Keynote – Hannah Kent
Hannah Kent’s first novel, the multi-award-winning international bestseller, Burial Rites, was translated into over 30 languages and is being adapted for film. Her novels The Good People and Devotion have been translated into multiple languages, shortlisted for numerous awards and are being adapted for film. Her original feature film, Run Rabbit Run, was directed by Daina Reid and starred Sarah Snook.
Hannah is also the co-founder of Kill Your Darlings, and has written for The New York Times, The Saturday Paper, The Guardian, The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, Meanjin, Qantas Magazine and LitHub. Always Home, Always Homesick – a memoir, is her first book of non-fiction. She lives and works on Peramangk and Kaurna country.
Aaron Lamb
Aaron Lamb, a storyteller from childhood, hails from the gritty terraces of an industrial town in South East England.
He has self-published 5 novels with his latest book Cults, Coffee and Close Encounters now in the hands of over 20,000 people across the world. His adventurous spirit has led him to trek the wilderness of Norway and Finland, live in eastern Cambodia, run ultra-marathons and host a cabaret show in London’s West End.
He has lived in the hills for 13 years with his partner and two sons and can be found writing his sixth book at the Patch General store.
Alli Parker
Alli Parker is a Japanese-Australian bestselling author and screenwriter, with a background in script editing and script co-ordinating. She lives on the stolen land of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation.
In 2023, her debut historical fiction novel, At the Foot of the Cherry Tree, was published by HarperCollins Australia, a novelisation of the true story of Australia’s first Japanese war bride and Alli’s grandmother. It became an instant bestseller, was shortlisted for the 2024 Australian Book Industry Award – Matt Richell Award for New Writer of the Year, the Dymocks Book of the Year 2023 and was longlisted for the Aus Indie Book Awards 2024.
Alison Goodman
Alison is the author of nine novels. Her most recent release, The Ladies Road Guide to Utter Ruin, is the second book in the Ill-Mannered Ladies series which are historical adventure/mysteries set in the Regency era.
The first book, The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies, won the 2024 Readers’ Choice Davitt Award and was long-listed in the 2023 ARA Historical Novel Award.
Amy Doak
Amy Doak writes mysteries filled with action, adventure, fun and heart.
Her debut Young Adult novel Eleanor Jones is not a Murderer won the 2024 Davitt Award for Best Crime Novel; was a CBCA 2024 notable; and was shortlisted for both the 2024 ABIA Awards Books of the Year for Older Readers, and for the 2024 Davitt Awards Best Debut Crime Novel. She has two more mysteries for teens coming out in 2025.
Amy lives in regional Victoria with her husband, two teenage children, dog, and a very grumpy cat.
Carly Findlay
Carly Findlay OAM is an award-winning writer, speaker and appearance activist. She has a Masters of Communication and Bachelor of eCommerce and lives in Melbourne, Australia
Her first book, a memoir called Say Hello, was released in January 2019. Carly edited the anthology Growing Up Disabled in Australia with Black Inc Books. She writes on disability and appearance diversity issues for news outlets including the CNN, Vogue, ABC, The Age and Sydney Morning Herald and SBS, as well as contributes to various writing anthologies.
She works part time as Access Advisor at Melbourne Fringe.
Caroline Stills
Caroline Stills is the author of a number of acclaimed picture books for children. She won the 2024 Text Prize for A Gift from the Birds, her first novel for middle grade readers.
Caroline lives in the Dandenong Ranges, east of Melbourne, with her family.
Charisse Ede
Charisse has more than 30 years’ experience as a journalist, communications and media strategist and university feature writing lecturer. She has a Masters in Writing and Literature, is co-writing a book about pain and adversity, and is working on her own work of fiction.
She loves reading crime, historical fiction and biographies, doing pilates, travelling and sharing great food with friends and family.
Charisse has lived in the Dandenongs most of her life and is now enjoying sharing the beauty and spirit of the Hills with her family.
Christian White
Christian White is an Australian author and screenwriter whose credits include feature film Relic, Netflix series Clickbait and Paramount’s Apartment 7A. His debut novel, The Nowhere Child (2018), was one of Australia’s bestselling debut novels ever, with rights sold in 17 international territories and a major screen deal.
