Creative Writing

Jodie McLeod is a writer and award-winning children's author/publisher at Wollemi Press. Wollemi Press is an independent children’s publishing imprint based in the Blue Mountains, Australia, and was established by Jodie in 2022 as the umbrella imprint for her three children's books, all illustrated by local artist Eloise Short: *** The Black Cockatoo With One Feather Blue (2024 CBCA Notable Picture Book, 2024 Whitley Award – Best Children’s Book, RZSNSW, Shortlisted REAL Award: Picture Book [YABBA/KOALA/CROC Awards] 2024) *** Leonard the Lyrebird (2018) (Whitley Award – Best Children’s Book 2019, RZSNSW; Shortlisted REAL Award: Picture Book [YABBA/KOALA/CROC Awards] 2019), and its follow-up: *** Lilah the Lyrebird (2022) The MO of Wollemi Press is to publish 'stories worth sharing' – stories that, because of whatever it is that makes them special – be it their sense of fun, their characters or their beautiful message – simply refuse to be untold. Jodie is an experienced speaker at schools and festivals, whether for author visits or creative writing workshops, and works regularly with writing organisation Westwords. Along with her work as a children's author Jodie also offers copywriting services, having worked with a big list of agencies and clients. She's also worked for many years in magazine publishing, editing and feature writing, with an Honours degree in Creative Writing (UOW). When she's not writing, you might find Jodie running the trails of the Blue Mountains where she lives with her husband and two daughters.

Samantha Lee Curran (she/her) is a queer poet, writer, and award-winning artist living on Dharug and Gundungurra land. She is the author of the poetry collection 'exposure to existence' (Alien Buddha Press, 2023) and her work has been published in several online and in print literary magazines. Samantha was chosen as a Vessels of Love poet for the inaugural City of Sydney poetry event in 2021 and was an Artist in Residence at Chateau d’Orquevaux in 2023, and exhibited her debut solo show ‘the rot and the raw’ at Gallery NWC, September 2024. Her upcoming poetry collection ‘blue is how I know you’ with Illographo Press will be released in April 2025 and she will be attending a residency at Studio Kura Japan in July 2025.

Jacqueline Forster is a journalist/writer/publisher contributing to national lifestyle publications in Australia and New Zealand. She is working on her first non-fiction book, The Other Woman, which examines the extraordinary side hustles, hobbies, and passion projects of ordinary women.

Born and raised in the Blue Mountains, Chandu started her career as a nurse but spent her mornings and evenings on cliff tops painting impressionist landscapes in oil. In her mid twenties Chandu set off on a 7 month trip overseas - she didn’t move home for 12 years. Chandu spent much of that time in a remote village in Tanzania. It was here she saw the great need and opportunities for women in arts and business. In 2001 she created an international business based on fair trade principles between East Africa and Australia. She supported the micro economy and the health and wellbeing of families in the remote region and also promoted the sustainability of local customs, arts and traditions among indigenous villagers and tribe’s people. Chandu's years in a mud hut without electricity, running water or transport, found her swapping her sable brushes for simple living. Her new art form became writing poetry and prose on dodgy notebooks by lantern light. For the last 20 years Chandu has been studying, teaching and mentoring organisations, groups and individuals in the business, leadership and creative industries. An avid writer and poet she has won a scholarship with the Faber Writing Academy, been awarded local prizes for her short stories and poems, has enjoyed 2 invited residencies at Varuna and been published in several anthologies. She is a sought after and inspiring public speaker and Emcee. Chandu dedicates her time between being a creative and actively supporting creatives to take their passion and practice out into the world. An inspiring and engaging facilitator and creative coach, Chandu offers bespoke group programs and one on one mentoring for artists and practitioners like you who wish to * step more fully onto your creative path * explore and clarify your talents, ideas and offerings * make your passion your profession or * explore and extend your creative and business offerings If you'd love more information and support book a complimentary Connection Conversation today. https://chandubickford.com/services/#holisticmentoring

Seed is a new generation of communications and PR consultancy. Ethical, socially sensitive and aware, we develop strategic communication and PR programs that support conscious leadership and help drive positive social and environmental impact. We are passionate about what we do which ensures our campaigns are creative and compelling, connect with audiences and create discussion. At Seed, we believe purposeful organisations deserve to get their message out there and be heard, to help this we work with realistic budgets, giving you the opportunity to gain exposure.

Belle Butler is a writer, a musician and project photographer. Her fiction has appeared in numerous literary journals and her novel manuscript, 'River', has received a number of awards. She was most recently awarded the WestWords Emerging Writers Fellowship for 'River' and was paired with mentor Delia Falconer. She is also a writer for the Blue Mountains based Planetary Health Initiative. In the music department, Belle has released two singles: 'I Am She' and 'Quick.' 'I Am She' was her response to personal and witnessed misogyny and gender-based violence and abuse. 'Quick', while less confronting, was no less personal. 'Quick' is about change, and the loss, grief, nostalgia, resistance and acceptance that comes with it. Belle often plays with photography to compliment her written and musical projects. She received a grant from The Seed to create a photo-narrative, 'Intersections,' about Sydney's street corner windscreen washers. Most recently, she created a stop motion video out of leaves to go with her single, 'Quick.'

