Dani Vee is the host of the popular literary podcast Words and Nerds where she chats to authors about writing and books. An English educator and a bookworm from birth, don't even get her started on her favorite book, Oscar Wilde's ' The Picture of Dorian Gray!' James Layton is a publisher, bookseller, has written a picture book or two and was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. James has been a bookseller for more than 30 years, so he knows children's books well. As a young reluctant reader, James is passionate about creating fun, edgy and unique books to engage young readers. Ruth-Mary Smith is a picture book illustrator of titles, Walls, Book Week Bear (a finalist in the 2023 Emerging Illustrators Competition) and Little Mister Gets a Sister. Ruth-Mary received an award in the open illustration section in the CYA Conference, and won a mentorship award by the Australian Society of Authors.