.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
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Hilary BADGER – contact via Booked Out Agency
Kaye BAILLIE
Children's Author
I write books for children and hope you will join me in discovering amazing characters and people.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Dale BAKER
Author, Illustrator & Teacher
Award nominated author and illustrator Dale Baker is also a successful practising artist and teacher. Dale’s iconic work has appeared everywhere from Australian Football League (AFL) Team websites & merchandise to The Melbourne Comedy Festival and popular Television shows such as Channel 7’s Sunrise. Dale’s children’s books are fun, bright and engaging with humour and educational aspects.
An experienced artist, illustrator and teacher of over 20 years, Dale’s work as an author has been recognised at the Australian’s Best Book Awards (YABBA Awards) Picture Story Book Category, Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards and the Kids Only Australian Literacy Awards. Dale loves to encourage reading at a young age and enjoys attending school author visits and library author readings when his busy schedule allows. Dale, also a proud father, is often is heard saying at such events ‘Kids who read succeed!’
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Trace BALLA
Author / Illustrator
Trace's books are about connection to country. She loves to inspire others creativity and care for the planet and each other, with workshops and talks filled with images. Trace works with all ages and abilities. You can also contact Trace through Allen and Unwin.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Anna BATTESE
Anna is a bookworm, baker and children's book maker. Once a marine biologist, she now spends her days writing children’s stories full of unconventional families, adventure, heart and the occasional (but always friendly) shark.
She lives in Naarm-Melbourne with her little girl, their mischievous labradoodle and an imaginary octopus named Hans Gruber.
Her first junior fiction series, PD McPem’s Agency for Mysterious Mysteries is out now with Yellow Brick Books.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Chris BELL
Krista BELL
Tony BIRCH
SAMANTHA-ELLEN BOUND
Sam-Ellen is a writer, editor and children’s author. From humble beginnings as an eight-year old writing Goosebumps rip-offs, she now has many years experience working with books – as a bookseller, reviewer, editor, production and marketing coordinator, in education, you name it!
A huge supporter of #LoveOzMG, Samantha-Ellen has also been shortlisted for numerous short story awards, and published in various anthologies. Her latest book, Seven Wherewithal Way - the first book in an epic folklore-inspired fantasy series - is out in October 2021.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
EMMA BOWD
Emma is an internationally published author, experienced classroom presenter and passionate supporter of children's literacy in disadvantaged communities. She loves to write stories with strong positive themes which will appeal to reluctant and enthusiastic readers alike, in both picture books and middle grade fiction.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Lee BURGEMEESTRE
CBCA VIC Branch member - photo to come
Sue BURSZTYNSKI
CBCA VIC Branch Member
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Mark CARTHEW (PhD)
Mark Carthew is an award winning Australian children’s author, poet, musician and educator well known for his books and series celebrating music, movement, drama, humour and wordplay.
Mark’s recent picture books include Five Little Owls, The Moose is Loose! The Great Zoo Hullabaloo! and The Gobbling Tree, winner of Speech Pathology Australia’s Book of the Year.
Mark’s creative output includes three new books in the Marvin & Marigold series illustrated by Simon Prescott (UK); Marvin & Marigold The Big Sneeze, Marvin & Marigold: A Christmas Surprise and Marvin & Marigold: A Stormy Night.
His 2020 releases included a special 10th Anniversary eBook & print edition of his CBCA Notable verse and song anthology Can You Keep a Secret? Timeless rhymes to share and treasure; and an exciting picture book featuring the unique and diverse animals of the Amazon rainforest - The Dingle Dangle Jungle, illustrated by Dave Atze (SA), published by Ford Street Publishing. The Dingle Dangle Jungle was shortlisted in the prestigious 2020 Educational Publishing Awards Australia.
Mark’s latest picture book (Released Feb 1, 2021) is The Thing That Goes Ping! illustrated by Shane McGowan (Shane McG), published by Ford Street Publishing.
