CKT's Emerging Authors

Allan Dadd

I am an octogenarian who remembers the wonderment of children’s imagination and I like to write poems which appeal to children and maybe incorporate little positive messages within said poetry.  I write poetry and songs for pleasure.

Allison Howard

Allison Howard has been a practicing artist since 1995. Completing her Advanced Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing at Box Hill TAFE, then continuing academically by graduating from her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2008 at the Otago Polytechnic in Dunedin, New Zealand. Most recently Allison has graduated from Her Masters of Fine Arts degree from Monash University where she obtained the honour of best Thesis of 2011.

Allison Marlow Paterson

Allison is the author of Anzac Sons: Five Brothers on the Western Front,  a moving account of the experience of her ancestors during WWI, a story based on the 500 letters written by her grandfather and his four brothers from the battlefields of Europe. Anzac Sons  has been longlisted in the 2016 Australian Book Industry Awards.

Aly Marston

My name is Aly Marston. I live in Perth, Western Australia and have had a love of stories since my grade 3 teacher first read our class “The Witches” by Roald Dahl….I’ve been totally hooked ever since. I also love to write and in fact, I am totally bonkers over the written word!

Amanda Lieber

Amanda Lieber is an aspiring children’s book author.  Having pursued an acting career for a number of years, she loves any opportunity to slip into the lives and stories of the characters she creates. She writes picture books and junior fiction.

Amy Curran

Amy Curran is an Author and Illustrator living in the Blue Mountains area of New South Wales. She received a Distinction in her Diploma of Childrens Book Illustration, and has a Certificate in Creative Writing.

Andrew Dittmer

App maker by day. Story maker by night. Andrew is in the business of making stories that make smiles.

Andrew lives Western Sydney with his wife and son, belongs to a supportive online picture book critique group and has done a few Australian Writer's Centre courses including Writing Picture Books.

Anita Kenny

I have always loved to express myself with words, words, words. And in the written format, I feel I can do this at my best with the utmost pleasure. I am the go-to person in the office when that formal email needs to be done, when a diplomatic response is required, when copy needs to adorn artwork or a media release must feature all the benefits in a readable format. I pride myself on this!

Artelle Lenthall

Yes, I am another one. It seems that in all of my research, blog searching and courses undertaken to learn about and improve my writing, I have come across so many of us. Strangely enough this is encouraging and daunting at the same time. Hello, my name is Artelle Lenthall and I am a wife, mother and Primary School teacher. Like so many before me, I am also (mixed feelings of discomfort and pride here) an emerging author.

Ashley Howland

Ashley Howland lives in Adelaide, South Australia with her husband Ross, two daughters, Maddy and Aijay, and her spoilt Labradors Stitch and Chewie.

Her girls inspire her every day to write children’s books. Stitch, Chewie and her previous dog - Obi often provide the material.

Bronwen Webb

Bronwen Webb lives in Adelaide, South Australia and recently retired after a long career in the health and higher education industries.

Carole Lander

Carole studied writing and editing at RMIT Melbourne after a long career in the education sector. She discovered her flair for writing for children when a her short story Mimi’s Gift  was bought and published by Ziptales (educational website in Australia and UK). Two of her stories are published in the Short Tales for Kids Anthologies – A Present from Paris (anthology 1) and Another World (anthology 2).

Caroline Tuohey

Caroline Tuohey grew up in a family where reading was very important and books were a constant companion. She always enjoyed writing and completed a correspondence course in creative writing after she finished university.

Dannielle Viera

I have been involved in the Australian publishing industry for over 20 years – first as a copywriter and then as an editor, project manager, proofreader and author.

Davey Tross

“What’s toothpaste made of?”, “The moon is following me!”, “What’s bigger than infinity?”, “My shadow keeps copying me!”

Just some of the brilliant questions and observations made by children everyday which could easily be titles for the perfect Picture Book.

David R Lewis

If you are reading this, we have two magic wonders in common: reading and writing.

Both spark imagination, adventure and discovery.

