New PB for Mark Carthew and Shane McG

Congratulations to author, Mark Carthew and illustrator, Shane McG on the upcoming publication of

Bert and Billy

a hardback PB, for readers aged 3-8+ years, published by Leaping Lizards Press.

November 10, 2026

A mountain troll — who desperately wants to be liked — gets together with a passing billy goat to help solve his problems, in a delightful story about foibles, friendship and fun!

Bert and Billy is the second collaboration of Mark Carthew and Shane McG, following on from their award-winning, Speech Pathology Australia Book of Year: The Thing That Goes Ping….and can be purchased HERE.

SA Pitch it Fest

SA Pitch it Fest

Booking information:

Pitches open Wed 30th September to SA members.

Friday 2nd October to all other states.

 

Please note:

- Only make a booking if you are able to meet the publisher during their noted time slots. We will allocate an exact time prior to the event.

- Note publishers requested genre before making your booking.

- If you select an assessment, then you will need to send a full picture book manuscript or 1000 words by Friday 2nd October for Windy Hollow and Thurs 8th October for MidnightSun.

 

Attending Publishers and times:

 

Little Book Press - Alison O’Brien

Monday 12th October 10:30 – 11:30

Picture Books Only

Speed pitches

 

MidnightSun Publishing – Anna Solding

Monday 12th October 12 – 1 (pitches) 1:30 – 3 (assessments)

Picture Book, Junior Fiction, Middle Grade, Young Adult

Speed pitches and Assessments

 

University Western Australia Publishing (UWAP) – Kate Pickard

Tuesday 13th October 11:30 – 12:30

Junior Fiction, Middle Grade, Young Adult

Speed pitches

 

Walker Books – Eve Tonelli

Wednesday 14th October 9:30 – 12

Picture Book, Junior Fiction, Middle Grade, Young Adult

Speed Pitches

 

Windy Hollow Books – Cristina Pase

Thursday 15th October 11 – 12 (pitches) 12:30 – 2 (assessments)

Picture books

Speed pitches and assessments

Cost:

5 minute speed pitch $30

15 minute manuscript assessment $95

New JF for Nic Gill and Jake A Minton

Congratulations to author, Nic Gill and illustrator, Jake A Minton on the publication of

"Maya Follows Her Nose"

a paperback JF, for readers aged 7-10 years, published by UWA Publishing.

Abandoned at a shelter, border-collie Maya worries she’ll never find her forever home, until she meets a young ecologist who needs help finding endangered koalas. Join Maya as she conquers her fears and helps wildlife, one sniff at a time!

Book Launch - The official book launch party for "Maya Follows Her Nose" and the new SNIFF SQUAD series will be at 4:30PM Tuesday 13th October at Fullers Bookshop, Hobart. Expect all the usual animal-themed shenanigans and furry special guests!

"Maya Follows Her Nose" is the first book in the new SNIFF SQUAD series, which will profile the real-life adventures of the conservation dog teams lending a paw for Australian wildlife today!

Recommended for animal-loving readers 7+ and can be purchased HERE.