Mark is a May Gibbs Children’s Literature Trust Fellow (Brisbane, 2013) and more recently (Adelaide, 2020 / 2021). His achievements in writing have also been acknowledged via a Distinguished PhD Award from Swinburne University of Technology. As a highly engaging and sought after national and international presenter, Mark’s early years and primary school presentations and books are interactive, entertaining and fun for all.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Anna CIDDOR
Author & Illustrator
Anna Ciddor has always been fascinated by the past. She immerses herself in research and hunts out the tiniest details so she can bring the past to life in her imagination – and in her writing and illustrating.
Her meticulous work has been recognised by a grant from the Literature Board of the Australia Council, and in 2021 she won the Nance Donkin Award for Children’s Literature. Her novels have been selected as Notable Books by the CBCA and shortlisted for many other awards.
Some of her best-loved books include Runestone, The Family with Two Front Doors, and The Boy Who Stepped Through Time. In 2023 she will celebrate the launch of a new book, A Message Through Time.
Anna Ciddor is an inspiring presenter at schools, libraries and festivals, and she makes research, planning, drafts and editing sound exciting and fun!
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Sherryl CLARK
Author
Sherryl Clark has more than 70 children's and YA books published. She is available for school visits and writing workshops, and is happy to teach poetry writing across all grades.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Rohan CLEAVE
Paul COLLINS
Author/Editor/Publisher
Paul Collins has written many books, mostly for younger readers through to young adults. He is best known for his fantasy and science fiction titles: The Jelindel Chronicles (Dragonlinks, Dragonfang, Dragonsight and Wardragon), and The Quentaris Chronicles ─ co-edited with Michael Pryor ─ (Paul wrote: Swords of Quentaris, Slaves of Quentaris, Dragonlords of Quentaris, Princess of Shadows, The Forgotten Prince, Vampires of Quentaris and The Spell of Undoing). His trilogy published in America by TOR was The Earthborn Wars (The Earthborn, The Skyborn and The Hiveborn).
Paul has edited many anthologies which include Trust Me!, Metaworlds, Rich & Rare and Australia’s first fantasy anthology, Dream Weavers. He also edited The MUP Encyclopaedia of Australian SF&F.
Paul has been short-listed for many awards and has won the Inaugural Peter McNamara and the A Bertram Chandler awards, both of which were for lifetime achievement in science fiction, and the Aurealis and William Atheling awards. In 2022 he was awarded the CBCA’s Leila St John Award for services to Victorian children.
His last fantasy series was The Warlock’s Child (six titles) in collaboration with Sean McMullen. His last anthology is Rich & Rare, comprising almost 50 contributors including Shaun Tan, James Roy, Leigh Hobbs, Gabrielle Wang, Justin D’Ath, Scot Gardner and many others. Paul’s latest books are James Gong — The Chinese Dragon and Tarni’s Chance, illustrated by Jules Ober.
His book, Slaves of Quentaris, features in 1001 Children’s Books You Must Read Before You Die (UK, 2009).
Paul’s adult books are the anthology The Government in Exile and Cyberskin. His adult horror novel, The Beckoning, Damnation Books (US) is available from Paul’s online shop.
Other than his writing, Paul is the publisher at Ford Street Publishing, publishing everything from picture books through to young adult literature, and he manages Creative Net, a speakers’ agency.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Allison COLPOYS
Maree COOTE
Author/illustrator
Maree Coote’s love for her home city drives her endeavours. Creator of two award-winning local histories and more than a dozen children’s books with high-concept Design and Art themes, and a notable sense of place, Coote has maintained a prolific output since 2003. She is also renowned for her fresh and playful take on typography that blurs the boundaries between word and image. Her unique ‘Fontigram’ typographic style has generated exciting collaborations in Italy and in South Korea, and won the Non Fiction Mention Prize in Bologna 2017.