Debby Cameron

Grandmother of four who call me Nonnie, mother of two who call me Mom, and wife of one who calls me Babe, I have recently retired and moved to the Gold Coast from the U.S.A. with my Australian husband, black Lab, and tabby cat. I have applied for residency and, once eligible, will apply to become a citizen. I will, however, carry my accent with me to the grave.

Debra Tidball

Debra writes stories that speak into the lives of children. As a social worker, parent and author she understands the power of narrative to resonate with children and parents alike.

Her first picture book, When I see Grandma  was shortlisted for the Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year 2014, won the children’s book category of the CALEB award 2014, received a seal of approval from Children’s Literary Classics, and has attracted phenomenal reviews.

Debra Williams

My name is Debra Williams. I am a new author, and my first Junior Fiction novel Harriet and the Secret Rings was self-published by my editor/assessor, children’s author Sally Odgers, last year. I have recently re-married following the sudden death of my first husband John in April 2016, and I have decided to keep my previous name of Clewer for my novels.

Eileen Magee

Eileen Magee is rather devoted to tea and chocolate—and her dogs.

More inclined to be outside than in, poses somewhat of a contradiction to her persistent inclination to write. It does however, provide enormous inspiration.

Elaine Ouston

Elaine Ouston has a Master of Letters in Creative Writing. Through Gondor Writers' Centre she offers many services to authors interested in preparing for submission or self-publishing, including manuscript appraisals and edits and writing workshops. She organises literary festivals for Australian Literary Festivals and Book Fairs.

Elizabeth Cummings

Formally a primary school teacher from UK, I now live in Sydney writing for children and adults alike. My works often take a child’s perspective to explain the world and to reflect on important life experiences.

Elizabeth Macintosh

Elizabeth Macintosh is passionate about the beauty of words and manipulating language. She grew up on the North Coast of NSW and now lives in Coonabarabran, the Astronomy Capital of Australia.

Although she has published many articles in newspapers and national magazines, Elizabeth’s main interests are writing for children and YA. Her tales often have a humorous twist and many involve true events. She has won several awards for her adult short stories.

Fiona Lloyd

Originally from the North East of England, Fiona has, so far, lived and worked in over twenty-three houses in ten cities, in six countries.

A natural creative, Fiona has been involved in film and theatre since childhood.  She sings soprano (both choral and opera), and works as a TV colourist, and a producer for Australian audio books and TV/film projects.

Geoff Richards

My name is Geoff Richards, I live on the Northern Beaches, with my wife and our two year old daughter.

I have always admired the art of writing and recently I took the first step by completing a creative writing course, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Georgie Donaghey

Georgie Donaghey discovered her love for creative writing at the age of seven. Apart from the colourful tales she would entertain her classmates and peers with, Georgie entered and won her first competition. Although her hand written award from the Sun Herald Junior writing competition is now faded and the poem she submitted a distant memory, her passion for writing developed into an obsession.

Hayley Hunkin

I have a degree in communication (print journalism) from Charles Sturt University in Bathurst and more than 20 years’ experience in writing in various fields.

After becoming a mother for the first time in 2013, I discovered a joy in reading a wide variety of children’s books to my son. I found delight in children’s books where the words were as carefully crafted as the imaginative illustrations.

Holly Bidwell

 Holly is a storyteller who loves making children laugh. She is a member of the ACT Writers Centre, the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators and is an accredited member of the ACT Storytellers Guild.

Jacqueline de Rose-Ahern

Jacqueline is an Australian author who adores exploring all the world has to offer! Her love of travel started at age three on moving from Sri Lanka to Australia with her parents. Having family sprinkled around the world; she has lived, worked and been on many adventures overseas. Her infatuation with the vibrancy found in each culture led her to complete a degree in the social sciences, undertake a Masters in International Development and work in international affairs.

