Speakers Katie Smith April 28, 2026 / April 28, 2026 by bpcuser870 Katie Smith opened Ramona Books in December 2024 in Westgarth, in Melbourne’s inner north, with no prior bookselling experience. In a short time, she has renovated the space, developed the community, and welcomed her third child. With a background in brand marketing and trend forecasting, she brings a keen eye for culture and storytelling to […] Read more »
Speakers Myf Warhurst April 28, 2026 / April 28, 2026 by bpcuser870 Myf Warhurst began her career writing for The Age and Inpress. She moved into radio at Triple J, later joining Triple Mand hosting ABC Radio’s daily afternoon show. Myf has written for The Guardian and The Age and regularly reports for The Project. Best known as a long-time team captain on Spicks and Specks, she now co-hosts the Bang On podcast with Zan Rowe, voices characters on Bluey, […] Read more »
Speakers Cat Colwell April 28, 2026 / April 28, 2026 by bpcuser870 Cat Colwell is the Head of Product for the Australian Publishers Association. She manages TitlePage, the industry’s bibliographic look-up service, and is passionate about improving the industry’s data infrastructure. Previously she coordinated the APA’s international book fair programs, including the launch of the Books From Australia website. Cat has an operations background from children’s toys […] Read more »
Speakers Bruce Pascoe April 28, 2026 / April 28, 2026 by bpcuser870 Bruce Pascoe is an Aboriginal farmer and writer of literary fiction, non-fiction, poetry, essays and children’s literature, based on Yuin Country. His publications have won numerous awards including the NSW Premier’s Award for Literature, the Booksellers Association Prize and the CBCA Eve Pownall award. He is the author of the groundbreaking, bestselling book Dark Emu. Read more »
Speakers Simon Davis April 28, 2026 / April 28, 2026 by bpcuser870 Simon Davis is a publisher at Hardie Grant Books, specialising in food and lifestyle. With nearly two decades in illustrated publishing across Australia and the UK, he has worked with many of the world’s leading culinary voices – from chefs and broadcasters to emerging talent. His list spans bestselling, award-winning cookbooks for local and global […] Read more »
Speakers Susannah Bowen April 28, 2026 / April 28, 2026 by bpcuser870 Susannah Bowen’s career has been shaped by a deep passion for books, literacy, education and community. With experience spanning bookselling, publishing, authorship, and academic research and lecturing, she brings a uniquely multifaceted perspective to the Australian book industry. As CEO of the Australian Booksellers Association, Susannah works alongside and on behalf of bookshops, championing the […] Read more »
Speakers Adam Liaw April 28, 2026 / April 28, 2026 by bpcuser870 Adam Liaw is a cook, writer, broadcaster and producer, and winner of MasterChef Australia. A former lawyer, he is now one of Australia’s most recognisable food voices, spanning television, publishing and journalism. He is the author of multiple bestselling cookbooks and the host of SBS’s The Cook Up, one of the network’s largest ever commissions. Known for […] Read more »
Speakers Zoe Cassim April 28, 2026 / April 28, 2026 by bpcuser870 Zoe is a Bundjalung Widubul-Wiabul woman from Northern NSW. She has more than 15 years of experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander not-for-profit and for-purpose organisations, workshop and education resource development, consultations in Community and a focus on Community-led areas of education. Zoe has collaborated on and delivered workshops, panels, presentations, and cultural […] Read more »
Speakers Wenona Byrne April 28, 2026 / April 28, 2026 by bpcuser870 Wenona Byrne is Director, Writing Australia, a newly established body within Creative Australia focussed on growing markets and readers for Australian books. Prior to this role Wenona worked in publishing for more than a decade including nine years as international rights manager at Australia’s largest independent publisher, Allen & Unwin. Read more »
Speakers Vanessa Radnidge April 28, 2026 / April 28, 2026 by bpcuser870 Whether it is a sweeping commercial fiction, a thought-provoking literary novel, an action thriller, inspiring memoir or a timely and compelling work of non-fiction, Vanessa is always looking for captivating storytellers. Her list is eclectic, but a common link remains eloquent and evocative storytelling that engages and transports the reader. Read more »