Coote’s books have been shortlisted for the Children’s Book Council Awards in Australia; awarded South Korea’s Nami Concours 2017 Distinction prize, the Royal Historical Society of Victoria Gold Award in 2012, won Gold for Best Regional Book in the USA Independent Publisher Awards USA 2014 and 2015, and Silver for Best Illustration in Moonbeam Awards USA, 2018.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
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Crystal Corocher
Crystal Corocher is an author and editor of stories for children and young adults.
Named an ABIA finalist in 2022 as a Rising Star of Australian Publishing, Crystal loves
sharing stories and storytelling techniques with students of all ages.
Her debut picture book, The Naked Sheep, has had young readers (and their parents) laughing since its release in 2022.
In 2023 her next work will contrast this with an as yet untold Australian migration story in her narrative nonfiction picture book, Giovanni.
With a dual major in journalism and children's literature from Deakin University, with distinctions, Crystal has written and edited her way across television news,
radio, print media and online and is a regular contributor and guest mentor for Mona Magazine and literary conferences.
Bringing lively and informative sessions to students from prep-12, Crystal is also passionate about access and inclusion for regional students -
so get in touch to bring her wealth of experience across publishing, journalism, authorship and reading engagement to your classroom!
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Meredith COSTAIN
Meredith Costain is a versatile writer for children whose work ranges from picture books through to novels, poetry, series fiction and non-fiction.
Her books include CBCA Early Childhood Honour Book Doodledum Dancing, nature series My Life in the Wild, and Musical Harriet, which was adapted for television by the ABC. Meredith’s latest books include the quirky Ella Diaries and its sister series, Olivia’s Secret Scribbles.
She enjoys presenting writing workshops to children and adults around Australia.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Angie CUI
Angie Cui is a Melbourne-based freelance writer with a love for children’s literature. Her articles have been circulated in publications such as ABC Everyday, SBS Voices, SBS Food, The Guardian, Sydney Morning Herald, Kidspot, Body & Soul, 9Honey and CPA Magazine INTHEBLACK.
She was born in China. She now lives in Melbourne with her husband and two children. She calls her family the “ABC family” – four people, three cultures – Australian Bangladeshi and Chinese (her kids are Australian-born, and her husband is originally from Bangladesh).
She loves the rich culture of her family’s languages and enjoys using languages to tell stories. She likes to write about lifestyle, languages, food and cultural parenting. She wants her children to see themselves in the stories they read, as well as children from other multicultural families.
Social media : @angiecuiwrites
CBCA VIC Branch Member
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Cinthia DEL GROSSO
Cinthia is a poet, a dreamer and a Picture Book Author. She has published two books;- Leo’s Moon, and most recently, William said, “Wow!”
A former Primary School Teacher, her stories are entertaining and engaging for small children and adults alike.
Inspired by children and written for children, her stories capture the innocence of childhood, whilst acknowledging that the children of today will be the adults of the world of tomorrow.
She is fluent in English and Italian and enjoys playing with language. Cinthia is a passionate believer in the power of literacy and education to improve humanity.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
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Michael EARP
Michael Earp is the editor of Kindred: 12 Queer #LoveOzYA Stories and contributor to Underdog: #LoveOzYA Short Stories.
He has a teaching degree and a Masters in children’s literature and has worked between bookselling and publishing for over seventeen years as a children’s literature specialist.
His writing has also appeared in The Victorian Writer and Aurealis.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
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Corinne FENTON
Author
When Corinne is not researching or writing, she loves talking to children and adults about her books and is a much sought after presenter.
Corinne writes stories about animals, often true stories of animals which are part of our history. Three of her stories have been chosen as the themes for the Myer Melbourne Christmas windows.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Maura Finn
Children's Author
Maura is a children's author based in Melbourne. She writes stories for children of pre-school age all the way up to the middle-grades, but has a particular fondness for picture books and children's poetry. Her work has been published in Australia, New Zealand, the US, UK, China, and Korea.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Stephen FITZGERALD
Katie FLANNIGAN
Katie is an emerging author/illustrator. She is the author of two picture books coming out shortly with EK books and Little Pink Dog Books.
