SCBWI at the ASLA Conference Geelong 2025

Every two years the incredible team at ASLA – The Australian School Library Association - invite librarians from all over the country to come together, share knowledge, awards, information and kick up their heals in celebration of what an amazing job librarians do.

Some years back, SCBWI approached ASLA to form a partnership, where, during their conferences, we showcase some of our incredibly talented creators. In 2023 we joined them on the Gold Coast in 2023 and this year in Geelong. Combining passionate librarians with stupendous kids’ book creators is a natural fit and made for a joyful and wondrous event. There were talks, workshops, tears, laughter and lots and lots of talking about books and story.

Thank you so much for the incredible ASLA team: Martha Itzcovitz, Sonja Brownridge and the entire committee for a fascinating and celebratory few days.

For our part, nine SCBWI creators held two 90 minute sessions, where they dived into their creative process and shared activities for librarians to help their kids create their own artwork and stories. We also had a SCBWI stand of books where we had the chance to meet and thank the incredible librarians who help kids find books they will love.

Thank you to Caz Goodwin, Amy Adeney, Claire Saxby, Kaye Baillie, Jess Racklyeft, Judy Watson, Marjorie Crosby-Fairall, Margaret Roc and Susanne Gervay … all clever and talented people down to their toes.

At the conference dinner, author Kate Foster, creator of the DANZ awards - The Diversity in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand Children's Book Award – announced the winners for 2025.

graphic novel Ghost Book by Remy Lai (Allen and Unwin)

non-fiction The Trees by Victor Steffensen and illustrated by Sandra Steffensen (Hardie Grant)

poetry Pasifika Navigators by 52 Pasifika Student Authors (Mila’s Books)

young adults Catch a Falling Star by Eileen Merriman (Penguin Random House New Zealand)

It was a brilliant few days celebrating what it is we do and why we love librarians so much!

Deborah Abela, Co-RA SCBWI AustEast

SCBWI Success Story Zoe Gaetjens

When I saw the opportunity to pitch at the 2024 SCBWI Australia East PD day at the State Library of NSW I decided to give it a go. I had been working on my YA manuscript, Drawing Nudes While Making Other Plans for a couple of years and was starting to make plans myself for what I would do with it. The previous year I had attended the SCBWI Retreat and had received both constructive and encouraging feedback from both my group and the pitch session that had taken place. Due to this and the encouragement of my critique groups I felt like I might be in with a chance.

I was super excited when Deborah Abela emailed to say that I had been selected to share my pitch. I was equally nervous.

The talks that day were brilliant and the pitch session was scheduled for the end of the day’s proceedings.

I was the last one to pitch. With my heart beating so hard I though it might crack a rib (that’s how anatomy works right?) and my printed palm cards (top tip, you can’t hold a microphone and palm cards at the same time) I got up there. I spoke about the concept of the story, my main character’s arc and comp titles. I also made the decision to use part of my three minutes to share the opening of the manuscript because I thought it gave a clear sense of the voice and feel of the text. My decision paid off. Laura Harris (formerly the Publishing Director of Penguin Random House Australia) visibly squirmed in her seat during my pitch. She said she was hooked and thought that I would have publishers knocking on my door. Everyone I talked to afterwards was just so lovely. I don’t think I walked out of the library that day, I floated.

Laura Harris

The following day Deb got in touch, she shared that Laura had asked her to pass on her details and that she would love to help me find a home for my manuscript. I couldn’t believe it.

I signed up with Laura’s management service and we worked on some making some small changes to strengthen my manuscript. From there we went out on submission in November. This was met with interest and feedback but unfortunately no yesses. With Laura’s guidance I re-worked my story again over the Christmas holidays, keeping in mind what the publishers had said. We went out again at the end of February and had an offer from Penguin Random House at the start of May. I was, and still am, thrilled.

Laura was a dream to work with and I’m so grateful to have had her supporting me and championing my work. I would not have had the opportunity to work with her had it not been for SCBWI and the chance to pitch my work.

Zoe Gaetjens Insta: @zoegaet

New PB for Caz Goodwin and Zoe Bennett

Congratulations to author Caz Goodwin and illustrator Zoe Bennett on the publication of

Wombat Dreaming

a hardback picture book for ages 3-7, published by Affirm Press/Simon & Schuster

27 May 2025

Lil loves doing yoga with her friends, but some poses aren't easy when you're a roly-poly wombat with short legs. Take a deep breath, salute the sun and watch as Lil finds her own way to lead the bush yoga class. An affirming story to remind us of our individual and unique talents.

Book Launch -

Melbourne: Sunday 15th June, 2.15pm at Escape Hatch Books, Kew

Sydney: Saturday 21st June, 10.30am at Gleebooks, Glebe

I cannot wait to meet Lil and the bush yoga crew!