Christian’s second book, The Wife and the Widow (2019), third book, Wild Place (2021), and fourth book, The Ledge (2024), were instant bestsellers.
Christian’s new book, The Long Night, is out in November 2025.
Christine Newell
As a professional musical theatre performer, Christine has always been a storyteller. In 2016, she wrote and produced her own one-woman show, Places I Have Been, which premiered to a sold-out audience at the Kew Court House and inspired her to write her memoir, Five Seasons in Seoul.
Christine is currently completing a Master of Arts in Writing and Literature at Deakin University. Her musical theatre credits include the Australian productions of The Sound of Music, The Wizard of Oz and Anything Goes.
When Christine isn’t writing she can usually be found enjoying a coffee at her local cafe, watching K-dramas with her cat Darcy by her side or planning her future travels.
Dianne Dempsey
Dianne Dempsey’s features and book reviews have appeared in The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian, The Courier Mail, Kill Your Darlings, Australian Book Review.
Her previous books include Girls in Our Town (2014) and When He Came Home: The Impact of War on Partners and Children of Veterans (2021).
Derek Braidner
Derek and Gina’s collaboration weaves Derek’s decades of lived experience with Gina’s storytelling voice, creating books, animation, and classroom resources that not only delight children but also honour the spirit of the Dandenong Ranges.
Project Billy is more than a story, it’s the fulfilment of a dream, shared across generations, and a legacy for future ones.
Elizabeth Fensham
Elizabeth is the award-winning author of nine novels for children and young adults.
Her first novel, Helicopter Man, won the 2006 CBCA Book of the Year for Younger Readers.
It was followed by her young adult novels Miss McAllister’s Ghost, a 2009 CBCA Notable Book for Older Readers, Goodbye Jamie Boyd, shortlisted for the 2009 Bologna Book Fair’s White Ravens Award, and The Invisible Hero, winner of the 2012 Speech Pathology Book of the Year Award and listed as an IBBY Book.
Elle McFadzean
Elle McFadzean is an author, architecture graduate and fiction worldbuilder living in Melbourne/Naarm.
She writes high-concept fiction that sparks the imagination – an interest developed while working on conceptual architecture projects – and creates intriguing characters with relatable motivations.
Her current works include a young-adult high fantasy about a corrupt kingdom, and a picture book about a mischievous fairy wren.
Emmy Webbers
Emmy Webbers is a Gunai/Kurnai person and currently lives on Wurundjeri country. Emmy is an active member of Willum Warrain Gathering Place within the community.
Emmy holds a Bachelor in Indigenous studies and has a passion for culture and sharing it to create a safe space for understanding and learning for everyone.
“Aunty’s House” by author Emmy Webbers and illustrator Kelsie King is a gorgeous celebration of the special role of Aunties in a child’s life.
Gideon Adams
Gideon Adams has studied film since 2019 and became a mentor within the Ranges Academy of Performing Arts from 2022 to 2024. They were also accepted into the Film and Television (Honours) course at Swinburne University of Technology at the beginning of 2022 where they are currently directing their graduate film.
They began playing Dungeons and Dragons in 2023 after falling in love with the Critical Role livestream, and have since taken on the role of Game Master in two campaigns.
Gideon has found their skills developed through filmmaking highly relevant to running successful RPGs.
Jennifer-Rose Holloway
Jennifer-Rose Holloway is studying a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Literature Studies at Deakin University. A transwoman from rural SA, she has an interest in the ontology of play and art.
She recently qualified to the Magic: The Gathering Pro Tour and World Championship, so she spends a majority of her time reading, training, and running/playing in TTRPGs.
Kate Mildenhall
Kate Mildenhall is the author of three novels – SKYLARKING (2016), THE MOTHER FAULT (2020) and THE HUMMINGBIRD EFFECT (2023). THE HUMMINGBIRD EFFECT was longlisted for the 2024 Stella Prize and shortlisted for the 2024 ABIA literary Fiction Book of the year. In 2024 she released her first children’s book TO STIR WITH LOVE illustrated by Jess Racklyeft, shortlisted for the 2025 Indie Book Awards and the 2025 ABIA Children’s Book of the Year and Notable in the CBCA Book Awards for Early Readers.