Her illustrations, using mixed media, hand made figurines and found objects, have been described as quirky and humorous.
She is currently working on further PBs and a fantasy series in her home town of Melbourne.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Kesta FLEMING
Kesta writes stories, poems and plays, and is author of Marlow Brown: Scientist in the Making, the first in a humorous junior fiction series about a girl with an enquiring mind and a talent for creating chaos.
Formerly a teacher, Kesta loves talking to children and adults and is available for school and library visits.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Lee FOX – c/- http://www.bookedout.com.au
Archie FUSILLO – c/- http://www.bookedout.com.au
Rebecca FRASER
Rebecca Fraser is an award-winning Mornington Peninsula-based author who writes genre-mashing fiction for children and adults. Her work has won, been shortlisted for, and honourably mentioned for numerous awards and prizes. Rebecca’s publications include over sixty short stories, poems, and articles in Australian and international anthologies, journals, and magazines. Her longer works include a middle grade fantasy adventure Curtis Creed and the Lore of the Ocean, and a collection of short fiction Coralesque and Other Tales to Disturb and Distract. The first in her middle grade trilogy Jonty’s Unicorn (Book 1 of The Irrawene Chronicles) will be released in 2023 (all titles: IFWG Publishing Australia).
Rebecca holds a MA in Creative Writing, and a Certificate of Publishing (Copy Editing & Proofreading). To provide her muse with life’s essentials she copywrites and edits in a freelance capacity and operates StoryCraft Creative Writing Workshops…however her true passion is storytelling. Say G’day at www.rebeccafraser.com Facebook: @writingandmoonlighting or Twitter/Insta @becksmuse
CBCA VIC Branch Member
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Marjory GARDNER
Illustrator
Freelance artist, illustrating mainly for children’s books
Marjory is available to visit schools and libraries to give presentations and workshops.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Stef GEMMILL
Stef is the author of several picture books including ‘A Home For Luna’, 'Toy Mountain' and ‘In My Dreams’ and writes imaginative and topical stories of peril and hope with heart.
She is a qualified Montessori teacher and draws on both her education and creative background when working with children in workshops and schools.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Kristen GILL
Photo to come - CBCA Vic Branch Member
Sue GILLETT
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Morris GLEITZMAN
Caz GOODWIN
Children's Author
Caz is an award-winning author of books for children, a storyteller and speaker. She writes short stories, poetry, junior fiction and the popular picture books featuring Lazy Daisy the koala. Caz also runs the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) in Victoria, and loves talking to children and adults about the wonderful world of writing and books.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Michelle GUZEL
Michelle is an author, book collector (biblioholic) and fossil enthusiast (palaeontologist).
Michelle lives in Victoria with her husband and an endearingly bossy Scottie called Millie.
Michelle’s debut picture book, Two Puggles, published by Ford Street Publishing, is out now.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
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CBCA VIC Branch Member
Photo to come
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Anne HARVEY
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Sunshine HERBERT
Photo to come - CBCA Vic Branch Member
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Photo to come - CBCA Vic Branch Member
Judy HORACEK
cartoonist, artist, writer and children's book creator
Her cartoons have been pinned up on doors and walls all over the world. She is also sometimes a visiting artist for school children and an after-dinner speaker for grownups.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Jackie Hosking
Author, Poet, Editor & Teacher
Jackie is a children’s poet and picture book author. She has two picture books out, The Croc and the Platypus (Walker Books), Temper Tabitha (Larrikin House) and three in the pipeline, An Amazing Australian Road Trip (Walker Books) due out in January 2021, I Really Want a Pet (Scholastic) due out in February 2021 and another one with Walker at the end of 2021.
Jackie’s poems also frequently appear in The School Magazine.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Cheri HUGHES
Illustrator
Cheri Hughes was born in Japan and raised in both the U.S. and Japan. She studied design in Japan and specialises in illustration. Even as a small child, and prior to any studies, she always knew what she would be doing and that involved creating a world through visual interpretation. Cheri moved around a lot and her travels have contributed to her illustrations and design. Travelling has always been the biggest classroom for her and continues to be so, and where she gathers every little bit of ingredient for her characters and the world they live in. She has worked on theatre and TV set designs. She has also illustrated for publications such as Sydney’s Child, Destinations Victoria, Destinations Australia, and Period Home Renovator.