Jan Latta

Jan Latta - author and wildlife photographer

In 1994 Jan came face-to-face with a mountain gorilla in Rwanda and the experience changed her life. When her guide said there were fewer than 600 mountain gorillas left in the wild, she wanted to do something to help. She decided to publish books for children on endangered animals. But first she became a wildlife photographer so she could tell the animal's stories in pictures as well as words.

Janelle Ballenden

My name is Janelle Ballenden and I love to write.

I sit at my laptop with the intention of writing for just 15 minutes, then 2 hours later, I have to stop to take a break. I become immersed in my characters and I can’t wait to see where they lead me.

Jaz Stutley

Jaz Stutley holds a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Literature and Writing; an Associate Diploma of Editing; and a Graduate Diploma of Children’s Literature. (Deakin University.)

She is the author of more than fifty texts published by educational publishers of children’s books: short fiction, (fantasy and realism), non-fiction, poetry, songs and digital text.

Jeffery E Doherty

I make up stuff, I’m arty and I’m a bit of a nerd.

I love telling stories. One of those stories starts with "No, when I was in the Wiggles they already had a Jeff so I had to use my middle name..." Whole bunches of kids at the school where I work believe I was once Eddie the Evil Wiggle.

Jo Saunders

Jo Saunders here. I live on the glorious Gold Coast with my teenage son and school teacher husband. And yes, I’m another school teacher! I’m an English as a Second Language teacher, visiting 5 different state schools where I give specialist support to a whole bunch of gorgeous kids from all over the world, who now call the Gold Coast home.

Joan E Derrick

Joan E Derrick is the author of children's spiritual stories - The Spiritual Heritage for Children Series.

The Spirit Guides and Angels in her stories bring awareness to children of their intuition, body language and the aura or energy field surrounding them and others.

Judith Barker

When I finished reading the book ‘Tracks,’ a 1970’s memoir about Robyn Davidson’s inspirational and courageous journey, across the Australian Desert with four, Afghan camels and her beloved dog, Diggity - I knew, I had a story to tell…

Julie Anne Grasso

Julie Anne Grasso is an independent author with a background in paediatric nursing. She spent many years literally wrapping children in cotton wool. Every day she witnessed great courage from the tiny people she cared for, which inspired her to write stories to entertain and encourage them. She lives in Melbourne with her husband Danny and their little girl Giselle. Most days she can be found sipping chai tea, chasing a toddler and dreaming up wonderful worlds that often involve consumption of cupcakes.

June Perkins

I’m June Perkins, a creative writer for children and adults, in Brisbane, Queensland. I have two middles names after my grandmothers, Paisa (from Papua New Guinea) Kathleen (from England.)

I am passionate about poetry, music, stories, environment, and art, which reflect multiculturalism, I equally adore stories, reading, writing, digital storytelling, video, song writing and photography. I’ve done some photo and text exhibitions and plan to create more.

Karen Hendriks

I live in Shellharbour, and love the natural beauty and the relaxed nature of our place by the sea. Shellharbour is the perfect place for a writer.

I have been a teacher for over twenty years and have always used children’s picture books as a core part of my literacy teaching. A long held goal is to write picture books and become a creator of story magic.

Kate O’Neil

Kate O’Neil loves words and, in particular, the way they get together in poems. She has taught Speech and Drama for several years at Wollongong Conservatorium of Music and believes that the memorising and performing of poetry has immeasurable benefits for children.

Kathryn S. Lewis

Kathryn is an artist as well as Biology teacher living in regional NSW, on the fringe of the outback. Her work grows and develops by capturing and writing about the world around her.

Kelly McDonald

Kelly McDonald has been writing since she was in primary school. It was always her dream (and still is) to have her own stories published someday. After moving overseas for three years, she had the opportunity to sit down, learn her craft and develop her skills to a higher level. In 2011 She was ecstatic to come third in the CYA illustrators contest, and then was absolutely thrilled to come first in the same category in 2012.

In recent years she has begun to utilise her art to illustrate some of her own stories which she has been selling as personalised books. Her art work can also be found on a number of book jackets.

