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<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nJust Write For Kids Australia\u2019s annual Pitch It! Competition for Australian writers of picture books, non-fiction picture books, junior fiction, and middle grade was held in September this year, and WOW, what an outstanding result! The competition was honestly so tough with SO many brilliant entries! The aim was to craft a manuscript pitch, worthy of a publisher\u2019s attention, that is focused, concise and appealing, with strength in voice, marketability and writing ability. Our panel of judges were strict, meticulously deliberating over each pitch to ensure it met the brief, but most importantly, they took into account the originality, emotive qualities, and points of difference. We always offer this piece of advice:\u00a0start with a strong, clear opening hook!<\/em><\/p>\n Huge thanks once again to our wonderful judges;\u00a0Kate Gordon<\/a>,\u00a0Aleesah Darlison<\/a>,\u00a0David Lawrence<\/a>,\u00a0Cassy Polimeni<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and Katrina Germein<\/a><\/strong>. xx<\/p>\n We are also thankful for the generosity of our prize givers for offering such invaluable opportunities for our writers. Thank you:\u00a0<\/p>\n Daisy Lane Publishing<\/a><\/p>\n EK Books<\/a><\/p>\n Riveted Press<\/a><\/p>\n Wombat Books<\/a><\/p>\n CSIRO Publishing<\/a><\/p>\n Larrikin House<\/a><\/p>\n Kath Kovac Children\u2019s Non-Fiction Editor<\/a><\/p>\n Mary Anastasiou, Marketing Matters<\/a><\/p>\n Adam Wallace, Bestselling Author<\/a><\/p>\n Affirm Press \/ Simon and Schuster<\/a><\/p>\n xx<\/p>\n The team at Just Write For Kids are thrilled to announce the following WINNERS, RUNNERS UP, HIGHLY COMMENDED and JUDGES\u2019 PICKS in the 2025 Pitch It! Competition\u2026<\/p>\n Congratulations to all!<\/p>\n \u2026<\/p>\n Picture Book Category<\/strong><\/p>\n Winner<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Growing Birds\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/em>Zo\u00eb Crowest<\/strong><\/p>\n Congratulations, Zo\u00eb! The judges commented,\u00a0\u201cWhat a lovely idea, the title is intriguing and so is the concept.\u201d \u201cQuite the perfect pitch, really.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0\u201cThis is so fun, playful and poetic and perfectly captures the magic of a child\u2019s world view.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n You will receive FIRST choice for a manuscript publisher appraisal from TWO commissioning editors out of:\u00a0<\/p>\n Rochelle Stephens<\/strong>\u00a0(Wombat Books<\/a>);<\/p>\n Jennifer Sharp<\/strong>\u00a0(Daisy Lane Publishing<\/a>);<\/p>\n Rowena Beresford<\/strong>\u00a0(Riveted Press<\/a>) or<\/p>\n Nathan Thomas<\/strong>\u00a0(EK Books<\/a>)\u00a0<\/p>\n PLUS<\/strong>\u00a0a FREE Marketing Matters mentoring session with author, creative designer, editor and marketing guru,\u00a0Mary Anastasiou and Marketing Matters<\/a>.<\/p>\n PLUS<\/strong>\u00a0a\u00a0School of Larrikins<\/a>\u00a0voucher to attend an on-demand workshop of your choice.<\/p>\n Runner Up:<\/strong><\/p>\n Ducks on the Moon\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/em>Angela Toniolo<\/strong><\/p>\n Congratulations, Angela! The judges said,\u00a0\u201cAn intriguing and fun premise.\u201d \u201cStrong. Clever. Interesting.\u201d<\/em> \u201cThe combination of absurdity with facts give this story its X factor.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n You will receive SECOND choice for a manuscript publisher appraisal from one of the above commissioning editors.<\/p>\n PLUS<\/strong>\u00a0a FREE mentoring session\u00a0and complimentary guidebook with award-winning, bestselling author and seasoned school presenter,\u00a0Adam Wallace<\/a>.<\/p>\n Third Place:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>If I Could<\/em> \u2013\u00a0Penny Harris<\/strong><\/p>\n Congratulations, Penny! The judges noted,\u00a0\u201cStrong pitch, hitting the mark perfectly for eco-writing fans and readers.\u201d\u00a0\u201cA lovely, hopeful premise \u2013 there is a definite need for empowering narratives about the environment.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n You will receive THIRD choice for a manuscript publisher appraisal from one of the above commissioning editors.\u00a0<\/p>\n PLUS<\/strong>\u00a0a small book pack with compliments of\u00a0Affirm Press\/Simon and Schuster<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Just Write For Kids Australia<\/a>.<\/p>\n Highly Commended Mentions:<\/strong><\/p>\n Creature in the Night\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/em>Amy Jobson<\/strong><\/p>\n The Words Between Us<\/em>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Prasha Sooful<\/strong><\/p>\n The Campground<\/em>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Elizabeth Pulsford<\/strong><\/p>\n The School Run<\/em>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Kim Kenyon<\/strong><\/p>\n Judges\u2019 Picks:<\/strong><\/p>\n Glimmer<\/em> \u2013 Jevita Nilson<\/strong><\/p>\n Zadie Blurs the Lines<\/em> \u2013 Seetha Dodd<\/strong><\/p>\n The Lemurs\u2019 Stink Fight<\/em> \u2013 Linda Kovacevic<\/strong><\/p>\n Congratulations, picture book writers! Your pitches stood out to the judges as being intriguing, with original concepts and great marketing potential.