✱ WRITE THE BOOK ✱ BACK YOURSELF ✱ YOUR STORY MATTERS ✱ DO IT SCARED ✱ YOUR STORY MATTERS ✱ YOU BELONG HERE ✱ YOUR STORY MATTERS ✱ WRITE THE BOOK ✱ BACK YOURSELF ✱ YOUR STORY MATTERS ✱ DO IT SCARED ✱ YOUR STORY MATTERS ✱ YOU BELONG HERE ✱ YOUR STORY MATTERS ✱ WRITE THE BOOK ✱ BACK YOURSELF ✱ YOUR STORY MATTERS ✱ DO IT SCARED ✱ YOUR STORY MATTERS ✱ YOU BELONG HERE ✱ YOUR STORY MATTERS ✱ WRITE THE BOOK ✱ BACK YOURSELF ✱ YOUR STORY MATTERS ✱ DO IT SCARED ✱ YOUR STORY MATTERS ✱ YOU BELONG HERE ✱ YOUR STORY MATTERS ✱ WRITE THE BOOK ✱ BACK YOURSELF ✱ YOUR STORY MATTERS ✱ DO IT SCARED ✱ YOUR STORY MATTERS ✱ YOU BELONG HERE ✱ YOUR STORY MATTERS ✱ WRITE THE BOOK ✱ BACK YOURSELF ✱ YOUR STORY MATTERS ✱ DO IT SCARED ✱ YOUR STORY MATTERS ✱ YOU BELONG HERE ✱ YOUR STORY MATTERS ✱ WRITE THE BOOK ✱ BACK YOURSELF ✱ YOUR STORY MATTERS ✱ DO IT SCARED ✱ YOUR STORY MATTERS ✱ YOU BELONG HERE ✱ YOUR STORY MATTERS ✱ WRITE THE BOOK ✱ BACK YOURSELF
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A not-so-traditional author event
once upon con
Incredible Line-up of Guest Speakers
Learn from New York Times Best Selling and Award-Winning Authors & Illustrators
Industry Experts, Exclusive Discounts & Goodie Bags
Network, Collaborate, Learn and Grow
Gift Bags & Giveaways
Book Shop & Illustrator Portfolio Showcase
Fully Catered Event - Morning Tea, Lunch & Afternoon Tea
A TRANSFORMATIVE EVENT TAILORED JUST FOR INDEPENDENT
CHILDREN'S BOOK CREATORS ↓
this event sold out last yeAr
Date: Friday 16th October 2026
Time: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Location: Taylors Lakes Hotel
Join us for a transformative day of inspiration, education and connection - designed especially for creators of children's picture books.
With an incredible lineup of industry experts, best-selling authors and illustrators, you'll walk away with fresh ideas, practical strategies and a renewed sense of confidence in your publishing journey.
Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up, this event is packed with insights to help you succeed!
THE MOST TRANSFORMATIVE AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR EVENT YOU'LL ATTEND ALL YEAR
once upon con
guest speakers
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special keynote speaker
special guest
scott stuart
special guest
scott stuart
We’re so excited to welcome Scott Stuart back to Once Upon Con 2026!
Scott is a best-selling children’s book author, illustrator, speaker and proud dad whose work is all about empowering kids to embrace who they are.
His books have been shortlisted for CBCA and ABIA awards, translated across the globe and his heartfelt messages on parenting, identity and inclusion have reached millions.
From his viral videos on joyful parenting to brilliant picture books like My Shadow is Purple, Scott is a passionate advocate for creating safe, affirming spaces where kids can truly shine as their authentic selves.
He’s warm, witty, and full of heart, and what a privilege it will be to learn from him, laugh with him, and leave feeling inspired at Once Upon Con.
AWARD WINNING
ADAM WALLACE
Adam Wallace is an Australian author best known for the wildly popular How to Catch series, with over 11 million books sold worldwide and multiple New York Times bestsellers to his name.
But beyond the impressive stats, Adam is known for something even better… his ability to create stories that are genuinely fun, full of heart and get kids actually excited about reading (which, let’s be honest, is the whole point).
As both a traditionally and self-published author, Adam brings a unique perspective on building a sustainable author career - from school visits and book sales to making the most of every opportunity (even the ones that don’t pay off straight away).
He’s also incredibly kind, big on joy and has been known to turn his backyard into an 18-hole mini golf course… which tells you everything you need to know.
We are so excited to welcome Adam to Once Upon Con and can’t wait to learn from him 💛
BEST SELLER
ADRIAN BECK
Adrian Beck is a bestselling, award-winning author and illustrator known for his funny, fast-paced, action-packed books for kids.
