Event:

Kids & YA Festival 2018

Saturday 30 June 2018, 9:15am – 6:00pm

The Kids & YA Festival is now SOLD OUT

Now in its tenth year, the 2018 Kids & YA Festival will be bigger and brighter than ever before.

Directed by best-selling, internationally published children’s author Belinda Murrell, this year’s Festival will take place on Saturday 30 June and showcases some of Australia’s best-known and dearly loved authors, illustrators, publishers, media personnel and industry professionals, many of whom have achieved international success.

The 2018 Kids & YA Festival will examine emerging trends, engage with celebrated authors, and offer informative and inspiring sessions on writing for children. The Festival will kick-off with two morning meet-and-greet events, including representatives from key organisations and fellow members of the Kids & YA writing community, followed by an in-depth ‘in conversation’ with multi-award-winning author and KOALA Legend, Deborah Abela, and Festival Director, Belinda Murrell.

The Festival’s stellar line-up includes over 40 speakers, such as multi-award-winning author and KOALA Legend, Deborah Abela; the hugely successful, New York Times best-selling writer Garth Nix; creator of the mega-hit Alice-Miranda and Clementine Rose series, Jacqueline Harvey; and the author of much-lauded Bitter Greens, Kate Forsyth.

The program includes an intriguing and diverse mix of panels covering topics such as writing comedy for kids; grappling with challenging issues like bullying, racism, and homelessness for YA audiences; current marketing strategies; new directions in picture books; plus, some attendees will have a chance to pitch their work to a panel of publishing professionals.

Festival Director Belinda Murrell says:

This year’s festival includes some of Australia’s most successful authors, illustrators, publishers and industry professionals.  

What are their secrets to success? How do they create their wonderful stories? What are the hard lessons they’ve learned along their creative journeys? Learn how to build a writing career, about different publishing pathways and the nitty-gritty of a writing life. Explore emerging publishing trends, industry changes and perennial favourites. Meet fellow writers of all kinds, network, and pitch your own story ideas to Australia’s top publishers.

The 2018 Kids & YA Festival is at the Writing NSW site in Callan Park, Lilyfield on Saturday 30 June.

You can download the 2018 Kids & YA Program here.

This event has already taken place.

Program

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9 am
10 am
11 am
12 pm
1 pm
2 pm
3 pm
4 pm
5 pm
6 pm
Judith Wright Room
Judith Wright Room
Writers’ Groups – The bridge to publication

Members of the Writing NSW Monday Night Children’s Writers Group will discuss the bene ts of belonging to a dynamic writing group and how it helped them get published. With Debra Tidball, Lisa Nicol, Marian McGuiness, and Katrina Roe (chair).

Picture Books with Heart, Hope and Humour
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
With Paul Russell, Dub Leffler, Kirli Saunders, Aura Parker, and Sarah Davis (chair).

Four picture book creators discuss the joys and di iculties of writing picture books tackling diverse themes such as creativity, imagination, courage, freedom, identity, and dementia. With Paul Russell, Dub Leffler, Kirli Saunders, Aura Parker, and Sarah Davis (chair).

The Business of Writing
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
With Kate Forsyth, Garth Nix, Louise Park, and AL Tait (chair).

How do you build a long-term career as a writer? These highly successful authors discuss the nitty-gritty business of a writing life. With Kate Forsyth, Garth Nix, Louise Park, and AL Tait (chair).

Lunch
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Fantastical Worlds
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
With Jaclyn Moriarty, Garth Nix, James Bradley, and Kate Forsyth (chair).

Five phenomenally successful authors explain how they create fantastical worlds of magic and wonder, and keep readers coming back for more. With Jaclyn Moriarty, Garth Nix, James Bradley, and Kate Forsyth (chair).

Differing Paths to Publication
3:00 pm - 3:45 pm
With Anne Donnelly (independently published), Jacqueline de Rose- Ahern (partnership publishing), Graham Davidson (multimedia), and Katrina Roe (chair).