For the past six years she has co-hosted The First Time podcast interviewing hundreds of writers including Tim Winton, Helen Garner, Richard Flanagan, George Saunders & Charlotte Wood.
Her fourth novel – THE HIDING PLACE – will be published in October 2025.
Kate lives on Wurundjeri lands in Hurstbridge with her partner and two children.
Kate Solly
Kate Solly is a writer, mother of six and really quite good at getting the bubbles out of plastic book wrap. While most of her time is spent finding lost shoes and investigating what’s making the car smell bad, Kate frequently escapes to write entertaining things.
She has penned many articles, columns and reviews for various publications and is the author of Tuesday Evenings with the Copeton Craft Resistance and The Paradise Heights Craft Store Stitch-Up. When she is not writing, she enjoys starting crochet projects and never finishing them.
Kathie Thomas
Kathie Thomas is an author, nature photographer and previously ran an online business for 27 years, founding the Virtual Assistant industry here in Australia. She did this to work at home while her daughters were growing up. She and her husband live in the Dandenong Ranges these days and Kathie continues to write on subjects close to her heart, her latest project being birds. Previous books include “Worth More Than Rubies” and “It Happened By Design” plus a series of business books.
Today Kathie enjoys being out and about with her camera and spending time with her family of 4 daughters and 9 grandchildren.
Kelly Gardiner
Kelly writes historical fiction, crime and fantasy for readers of all ages. She also teaches creative writing and runs writing retreats.
Her new book, co-written with Sharmini Kumar, is Miss Caroline Bingley: Private Detective, published worldwide by HarperCollins in 2025.
Kerryn Mayne
Mayne is an author, former wedding photographer and current police officer. When not at work attempting to solve crime, she is writing about it or preparing an endless stream of snacks for her 4 children. Kerryn lives in the Melbourne suburbs with her family.
Kerryn is the author of two crime novels: Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder and Joy Moody Is Out Of Time.
Lenny Marks was shortlisted for a Ned Kelly debut crime award, Indie Booksellers Award, International Thriller Writers 2024 Best New Novel award and an ABIA award for Matt Richell Award for New Writer of the Year 2024. Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder won the debut fiction award at the 2024 BAD Crime Sydney awards.
Kimberley Allsopp
Kimberley Allsopp has had her work appear in Kidspot, The Sunday Telegraph and WHIMN (now Body & Soul). Her first novel, Love & Other Puzzles was published by HarperCollins in 2022. Her most recent novel, is Rise and Shine (2025).
Kimberley has worked in bookselling and publishing since 2008, and lives in Brisbane with her partner and two daughters.
Kylie Orr
Kylie (she/her) is an author of dark and twisty contemporary fiction.
Her debut novel, Someone Else’s Child was longlisted in the Richell Prize and published by HarperCollins in 2022.
Her second novel The Eleventh hit shelves in February 2024 and was chosen as an Apple Books “Must Read” and “Book of the Week.”
Lia Hills
Lia Hills is an award-winning poet, novelist and translator, whose work has been published and translated around the world. Her latest novel, The Desert Knows Her Name, was written in consultation with the Barengi Gadgin Land Council and other Wimmera communities, the first draft narrated using speech-recognition software in-situ, often in the desert.
Other works include Miles Franklin-nominated The Crying Place, her translation of Marie Darrieussecq’s internationally-acclaimed novel Tom is Dead, and Balit Bagurrk: Strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women of the Yarra Ranges, of which Lia was co-editor.
Lia is curator of Writing ngurrak barring – part of a new cultural walk in the Dandenong Ranges, with a strong focus on First Nations stories and knowledges, and writing of place. Born in Aotearoa, she lives and works on Wurundjeri Country.
Madeleine Cleary
Madeleine is from Naarm/Melbourne and lives at the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges with her husband. She holds a Master of Arts degree from the University of Melbourne and an associated honours degree from RMIT University.
Oblivious to her history, Madeleine completed her studies a block from her family’s tawdry brothel in Romeo Lane. Madeleine served as an Australian diplomat in China. Before joining the Public Service, Madeleine spent five years working in bookshops where she met her husband.
When not working or writing, Madeleine is reading, bush walking, eating, travelling, or spending time with her family and friends. The Butterfly Women is her first novel.