He’s the creator behind popular series including Derek Dool, Champion Charlies, Alien Zoo and the Speech Pathology Australia award-winning Fox Kid series - designed to support and engage readers who find reading a little more challenging.
Before becoming a full-time author, Adrian worked as a TV producer, and it shows.
He brings energy, humour and level of engagement that has kids completely hooked from the moment he walks in the room.
(If you’ve seen his Instagram, you’ll know exactly what we mean - his reels are next-level clever and genuinely binge-worthy)
Adrian has presented at hundreds of schools and major festivals including the Sydney Writers Festival, Melbourne’s Kids BookFest and Somerset Storyfest, and is deeply passionate about inspiring the next generation of readers.
We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Adrian to Once Upon Con and cannot wait to learn from him.
MARKETING EXPERT
MARY ANASTASIOU
Mary Anastasiou is a creative powerhouse with deep roots in both traditional and self-publishing. As an award-winning author, book designer, editor and publishing coach, Mary has helped bring countless children's books to life, including her own beloved I Want to Be… series, which continues to inspire and empower young readers across Australia.
With experience as the former Creative Director for Larrikin House and Managing Editor for Five Mile, Mary has worked behind the scenes in some of the country's leading publishing houses.
These days, she’s passionate about mentoring aspiring authors and helping them build strong, authentic personal brands that connect with readers and stand out in the market.
Mary will be joining us at Once Upon Con to share her wisdom on editing and listing the quality of your writing, whether you’re self-publishing, chasing a traditional deal or just getting started.
AWARD WINNING
AMY GOMES
Amy Gomes is a Critical Care Paramedic, children’s book author and heart-led advocate for community health.
After publishing her first book, What Paramedics Do, Amy began using her platform to raise awareness and funds for life-saving equipment, including Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) across Australia - inspired by her family’s real-life work in paramedicine.
Passionate about saving lives both in and out of uniform, Amy has already raised thousands of dollars through her work, showing what’s possible when storytelling is driven by purpose. Her creative marketing efforts, including collaborations with Greg Page from The Wiggles and Ms Moni, are a powerful example of how meaningful impact and clever strategy can go hand in hand.
Amy has since collaborated with fellow Little Ivory Haus author and PICU nurse Sarah Duncanson from PAEDS to publish What Little Heroes Do, a children’s book that challenges the long-held belief that kids are “too young” to learn first aid.
Together, they are empowering children with age-appropriate, evidence-based knowledge, reframing first aid as calm, confidence-building learning rather than something overwhelming or frightening.
At Once Upon Con, Amy will be sharing her insights on the Publishing with Purpose panel, offering a powerful perspective on how books can create real-world impact.
PICU NURSE / AUTHOR
SARAH DUNCANSON
Sarah Duncanson is a paediatric intensive care nurse, educator, and co-author of What Little Heroes Do — a children’s book reimagining how we teach first aid to kids.
With over 18 years’ experience caring for some of the sickest and most critically injured children in Australia, Sarah brings a depth of knowledge and real-world experience that is both powerful and deeply purposeful.
From retrieving children across the country to now educating families and communities, her work has always been centred around safety, care and empowering others with life-saving knowledge.
As a mum of four (and aunty to 33 nieces and nephews 😅), Sarah’s passion for supporting children and families extends far beyond the hospital. Now living on a farm, she is especially committed to helping regional and rural communities navigate the unique challenges they face.
Through What Little Heroes Do, Sarah is challenging the long-held belief that children are “too young” to learn first aid - showing that with the right approach, even little heroes can save lives.
At Once Upon Con, we’ll be hearing from Sarah about what it means to publish with purpose and how to create books that truly make an impact.
We’re so excited to have her join us 💛
ILLUSTRATOR
JANET TURNER
Janet Turner is a Brisbane-based children’s book illustrator who brings stories to life with bright, colourful, and delightfully sweet digital artwork.
With a background in visual communication, Janet offers full-service book creation, from illustrations through to cover and layout design, and works closely with self-publishing authors to help bring their stories into the world.
She illustrated her first book, Up and Down on a Rainy Day, as part of the State Library of Queensland’s First 5 Forever program, and has been creating ever since.
Janet is passionate about telling meaningful stories and sparking a sense of wonder in the world around us which is something you can feel in every piece she creates.
At Once Upon Con, Janet will be joining our Visual Storytelling panel, sharing her insights on how illustration can elevate a story and bring it to life in ways words alone can’t.
