Russ the Story Bus

Seetha Dodd is a children’s author who loves wordplay, humorous rhyme and lyrical prose. Drawing on her Malaysian–Indian heritage, Seetha writes stories that celebrate inclusivity, belonging and change. She lives on Sydney’s Northern Beaches with her husband and three children. Her debut junior fiction novel, Myra in the Middle, is about finding your place in your family and on the soccer field.

Mick Elliott is an author, illustrator, TV producer, screenwriter and professional mischief maker. His books include The Turners, Squidge Dibley Destroys the School, Dads & Dogs, Mums & Mogs, Grandmas in Grand Cars and Mr Duckins’ Chickens. Mick has written and produced acclaimed children’s TV shows for the ABC, Paramount, the Sesame Workshop and Channel TEN. His graphic novel series, Uranus FC, celebrates his love of soccer, space and hilarious stories. Book two, Black Hole Howler is out in September.

Jake Gablonski is an author, storyteller, speaker and media personality who loves sharing stories that help people feel seen, connected and proud of who they are. Growing up in Katherine in the Northern Territory, Jake discovered early how powerful stories can be. He is a proud Wiradjuri man and the author of Brave Like Bunji, a children’s book inspired by his childhood. Jake loves encouraging young people to be brave, curious, creative and confident in finding and sharing their own stories.

Pip Harry is an Australian author who lives on Sydney's Northern Beaches. Her award winning YA, middle grade and picture books include The Little Wave, August & Jones and Over or Under? Pip loves to ocean swim, eat gelato and travel. She is passionate about children's literacy and the life changing power of reading and stories.

Nathan Luff grew up on a farm in rural NSW as one of five boys. His colourful upbringing is often the inspiration for the stories he tells. Nathan is the author of The Nerd Herd, Family Holidays Disasters and Choose Your Ending series and the novels Jungle Escape, Bad Grammar, Fuzzball and Chicken Stu. In addition to writing children’s books, Nathan writes plays for young audiences and was previously a primary school teacher specialising in creative writing and the performing arts.

Yxavel Magno Diño is the author of The Serpent Rider and The Firefly Crown. She was born in the Philippines before moving to Australia at a young age, where she soon discovered that almost nobody there knew how to say her name. Yxavel has fond memories of attending Sydney Writers' Festival School Days when she was a kid. When she's not writing, you can find her drinking copious amounts of black tea or getting lost in the pages of a book.

Katrina Nannestad is a multi-award-winning children’s author whose writing encompasses historical fiction, mystery, adventure, fantasy and humour. Katrina has written over thirty books, including the CBCA Honour Book Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief, the CBCA shortlisted We Are Wolves, the beloved Travelling Bookshop series and the rollicking Frances Bloom series. Katrina celebrates family, friendship and belonging in her writing and loves creating stories that bring joy or hope to other people's lives.

Aura Parker is a best-selling Australian children’s book author and illustrator. Her work is expressive, detailed, and inspired by nature. Aura is the creator of the Bowerbird Blues series including Bowerbird Brood, Bowerbird Bloom and Bowerbird Brave. Aura is passionate about children’s literacy, the environment and encouraging children to be creative and brave. She works from her studio in Sydney and illustrates her picture books in watercolour, pen and coloured pencil using traditional and digital mediums.

Justin Somper is the award-winning author of twelve books for middle-grade and young teen readers. His sequence of six Vampirates books has been published in 35 countries and 25 languages. Pirate Academy is set in the same universe as Vampirates. Author Eoin Colfer’s verdict on Pirate Academy is “Pirates done right! I love this world”. Both Vampirates and Pirate Academy are currently being developed for TV. A Brit by birth, Justin relocated from London, UK to Australia in 2022.

Lucie Stevens is a children’s author and freelance editor from Dharug Country, who once lived in Berlin beside the cemetery where the Brothers Grimm are buried. Her debut children’s novel, R.I.P. Nanny Tobbins, was longlisted for the ARA 2025 Historical Novel Prize. Its sequel, Nanny Tobbins and the Midnight Plan, was published in May 2026. Lucie is the recipient of a 2025/26 Vaucluse House Creative and Cultural Residency, which provides her with a beautiful place to write on Birrabirragal land.

With over 60 publications to her name as well as a career in animation, game and toy design, Lesley Vamos is passionate about helping tell stories that put good into the world. She spends her time doodling, traveling, running her design and illustration business, and hanging out with her boys and small doggo Penny.