New PB for Jackie Hosking and Nathaniel Eckstrom

Congratulations to author Jackie Hosking and illustrator Nathaniel Eckstrom on the publication of

The Aussie Christmas Mix Up

a hardback picture book for ages 3-8 years old, published by Walker Books Australia

25th August 2025

Santa has checked his list not once but twice and put the gifts in his bag. If only he was as careful when he was attaching all the tags! It's an Aussie Christmas mix-up … with presents and confusion galore.

Start your Christmas shopping now and CLICK HERE to purchase the book.

SCBWI Victoria Roundup of Professional Development Day Docklands, Melbourne - 26 July 2025

A fantastic day was had by all at our Professional Development Day held at Library at the Dock, Docklands, Melbourne. Five fabulous speakers shared their experiences, knowledge and advice providing inspiration and enrichment to creators of every stage.  Our speakers were Jess McGeachin, Karen Comer, Leigh Hobbs, Jane Godwin and Adam Wallace.

The morning started off with a warm welcome from ARA, Caz Goodwin. The graphics you can see behind Caz were produced by Judy Watson our amazing Illustrator Coordinator.

Our first speaker was Jess McGeachin, author/illustrator from Narrm, Melbourne. Drawing inspiration quite literally from the natural world, Jess has written and illustrated twelve fiction and non-fiction picture books.

His non-fiction picture book Deep won a CBCA Eve Pownall Award.

In 2023 he received an Australian Antarctic Arts Fellowship to travel to Macquarie Island where he developed the CBCA shortlisted book South with the Seabirds. 

Jess's presentation titled The best bits are in the basement: A deep dive into researching and creating a children’s non-fiction book began with a fascinating look at Jess’s work at Melbourne Museum, his early love of writing and drawing, how he creates Picture Books to explore the natural world, his experience researching, constructing and completing South with the Seabirds. We saw an example of one of Jess’s Primary Source images used in his research and the resulting illustration hand drawn by Jess which features in his book.

Jess also shared with us how to put together a non-fiction proposal which was really helpful and he encouraged us to apply for Arts Fellowships.

Our second speaker was Karen Comer, verse novelist, freelance editor and writing mentor. 

Grace Notes – young adult – won the 2024 CBCA Book of the Year for Older Readers, and was shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards and the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards (Hachette). Sunshine on Vinegar Street – middle-grade – won the Queensland Literary Awards for the Children’s Book Award and was a 2024 CBCA Notable for Younger Readers (Allen & Unwin).

Her third book, a YA verse novel, will be published in 2026. Karen teaches online writing courses to adults, and presents talks and workshops in primary and secondary schools.

Karen began her talk by sharing the best and worst writing advice she’d received. It was fascinating to look at her contrasting experiences.

Karen talked about the characteristics of the verse novel and we enjoyed a game of Verse Novel Bingo!

Karen also shared with us the book which inspired her writing style, the benefits of creating an art journal, how to be a magnet for ideas, choosing words to best serve your story, the use of symbols in writing and how she writes her first draft. We loved her resource list of verse novels to check out too.

After Karen’s talk we took a lunch and networking break downstairs

followed by our third speaker for the day, Leigh Hobbs. Leigh is an artist and author best known in Australia & The UK for the twenty-three children’s books he has written and illustrated featuring his characters Old Tom, Horrible Harriet, Fiona the Pig, The FREAKS in 4F, Mr Badger and Mr Chicken. 
A popular French/Australian animated TV series was made based on Leigh’s Old Tom Books and his title ‘Mr Chicken Goes to Paris’ has been a constant seller at The Louvre Museum in Paris for years. It was shortlisted for the 2010 Prime Ministers Literary Awards and adapted for the stage by NIDA (National Institute for the Dramatic Arts). A production of Horrible Harriet was on stage at The Sydney Opera House. Leigh was The Australian Children’s Laureate 2016 – 2017.

Leigh’s talk on Creating characters that will engage young readers began with how he loved drawing in his early years and his 25+ years as a teacher which resulted in Leigh’s creation of some very memorable characters starring in his books. Leigh talked about the power of words and pictures working together, how his books are character studies which drive the story, how his stories begin in a rush of ideas and how he knows that his books provide a place for kids to feel safe while they are in the confines of one of his books.

Leigh led an activity that had us all drawing ‘Old Tom’ and a hearty discussion followed.

Our next fabulous speaker was Jane Godwin a highly acclaimed and internationally published author of many books for children and young people, across all styles and ages.

She was the Children’s Publisher at Penguin Books Australia for many years. Her books include her novels As Happy as Here (a CBCA Notable Book) and When Rain Turns to Snow (shortlisted for the CBCA Book of the Year for Older Readers and for the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards). Jane’s picture books Tilly, and The Best Hiding Place, were both shortlisted in the CBCA awards. Her picture book A Life Song, (illustrated by Anna Walker) won the ABIA Picture Book of the Year Award 2024. Last year Jane won the Pixie O’Harris Award for her contribution to the children’s book industry.

Jane’s topic The 5 most important things I’ve learnt about making books for young people was enriching and inspirational. Jane’s passion flowed into her talk featuring giving kids something to value, the importance of ‘voice’, using vivid language, what to do if your character stops acting like themselves, making words and images work, and how to show ‘friendship’ between characters. Jane also talked about the story behind some of her stories.

Following Jane’s talk we enjoyed scrumptious treats in our breakout room, and settled in to hear our final speaker for the day Adam Wallace. Adam is a Melbourne-based author who has presented to thousands of children around the world.  School visits are tiring and energising at the same time, and because of them Adam has been able to sell over 12 million books and make a career out of the thing he loves doing most - writing to entertain and inspire children.  

Adam talked about Making school visits amazing and showed us how to make school visits engaging, exciting and inspiring. As someone who has presented to thousands of children, he had lots of valuable tips and tricks. Some of the key points Adam shared were; being yourself, it’s not about you, the value of having spare presentations and activities up your sleeve, and how to make sessions interactive. Adam talked about the importance of connecting with the kids, generating cash flow and book sales and how sometimes if you say ‘yes’ to various work you never know where it can lead.

Our inspiration cups were full! To finish off there were several book prizes donated by our wonderful speakers. Adam drew names from Judy’s magic hat. Congratulations to the lucky winners!

Thank you to our wonderful leader Caz Goodwin for her commitment, insight, time and generosity into making these events so special, our committee Amy Adeney, Judy Watson and me (Kaye Baillie) for helping to organise and to PDD volunteer member Paul Standing for his help on the day. Huge thanks also to everyone who attended and made the event another special one. We hope to see you at our final event of the year which is a new combo event of Meet and Greet + Sketch and Scribble on Saturday 15th November. Stay tuned for the location. Happy creating!

Crystal Kite Honor Award for Ross Morgan

Congratulations SCBWI Crystal Kite Award Honor Winner Ross Morgan!

The picture book ‘Glow’ by author-illustrator Ross Morgan is an Honor Winner in the 2025 SCBWI Crystal Kite Awards for the Australia, New Zealand and Oceania Division.

A sumptuously illustrated and immersive picture book that speaks to memory, shared moments, and love beyond and between worlds.

Ross says: ‘Glow’ is my debut book as both Author and Illustrator. The story was created as a large collection of hand painted artworks on canvas, and bringing this picture book into the world is a dream come true.

‘Glow’ is a hardback picture book for ages 4+ published by Walker Books Australia

CLICK HERE to purchase the book.