CKT Members

Anita Tonks was born and raised in middle England, and for over sixteen years has called Queensland her home. When she isn’t writing, she can

From quirky Picture Book stories for pre-schoolers through to heartfelt historical non-fiction for upper primary, Abbey Lane aka Julie Paine is a passionate storyteller finding

Angela Vearing is a registered organisational psychologist and a writer of children’s stories, living in Canberra, Australia. During primary school, Angela was constantly writing stories

Artelle Lenthall loves the world of stories, the magic of words on a page and the amazing places they can take us. As a primary

Beverley’s background is in law and accountancy, but after emigrating to Australia with four children she ditched the rat race (and the money) to follow

Carole Lander has invented characters and stories for years – as actor, Drama teacher and writer. Her short stories and books are published by Storm

I was born in Neath, South Wales, in the United Kingdom. My family and I immigrated to Australia and settled in the Blue Mountains in

Since 1982 Cheryl worked in various positions in Canberra schools, with students from Pre-school to Year 10.  The last 10+ years, was as an Early

Christine grew up in a family of 10 with 2 dogs, 3 budgies and a turtle. As a child she spent most of her time

Claire is an writer, teacher and blogger whose writing explores themes of diversity and belonging with a sense of fun and wonder.  She has had

Claire is an aspiring picture book writer on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. She is passionate about writing children’s stories that are empowering and fun. A former

I have been involved in the Australian publishing industry for over 20 years – first as a copywriter and then as an editor, project manager,

David is creating another middle grade novel. A Creative Kid’s Tales critique group member, writer and journalist with stories in the latest CTK anthologies, David’s

Debra Clewer is the author of three middle-grade fantasy fiction novels and short stories. She is working on an upcoming chapter book series for 7-9

Elizabeth Macintosh is an award-winning writer and former teacher based in regional NSW. Her tales often have a humorous twist and many are inspired by

Ester is a writer and a mental health clinician. Ester has worked in schools as a school counsellor, worked in women’s refuges for women and

Gail is an aspiring Children’s book author. She has a lively curiosity, vivid imagination and loves creating stories. In 2020 she completed Writing Picture Books

Gaz is an emerging writer who lives sometimes in Canberra and sometimes on the South Coast of NSW. He began his working life as a

Geoff, an avid story-teller and published author through The Creative Kids Tales Story Collection 2, enjoys the fun, adventure and humour children’s books can bring.

I have been writing in one form or another most of my life. Starting as a journalist, I still write freelance articles, but my real

Helen is an emerging author of middle-grade children’s books and children’s picture books. In 2019, her picture book story was shortlisted in the NSW Writers’

Helen grew up on a dairy farm in the Riverina, plotting imaginary stories as she rounded up the cows for milking each afternoon. Having no

While living in Thailand, Jacinta discovered that snippets of verse popped into her brain every time she had a massage. She started having massages twice

Jan S Sinclair lives in Shepparton. She writes stories for children and adults and has an interest in non-fiction and writing about history. Jan’s focus

Jane Smith is a Queensland librarian, author and freelance editor who enjoys researching and writing about history – fiction and non-fiction, for children and for

Jaqui writes for young children. She loves writing picture books and early chapter books. Her ideas and topics come from her own family life, friendships,

Jayne Johnson is a mum to two gorgeous girls and believes that all rainbows end in a pot of gold. Having worked in the fashion

Jaz Stutley attained a Bachelor of Arts majoring in writing and literature, a Graduate Diploma of Children’s Literature, and an Associate Diploma of Editing. She

Jeanette Pearson lives in Melbourne, Australia. She is a wife and a mother of three adult children. She loves to write, draw, and paint and

Jo Saunders here. I live on the glorious Gold Coast with my teenage son and school teacher husband. And yes, I’m another school teacher! I’m

JoJo Leslie loves the creative process. She is an aspiring Children’s book author, but when she isn’t writing picture books, you will find her strumming

Reading and writing are my extra appendages. I write for children firstly, to delight them, and secondly to help them to understand themselves and their

K.L. Hughes loves Middle Grade Fiction! She loves writing for a maturing readership that is still young at heart. She loves the rich diversity of

I live in Shellharbour, and love the natural beauty and the relaxed nature of our place by the sea. Shellharbour is the perfect place for

I have always loved to read.  I remember reading Enid Blyton books to my sister at bedtime.  I enjoy reading to my granddaughters, aged 3

Kate Crosato lives in regional NSW and is currently studying a Bachelor in English, Children’s Literature and History.   She is a part time librarian, part

Kate O’Neil loves words, especially the way they get together in poems. She taught Speech and Drama for several years at Wollongong Conservatorium of Music

As a primary school student, I wrote and wrote and wrote. Long stories that went on for pages and pages. I ‘published’ them with a

Kelly Hibbert is an Adelaide-based author and educator with a passion for words and language. Her story, Sebastian and the Special Stack of Stories, illustrated

Kelly Clark ( also writing under Kelly McDonald) is a real life fairy. For 30 years she has been spreading magic, joy, stories and a

Kerry Gittins is a writer, musician, traveler and teacher librarian from Newcastle, Australia. She has a Masters in Education and is a member of the

Kiralee is a lover of words and silliness, and she has found a lot of enjoyment in combining the two to write engaging and heart

Kristin Darell is a writing all-rounder. For more than 25 years she shared true stories as a broadcast journalist for the Seven Network and Australian

I am a clinical psychologist who has worked with children for over 25 years in mental health, child protection and school settings. I currently work

Larissa Dufty (writing as Larissa Dee) Larissa is an aspiring Children’s book author who is passionate about children’s literature. She loves to awaken the imagination

Leanne and her family live in a small quiet seaside village in North Queensland. Walking on the beach with their dogs is a daily occurrence.