Cheri's illustrated eight children’s books which include Chasing Rainbows and No Baths Week by Katrina McKelvey, The ForeverKid and Rain Shaker (out soon) by Elizabeth Mary Cummings, Ella Saw the Tree, Barnaby and the Lost Treasure Bunnyville and No Matter Who We’re With by Robert Vescio, and Miriyan by Liam Armstrong (YWA 2018). She now resides in Australia and continues to collect those ingredients for the little creatures, characters and their little worlds.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Meg HUMPHRYS
Michael HYDE
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George IVANOFF
Author
Written more than 100 books for kids and teens, including the Gamers trilogy, You Choose series, the RFDS Adventures and OTHER WORLDS.
George drinks too much coffee, eats too much chocolate and watches too much Doctor Who. He has one wife, two children and an uncontrollable imagination.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
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Mark JACKSON
Diane JACKSON-HILL
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Ann JAMES
Children’s book illustrator
Ann James grew up in Melbourne. Her playful approach to making pictures is reflected in the stories she chooses and the ways she illustrates them, using a variety of materials and techniques.
In a career spanning 40 years, Ann has illustrated over 70 books, including I’m a Dirty Dinosaur and I’m a Hungry Dinosaur, by Janeen Brian; Margaret Wild’s The Midnight Gang, Lucy Goosey, and Little Humpty; Sadie & Ratz by Sonya Hartnett, the Audrey of the Outback series and It’s a Miroocool! by Christine Harris, A Very Quacky Christmas, by Frances Watts, her own Bird & Bear books; and, most recently, Goodbye House, Hello House, by Margaret Wild, which was an Honour Book in the CBCA Early Childhood Book Awards, 2020.
Ann is an Ambassador of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation and was the nominated Australian Illustrator for the Hans Christian Andersen Award, 2020.
Ann with her partner Ann Haddon, established Books Illustrated in Melbourne in 1988, specialising in promoting picture books and their creators through exhibitions in Australia and overseas.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
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Dmetri KAKMI
Lisa KENNEDY
Photo to come
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Bernadette KELLY
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Geoff KELLY – c/- www.bookedout.com.au
Lisa KENNEDY
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Sue LAWSON
Sue Lawson is an award-winning author who writes books that challenge and delight. Sue spent many years in radio, working for both ABC and commercial stations, and as a teacher. She currently works full time writing, running workshops and facilitating literary interviews and festivals.
Her books include award-winning young adult novels Freedom Ride and Pan’s Whisper. Sue also co-writes with Boonwurrung Elder, Aunty Fay Muir. Their books include Nganga and highly acclaimed picture books Respect and Family.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
CBCA VIC Branch member - photo to come
Donna LESLIE
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Alison LESTER
Liv LORKIN
Liv is a Ballarat based children’s book author and illustrator. Her work encapsulates her love of regional Australia, connecting children to their communities and exploring emotions through her work. Her most recent book Winter in Ballarat was welcomed with enthusiastic acclaim with a follow-up book Christmas in Ballarat soon to be released. Her upcoming projects include a five-part series for 7-10-year-olds exploring grief for children who've posted a parent or guardian. When she isn’t out illustrating on Wadawurrung land she can be found volunteering at the SES, finishing a good puzzle and drinking her third cup of tea.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Janette LUCAS
An artist with decades of experience exhibiting paintings throughout Australia and Indonesia, her work is held in public collections including Museum and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory (MAGNT), Government House & Parliament House Darwin and many private collections.
Much of her career as an artist was spent in the Northern Territory. She was founding co-ordinator of Babbara Womens Council, Maningrida, lectured in drawing at the Darwin University and was head of art at Batchelor College, Rum Jungle, where she taught indigenous students from the faculties of art, education, linguistics and media.
