Alan Tucker is a writer, painter and educator and is the author of a number of award-winning titles such as Iron in the Blood. He transmits Australian History into delightful and accessible books for young people.
Amanda Graham has written a number of stories for a series called ‘Wings’ for Era Publications, and the book she is best known for is ‘Arthur’ - the story of a very ordinary brown dog who has captured the hearts of readers all over the world. The 21st birthday of Arthur will be celebrated during Allwrite!
Bill “Swampy” Marsh is an award-winning writer of stories, songs and plays. His stories and songs feature regularly on both radio and television and his plays have been performed across Australia. He has a calm flexible approach and a wry humour which enables him to relate to a wide range of young people.
Catherine Jinks has twice won a Children’s Book Council award. She is a prolific author, who writes full-time, and lives in the beautiful Blue Mountains in NSW. Catherine is a history freak, loves to play music while she works, never gets writers’ block. Her titles include the ghost stories, ‘Eloise’, ‘Eglantine’ and ‘Eustace’ and the re-issued Pagan series.
Boori [Monty] Pryor is a performer, storyteller, writer and dijeridoo player. He is a multi-talented performer and an articulate speaker on Aboriginal issues. As a speaker he has appeared in front of audiences in England, Italy and Austria. He often writes with Meme McDonald, and tells powerful stories filled with laughter and friendship.
Meme McDonald grew up on a sheep farm in South-West Queensland. The nearest town was fifty kilometres away, so Meme had correspondence lessons at home. There were many Aboriginal people where she grew up, but as a child she knew little of their culture. She now works for the Wurundjeri people in Melbourne, where she lives. Boori and Meme will appear together in sessions at Allwrite!
Carol McLean-Carr is a superb digital illustrator and has worked with the ABC in their Education Unit and with Film and Television. She has been fascinated with computers for many years and has digitally illustrated many children’s books.
David Kennett is a writer and also a wonderful wildlife illustrator. Pictures have always been important to him and he finds it hard to make sense of, or retain information that doesn’t have or make a picture for him.
As a child Donna Gynell drew constantly and was encouraged to apply for a course in Graphic Design by her high school art teacher. She began her first published title while still a student. Arthur, written by Amanda Graham, was illustrated by Donna.
Many of Elizabeth Hutchin’s books and short stories are coloured by events and places in her life. These include novels ‘A Matter of Cats’ and ‘Bring Back the Songs’ [for older readers], as well as her trilogy of short novels, ‘Snowbored’, ‘All that Jazz’, and ‘Thief!’. A former teacher, she loves encouraging and sharing her skills with writers and readers of all ages.
Elizabeth Honey is the author of action rhymes, novels and picture books. Her first picture book was published in 1988, and since then she has written many books for both younger readers and junior readers. ‘The Moon in the Man’ is a book of action rhymes, and ‘Cauldron Bay’ is for junior readers. Elizabeth’s books are published in the USA, UK, Canada, Italy, Germany and Korea.
Glenn Lumsden has been a cartoonist and illustrator for over 20 years and is well-known for his work on the Phantom comics. Over time his work has been used in print, T.V. advertising, and C.D. covers.
Greg Holfeld makes animated and non-animated cartoons, visual art and illustrations for books. Based in Adelaide, Greg’s work is screened, seen and down-loaded all over the world. His short animation, Get in the Car, will screen in Toronto and Barcelona.
Ian Bone is a full-time writer of fiction and television scripts. Working at the ABC he made Play School and Couch Potato among others. Some of these won international awards. These days when he’s not writing books or TV scripts he’s hanging out the washing.
Isobelle Carmody writes breathtaking fantasy stories, and has many awards to her credit. She began the first of her highly acclaimed ‘Obernewtyn Chronicles’ while she was still at high school. This series, and her short stories, have established her at the forefront of fantasy writing in Australia.
John Hilliard is a prolific illustrator and cartoonist, who has spent time in Indigenous communities, where he communicated mainly through his fun cartoons. The recently published ‘Leaving the Mickey’, a book of poetry by Patricia Irvine, features a jacket illustration by John.
Justin D’Ath’s books have been described in many different ways, “outlandish comedy sci-fi”, and “a madcap romp through through astronomy, zoology and the environment”, and often deal with friendship, honesty and conservation.
Mark MacLeod is a highly regarded publisher and editor of children’s books, and has promoted them on television and radio. He was Publishing Director at Random House Australia for nine years and then Publisher for Hodder Headline Australia. Mark is now a freelance publisher and reviewer and is much sought after as a speaker for literary festivals.
Mem Fox is Australia’s best loved picture-book author. Her first book, Possum Magic, is the best-selling children’s book ever in Australia, with sales of over two million. She has written many other best selling books for children and several for adults, including ‘Reading Magic’, aimed at parents of young children.
An astonishing five of Mike Dumbleton’s books have been selected as Notable Books by the Children’s Book Council. Many of the funny, touching or disturbing incidents he’s witnessed as a teacher are woven into ‘Watch out for Jamie Joel’, his recently launched novel.
Nette Hilton says her life is about making up stories and writing them. She has written several award-winning children’s books and is also a part-time teacher and spends time visiting schools for the Nestle Write-Around-Australia Competition, as a mentor for students who become finalists. Nette’s books include the very successful ‘The Grave Catastrophe’, and ‘Woolly Jumpers’. Nette Hilton is the recipient of a May Gibbs Fellowship and comes to Allwrite! with their assistance.
Phil Cummings’ understanding of the way young people see the world and talk about it has made him one of Australia’s most successful picture book authors. ‘Angel’ was his first novel and a runaway success. Phil often re-interprets history and makes it relevant to today’s generation of readers.
Phillip Gwynne’s first novel, ‘Deadly, Unna?’ won a number of literary prizes, including the C.B.C. award and the Victorian Premier’s Literary award. Phillip writes with a truly “Aussie” voice and his stories are full of mateship, tolerance and imagination.
Sally Murphy is an educator, author and prolific reviewer of children’s books. She also writes books for the classroom as well as titles helpful in professional development. She lives in a tiny town in Western Australia with her husband, their six children and two dogs.
Sascha Hutchinson is a South Australian author and illustrator. She is an experienced workshop presenter who shares with young people the stages in the process of book publication. Sascha enjoys sharing books and artwork with people, especially young people.
A New York Times best-selling Australian speculative fiction author Sean Williams is the author of over sixty published short stories and fifteen novels. He has co-written three books in the Star Wars series. Sean is a great storyteller and a fine Sci-Fi Aussie Star.
Stephen Michael King describes drawing as something he really can’t do without! As far back as he remembers he loved to draw and all he needed was a stick and a nice patch of dirt and he would be busy for hours. Stephen will appear at Allwrite! Metro. ‘Emily Loves to Bounce’ will be a 50 minute performance based on five of his picture books by Patch Theatre.