The YA Collective

Who better to program and run our YA Collective than young adults themselves?

Our five Youth Curators – Bella, Brooke, Lila, Rafael and Sophie – are programming four free panel sessions with YA authors and illustrators, focusing on topics young people really want to discuss.

Join us in the Perth Town Hall on Sunday 27 October 2024 to hear from creatives including:

Morris Gleitzman (QLD)
Graham Akhurst (NSW)
Yuot A. Alaak (WA)
Scott Wilson (WA)
Wolfgang Bylsma (WA)
Sarah Winifred Searle (WA)   

Check out the sessions below and for more detail and bookings, click here.

MYTHOLOGY & MODERNITY: TWO WORLDS UNITE

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
Town Hall

10:00 - 10:40

Ages 12+

Graham Akhurst and Scott Wilson interviewed by Sophie

They say there’s nothing new under the sun, but what about making something new from the old? Graham Akhurst and Scott Wilson are experts at this, having both adapted traditional First Nations stories in their contemporary narratives. Graham and Scott will join Youth Curator Sophie to talk about the importance of keeping ancient cultures alive and writing genre fiction that thrills and entertains.

Picturing the Words

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
Town Hall

11:00 - 11:40

Ages 12+

Sarah Winifred Searle and Scott Wilson interviewed by Lila

A picture tells a thousand words, so how better to tell a story than using both? Graphic novelist Sarah Winifred Searle and comic-book writer Scott Wilson have a way with words and pictures and are telling their stories one panel at a time. Youth Curator Lila will ask them about the similarities and differences of super-hero comics and fantasy graphic novels, and how storytelling can be bright, beautiful, and FUN.

Changing the World One Rebel at a Time

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
Town Hall

12:20 - 1:00

Ages 12+

Yuot A. Alaak, Graham Akhurst and Kate Emery interviewed by Bella

Rebellious characters are often the central protagonists of YA novels and writing them can be an act of rebellion too. Yuot A. Alaak, Graham Akhurst and Kate Emery will unpack their recent novels with Youth Curator Bella, talking about tackling serious topics for a young audience, how tough times can be a source of inspiration, and the power of words to change the world.

Living the (Creative) Dream

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
Town Hall

1:20 - 2:00

Ages 13+

Morris Gleitzman, Sarah Winifred Searle and Wolfgang Bylsma interviewed by Sophie

Prolific children’s and YA author Morris Gleitzman, graphic novelist Sarah Winifred Searle, and comics editor and publisher Wolfgang Bylsma chat with Youth Curator Bella about the high and lows of their careers, how creativity and a rebellious spirit have shaped their work and lives, and their advice for budding creatives dreaming of seeing their own stories and comics published.