Marian Matta
Marian Matta writes short stories and historical fiction. Her collection, ‘Life, Bound’, was published by MidnightSun in 2020, and others stories have appeared in over a dozen anthologies.
Her manuscript ‘On Æther Hill’, set in the Dandenong Ranges, won a Gold Medal at the 2024 Historical Novels Society Conference.
She is the oldest student in a circus school.
Mark Mupotsa-Russell
Mark Mupotsa-Russell is a writer living on Wurundjeri Country in the Yarra Ranges. His debut novel, The Hitwoman’s Guide to Reducing Household Debt, won the 2023 Affirm Press Mentorship Award. His second novel, The Wolf Who Cried Boy, is out in September 2025.
Before writing books he was a screenwriter, film reviewer, cocktail columnist, PR consultant and communications adviser in the suicide prevention sector. He lives among the trees with his art therapist superstar wife, hilarious son and a Moodle majestically named ‘Mufasa’.
Matt Rogers
Matt Rogers is the internationally bestselling author of the Dante Jacoby series. He single-handedly wrote and marketed more than thirty-five thriller novels.
His books have collectively sold over one million copies.
Melanie Kanicky
Melanie Kanicky is a Melbourne-based author. Born in the Yarra Valley. Melanie has a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Film & Television) from Deakin University, and a Master’s Degree in Writing & Literature, specialising in creative writing and children’s literature. Outside of her studies, Melanie currently manages a bookstore, where she delights in sharing her love of reading with others.
Her short fiction has appeared in the Wyndham Writing Awards Anthology and the Forty South Short Story Anthology, as well as being shortlisted for the 2022 Tasmanian Writers’ Prize. The Weaver is her first novel.
Michael Prewer
Michael Prewer has been writing for as long as he can remember. R.E.Generation, released in June 2024, was his debut novel, but he already has a number of others in the works.
Michael holds a Bachelor of Science (majoring in Anatomy) and a Masters of Speech Pathology. He has worked as a paediatric speech pathologist for over 7 years.
Michael and his wife are passionate about taking small steps to minimise the impact humans leave on our wonderful planet. Michael also has a keen interest in theatre, sports, mathematics, puzzles and snorkelling. He lives on the outskirts of Melbourne with his wife, Georgie, and their two young daughters.
Paul Kennedy
Paul Kennedy is a national television presenter for ABC News Breakfast. He has worked for three television networks and has written three books, including co-authoring Hell on the Way to Heaven (with Chrissie Foster), one of the triggers for Australia’s Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
Pauline Hosking
Pauline has written three books for readers aged 9-12. Two featured Cinnamon Stevens, a twelve year old super sleuth.
Her new book, out this year, is a fantasy/adventure Ana and the Bones of Prophecy. She is also a playwright.
Rose Michael
Author of The Asking Game and The Art of Navigation, Rose Michael has also been a commissioning editor at a trade publisher and founded her own micropress, Arcade Publications.
She has published spec fic in Island, Griffith Review, Best Australian Stories and spec crit in The Conversation, TEXT and Sydney Review of Books..
Shelley Burr
Shelley Burr grew up on Newcastle’s beaches and her grandparents’ property in Glenrowan, and on the road between the two. When not writing, Shelley is working to establish a small permaculture farm and is studying sustainable agriculture at the University of New England.
Shelly’s debut novel, WAKE, was a Top Five bestseller, won the prestigious UK Crime Writers’ Association’s Debut Dagger Award in 2019. Her second novel, RIPPER, went straight to Number One on the Australian Fiction Bestseller list.
Sue Smethurst
Sue Smethurst is a bestselling author and journalist.
She co-authored the bestselling series of books, The Clothesline Diet, The Clothesline Diet Club, Why Can’t I Lose Weight? and The Clothesline Diet USA. She is currently a Senior Writer for The Australian Women’s Weekly magazine.
Tamara Protassow-Adams
Tamara Protassow is a non-fiction writing mentor + creativity coach with a BA in Women’s Studies (now Gender Studies)/English and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Media.
She speaks on creativity + writing, and develops non-fiction books with clients both 1:1 and in group programs. Tamara has edited 55+ books, both freelance for self-published authors, as well as for Hay House UK.
A Hills native, she has lived in the Dandenong Ranges for most of her life, minus some stints living in inner Melbourne and in Paris.
