Just Write For Kids Australia’s annual Pitch It! Competition for Australian writers of picture books, junior fiction and middle grade was held in September, and WOW, what a cracker of a result this year! Every entry deserves to be a winner! The aim was to craft a manuscript pitch, worthy of a publisher’s attention, that is focused, concise and appealing, with strength in voice, marketability and writing ability. Our judging panel meticulously, and strictly, considered each pitch against our guidelines, but most importantly, took into account their originality, emotive qualities and points of difference. The one consistent, biggest piece of advice: start with a strong, clear opening hook!
Huge thanks once again to our wonderful judges; Debra Tidball, Kate Gordon, Aleesah Darlison, David Lawrence and Cassy Polimeni xx
We are also thankful for the generosity of our prize givers for offering such invaluable opportunities for our writers. Thank you:
Kath Kovac Children’s Non-Fiction Editor
Mary Anastasiou, Marketing Matters
Adam Wallace, Bestselling Author
xx
The team at Just Write For Kids are thrilled to announce the following WINNERS, RUNNERS UP, and HIGHLY COMMENDED entries in the 2024 Pitch It! Competition…
Congratulations to all!
…
Picture Book Category
Winner:
The Odd Ones – Michelle Wilson
Congratulations, Michelle! The judges commented, “Absolutely hilarious pitch…” “All the ingredients for a great picture book read…” “Fresh, clever and utterly original – I loved this one!”
You will receive FIRST choice for a manuscript publisher appraisal from TWO commissioning editors out of:
Dani Vee (Larrikin House);
Jennifer Sharp (Daisy Lane Publishing);
Rowena Beresford (Riveted Press) or
Anouska Jones (EK Books)
PLUS FREE Marketing Matters mentoring session with author, creative designer, editor and marketing guru, Mary Anastasiou and Marketing Matters.
PLUS a School of Larrikins voucher to attend a workshop of your choice.
Runner Up:
Bring Your Pet to School – Rebecca Grant
Congratulations, Rebecca! The judges said, “Succinct, well-written pitch that sells the concept of a book that is sure to be fun.” “Easy to visualise and lots of fun, well done.”
You will receive SECOND choice for a manuscript publisher appraisal from one of the above commissioning editors.
PLUS FREE mentoring session and complimentary guidebook with award-winning, bestselling author and seasoned school presenter, Adam Wallace.
Third Place:
Koeksisters – Artelle Lenthall
Congratulations, Artelle! The judges noted, “This one has marketability stamped all over it!” “A lovely, layered and intriguing story with heart, this has the feel of an ‘instant classic’…”
You will receive THIRD choice for a manuscript publisher appraisal from one of the above commissioning editors.
PLUS small book pack with compliments of Aleesah Darlison, Walker Books and Just Write For Kids Australia.
Highly Commended Mentions:
How to Recharge a Rainbow – Astrid Keir-Stanley
The Worry That Ate the Universe – Jess Horn
Dancing on the Grass – Melanie Hunter
Roll Over, Rover – Seetha Dodd
Congratulations, everyone! Your pitches stood out to the judges as being intriguing, with original concepts and great marketing potential.
Picture Book Non-Fiction Category
Winner:
Sarah and Sam’s Super Skating Summer – Vikki Marmaras
Congratulations, Vikki! It was noted, “…an excellent pitch…” “The curriculum link and use of comparative titles was excellent.”
You will receive a manuscript appraisal from non-fiction editor of award-winning books, Kath Kovac.
PLUS FREE Marketing Matters mentoring session with author, creative designer, editor and marketing guru, Mary Anastasiou and Marketing Matters.
Runner Up:
Termitropolis; A City of Tiny Ecologists – Lee Sutton
Congratulations, Lee! It was noted, “The title is a great hook in itself…” “…fun word play.”
You will receive:
A FREE mentoring session and complimentary guidebook with award-winning, bestselling author and seasoned school presenter, Adam Wallace.
Third Place:
The A to Z of Aussie Schools – Megan Gim
Congratulations, Megan! It was noted, “… demonstrates a good way with words, and rhythm and rhyme…” “… this one has a point of difference.”
