Event: Festivals
Kids & YA Festival 2025
Saturday 9 August 2025
Rozelle Campus of The University of Tasmania
Callan Park, Rozelle NSW 2040
Choose which sessions you wish to attend.
More Information
All sessions, excluding the Pitch Session, are included in the festival ticket. Please note our allocation of pitch sessions is now fully sold out and no longer available for purchase.
Lunch
Getting There
The festival will be held at the Rozelle Campus of The University of Tasmania, a short distance from Writing NSW in Callan Park.
The University of Tasmania, Rozelle Campus is part of the Callan Park Precinct. It’s accessible by bus and light rail. Entry is via Wharf Rd Rozelle. The University has a small carpark and on-street parking is also available.
Ticket Sales
Please note: festival tickets are strictly non-refundable except in cases where the event is cancelled or rescheduled.
We’re grateful to our generous sponsors and funding partners for their support of the 2025 Kids & YA Festival:
Many of us dream of writing for children and young adults – that’s why a lot of you are here today. So how do you break through when statistically the numbers are stacked against you? From writing stories that matter, to building relationships, finding a publisher and creating a career, 
Have you ever wondered what happens at an Acquisitions Meeting? Well, wonder no more. 
For generations, the popularity of series fiction has continued to thrive – why is that still true today? Between them, these three authors have written many spectacularly popular series for children. Come and hear 
Why are graphic novels, verse novels and slam poetry grabbing such huge attention around the world? What makes these genres so appealing to young readers? Internationally published, bestselling authors 
The teen years can be some of the hardest of our lives. How can local books help young adults navigate these often strange and troubling times. Why is it important for teens to see themselves reflected in the stories they read? Join 
Picture books are beloved by children and adults the world over. During this session you’ll hear from seasoned professionals 
Do you have a picture book, middle grade or YA text that is begging to be published? This is your opportunity to get in front of a fabulous publisher from Penguin Random House or Larrikin House and convince them why your book should be their next big thing. For this session, participants who have secured a place in advance will have a five-minute session to present to 
Narrative non-Fiction is increasingly popular with young readers. Find out why this is so and hear from three authors who have produced very successful non-fiction books for both younger and older readers. Chair 
The landscape for writers is ever changing. And now AI poses a whole other level of risk (or perhaps opportunity) for authors. How do you maintain your relevance in these fast moving times? 
Join Australian Children’s Laureate 2024–25,