Darby Jones is a freelance writer and editor with matrilineal ties to the Kamilaroi mob in Southwest Queensland. In 2023, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts (Writing) as the valedictorian of his graduating class. He is a proud alumnus of the black&write! Indigenous Writing and Editing Project, where he was rigorously trained in the art of culturally sensitive editing and manuscript development. As an advocate for diverse representation in literature, he has dedicated his career to amplifying the voices of marginalised peoples.

Kin Francis (they/them) is a community engagement specialist, writer, and a 2014 graduate of RMIT’s Associate Degree in Professional Writing and Editing. Since completing their studies and being unable to grip onto publishing work, Kin adventured through the world of arts management. They’ve enjoyed collaborating with over 30 non-profit organisations in Australia and beyond such as the Emerging Writers’ Festival, Battersea Arts Centre, and Transgender Victoria. Kin returns to the book industry with a sustained interest in editing and to advocate for LGBTIQA+, multicultural and Disabled writers. A voracious reader of epic fantasy, they love disobedient characters, worldbuilding, and queerness in all its forms.

Olivia De La Mare grew up in and moved through rural Australian towns before settling in Sydney. Raised in a family of Thai, South African, and Indigenous Australian cultures, she quickly learned that storytelling is the most important form of communication. She knows the importance of each book genre and reads widely to enrich her life with dynamic texts. She maintains her creativity through written and spoken word poetry, having featured at Enough Said Poetry Slam and the Illawarra Folk Festival. Through publishing, Olivia hopes to elevate texts through each department to create works worthy of the author's brilliance.

Rebecca Zhong is a second generation Chinese New Zealand immigrant. She is an avid reader across all genres but finds it particularly difficult to pass up any opportunity to hype up an unhinged female protagonist. Rebecca has previously worked as an editor and staff writer for her university magazine and as an Editorial Assistant at the New Zealand Listener. Currently undertaking the Master of Creative Writing, Publishing and Editing at Melbourne University, Rebecca is passionate about enhancing accessibility and platforming minority voices across the publishing industry.

Alina Joji is a third-year Law and Communications student at UTS, majoring in Writing and Publishing. A proud first-generation immigrant with roots in Kerala, India, she is passionate about contributing to a publishing landscape that reflects the diverse lived experiences she often felt were missing while growing up. Fuelled by her penchant for caffeine, she has spent most of her life falling head-first into fictional worlds and now shares her bookish thoughts on her Bookstagram. Alina is drawn to stories that blend heart with humour and is eager to carve out a space for herself in the editorial world, where she hopes to help shape narratives that speak to the depth and diversity of the human experience.

Adam Novaldy Anderson is a mixed-race Australian-Indonesian writer, editor and cultural arts worker. He grew up on Gomeroi land in Tamworth, and is currently based out of Bankstown, Darug land, in Sydney's south-west. Adam’s short stories and essays have appeared in various anthologies and publications. He is the editor of Povo (Sweatshop, 2024).

Joanne Zou is an aspiring publishing professional with a passion for diverse storytelling. She lives and works on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri people. Joanne is inspired by the connections people have to one another and to the world, and she wants to contribute to beautiful books that resonate with others. She holds a Master of Publishing and Communications from the University of Melbourne and an honours degree in English from the same institution. Currently, she is web editor for Sine Theta and a poetry editor for Voiceworks. Driven by her interests in book history and the evolving contemporary industry, Joanne particularly hopes to work in editorial, rights, or publicity. 

Kien-Ling Liem is a Chinese-Malaysian writer currently residing on Bunurong Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung soil. She is in her final semester of a Media and Communications degree at the University of Melbourne, which is where her interest spawned in publishing after working as an Editor for the university’s Farrago magazine. Having been writing for nearly her whole life, Kien-Ling is very passionate about writing as an art form and means of expression, but also as a resource for education. With various interests in editing, writing, art history and gender studies, Kien-Ling is keen to work in marketing, media, and publishing industries. 

Naome Cummins is an Aboriginal woman, born and raised in Victoria. She has completed a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and Ancient World Studies at The University of Melbourne, and is currently finishing her degree in Publishing and Communications there. She has loved books for most of her life, and always found them as an escape from reality and a way to traverse universes and times. Whilst interested in a variety of aspects of the publishing world, she wishes to work in editorial and commissions in the fantasy genre.

Sadia Dubow is in her final year of a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Children’s Literature. She is an avid reader of literary fiction and short story collections, and is especially interested in the editorial and marketing sectors of the publishing industry. She is also a writer and was most recently shortlisted for the 2024 Neilma Sidney Short Story Prize. 

Ariya Say is a Brisbane-based student in her final year of a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. During her studies, she discovered her passion for editing while working on student publications. The experience made her develop an interest in the industry, with her main focus being in the editorial and marketing fields. Ariya is excited to contribute the industry and make use of what she learned during her degree.