There are two creative endeavours in Lesley’s life: theatre and writing. Writing came first, yet in terms of actioning as an adult, came second for

Linda is an emerging author of children’s picture books. As an Early Childhood Education Consultant, she currently writes journal articles and develops teacher resources emerging

Linda Swadling has had a passion for writing since she was a child. She wrote and illustrated her first children’s book about a horse who

After an all-consuming worldwide legal career in the media and entertainment industry, Lindsay Holliday has channelled her passion for storytelling in writing for Middle-Grade readers.

Even though I have not slept a full night for 6 years, having two young children with tiny attention spans is great for an aspiring

In the hot, humid rainforests of Queensland you’ll find Lyndy Lou sitting in the shade of a mango tree sipping pineapple juice. Surrounded by five

Lynelle Kendall is an Early Childhood Educator, mother and writer. She writes short form children’s fiction: poetry, picture books, short stories and early chapter books

Marg has always been a storyteller. As a photographer, she captures the stories of others. As a writer, she creates children’s stories full of nonsense

I am a musician and singer/songwriter. I play piano, flute and piano accordion and have gigged locally and internationally with other musicians from duos to

Maria is a primary teacher and passionate about keeping kids reading. She keenly enjoys picture books (PB). One that students see themselves reflected, can relate

I am a language teacher by trade but writing and music are my passions. At a young age I developed a love for the sound,

Mary Ann Napper is a published author. Her debut novel, Born to Fly, published in 2014, was followed by articles published in News.com au and

Megan spent her earlier childhood growing up in Fiji before her family moved to live in Toowoomba (a smallish town in Queensland). She has spent

Melissa lives on the Bellarine Peninsula with her husband and two children and enjoys walks along the beach. She has always loved reading and grew up near

Michèle is an illustrator and children’s picture book author. She started her career a veterinary nurse but creativity took over and she studied to become

Michelle is a children’s book author, passionate about nature, family, and of course, storytelling. Living in the Blue Mountains inspires her writing, as does being

Millie Lewis lives in Sydney, Australia with her husband and two babies (one fur-baby, one regular). She rediscovered her long-dormant love of writing while on

Nell Cooper is a people person with a passion for words, and a love of exotic locations. She read cereal boxes as a child and

As a young child, Norah Colvin dreamed of being a famous author and practised every chance she got. As a young adult, she aspired to

Pat is an aspiring children’s book writer.  As a retired teacher and primary school administrator, she has a deep interest in literacy learning and the

After a long career in children’s services working in preschool, out of school hours care and museum settings Tricia is now a full time writer

Prasha is a Mum, Audiologist and Educator; a Master’s degree in Communication Pathology (Audiology) and a Master’s degree in Education (Global Learning). She writes humorous

The world is full of wonder. This idea inspires Raema most when writing heartfelt picture books full of emotion, curiosity and wonder. She escapes into

Rhonda Ooi is an emerging children’s author and primary school teacher with an interest and specialist qualification in Gifted Education. She has completed both Writing

Robert Vescio is an award-winning author of children’s picture books, based in Sydney. Many of his picture books have been translated into other languages such

Sal works as a planner during the day, but dreams up stories at night. She has always had a powerful love of storytelling right back

Sharon grew up surrounded by books and dreamed that one day she would be an author. She won her first writing competition when she was

Shaye Wardrop writes for kids who love the fantastical. We’re talking cool creatures, fantasylands, superpowers and everything in between. With a passion for dreaming up

Sheila is an aspiring children’s author who lives on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, with her husband and four grown children. Born in Liverpool,

Susan is a former language and science teacher who has developed a passion for writing stories from an animal’s point of view. She hopes not only

Susea Spray and her husband don’t have a brick – and – mortar house. Instead, their homes are two old ocean – going sailing boats.

Suzi Faed completed a Bachelor of Arts in Writing. She is also a qualified Early Childhood Teacher and taught pre-primary before the birth of her

Based in Melbourne, Victoria Konya writes children’s stories and poems inspired by nature, animals and family adventure. Victoria is passionate about instilling a love of

Viv has a background in education and research (Ancient History) but her first love is writing. Since becoming a parent, Viv has focused increasingly on writing

Hi! I’m Wendy and I’m a writer currently living in stunning Lake Macquarie. I have worked in the education sector with children for many years

Wendy Haynes has completed a Diploma in Creative Writing at Southern Cross University. Her writing focuses on middle-grade fantasy and contemporary stories for children, picture

Being very curious about the world around her, Yalda worked as a medical scientist in a laboratory before having her two girls and staying home

Zoe is a high school teacher who loves stories of all kinds. She writes picture books and junior fiction. Zoe lives on the NSW South