Having re-discovered a deep affection for children’s books, Lucas wrote her first story ‘Margot and Milligan - Curious as Cats’ on a road trip to the east coast. It was published with her own illustrations in 2021.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
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Karys MCEWEN
Author
Karys McEwen is the current vice president of CBCA VIC Branch. She is also a school librarian, and she is passionate about the role libraries and literature play in the wellbeing of young people. Her debut novel, All The Little Tricky Things, is being published by Text Publishing in 2022.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Kate MCGANN
Kate is an emerging children’s author living in rural Victoria. She loves tackling stories that explore relationships, wellbeing and nature. Kate enjoys writing both fiction and nonfiction. Her picture book The Glint of Gold was released in September 2021 and has been warmly received as a ‘paean to life’s golden moments.’
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Heath McKENZIE
Nean MCKENZIE
Nean McKenzie is a children's writer and optometrist from western Melbourne. Her debut middle-grade novel Cryptosight came out with MidnightSun Publishing in October 2019.
Her second novel Xenoflight is out May 2022.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Shelley McRoberts
Shelley uses a mix of traditional and digital mediums to make her illustrations. Whilst her background is in traditional oil painting and gouache, she enjoys bringing different elements together in Photoshop.
Holding an M.A. in Children’s literature, Shelley spent two years in the M.F.A. program at the University of Southern California in Digital Arts and Animation. She has also studied Illustration at the School of Visual Arts in New York and spent time in Italy studying figure and plein air landscape. Her travels internationally have inspired her works and stories.
In the past Shelley has worked as a freelance Illustrator, University Literature Lecturer and as a Museum Arts Educator.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
David METZANTHEN –
David MILLER
Christopher MILNE
Jaquelyn MULLER
Patricia MULLINES
Andy Joy MURPHY
Julie MURPHY
Writer of fiction and nonfiction picture books, info books, articles and verse; Trade and Education. Trained in Zoology and Zookeeping, Julie often writes about animals and nature.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Kirsty MURRAY
A multi-award-winning author of more than 20 books for children and young adults. Her works include eleven novels as well as non-fiction, junior fiction, historical fiction, speculative fiction and picture books. She loves books, libraries, bookshops, readers, writers, and stories of every shape and size.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
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Katrina NANNESTAD
Author
Katrina writes fiction for primary and middle-grade children - action, adventure, mystery, history and humour. Her books celebrate family, friendship and belonging.
Katrina lives on a hillside in country Victoria - in a house, not in the long grass - where she spends her days writing and daydreaming.
She also enjoys venturing out into the big wide world to share her passion for words and stories with children and adults.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Sally NANSEN
Author / illustrator
CBCA VIC Branch Member
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Liz OXENBURY
Liz had developed the character Charlie the Cheeky Monkey in the late 90’s when she had a children’s clothing business, he was to be the mascot for the fledgling business, but he soon grew a life of his own. He started performing at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Hard Rock Café and Teddy Bears Picnic to name a few, Charlie became very popular in his own right. Liz was very passionate about Charlie and during lockdown decided to write a book about him, and Australian animals. The book Cheeky Charlie Learns his Lesson is aimed to educate kids about the risks of giving into peer group pressure.
Liz has recently launched a monthly Subscription called Cheeky Charlie’s Adventures where Charlie sends snail mail (post) to children to educate them about the joys of travel and teach them about different country and cultures.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
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Kate O'DONNELL
Kate O’Donnell is a writer, editor and bookseller specialising in children’s and young adult literature.
She has a BA in History and French from the University of Melbourne and studied Professional Writing and Editing at RMIT.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Wendy ORR
With a string of awards including the Prime Minister’s Award for Children’s Literature and CBCA Book of the Year, Wendy Orr has written over 40 books and been published in 27 languages.