A panel of writers with very di erent publishing routes discuss the pros and cons of partnership publishing, multi-media storytelling, self-publishing, and traditional publishing. With Anne Donnelly (independently published), Jacqueline de Rose- Ahern (partnership publishing), Graham Davidson (multimedia), and Katrina Roe (chair).

Break

Break

Pitching Session: Picture Books
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
With Chren Byng (HarperCollins), Clare Hallifax (Omnibus), and Suzanne O’Sullivan (Hachette).

Pitch your idea for a picture book to an expert panel. Writers will have one minute to pitch their idea. With Chren Byng (HarperCollins), Clare Hallifax (Omnibus), and Suzanne O’Sullivan (Hachette). Please note: Those interested in pitching will need to submit a 100-word written pitch before midday. Please read the pitching tips on the Writing NSW website.

Patrick White Room
Patrick White Room
Writing with Passion
10:00 am - 11:00 am

Deborah Abela talks to Belinda Murrell about the highs and lows of Deborah’s career, her passions, inspiration, writing process, and being part of a writing community.

Writing with Passion
10:00 am - 11:00 am
With Jacqueline Harvey and Belinda Murrell.

Jacqueline Harvey talks to Belinda Murrell about the highs and lows of Jacqueline's career, her passions, inspiration, writing process, and being part of a writing community.

Girl Power!
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
With Belinda Murrell, Yvette Poshoglian, Laura Sieveking, and Jacqueline Harvey (chair).

Books featuring strong female protagonists are in demand. Four leading authors discuss creating girl protagonists who are brave, fun, and adventurous. With Belinda Murrell, Yvette Poshoglian, Laura Sieveking, and Jacqueline Harvey (chair).

Tackling Big Issues for Young Adults
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
With Eleni Hale, Megan Jacobson, Tamar Chnorhokian, James Bradley, and Will Kostakis (chair).

How do authors deal with serious issues in YA literature? How do they create diverse YA voices? What are their challenges and joys? With Eleni Hale, Megan Jacobson, Tamar Chnorhokian, James Bradley, and Will Kostakis (chair).

Lunch
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Make Me Laugh
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
With Oliver Phommavanh, Tim Harris, RA Spratt, and Jacqueline Harvey (chair).

Publishing trends come and go, but the perennial favourite in children’s literature is humour. How do you create funny books which kids love? With Oliver Phommavanh, Tim Harris, RA Spratt, and Jacqueline Harvey (chair).

Publishers Reveal the Inside Story
3:00 pm - 3:45 pm
With Zoe Walton (Random House), Chren Byng (HarperCollins), Clare Hallifax (Omnibus), Garry Evans (Harbour Publishing), and Louise Park (chair).

These industry leaders discuss the latest trends, what they are looking for, the state of the market and an insight into how the publishing industry works. With Zoe Walton (Random House), Chren Byng (HarperCollins), Clare Hallifax (Omnibus), Garry Evans (Harbour Publishing), and Louise Park (chair).

Break

Pitching Session: Kids and Young Adult Novels
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
With Zoe Walton (Random House), Garry Evans (Harbour Publishing), and Claire Craig (Pan Macmillan).

Pitch your idea for a kids or young adult book to an expert panel. Writers will have one minute to pitch their idea. With Zoe Walton (Random House), Garry Evans (Harbour Publishing), and Claire Craig (Pan Macmillan). Please note: Those interested in pitching will need to submit a 100-word written pitch before midday. Please read the pitching tips on the Writing NSW website.

Verandah
Verandah
The Breakfast Club
9:15 am - 9:50 am
With Jane McCredie (Writing NSW), Susanne Gervay (SCBWI), Lindy Batchelor (CBCA & ACLA), Wendy Fitzgerald (CBCA), Emily Banyard (ASA), and Joanne Simpson (Australia Council).

Meet fellow writers and representatives from key organisations which provide opportunities for children’s and YA writers to develop their careers. With Jane McCredie (Writing NSW), Susanne Gervay (SCBWI), Lindy Batchelor (CBCA & ACLA), Wendy Fitzgerald (CBCA), Emily Banyard (ASA), and Joanne Simpson (Australia Council).

Lunch
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Break

Drinks
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Drinks
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Speakers


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