KidLitVic 2025 in Detail.
Saturday 31st May 2025
In person at the Melbourne Town Hall
The one day conference combines expert Publisher Panel discussions, one-to-one Assessments with Publishers,an Illustrator Portfolio Showcase, Pitch Pluses, Workshops, Illustration Masterclass and Up Close and Personal Sessions with Publishers.
Meet publishing professionals from Affirm/Simon & Schuster, Alex Adsett, Allen & Unwin, Annabel Barker, Donna Rawlins, Hachette, Hardie Grant, Jacinta di Mase, Larrikin, Little Book Press, MidnightSun Publishing, Pan Macmillan, Penguin Random House, Riveted Press, Scholastic Australia, Scribble, Text Publishing, University of Queensland Press, Wild Dog Books, Windy Hollow Books and Wombat.
General Admission is $360 (Concession $320) This gives you access to all Publisher Panels, full catering all day and unlimited drinks at the cocktail party.
General Admission PLUS Illustration Showcase is $410 (Concession $370) This gives you access to all Publisher Panels, full catering all day, unlimited drinks at the cocktail party and the opportunity to display your Illustrator Portfolio in our Illustrator Showcase to be seen and reviewed by all attending publishers. This year there is a bonus online portfolio sample to be sent to all the publishers plus our lovely publishers who couldn’t attend but want to see your work
The Publisher Panels.
There will be six panels 6 Panels – including a bonus on-line panel session prior to the conference plus welcome and closing sessions.
Panel topics
Preparing to Meet the Publishers (online prior to conference)
Secret Agents’ Business
All Things Illustration
Growing Your Career - in it for the long haul
What to Expect When You Are Expecting (a Book Baby) Part A
Including: Acquisitions Contracts Copyright Editing Illustration
What to Expect When You Are Expecting (a Book Baby) Part B
Including: Book Release Marketing vs Publicity Sales Launches
.The Pitch Plus Sessions
KLV 2025 delegates will have the unique opportunity to meet not one but TWO publishing professionals in person, to discuss and showcase their work! Each session will give you the chance to have an individual 12 minute meeting with two publishing professionals at the same time. You will be able to introduce yourself, chat with the publishers about what you’re working on and why, and share a sample of your work.You may read a picture book OR a short synopsis and first page of a longer work OR share your Dummy book if you are an author/illustrator OR share your portfolio. If you are writing a series, you will be able to pitch this to the publishers. The publishing professionals will then give you feedback, advice and guidance. Cost $80.
The Up Close and Personal Sessions
At KidLitVic 2025, you will have the opportunity to sit in on a small group (only 6 other delegates) to meet, ask questions and chat ‘up close and personal’ with an attending publisher for an hour. Cost $60.
Manuscript & Illustration Assessments
A manuscript or illustration assessment is a twelve minute one-to-one meeting with an attending publisher of your choice (depending on availability), to discuss your manuscript or illustrations. Each publisher has their own style of providing feedback. This may be oral or written or both. We advise that you take notes during your assessment meeting. Paid assessments are ONLY available to conference attendees. Cost $80.
Before you submit your work you will be forwarded the Manuscript & Illustration Assessment Submission Guidelines. This will explain how to submit your manuscript.
Masterclasses
The Art of Illustration
Mastering Manuscript Submissions
The Craft of Storytelling - Self Editing
Other
Please note: A small number of publishers who can’t attend will partake in on-line EXTRAS during the weeks preceding the conference. A full conference ticket is necessary for all EXTRAS ticket.
Book Shop
Finally, are you an illustrator or writer who secured a contract through KidLitVic?
Be part of the Pop-Up bookshop. Please email Title, Author/Illustrator names, Publisher, ISBN with “Pop-up bookshop” in the subject to kidlitvic@gmail.com. The wonderful Jaye from Mary Martins Bookshop will order your title from your publisher. Conference attendance isn’t mandatory, but we hope you are there so we can applaud you!
Please note Panel Topics are subject to change.
