Meet our Creators

Director of Just Write For Kids Australia, Romi Sharp, a former early childhood and primary teacher, is the managing editor, designer and publisher of the anthology series, a publicist and digital marketer, and she writes and draws a bit, too!

Adam Wallace was once a primary school teacher, once an engineer, and now a full-blooded full-time author and emerging screenwriter. With over 15 million books in the hands of the most important readers, kids, Adam plans to write for the rest of his life. And maybe a bit after that, if it’s possible …

Ali Rutstein is a Brisbane author who lives with her partner, three sons and an assortment of feathered, furry and scaly pets. She works as a genetic counsellor by day and writes stories by night (well, usually early morning). She tries to write funny stories, which always feature an animal or two if possible.

Angela is a Victorian children’s author who writes stories rich in hope, heart, and humour. When she’s not dreaming up tales inspired by the world around her, she’s making a racket on her drum kit or playing with her cat.

Dannielle Viera has been involved in the Australian publishing industry for almost 30 years. She’s been published in numerous children’s anthologies, in The School Magazine and on the Australian Children’s Poetry website. Her books include Amazing Grace, Lily’s Gift and Heart of Gold (Library for All), and The Leftover Lemon Dilemma (Loose Parts Press).

Debra Tidball is an award-winning author of picture books, short stories, poems and plays. She’s also been a book reviewer, blogger and judge of stories for and by children. After school she studied social work and children’s literature, but she was a dog-lover before she could say ‘woof, woof.’

Di Scotte is an early childhood teacher, and her home is surrounded by Aussie wildlife that inspire her poems, stories and challenges in her garden. She loves writing humorous poems and one day hopes to publish her very own children’s book. Her favourite thing is snow … which is a problem when you live in the sub-tropics.

Dianne (Di) Bates has published 150 books. Some have won literary awards, including two Australian children’s book choice awards (KOALA and WAYRBA). Di was awarded the Lady Cutler Award for distinguished services to children’s Literature. 

Jacinta Lou writes in the bush in Tasmania inspired by the birds and wildlife. Her debut early readers will be published by Wombat Books in 2027. Jacinta is passionate about the rights of all children to grow up in a world that is clean and safe with access to education and a future.

Jacqueline de Rose-Ahern is an international award-winning author and creative coach. Her most recent titles include the Ariana Treasure junior fiction series and Meet Matilda at the Festival in the Aussie Kids series. Her picture books have won awards in the US and been shortlisted for the Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards. Jacqueline received the 2017 Anne Edgeworth Fellowship from the ACT Writers Centre. Jacqueline is passionate about nurturing lifelong readers, writers and creatives.

Jason Secker is from Perth, Western Australia. He grew up in an era before the internet, a time when children roamed in the wild and everyday was a new adventure. He believes in letting kids be kids. His children ignite his inner child, and he enjoys making up zany, hilarious stories with them.

Jeremy Kalbstein is an Australian author of stories for readers of all ages, from the picture book It’s Up to U! to humorous junior and STEAM-themed middle grade fiction, gripping young adult dystopian novels, and heartfelt rom-com scripts. His work champions empathy, curiosity, connection and imagination.

Kelly Louise Jarris is an author known for her warm, imaginative storytelling. Balancing humour, heart and creativity, her work is praised as whimsical and beautifully written. She creates engaging stories that often connect with readers of all ages, inspiring families and nurturing a lasting love of reading.

Kirsten Temple is a Melbourne based middle grade author. When not writing, she can often be found reading to her four book mad kids.

​Marg Gibbs loves writing and reading stories and poems for children. She has self-published 17 children’s books, with themes of friendship, courage, identity, teamwork and grief. Always curious and adventurous, Marg celebrates the love and passion of literature.

Mietta Postlethwaite is an aspiring Melbourne-based author who writes children’s stories that inject a spark of imagination into the everyday. Through quirky, funny and relatable characters, she weaves stories and illustrations that ignite the reader’s sense of adventure.

Norah Colvin grew up with a love of reading and writing. She shares that love wherever and whenever she can – with her own children and grandchildren as well as with hundreds of children she taught over the years. Nothing was ever as much fun as reading aloud to children, unless it was children reading to her.

Olivia Coates is a children’s author and former kindergarten teacher from the Southwest coast of Victoria, working in kindergarten inclusion support. Olivia also runs high energy story sessions for young children at her local bookstore while she waits for ABC to contact her about becoming a Play School presenter. In the meantime, her farm, garden and beach adventures keep each day brimming with curious animal encounters and writerly inspiration.

Rachael Robertson is an author, illustrator, artist and art teacher based in Perth (Boorloo). She predominantly uses painted paper collage to create her illustrations, however enjoys dabbling with digital artwork too. She lives with her husband, three young children, and dog Coco and creating is her happiness.

Rebecca Fraser’s fiction for children and adults has won or been recognised across numerous awards including Adaptable, Readings Children’s Prize, Aurealis Awards, Australian Shadows, Ditmars, and Mornington Peninsula Mayor’s Writing Award. Her publications include three middle grade novels, a junior fiction and two young adult novels, and a collection of short fiction.

​Steve Heron is an award-winning children's book author with a passion for social and emotional well-being. Four decades of experience working with children have helped Steve hone skills that he translates into his writing. When he's not hanging out with the local feathered friends, magpies, he's crafting stories that touch and tickle the hearts of children.

Robert Andrew Macintosh is an illustrator and cartoonist from NSW.

Antonia Ridge is an illustrator based in Central Victoria, with a background in editorial, marketing, and exhibitions since 2009. Passionate about children’s picture books and storytelling through art, she brings humour and warmth to her illustrations, often aiming to spark imagination and a wry smile.

Ayla Cohen is a university student studying Animal Care, with a passion for drawing and arts. She created a children's picture book for her Year 12 media assignment, called Jasper's Big Adventure, which includes personal illustrations throughout. Ayla took inspiration from artists including Sarah McIntyre, through her simple yet expressive style. 

Jennifer Horn is a Brisbane-based children’s illustrator and writer. Her fairytale debut picture book The Precious Plum was shortlisted for the 2022 Little Pink Dog’s Authorstrator Prize. As a child, Jen used to ask her Grandma to pause the VHS so she could copy the animations on the screen. Now, juggling two young kids, she is consistently illustrating for traditional publishers as well as indie authors.

Laura Young is an emerging children’s illustrator, located in the coastal city of Geelong. She also works as a child counsellor in a school setting and previously worked as a primary school teacher before extending her qualifications. Creating (whether illustrating, sewing, or woodworking) is the way Laura enjoys expressing herself and takes care of her own wellbeing, while conducting counselling work and caring for her young family.

Lellie Lopter is an international award-winning author, illustrator, and creator who isn’t afraid to write about big feelings and tricky topics. Lellie’s stories encourage children to think big, to feel deep, and to laugh out loud.

Rachel Bell is an artist who refuses to be held back by just one style. She loves learning, exploring, and constantly trying new mediums and techniques; experimenting and learning new techniques is a huge part of what keeps art exciting for her.