Kitty Black

Writing was never far away from Kitty Black, whether it was an assignment or a quick sentence on a bit of paper, words have always been part of her world. With a background in psychology and a lot to say, Kitty is most frequently found writing research articles online.

Laura Hockley

My name is Laura and I am an addict... oh hang on... oh... yes... I am a book addict. 

I've also most commonly been referred to as the most verbose person most of my friends and family know, so in a way, I guess words are my superpower (along with a liberal helping of caffeine!).

Lee Keenan

Growing up in Sydney, Australia, Lee Keenan has always had a passion for children’s literature, and took the plunge into becoming an author in 2016.

Having completed a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education) in 2003 she has spent 15 years in the Early Childhood Industry, working with children aged 0‐12 years. In addition, she has a Diploma of Business Management and a Diploma of Children’s Professional Writing.

Lesley Reed

As well as successfully completing a course in writing children’s stories through Adelaide TAFE: Centre for The Arts, Lesley Reed has published a children’s novel, several children’s short stories and published one or two stories for adults too.

Liane Morris

Liane Morris is an aspiring author of children's fiction with a degree in English and Drama from Newcastle University. Liane recently spent 2 years studying Creative Writing and Writing for Children at the Creative Wordshop with Ed Wright and Jess Black.

Lyndy Lou

Born into the bushveld of Africa I was always surrounded with campfire stories and African folklore. It was only natural that I would develop a love of storytelling.

Lynelle Kendall

Lynelle Kendall is a poet and storyteller. She never goes anywhere without her notebook and pen, so the ideas spinning around her head often manage to escape onto paper.

Lynelle believes that children are the best judges when it comes to stories, and if they find one they love they will want to read it over and over again. That’s the kind of story she aspires to write.

Lynette Duffy

In my early years I was one of those passionate children who could read almost from the first time I picked up a book. I was horrible at maths though which is usually the case. I would hanker for any time I might get free, so I could read.

Maria Parenti-Baldey

Maria believes without children’s picture books there’d be no other books published. It’s their interminable value, that has generated Junior, Middle Grade and YA etc., She enjoys in those same genres.

Mark Carthew

Mark Carthew is an award winning Australian children’s author, poet, musician and educator well known for his books and series celebrating language, humour and wordplay.

Martine Miller

My name is Martine Miller I live on a farm on the beautiful NSW mid coast with my partner and 2 wonderful children aged 3 and 1.

I have always had a passion for writing and have quite a few projects I have done over the years, from children's novels to an array of picture books.

Mary Ann Napper

Mary Ann Napper is a published author. Her debut novel, Born to Fly, published in 2014, was followed by articles published in News.com au and Autism Parenting magazine (USA). Several of her short stories have been published in anthologies. Her next story, Nature’s Child, is due for publication at the end of 2018.

Matthew Shallvey

Having taken a left turn instead of a right and spent the last 25 years working in the telecommunications industry, Matthew Shallvey from Sydney Northern beaches has taken the long way around with finally getting his act together and writing a book. Four books in fact. Inspired by a very busy 7 and 4 year old, Matthew has taken the day to day experiences, challenges and adventures of bringing up a young family and turned them into 4 children’s picture books.

Maura Pierlot

Maura Pierlot is an emerging author and playwright who has just published her first title – a music-themed children’s picture book, The Trouble in Tune Town. On the strength of her yet unpublished YA manuscript, Freefalling, Maura was recently shortlisted for the CBCA NSW Aspiring Writers Mentorship Program 2017.

Megan Higginson

Megan Higginson writes her stories for children, and her blogs in a small house surrounded by open cut coal mines and power stations in Gippsland, Victoria. The world inspires Megan; interesting people, animals, history, and science. She loves pinning her thoughts and observations in her notebook which is never far away from her person.

Michele Furlong-Olsen

Michele loved creative writing as a child, but as an adult has only recently begun writing and illustrating for kids. Michele works in higher education teaching counselling and psychology.

