Congratulations to Inda Ahmad Zahri on her beautiful new picture book Salih (Ford Street Publishing) illustrated by Anne Ryan

Congratulations to Natasha Hertanto whose short fiction piece has been selected as one of the inaugural winners of the Ultimo Prize

Like to learn more about awards and prizes for children’s and YA? Read more here.

Change Starts with Us, by Sophie Beer, the third book in Sophie’s wonderful series, to be published in 2022 by Dial Books for Young Readers (North American rights), on behalf of Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing

Charlotte Dennis is illustrating a series of books written by Montessori educators for students just learning to read, to be published in the US in 2022

We Love You, Magoo by Briony Stewart, to Kane Miller (North American rights) on behalf of Jacinta Di Mase Agency

All of the Factors of Why I Love Tractors, by Davina Bell and Jenny Lovlie to Andersen Press (UK Rights), on behalf of Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing

Windows by Patrick Guest and Jonathan Bentley, to Starry Forest (North American and UK rights) on behalf of Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing

Walker Books will publish two exciting new middle grade projects from Allison Rushby in 2022. The Ghost Locket is a brilliant new middle grade gothic mystery. Miss Penny Dreadful and the Kittens’ Tea Party will be the first book in a fabulous younger middle grade series.

I recently spoke with Valerie Khoo from the Australian Writers Centre about writing for young people.