When she’s not drawing, you’ll find her out in nature, camera in hand, daydreaming about her next road trip around Australia.
We’re so excited to have Janet join us 💛
AUTHOR / TEACHER
STEPHANIE MCNEIL
Stephanie McNeil is an author, Teacher and co-founder of For Ellie - a project that was born from a deep desire to support children through some of life’s hardest moments.
After checking in on her close friend Aimee during her daughter Ellie’s cancer treatment, Steph learned how quickly things were changing, including the loss of Ellie’s hair and how difficult it was to explain this to a young child.
When she couldn’t find a gentle, uplifting book to help navigate that experience, she did what many of our authors do… she wrote one!
Where Is Ellie’s Hair? began as a way to support one little girl, but quickly grew into something much bigger and now her book has become a resource to help other families facing similar challenges, while also raising awareness and funds for those in need.
With a background in early childhood education, Steph brings both heart and understanding to her storytelling, creating work that supports, comforts and makes children feel seen.
At Once Upon Con, Steph will be joining our Publishing with Purpose panel, sharing her experience of creating a book that goes far beyond the page.
We’re so honoured to have her be part of this conversation 💛
EDITOR / AUTHOR / ILLUSTRATOR
KAT RICHARDSON
EDITOR / ILLUSTRATOR
KAT RICHARDSON
Kat Richardson is a Tasmanian-based freelance editor, author and illustrator and the owner of Pesky Plover Studio.
She has been working with Little Ivory Haus authors over the past year, supporting them to refine their manuscripts and strengthen the quality of their stories and we’re so excited to have her join us on stage at Once Upon Con.
Kat will be sharing her expertise across self-editing and visual storytelling, helping you better understand how to elevate your writing and bring more depth to your stories.
She holds a Bachelor of Communications (Children’s Literature) from Charles Sturt University and a Graduate Certificate in Writing and Literature (Editing) from Deakin University, and brings both a strong technical skillset and a genuine love of storytelling to her work.
We’re thrilled to have Kat as part of the Once Upon Con lineup 💛
BEST SELLING AUTHOR
TANIA WIECLAW
Tania Wieclaw is a bestselling children’s book author, marketing strategist and passionate neurodiversity advocate.
As an autistic and ADHD mother of two neurodivergent children, Tania draws deeply from lived experience to create books that support and celebrate kids who see and feel the world differently.
Her debut book, When My Brain Is Messy, has sold well over 20,000 copies worldwide and has helped families navigate sensory overwhelm with calm, understanding and compassion. Through her work, Tania is on a mission to make every neurodivergent child feel seen, supported and celebrated.
With a background in marketing, Tania also brings a practical and refreshing perspective on how to connect with your audience in a way that feels genuine and aligned.
At Once Upon Con, Tania will be sharing her insights on using storytelling in your marketing, helping you create content that actually connects and builds a meaningful relationship with your audience.
EVENT MC
SINEAD STEVENSON
Sinead Stevenson is a mother, teacher and children’s author from Geelong.
Her journey into publishing began during a challenging time in her life, when creativity became more than just something she loved... it became something she needed.
After years of keeping her work to herself, Sinead made the brave decision to lean in, back herself and share her story.
What followed was a labour of love. A year refining her manuscript, another collaborating with her illustrator and the creation of a book that truly lives up to its name - Making Brighter Days.
Making Brighter Days went on to win both the Writing Excellence Award and Book of the Year at the 2025 SLVR Children’s Book Awards which is a reflection of the love and care poured into every page.
As both an educator and author, Sinead brings warmth, insight into what children love and a genuine connection to the creative journey - making her the perfect person to guide us through the day.
We’re so excited to have Sinead as our MC for Once Upon Con 💛
EVENT HOST
LAURA FELDMAN
Laura Feldman is a bestselling children’s book author, publishing mentor and the founder of Little Ivory Haus - a creative community dedicated to helping aspiring authors bring their stories to life.
What started as one book during lockdown has grown into something much bigger. Laura now supports a global network of creators, guiding them through the self-publishing journey with honesty, encouragement and a genuine belief that their stories matter.
She is deeply passionate about giving self-published authors a platform so their voices can be heard, so more children can see themselves reflected in the books they read and so we can continue to nurture a lifelong love of reading.
Through her programs, events and community, Laura has created safe, supportive spaces where authors feel empowered to take that first step (even if it feels a little scary), build confidence in their work and turn their ideas into real books.