Michelle Morgan

Michelle Morgan lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of NSW and is the author of two vintage middle grade / teen novels. Flying through Clouds was self-published in 2017 and Racing the Moon was published by Allen & Unwin in 2014 then released in the UK and US in 2015.

Michelle Wanasundera

My name is Michelle, and I'm happily living in the Blue Mountains with my little family, after tree-change from the city. 

I adore books and have been known to be slightly intoxicated by bookshops need to stop myself from sniffing them all!

Miranda Hackwill

Miranda Hackwill lives in South East Queensland with her husband and their four children. Grandon’s Gifts is her first picture book, based on the relationship between her father and her children. Her story and illustrations draw on her unique background of landscape architecture, early childhood education and a deep connection to nature.

Nicola Thomas

So here I am an ex-art and design teacher, a graphic designer and stay at home mum. Facebook posting about hilarious mishaps and awkward social misunderstandings. Everyone is saying to me “you should really write all this down” to which I respond “Seriously? I can’t be a writer, hell I don’t particularly like reading”.

Pam Moodie

My name is Pam Moodie. My husband and I live as empty-nesters, on the sunny mid-north coast of NSW. I am a retired primary school teacher and I have spent my teaching life wanting to write stories just like the ones I would read to my students. Now that I have the time, I am embarking on this adventure that I have desired for many years. I want to captivate the hearts and minds of young children, and show them the joy of all the wonderful places that the written word can take them.

Pamela Ueckerman

Pamela Ueckerman was born in England and began writing and illustrating silly stories from an early age.  As a child, she was as much in love with Avonlea, Middle Earth and Narnia as she was with the limerick brilliance of Spike Milligan.

Patricia Simmons

After a long career in children’s services working in preschool, out of school hours care and museum settings Tricia is now a full time writer living on the beautiful south coast of NSW.

Paula Stevenson

I live in the Upper Hunter Valley of NSW on a cattle property where we breed Wagyu cattle. I am a voracious reader and I also write every day, as I am blessed with space and peace in an inspiring landscape, enclosed in a soft valley circled by violet mountain ranges.

Pauline Hosking

To pay the bills Pauline’s worked as a teacher, teacher-librarian, journalist, theatre publicist, radio producer, TV script assistant and lecturer in the Diploma of Arts (Professional Writing and Editing). She’s run creative writing workshops as part of Arts Victoria’s Artist in Schools program and tutored in the G.A.T.E.WAYS programs for talented and gifted children.

Pip Reid

Pip Reid is an Australian author and artist whose passion is writing children’s illustrated stories for primary school age (3-7yrs). Pip has written nine children’s illustrated books, including a 5- book series and four standalone books. She has a publishing contract for her first standalone book with a UK publisher.

Rachel Barnett

Rachel Barnett is an author and illustrator and teacher and also the operator of Holus Bolus Books. She has been writing and drawing all of her life... or most of it anyway.

Renee Price

Renee Price is a children's author, song-writer and performer from Newcastle, New South Wales. She has 15 years collective experience in early childhood education, writing and entertainment.

Rob Clarke

Somewhere, somehow, in-between fifty years of engineering and IT I write. Often, I write as a reflection on the crazy world we live in, sometimes to escape from it; but basically I write for me.

Rory Hammersley-Mather

My name is Rory Hammersley-Mather, I live in Toowoomba, Australia. I work at the Toowoomba City Library in the Young Peoples Department where I facilitate story time to children of various ages. I have been in this position for over two years. This has given me a great understanding of the type/style of books children engage with.

Ruth Waters

Not So Scary Bear is Ruth's first self-penned picture book, published by Windy Hollow Books in May 2018. The collage illustrations are all handmade using acrylic, glue and mess.

Sandra Bennett

Mother of three boys, retired Primary School teacher Sandra Bennett appreciates the struggle of teaching reading to reluctant readers and understands the importance of hooking readers from an early age. Increasing literacy in our children has become her passion.