<\/p>\n Non-Fiction<\/strong><\/strong> Picture Book Category<\/strong><\/p>\n Winner:<\/strong><\/p>\n An Evening with Central Park\u2019s Coyotes\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/em>Karen Hendriks<\/strong><\/p>\n Congratulations, Karen! Our judge\u2019s feedback;\u00a0\u201cWhat a fabulous premise to engage readers, young and old.\u201d \u201cI would love to read this book.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n You will receive FIRST choice for a manuscript publisher appraisal from a commissioning editor out of:\u00a0<\/p>\n Melinda Chandler<\/strong> from CSIRO Publishing<\/a>; or<\/p>\n Rowena Beresford<\/strong>\u00a0from Riveted Press<\/a>.<\/p>\n PLUS<\/strong>\u00a0a FREE Marketing Matters mentoring session with author, creative designer, editor and marketing guru,\u00a0Mary Anastasiou and Marketing Matters<\/a>.<\/p>\n PLUS<\/strong>\u00a0a\u00a0School of Larrikins<\/a>\u00a0voucher to attend an on-demand workshop of your choice.<\/p>\n Runner Up:<\/strong><\/p>\n Beneath the Desert\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/em>Laura Holloway<\/strong><\/p>\n Congratulations, Laura! It was noted,\u00a0\u201cYour pitch is beautifully written and very evocative.\u201d \u201cI love this idea.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n You will receive SECOND choice for a manuscript publisher appraisal from a commissioning editor out of:\u00a0<\/p>\n Melinda Chandler<\/strong> from CSIRO Publishing<\/a>; or<\/p>\n Rowena Beresford<\/strong>\u00a0from Riveted Press<\/a>.<\/p>\n PLUS<\/strong> a FREE mentoring session\u00a0and complimentary guidebook with award-winning, bestselling author and seasoned school presenter,\u00a0Adam Wallace<\/a>.<\/p>\n Third Place:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>Venom<\/em>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Kate Simpson<\/strong><\/p>\n Congratulations, Kate! It was noted,\u00a0\u201cThis is such a strong pitch because your writing is beautiful and your skills as a storyteller shine through. It\u2019s also a fabulous, engaging story idea.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n You will receive:<\/p>\n A manuscript appraisal from non-fiction editor of award-winning books,\u00a0Kath Kovac<\/a>.<\/p>\n PLUS<\/strong> a small book pack with compliments of Affirm Press\/Simon and Schuster<\/a> and\u00a0Just Write For Kids Australia<\/a>.<\/p>\n Highly Commended Mentions:<\/strong><\/p>\n Moth\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/em>Elizabeth Pulsford<\/strong><\/p>\n Sea Search<\/em>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Paul Rodriguez<\/strong><\/p>\n Are There Fairies Here?<\/em>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Louise Dark<\/strong><\/p>\n Judge\u2019s Picks:<\/strong><\/p>\n Otto<\/em> \u2013 Rachael Robertson<\/strong><\/p>\n Grey Finds a Home<\/em> \u2013 Kate Marie Lewis<\/strong><\/p>\n Congratulations, non-fiction PB writers! Your pitches stood out for their unique and interesting ideas and themes that would engage readers of all ages!<\/p>\n Junior Fiction Category<\/strong><\/p>\n Winner<\/strong>:<\/p>\n The Tale of Aldred the Sleepy<\/em>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Ella Lamb<\/strong><\/p>\n Congratulations, Ella! The judges said,\u00a0\u201cThis one really excites me!<\/em>\u201d \u201cHow clever and funny. I can tell I\u2019m going to love this book.<\/em>\u201d \u201cA highly entertaining pitch that sets up a fun character existing in a fascinating world filled with wizards and dragons.<\/em><\/em>\u201d \u201cThis pitch made me smile!<\/em>\u201c<\/p>\n You will receive FIRST choice for a manuscript publisher appraisal from one of the commissioning editors out of:\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Rowena Beresford<\/strong>\u00a0(Riveted Press<\/a>);<\/p>\n Jennifer Sharp<\/strong>\u00a0(Daisy Lane Publishing<\/a>); or<\/p>\n Rochelle Stephens<\/strong>\u00a0(Wombat Books<\/a>)<\/p>\n PLUS<\/strong>\u00a0a FREE Marketing Matters mentoring session with author, creative designer, editor and marketing guru,\u00a0Mary Anastasiou and Marketing Matters<\/a>.<\/p>\n PLUS<\/strong>\u00a0a\u00a0School of Larrikins<\/a>\u00a0voucher to attend an on-demand workshop of your choice.<\/p>\n Runner Up:<\/strong><\/p>\n Rosie\u2019s Night In\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/em>Pat Grafton<\/strong><\/p>\n Congratulations, Pat! The judges mentioned,\u00a0\u201cI love this!!<\/em>\u201d \u201cLoved the dad\/daughter angle and very interested to find out what happens<\/em><\/em>\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n You will receive SECOND option for a manuscript publisher appraisal from one of the above commissioning editors.<\/p>\n PLUS<\/strong>\u00a0FREE mentoring session\u00a0and complimentary guidebook with award-winning, bestselling author and seasoned school presenter,\u00a0Adam Wallace<\/a>.<\/p>\n Third Place:<\/strong><\/p>\n Tom Haddock and the Pirates of Port Pine\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/em>Nicole Kelly<\/strong><\/p>\n Congratulations, Nicole! The judges said,\u00a0\u201cThis has salty, seafaring, swashbuckling vibes and I am very here for it!<\/em>\u201d \u201cThe pitch made me want to know more about how this dynamic duo is going to repel the pirates and what their future holds.<\/em>\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n You will receive THIRD option for a manuscript publisher appraisal from one of the above commissioning editors.<\/p>\n
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