Her books include Nim’s Island, the first Australian children’s book to become a Hollywood feature film. Wendy believes that every child deserves to find the books that fuel their passion for stories, encourage empathy and connection, and empower them for the future.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
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Andrew PICCOLI
Darrell PITT
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CBCA VIC Branch Member
Prue PITTOCK
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Margaret ROBSON KETT
Andrea ROWE
Andrea Rowe would love to live inside a children’s picture book. Because she’s never figured out how to squeeze into one, she writes stories for children instead.
Her debut children’s picture book Jetty Jumping was released Jan 2021 by Little Hare / Hardie Grant Egmont and she’s a keen writer of children’s, middle grade and YA fiction.
Andrea is also a respected professional copywriter for Australian not-for-profit organisations. She writes and edits the Kids Club newsletter for the Royal Flying Doctors Service, Indigenous Reading Project, Junior Rangers and Kids Teaching Kids content. Her features and profile pieces have been regularly commissioned for Family Travel Magazine, Peninsula Essence, Crinkling News, Victoria Walks, ABC Splash and others. Her writing has appeared in The Victorian Writer, Pendulum Papers and several anthologies.
She’s also the Founder and President of the not-for-profit, The Peninsula Writers Club, and interviews guest authors at the Words After Dark events at Antipodes Bookstore.
Andrea writes from her shack on a blustery beach track, where she yodels along with Dolly Parton and hides her secret stash of Cherry Ripes from her family.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Judith ROSSELL
Penni RUSSON
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Claire SAXBY
Claire writes fiction, non-fiction and poetry for young readers. She writes about Australian animals, history and stories that make her laugh.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Mike SEXTON
CBCA VIC Branch Member
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Erica SMITH
CBCA VIC Branch Member
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CBCA VIC Branch Member
Karen TAYLEUR
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Meredith THOMAS
Jodi TOERING
As a child, I was fascinated with stories, reading on my own well before I went to school. When I didn’t have my nose in a book, I spent my time drawing or writing. I had two dreams: becoming an English teacher and writing picture books for children. Fast forward several decades, I am now juggling the roles of full time teacher, mother, performer, and author!
I love visiting schools and meeting lots of wonderful, inspiring young authors.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Rachel TONKIN
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Renée TREML
Renée Treml is the author and illustrator of several successful picture books for very young readers, including Ten Little Owls, Sleep Tight, Platypup, and Roo Knows Blue. She is also the creator of the highly engaging and funny junior fiction graphic novel series featuring the intrepid Sherlock Bones. Renee has a degree in environmental science and has a passionate love of natural history.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
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Michelle VASILIU
CBCA VIC Branch Member
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Di WALKER
Di lives in regional Victoria and teaches English at a secondary college.
She writes middle grade contemporary fiction and has had two novels published: Unpacking Harper Holt (WBA) and Everything We Keep (Scholastic Aus.)
Di also writes a blog about her writing process and the projects she is currently working on.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Judy WATSON
Illustrator
Judy Watson is an artist and illustrator working with mixed media, digital collage and anything to hand. Her books for children have been critically acclaimed, and include Goodnight, Mice! which won a Prime Minister’s Literary Award in 2012. Her illustration approach is flexible and changing and she enjoys working with children to explore their own creative curiosity. She is happy to discuss possible workshops to suit your curriculum needs.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Annie WHITE
Annie illustrates, and sometimes writes, stories for children.
Some of her books include Beware the Deep Dark Forest, Is It the Way You Giggle, Clementine’s Bath, Gallipoli, My Dad is a Bear, Clementine’s Walk and Mummies are Amazing.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
Dee WHITE
Story Explorer
Author of more than 20 children’s and young adult books.
MG fiction, Beyond Belief and Eddy Popcorn’s Guide to Parent Training due 2020.
CBCA VIC Branch Member
MARGARET WILD
GABRIELLE WILLIAMS – c/- http://www.bookedout.com.au
Fiona WOOD
Author of Young Adult Novels
Six Impossible Things, Wildlife and Cloudwish, and co-author of Take Three Girls with Cath Crowely and Simmone Howell.