ALEESAH DARLISON
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Aleesah Darlison is one of Australia’s most popular, award-winning children’s authors. She has published over 65 books including picture books, chapter books, novels, and series. She is well-known for her stories that champion the cause of animals and the environment and that empower children. www.aleesahdarlison.com |
GENEVE FLYNN
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Geneve Flynn is a speculative fiction editor, author, and poet. Winner of two Bram Stoker Awards and the Shirley Jackson, Aurealis, and Brave New Weird Awards; recipient of the 2022 Queensland Writers Fellowship. Her work has been nominated and short/longlisted for the British Fantasy, Locus, Ditmar, Australian Shadows, Elgin, and Rhysling Awards, and the Pushcart Prize. Read more at www.geneveflynn.com.au Facebook: www.facebook.com/gene.flynn.750 Instagram: www.instagram.com/geneveflynn/ |
JACK RONEY
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After 33 years as a police officer, Jack Roney handed in his badge and gun to focus on being a full time crime fiction author. His novels are inspired by first-hand experience as a patrol officer and detective. He draws on these experiences to bring authenticity and realism to his writing. An early edition of his first novel was shortlisted in the Watpad Awards. He was the runner-up in the Hawkeye Manuscript Development Prize which led to a publishing contract. Jack was featured as a guest on the I Catch Killers and Crime Insiders podcasts.
At this festival he provides one-on-one coaching services to Australian crime writers as well as delivering a crime writing workshop. www.jackroney.com.au |
BARBARA HANNAY
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Barbara Hannay has published thirteen best-selling contemporary fiction novels with Penguin Australia, as well as more than fifty category romances with international publishers, most of which have Queensland settings. Her books have been translated into 26 languages and a story set on Magnetic Island was made into a movie for Lifetime TV in North America.
She is a winner of Romance Writers of America's prestigious RITA award and has twice won Australia's Romantic Book of the Year award. A former high school English teacher, Barbara has delivered many writing workshops and she enjoys working with aspiring writers. www.barbarahannay.com Facebook – www.facebook.com/BarbaraHannayAuthor Instagram – www.instagram.com/barbarahannay/ |
GARY CREW
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Gary Crew is Emeritus Professor of Creative Writing at the University of the Sunshine Coast. He is the 2024 Australian nominee for the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Medal and has published over 80 novels and illustrated books internationally, including two anthologies of short stories. He has delivered workshops and addresses on all aspects of writing and literature in Australia, the USA, England, the Pacific Region and Asia. He has a Masters of English Literature (University of Queensland) and a Doctorate of Creative Arts (Creative Writing) (University of the Sunshine Coast). He is particularly interested in researching the macabre and stories forgotten by History. |
RICHARD YAXLEY
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Richard Yaxley is a Brisbane-based award-winning author. His novels include Joyous and Moonbeam (2013), This Is My Song (winner of the 2018 Prime Minister’s Literary Award; winner of the ACU Book of the Year Award; finalist in the Queensland Literary Awards) and The Happiness Quest, a CBCA Notable for Older Readers. More recent novels are A New Kind Of Everything (2020), Harmony (2021), and Leonardo Forever (2023). Richard is also a past winner of the Queensland Premier’s Literary Award for Drink the Air (2010). In 2011, he was awarded a Medal in the Order of Australia (OAM). richardwyaxley.com |
LORI-JAY ELLIS
CEO OF QLD WRITERS CENTRE
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Lori-Jay Ellis is a creative executive leader, with a diverse and eclectic background in global marketing. She is a skilled builder of brands and a talented business strategist, with a passion for fostering talent and empowering teams to achieve their potential. Lori-Jay embodies creativity and innovation, bringing a wealth of management experience and a particular passion for the role of innovation in building strong and connected communities. |
Producing and directing several funded short films, Lori-Jay has a personal passion for the written word and a genuine love for all things indie. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Visual – QUT) and has been CEO of a community arts studio in Sydney, marketing director at a large multinational, and managed a New York art gallery. She has been CEO of Queensland Writers Centre for five years – leading the organisation through what has been a challenging few years!
Lori-Jay will also be hosting Writer Consult Sessions over the festival weekend. Schedule and booking information are on the 2025 Festival Program page.
To learn more about QWC, head to their website queenslandwriters.org.au/
Lori-Jay will also be hosting Writer Consult Sessions over the festival weekend. Schedule and booking information are on the 2025 Festival Program page.
To learn more about QWC, head to their website queenslandwriters.org.au/
SANDRA MAKARESZ
EDITOR AND WRITER
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Sandra Makaresz is the editor of Queensland Writers Centre’s quarterly magazine, WQ. She is a freelance editor and writes for the screen. She’s worked in children’s television and most recently made a web series called Life of Jess, for tweens, and (at the complete opposite end of the scale) a 30min comedy about Indigenous porn on YouTube. She’s had funding from Screen Queensland and Screen Australia and was one of five projects selected to pitch at the Kids Live Action pitch at MipTV in Cannes in 2019. |
With a Master of Arts in creative writing, Sandra has been the recipient of a Varuna Residential Fellowship and ASA mentorships for her writing. Read more about it HERE.
Sandra will also be hosting Writer Consult Sessions over the festival weekend. Schedule and booking information are on the 2025 Festival Program page.
To learn more about QWC, head to their website queenslandwriters.org.au/
Sandra will also be hosting Writer Consult Sessions over the festival weekend. Schedule and booking information are on the 2025 Festival Program page.
To learn more about QWC, head to their website queenslandwriters.org.au/
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