You will receive:
A small book pack with compliments of Walker Books and Just Write For Kids Australia.
Highly Commended Mentions:
All a Tree Can Be – Elizabeth Pulsford
Many Ways to Say – Jess Horn
Compare the Pair – Megan Gim
Congratulations! Your pitches stood out for their unique ideas and interesting themes that publishers would surely love!
Junior Fiction Category
Winner:
Archie the Rakali – Anne Farrell
Congratulations, Anne! The judges said, “What an absolutely delightful concept.” “Very impressive and imaginative pitch.”
You will receive FIRST choice for a manuscript publisher appraisal from one of the commissioning editors out of:
Rowena Beresford (Riveted Press)
Jennifer Sharp (Daisy Lane Publishing)
PLUS FREE Marketing Matters mentoring session with author, creative designer, editor and marketing guru, Mary Anastasiou and Marketing Matters.
PLUS a School of Larrikins voucher to attend a workshop of your choice.
Runner Up:
Half a Giraffe – Jude Mullen
Congratulations, Jude! The judges mentioned, “I loved the quirkiness and originality of this pitch…” “The intriguing three-word title had me hooked from the start.”
You will receive SECOND option for a manuscript publisher appraisal from one of the above commissioning editors.
PLUS FREE mentoring session and complimentary guidebook with award-winning, bestselling author and seasoned school presenter, Adam Wallace.
Third Place:
Frankie and Tiny: Quest for the Invisiberry – Jevita Nilson
Congratulations, Jevita! The judges said, “The conservation themes will work well.” “I was hooked from the first line of the pitch.”
You will receive:
A small book pack with compliments of Aleesah Darlison, Walker Books and Just Write For Kids Australia.
Highly Commended Mentions:
Myra in the Middle – Seetha Dodd
They Who Paint Rainbows – Emma Cary
Food or Friend; An Alien’s Guide to Being Human #1 – Sharon Dalgleish
Congratulations to these writers! Your submissions included important and relatable themes with plenty of commercial potential.
Middle Grade Category
Winner:
Prime Minister Problem – Brenton Cullen
Congratulations, Brenton! The judges said, “What an absolute cracking delight of a pitch.” “A beautifully written pitch that ticked all the boxes.” “A powerful and heartfelt story…“
You will receive FIRST choice for a manuscript publisher appraisal from one of the commissioning editors out of:
Rowena Beresford (Riveted Press)
Jennifer Sharp (Daisy Lane Publishing)
PLUS FREE Marketing Matters mentoring session with author, creative designer, editor and marketing guru, Mary Anastasiou and Marketing Matters.
PLUS a School of Larrikins voucher to attend a workshop of your choice.
Runner Up:
Tuli’s Inferno – Holly Karten
Congratulations, Holly! The judges mentioned, “Oh, I love this pitch!! I love a graphic novel, I love Own Voices representations of Disability” “This was an extremely well crafted pitch containing some lovely word play that was not overdone.”
You will receive SECOND option for a manuscript publisher appraisal from one of the above commissioning editors.
PLUS FREE mentoring session and complimentary guidebook with award-winning, bestselling author and seasoned school presenter, Adam Wallace.
Third Place:
Monsters Don’t Say Sorry – Michael Paulsen
Congratulations, Michael! The judges said, “I love the inventiveness and creativity of this – mixing interdimensional portals with cricket and rural Australia just might be genius.” “Would love to read this book once it’s published!”
You will receive:
A small book pack with compliments of Walker Books and Just Write For Kids Australia.
Highly Commended Mentions:
Cooper and Noah A – Verity Croker
Looking For Grandpa – Elizabeth Macintosh
Congratulations! The judges agreed that your pitches contained appealing concepts that publishers would appreciate. Very impressive!
Thank you to all the entrants and everyone involved in making our seventh Pitch It! Competition a success. Winning, runners up and highly commended mention entrants will be contacted shortly.
X Romi and the Just Write For Kids Team
Find the LONGLIST awards and SHORTLIST awards at the links.
#pitchitcompetition #pitchit2024 #competitionwinners #competitionforwriters
