Jacqx Melilli is an author, playwright, writing coach, and workshop presenter. She has a Master of Arts degree in Writing and Literature from Deakin University with specialisations in editing, creative non-fiction and fiction writing, publishing, scriptwriting, playwriting, and research. Jacqx worked in film, television, and theatre and taught drama. Her Australian plays won awards, were published individually and by Ready-Ed Publications as a series of educational books titled the Lights, Camera, Action drama series. She produced and directed two of her plays as short films. When The Glitter Fades, her historical Australian showbiz novel is available at jacqx.com
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Website: https://jacqx.com/

Monikka Eliah is an Assyrian writer and visual artist from Fairfield. She has participated in NToP’s Page to Stage, Netflix and Co-curious’ On The Brightside Screenwriting Program and STC’s Rough Draft. Her work has been published in SBS Voices, KYD, Meanjin and The Saturday Paper. She has also published work in a number of anthologies. She received Southlands Breakthrough Award 2018, Wheeler Centre Hot Desk Fellowship 2020, Ausco Resilience Grant 2021, Wheeler Centre Next Chapter Award 2022 and was runner up in the SBS Emerging Writers Competition 2022. She has presented work at various festivals including SWF, NYF and SF.
Website: https://www.monikkaeliah.com.au/

Amanda is a prize-winning flash fiction writer, judge, and host of the Top 10 podcast Not Quite Write. After winning Furious Fiction in 2021, she channelled her passion into creating and judging her own international 500-word flash fiction competition, the Not Quite Write Prize for Flash Fiction. With experience analysing thousands of stories, Amanda brings sharp insight and a practical understanding of what makes short fiction shine.  She is available for writing competition judging, dynamic and engaging workshop delivery, festival panel moderation, podcasting projects, interviews, and other creative collaborations.
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Website: https://notquitewrite.com

Hailey Trudgeon is an experienced non-fiction writer. Her areas of expertise are Early Childhood Development, Narrative Therapy, and Community Work with her work appearing in Journals such as the International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work. She also has experience in creating informational resources, newsletters, and other promotional material for Early Childhood Centres. She is currently undertaking studies in Media and Communications, building her skills in copywriting and ghost writing.
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Website: https://dulwichcentre.com.au/product/elevating-childrens-voices-and-encouraging-intergenerational-collaboration-in-communities-impacted-by-natural-disasters-hailey-trudgeon/

Erin Vincent is the author of Fourteen Ways of Looking (Upswell AUS/Deep Vellum US/CB editions UK/Penguin Random House CA) and Grief Girl (Pan Macmillan AUS/Penguin Random House US) which was named a New York Public Library Best Book. Her work has appeared in Meanjin, The Guardian, Electric Literature, The Offing , and elsewhere. She holds an MA in creative writing from the University of Technology Sydney and is currently studying for a PhD in creative writing with a focus on fragmentary literature.
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Website: https://www.erinvincent.com/

Writer, social researcher, former publisher Maggie Hamilton gives frequent talks and lectures; is a media commentator and keen observer of trends. She’s held a number of senior roles in publishing and at the ABC, and is the former publisher of the Inspired Living imprint for Allen & Unwin publishers. Maggie's books have been published in over a dozen countries worldwide. Maggie’s passion is people, understanding why we do what we do, how we can create a better tomorrow.
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Website: http://www.maggiehamilton.org/

Nova Weetman has published 20 books for children and young adults, including: Sonny & Tess, The Secrets We Keep, and Sick Bay. Nova’s books have been CBCA Notables, shortlisted for the Readings Children’s Prize, Japan’s Sakura Medal, the NSW Premier’s History Prize and more. She won the ABIA Award for Best Children’s Book Small Publisher in 2021. Nova’s adult memoir, Love, Death & Other Scenes was published in April 2024 through UQP. Nova has published short fiction in Overland, Mslexia, Kill Your Darlings, Wet Ink and Island. Nova writes articles regularly for The Guardian and The Age.
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Website: http://www.novaweetman.com.au/

Barry Collier OAM is an award-winning poet and author. He is a former NSW State MP, criminal lawyer and head teacher. Barry has published Poems Of Life, Of Love and Passing (2025) and his memoir, Collier for Miranda: The 1999 Labor Campaign (2018). Barry is passionate about making modern poetry relevant to Australians, their experiences and the challenges we all face. Barry’s memoir chronicles his grassroots campaign as a first-time candidate which produced “the upset of the 1999 NSW election.” Barry presents engaging PowerPoint presentations to groups (including high school classes to Year 11) and judges poetry competitions.
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Website: http://www.barrycollier.com.au/

Tony Thompson is the author of Summer of Monsters and Shakespeare: The Most Famous Man in London. He has also written two books for Sonicbond Publishing’s On Track series on The Doors and CCR. His articles on books, music, and education have appeared in The Age, The Australian, The Daily Review Australia, toppermost.co.uk, and Eureka St. He is a well-regarded speaker and has been a regular guest at the Melbourne Writers Festival and other literary events throughout Australia. He lives in Katoomba NSW and plays tenor saxophone with great enthusiasm.
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Website: https://www.tonythompson.com.au/