QUEENSLAND SPEAKERS

JOHN HARMS - Author / Sports Expert

John Harms is an irresistable storyteller of tales he knows best: his own. John's first non-fiction writing, CONFESSIONS OF A THIRTEENTH MAN was a hilarious account of his travel adventure following the Ashes Test cricket series around Australia. MEMOIRS OF A MUG PUNTER (Text Publishing) is a tale of jockeys and trainers, bookies and strappers. It tells of John's attraction to contests of skill and chance, from laughing clowns at the show to an obsession with the form guide and racetrack. And John's latest offering, LOOSE MEN EVERYWHERE captures the madness, passion and comedy of being a footy fan. John lives in Brisbane and is always up for a yarn.

JOSIE MONTANO - Author

Josie Montano insists that she is suffering from OCD (Obsessive Culture Disorder) living as a self confessed wog in Brisbane. Although she was famous for her salami, melenzane and stinky cheese sandwiches at school, they didn't particularly make her a social hit! Josie's latest novel for young adults WOGALUCCIS, is about Angela, a teenager who's life is an Italian drama with her grandparents owning a restaurant called Fiorucci's, but commonly know as Wogaluccis. Angela is trying to be independent and strong but her family "have other ideas". Other than writing, Josie has been involved in a bank robbery (as a teller!), won the major prize on 'Wheel of Fortune' and been chased by an Austrian farmer with a pitchfork.

DR KAREN BROOKS - Academic / Author

Dr Brooks currently lectures at The University of the Sunshine Coast in the areas of youth culture, film, music, literature and cultural theory. Her studies have been widely published, attracting national and international attention. Prior to becoming an academic, Karen was a professional actress and playwright, has served in the army, taught drama and presented a talkback show called "Teen Talk" which allowed young people the opportunity to discuss issues that affected them. She is also a creative writer, having published IT'S TIME, CASSANDRA KLEIN, a young adult fantasy dealing with mental illness, loss and humour.

NARELLE OLIVER - Author / Illustrator

Narelle Oliver grew up in Toowoomba in a family that spent every spare moment pursuing interests in performing or visual arts. Her childhood trips into unusual countryside to gather ideas for artworks continue to inspire Narelle's exploration of natural environments in her picture books. Her majors in design and printmaking for a Bachelor of Education degree, ensured her committment to the world of contemporary children's pictures books. Original illustrations from Narelle's books - including BABY BILBY, WHERE DO YOU SLEEP? and SAND SWIMMERS: THE SECRET LIFE OF AUSTRALIA'S DEAD HEART - have been exhibited nationally in group and solo shows. Narelle now lives in inner-city Brisbane.

BRONWYN SEARLE - Illustrator
RICK SEARLE - Author

Bronwyn and Rick Searle's marriage makes their working relationship quite different to that of most authors and illustrators. Bronwyn says, "Because we spend so much time together just going about our daily lives, the lines of communication are always open. This doesn't mean that we talk about work all the time, but as ideas occur to either of us, we can discuss them straight away and this is a big advantage." Together they produced the picture book, FOLLOW ME, about a boy finding a seedling growing on the roof that, once rescued, begins a story of fig trees, family and the seasonal, generational patterns of life. Rick's writing is particularly visual, drawing upon twenty-five years of experience in writing, producing and directing for the screen and radio. Rick and Bronwyn live in Brisbane.

JAMES ROY - Author

Since his early days of reading in Papua New Guinea and Fiji (where he spent most of his childhood) James Roy dreamt of writing his own books. Becoming a reality, James has authored a number of very well-received novels. CAPTAIN MACK, a story of an unlikely friendship between a boy who doesn't quite fit in at school and an old man who still thinks he's in a Prisoner of War camp. It won Honour Book in 2000's Children's Book Council Book of the Year Awards. FULL MOON RACING was also popular with young adults, telling of a road trip with a 1974 Holden, two girls and a hitchhiker and the tough lessons to be learnt whilst moving on. James now lives in the Blue Mountains but travels to talk throughout NSW and QLD.

JOHN DANALIS - Author / Illustrator

John Danalis, one of Australia's major new illustrators, used to be scared of the Bath Monster until he wrote and illustrated his picture book, BATH MONSTER. He is working on a range of waterproof papers and pens so that he can write and illustrate children's books in his bathtub all day long. His first book, UNCLE LOU'S TATTOOS, tells stories of Uncle Lou's sailing ship and its characters. John lives in Brisbane with his wife Stella (also an illustrator). John is currently writing his debut novel.