SCBWI Australia East Create and Critique-a-Palooza Sept 13-14
The Palooza is back! A two day online event where SCBWI members have the chance to have their projects assessed by publishers and agents, and hear from some of Australia’s most talented kids’ book creators and publishing professionals as they discuss the wonderful world of children’s books.
It will be fun, fascinating and a great excuse to hang out online with SCBWI friends.
Day One—September 13—A day of online manuscript and portfolio assessments
In conjunction with our creative PD day, we are offering 15-minute online manuscript and portfolio assessments on September 13, where you can receive feedback on your work from publishing professionals. Tickets on sale from July 5 at 8am.
CLICK HERE for more information about the Day One Critiques.
Day Two—September 14—Professional Development Day
Time: 2pm to 5pm
Ticket Cost: $15
Tickets: On Sale from July 4 at 8am (Links to come)
These presentations will be recorded and the link will be available for two weeks.
Presenters:
Michelle Madden, Commissioning Editor for Penguin Random House Young Readers
Adam Cece, Author
Alexandra Adsett, Literary Agent, Alex Adsett Literary
Peter Cheong, Author and Illustrator
When you purchase a ticket for the September 14 Professional Development Day you will automatically be sent an email with the code to the Critique ticket portal which will give you the opportunity to book a critique ticket from July 5th.
Day Two Program—September 14 (draft)
2.00pm-2.10pm—Welcome and acknowledgement of Country
2.10pm–2:45pm—Michelle Madden, Commissioning Editor for Penguin Random House Young Readers
From pitch to publication: top tips and advice on pitching to and working with an editor.
2:45pm-3.20pm—Adam Cece, Author
Don’t You Forget About Me (please note: title must be sung)
After a crazy few years, with many books published all at once, then a worldwide pandemic, it’s been five years since my last book. But it’s also been the most hectic, productive and educational years of my life, and all of it has culminated in a new book that I’m more proud of than anything else I’ve ever written. This is a talk about what I’ve learnt about the three Ps: perseverance, priorities and passion (especially for John Hughes films).
3:20pm-3:30pm—BREAK
3:30pm-4:05pm—Alexandra Adsett, Literary Agent, Alex Adsett Literary
4:05pm-4:40pm—Peter Cheong, Author and Illustrator
Peter will give us a sneak peek into his creative process and share what it's like to be an award-winning kids' book creator.
4:40-5pm—Book Baby Elevator Pitches and Farewell
Day Two Presenters
Michelle Madden—Commissioning Editor, Penguin Random House Young Readers
Michelle Madden is a Commissioning Editor for Penguin Random House Young Readers. She works across all genres and ages, from books for early childhood through to non-fiction and novels for young adults. She has worked with some of Australia’s finest authors and illustrators, including Terry Denton, Sam Cotton, Felice Arena, Sofie Laguna, Mem Fox and Alison Lester, as well as with sporting and media stars such as Cathy Freeman and Zoe Foster Blake, and brands like Taronga and The Penguin Foundation.
Adam Cece—Author
Adam Cece is an award-winning author of children’s books, including Wesley Booth Super Sleuth, Twin Spin, the hilarious Huggabie Falls series, and in August 2025, his new YA thriller, The Locked Room, is going to be unleashed on the world. He is passionate about inspiring people, young and old, to read and write. He is a South Australian Premier’s Reading Challenge Ambassador, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators SA Co-coordinator, mentor, workshop facilitator and manuscript assessor, and visits schools and libraries delivering fun, interactive talks focused on being an author, the craft of writing, getting published, solving mysteries, and how to write a cracking shopping list.
You can follow Adam on Twitter and Instagram @ceceadam on Facebook @adamceceauthor or find him online at www.adamcece.com.
Peter Cheong—Author and Illustrator
Peter’s debut book as an author/illustrator, Every Night at Midnight, was voted CBCA Shadow Judging Winner for Picture Book of the Year in 2024. Peter is the illustrator of I’m a Hero Too, Nothing Alike and the Pow Pow Pig and Freddie Spector series. He has since released another author/illustrated book, Where We Can Hear the Giants Sing, and he is currently working on his debut graphic novel series, April Ordinary Thief Extraordinary, the first of which will be out in 2027.
Peter lives in Perth (Whadjuk Region), Western Australia, with his very understanding wife and sons, and less understanding cat.
Alexandra Adsett—Literary Agent, Alex Adsett Literary
Alex Adsett is an Australian literary agent and publishing consultant, who has been working in the publishing and bookselling industry for almost twenty five years. She has managed Alex Adsett Literary since 2008.
As a literary agent, Alex is always seeking amazing manuscripts, with a focus on fiction and narrative non-fiction, especially SFF, crime and romance, for all ages from picture books to adults. She is proud to represent an outstanding stable of authors and illustrators, including Melissa Lucashenko, Isobelle Carmody, Dinuka McKenzie, Jasmin McGaughey and Hannah Sommerville.