Once Upon Con is a reflection of that vision. It's a space where creators come together, back themselves and realise that their story isn’t just an idea… it’s something that deserves to exist in the world.
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THE MOST TRANSFORMATIVE AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR EVENT YOU'LL ATTEND ALL YEAR
once upon con
"worth every cent! can we do it again?"
choose your adventure
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friday october 16
all-day creative event
once upon con
Incredible line-up of guest speakers
Learn from New York Times Best Selling and Award-Winning Authors & Illustrators
Industry Experts, Exclusive Discounts & Goodie Bags
Network, Collaborate, Learn and Grow
Fully Catered Event - Morning Tea, Lunch & Afternoon Tea
... and more!
Tickets go on sale on Sunday 17th May 2026
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saturday october 17
optional add-ons
workshops
Marketing | Growing Your Personal Brand Workshop
Judge This Book by Its Cover: How to Design a Standout Cover Workshop
Reel Talk - Creating Clever & Engaging Reels Wokshop
Self Editing Workshop - Polish Your Story
1:1 Manuscript Assessments
... and more!
Tickets go on sale in June
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saturday october 17
awards gala
slvr book awards
Celebrating, acknowledging and encouraging excellence in self publishing
A night to recognise your creativity, dedication and the bold decision to back yourself!
Delicious three-course dinner
Beer, wine & soft drink flowing all night
Live entertainment by Dave Van Elst
... and more!
Tickets go on Sunday 31st May
Celebrating excellence in independently published children's books
Celebrating excellence in independently published children's books
2026 SLVR Children's Book Awards gala
children's book awards
The aim of the 2026 SLVR Children's Book Awards is to recognise & celebrate the outstanding work of self-published creatives.
In an industry that often overlooks self published books, we're here to shake things up - because if the industry won’t acknowledge the brilliance of self-published books, we’ll do it ourselves.
Tickets go on sale on Sunday 31st May 2026
author | illustrator event 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
Where Should I Stay?
There is a hotel right next to the venue - Quality Hotel Taylors Lakes
Mention "Once Upon Con" when booking over the phone for a discount (while available)
P: 03 9217 9500 www.taylorslakeshotel.com.au
What Should I Bring?
For Once Upon Con, bring a notepad, pen and your wonderful self!
If you would like to participate in the "mystery book swap", bring along a copy of your book wrapped in plain kraft, white or newspaper.
If you are participating in the "Book Shop", bring your books and promotional material (as per email instructions).
If you are participating in the "Illustrator Matchmaking", bring your portfolio and promotional material (as per email instructions).
For the optional workshops, each session has different requirements. Please bring along the items listed in your email.
For the SLVR Children's Book Awards Gala, please just bring your wonderful self and your dancing shoes!
Can I Bring My Kids?
As much as we adore children and dedicate our work to creating books that inspire and educate them - all events; Once Upon Con, the Workshops and the SLVR Children's Book Awards Gala, are strictly 18+ events.
This ensures all attendees can fully engage with the professional development, networking and celebration without distraction.
We hope you enjoy a well-deserved day (and night!) just for you.
Can I Get a Discount For the Gala if I Don't Drink?
We love that you asked, and the answer is a gentle but firm no! Your ticket includes a three-course dinner, beer, wine and cider all night and world-class entertainment - and we think that's pretty spectacular value at $249 (with two award entries) or $229 (for those not entering, partners and support crew).
If you don't drink, we promise the food, the people and the vibe will more than make up for it.
Are Tickets Refunadable?
Tickets are not refundable, but if you can no longer attend, you're welcome to pass your ticket onto someone else.
Please contact us ASAP to update the booking details.
What Should I Wear?
For Once Upon Con and the Workshops, think smart casual, or whatever it is that makes you feel confident and comfortable.
For the SLVR Children's Book Awards Gala, think cocktail or semi-formal - whatever makes you feel fabulous!
We don't believe in telling people what to wear - so please wear what makes you comfortable!
Who Are The Speakers at Once Upon Con?
We are absolutely thrilled to welcome the legendary Scott Stuart as our special keynote speaker to kick off the morning.
Following Scott’s keynote, we’ll be joined by an incredible lineup of authors, illustrators and industry professionals who will share their knowledge and experience throughout the day, including the absolutely brilliant, hilarious and best-selling authors; Adrian Becks and Adam Wallace.
The full speaker lineup and schedule will be released shortly.
I am Interested in Sponsorship/Becoming a Partner
We would love to hear from you to see if we are a good fit.
Please register your interest HERE and we'll get back to you ASAP.
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