This event is a program curated by young people for young people, and is suitable for ages 13+.

The YA Collective presents panel discussions with YA storytellers curated by teens, for teens. Youth Curators – Bella, Brooke, Lila, Rafael and Sophie – have worked with award-winning YA author A.J. Betts to design a program that asks our stars the questions you really want the answers to.

The YA Collective is FREE but bookings are essential. Sign up and go into the draw to WIN a book pack!

10:00am - 10:40pm

MYTHOLOGY & MODERNITY: TWO WORLDS UNITE | GRAHAM AKHURST (NSW) & SCOTT WILSON (WA) INTERVIEWED BY SOPHIE

They say there’s nothing new under the sun, but what about making something new from the old? Graham Akhurst and Scott Wilson are experts at this, having both adapted traditional First Nations stories in their contemporary narratives. Graham and Scott will join Youth Curator Sophie to talk about the importance of keeping ancient cultures alive and writing genre fiction that thrills and entertains.

11:00am - 11:40am

PICTURING THE WORDS | SARAH WINIFRED SEARLE (WA) & SCOTT WILSON (WA) INTERVIEWED BY LILA

A picture tells a thousand words, so how better to tell a story than using both? Graphic novelist Sarah Winifred Searle and comic-book writer Scott Wilson have a way with words and pictures and are telling their stories one panel at a time. Youth Curator Lila will ask them about the similarities and differences of super-hero comics and fantasy graphic novels, and how storytelling can be bright, beautiful, and FUN.

12:20pm - 1:00pm

CHANGING THE WORLD ONE REBEL AT A TIME | YUOT A. ALAAK (WA), GRAHAM AKHURST (NSW) & KATE EMERY (WA) INTERVIEWED BY BELLA

At the heart of YA novels are rebellious characters compelled to disrupt the status quo and fight for what they believe in. Yuot A. Alaak, Graham Akhurst, and Kate Emery will unpack their recent novels with Youth Curator Bella, chatting about the importance of rebellion and how they tackle serious topics when writing for a young audience. 

1:20pm - 2:00pm

LIVING THE (CREATIVE) DREAM | MORRIS GLEITZMAN (QLD), SARAH WINIFRED SEARLE (WA) & WOLFGANG BYLSMA (WA) INTERVIEWED BY SOPHIE
Prolific children’s and YA author Morris Gleitzman, graphic novelist Sarah Winifred Searle, and comics editor and publisher Wolfgang Bylsma chat with Youth Curator Bella about the high and lows of their careers, how creativity and a rebellious spirit have shaped their work and lives, and their advice for budding creatives dreaming of seeing their own stories and comics published.

GRAHAM AKHURST (NSW)
Graham Akhurst is a Kokomini writer who grew up in Meanjin (Brisbane), and now lives on Gadigal Country in Sydney where he enjoys walking Centennial Park with a good audiobook. His debut book Borderland is a young adult novel that looks at issues of urban Indigenous youth identity.

SARAH WINIFRED SEARLE (WA)

Sarah Winifred Searle originally hails from the USA and now lives in Perth with their beloved spouse and cat. They write and draw comics and prose, exploring themes of identity, health, relationships, and history across many genres. The Greatest Thing, their YA graphic novel, is a Lammy Award and CBCA Book of the Year finalist, and a Prime Minister’s Literary Award winner. Their latest book, The Sweetness Between Us, comes out in October 2024.

SCOTT WILSON (WA)
Scott Wilson is a proud Gooniyandi and Gadgerong man from the remote Kimberley community of Muludja. Ever since Scott was a kid, he’s always had a vivid imagination and passion for storytelling, drawing and comic books. Adam Heart (aka Dark Heart) of the Indigiverse is Scott’s Aboriginal superhero character, inspired by his ancestors and the Dreaming.

YUOT A. ALAAK (WA)
Yuot A. Alaak is an Australian Sudanese writer whose memoir, Father of the Lost Boys, is about growing up in a warzone, and the bravery of his father. Yuot lives in Perth with his family where he works as a mining professional. When not writing or mining, Yuot loves to relax with family and friends over a barbecue.

WOLFGANG BYLSMA (WA)
Wolfgang Bylsma is the Editor-in Chief for Perth-based publishing house Gestalt Comics, and serves as chief executive for Comics On Country, a not-for-profit organisation established to support more First Nations voices in Australian comics. His publishing endeavours have helped change the nature of the comics industry in Australia and assisted in building reputations and careers for Australian talent in the international market.

MORRIS GLEITZMAN (QLD)
Morris Gleitzman grew up in England and came to Australia when he was sixteen. After university he became a screenwriter. Then he had a wonderful experience. He wrote a novel for young people. Now, after 43 books, he’s one of Australia’s most popular authors. He was appointed the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2018–2019.

KATE EMERY (WA)

Kate Emery lives in Perth and works as a senior reporter for The West Australian. Her first novel, The Not So Chosen One was shortlisted for the 2020 Text Prize, the Aurealis Awards (Best Fantasy Novel) and longlisted for the CBCA Book of the Year Awards, Older Readers.