Sandra Severgnini

I was the hard working owner of an art gallery and retail store in Melbourne for a decade before I finally decided it was well and truly time to stop looking after other creative people and nurture my own lifetime passion, to write and illustrate children’s books.

Sharna Carter

I am a teacher, mother, aspiring children’s author and picture book enthusiast!

Sharon Boyce

Hi, my name is Sharon Boyce. I have always loved to read and lose myself in faraway lands and magical places, sharing in the adventures of the characters. Creative writing was my favourite part of English at school and it was my Year 8 English teacher who suggested I become a writer.

Shaye Wardrop

Shaye Wardrop is a space alien from a far away planet. While searching for moon moose, she stepped through a portal and landed in the forgotten capital of a vast red land.

And though the strange land had no moon moose (or intergalactic travel so she could find them), Shaye decided to stay. She lives there now in a house with a blue roof, where she writes fantastical flavoured stories for kids.

Siobhan Osborne

Currently based in Adelaide, SA, I wrote and illustrated my first picture book in primary school – a magical fantasy inspired by a holiday to Melbourne. Since then I have tried writing different genres, initially producing a manuscript for a novel targeted at young adults, before discovering a love of writing for children.

Sonia Hardie

Sonia placed 3rd, 5th and 6th in the Australian Songwriters Association Awards 2016 for 3 of her children’s songs taken from her 3rd album under YellowKat Productions. She is also a credited scriptwriter for very young children’s television. She has performed on stage and with puppets in The YellowKat Show both on stage and screen for the past 7 years.

Susan Berran

Author & illustrator of the ‘FREAKY Series’ Susan Berran is passionate about encouraging kids to read and write, particularly those reluctant readers so close to moving on to high school yet not at the required reading level.

With her stories content largely gross but hilarious, the series is striking a chord with many young readers and interestingly with many of the parents and grandparents that just need a good old laugh.

Susan Hili

Susan Hili lives in the beautiful Blue Mountains. She is semi-retired and has time now to explore her passion; writing children’s stories – inspired by her two granddaughters.

Susanne Cole

Susanne Cole’s love of books started in her early childhood in remote country Queensland. This later led her to work as a bookstore manager and then gain her qualifications as a teacher librarian. She now has time to carry out her lifelong dream of writing children’s books.

Suzanne Faed

My name is Suzanne Faed, but I prefer to be called Suzi. I am a qualified teacher, wife, and full-time mother to an energetic and book-loving toddler. I am also the author of the upcoming picture book, My Daddy is Different, which will be released through Empowering Resources mid-way through this year.

Tabitha Page

Tabitha Page is an emerging writer who lives in Melbourne, Australia. She left her home country of New Zealand for a land full of new opportunities and new challenges and she found just that, in bucketsful.

A trained childcare professional, she holds a certificate in Child Psychology, a certificate and diploma in Children’s Services and has many years of childcare experience.

Vanessa Ryan-Rendall

Vanessa Ryan-Rendall is a Primary school teacher who currently works in the library. She has a Masters in Gifted Education and is passionate about encouraging children to read a diverse range of books so that they can open up their minds to other worlds and challenge their thinking.

Zoe Gaetjens

Zoe loves the way the written word can engage, inspire, and enlighten. Despite her career teaching English to high school students she believes she never really met her match until becoming a mother of three. Her cheeky children bring her joy, inspiration and much frustration. She is often found wrangling her kids at the local library. Here she borrows bunches of picture books, to read herself as well as to her littlies.

Zoya Nojin

Zoya is a medical scientist with a passion for writing children’s stories.

She has won an ASA Mentorship with the lovely Nette Hilton, two Nairda Lyne Awards, Stringybark Flash Fiction Award, Gold Coast Writers’, Spooky But True – Warrambucca Books, KBR Unpublished Picture Book Award, a Kathleen Julia Bates Memorial Award and shortlisted for the Charlotte Duncan Award. In 2014, she won the CBCA’s Charlotte Waring Barton Award with Random House and was mentored for a middle-grade novel by JC Burke as part of the prize.