CORPORATE COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST—working with clients in the business, government and academic sectors to improve the quality and effectiveness of their communications, both print and digital. I make sure client publications are clear, concise, correct—and appropriate for the audience and purpose. PROJECTS—I work on a range of materials for both print and online publication including annual reports, issues papers, conference proceedings, presentations, proposals, policy documents, prospectuses, strategy documents, manuals, newsletters, submissions, tenders, theses, training materials and websites. SERVICES INCLUDE— • Copyediting • Proofreading • Structural editing • Indexing • Rewriting in plain English • Technical writing and editing • Layout, design and formatting • Editing tables and graphs • Writing and rewriting • Creating style guides QUALIFICATIONS— • Bachelor of Commerce (Statistics–Operations Research), Macquarie, 1997 • Graduate Certificate in Editing & Publishing, UTS, 2006 • Master of Arts (Writing), UTS, 2007 • Accredited by Institute of Professional Editors in 2011 ABN—18 792 434 635

Gabiann Marin is an author, screenwriter, editor and story developer who has worked across a multitude of projects for stage, page and screen. She is the author of several books and interactive experiences for children including the award-winning children's book A True Person and the award-winning interactive Kids Together Now online narrative experience. She has two exciting titles coming out in 2024 including her first adult novel - THE MEDUSA SITUATION - a contemporary mythological comedy based on a retelling of the original Medusa Myth. She is also excited to announce that her book THE BATTLE FOR VICTORIA STREET, centring on the famous green bans of the 1970's, will be published by Scholastic as part of their My Australian Story Series in March 2024 - exactly 50 years after those fateful events.

Hi I am Chloé, owner of Clovar creative. I provide bespoke content marketing solutions to help individuals and small businesses. I believe in having a chat with my clients to really understand and experience their business. I can offer skills and services in: * Content creation * Crafting blogs * Website content ( brand new from scratch or reviving existing content) * Social media content * Newsletters * Photography * Copywriting * Creative branding I also sell my photography as art pieces for individuals, businesses and via commissioned projects. I am here to help bring those creative ideas come to life, no dream is too silly or too big. Let's chat.

Blackheath based Kyle Walmsley is a theatre maker who specialises in voice over work, workshop facilitation and as an event MC. Reach out and let's chat about how we can work together.

Solas Text and Design combines the skills of book designer Cathy Campbell and book editor/writer Scott Forbes. HOW WE CAN HELP: Develop book ideas • Design and layout • Manuscript assessment • Editing (both structural and copy editing) • Cover design • Photo research • Corporate publications • Promotional materials • Magazine design and sub-editing • Proofreading • Stationery design (calendars, diaries and notebooks) • Preparation of files for self-publishing (ebook and print) PAST CLIENT LIST INCLUDES: Lonely Planet • Bloomsbury • Hardie Grant • Murdoch Books • Penguin Lantern • Australian Geographic • Discovery Channel • Reader's Digest Books • HarperCollins Publishers • SBS • Time Life • Simon & Schuster • Insight Guides • Thames & Hudson • Bertelsmann • Random House • University of South Australia • National Library of Australia Publishing

Caro's been in the business of creating content since well before content creation was even a phrase. Starting out in television in 2000, she worked in various production roles before setting up Juicy back in 2004. These days her love of story-telling can be found in directing, producing, editing (yes, a preditor!) travel writing and podcasting. While she has a particular affinity for travel and adventure production, over the years she’s helped produce numerous TVCs, videos and branded content for a range of clients including NPWS, Qantas, P&O Cruises, Disney Imagineering, Commonwealth Bank and the RTA. When she’s not creating work for others, she spends her time on her own adventures and volunteering for the SES coordinating search and rescue operations in the Blue Mountains or teaching traditional navigation skills. In 2021 she wrote and published the book, 'How to Navigate - the art of traditional map and compass navigation in an Australian context,' which is the navigation text book for NSW Police Rescue and the SES. You can find her outdoor adventure blog at: lotsafreshair.com and listen to her podcast, 'Rescued' on all podcast platforms.

My name is Beth Champion, a local Blue Mountains actor with over 30 years of experience in film, TV, and voice work. I'm also a producer at Dweezl Productions and a fan and creator of audio drama and comedy. I am currently the producer and innovator of Gone Bush- Blue Mountains. Gone Bush is a comedy podcast and marketing platform. Iconic brands and business headline our comedy along with our creative team of actors, writers, director, composer and sound designer. Unlike other styles of podcast marketing which interrupt your listening experience, our brands are integral and blend seamlessly into our episodes.