Meet the team
Catherine Carvell - Co-Regional Advisor
Catherine Carvell is the author of Darcy Moon and the Deep-Fried Frogs, a middle-grade chapter book published by Fremantle Press. She has been a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators for over 15 years and has a deep passion for children’s literature and the joy of reading. Catherine holds SCBWI close to her heart, treasuring the lifelong friendships she has formed as well as the invaluable sense of community and connection the organisation provides. She lives with Toby the Silky Terrier and her two teenage children in the sunny suburbs of Perth.
Email: [email protected]
Jodie Davidson – Co-Regional Advisor
After many years spent working as a Project Coordinator and later marketing within the construction industry, a choice to focus solely on an art career has lead Jodie towards an environmentally sustainable practice together with a nature inspired philosophy. Her motto that 'there is nothing wrong in art' reminds us that the creative process is just that, a process. It is about taking the time to explore creativity in order to find a balance to the constant busyness we all have in our modern day lives. Through classes, workshops, music, public speaking and artwork, Jodie shares her thoughts and practices to encourage others to find their balance through the use of creative activity.
Email: [email protected]
Kelly Canby – Assistant Regional Advisor
Author/Illustrator Kelly Canby was born in London, England, at a very young age. She now lives in Perth, Western Australia, and is quite a bit older. Kelly spends her days in the studio drawing and painting and when she isn't in the studio drawing and painting she's probably in another room drawing and painting. She draws and paints a lot. Also, she is surprisingly good at parallel parking.
Web: kellycanby.com
Jasmine Berry – Illustrator Coordinator
Jasmine is a freelance illustrator, designer, and creative storyteller who loves bringing ideas to life through art. When she’s not drawing, Jasmine shares drawing prompts. She loves encouraging aspiring illustrators, educators, and fellow art lovers to have a go, embrace their creativity, and find a little bit of joy in the process. A self-confessed optimist, Jasmine believes there’s always something worth getting excited about — whether it’s a new story, a fresh sketch, a really good cup of coffee.
Email: [email protected]
Steve Heron – Regional Coordinator
Steve is an award-winning children’s author. His four decades of experience in children’s well-being translates into writing well-crafted books that touch and tickle hearts. His works include “One Thousand Snapshots”, winner Australian Association of Family Therapy Book Award 2022, shortlisted WA Premier’s Book Award 2021, “Ling Li’s Lantern” Winner of all ages picture book Northern Lights Book Awards 2021 and “Where Ya Goin’?” shortlisted Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards 2022.
Web: steveheron.com
Frané Lessac – Co-PAL Coordinator
Frané Lessac is an author and illustrator, having created beautiful illustrations for more than fifty books for children. She was born in New Jersey and lived on the Caribbean Island of Montserrat and later London before moving to Australia. Frané loves to travel and create books based on her worldwide journeys. Frané visits schools, libraries and festivals around the world sharing the process of writing and illustrating books empowering both children and adults.
Web: franelessac.com
Dianne Wolfer – Co-PAL Coordinator
Dianne lives on the south-west coast with her husband, Pete and dog, Harry. She is author of 16 books for teenagers and young readers. Her latest title Nanna's Button Tin is a gentle story about a little girl searching for a very special button. Dianne writes across genres and her award-winning historical fiction Lighthouse Girl and Light Horse Boy inspired Black Swan Theatre's recent adaptation The Lighthouse Girl as well as the 2015 Perth Festival street theatre performance of The Giants. 2017 CBCA Notable Book, The Shark Caller is a quest novel inspired by the ancient practise of calling sharks. Dianne has just completed a PhD researching Animal Characters in Children's Literature.
Web: diannewolfer.com
Renae Hayward – Critique Group Coordinator
Renae Hayward was born during a cyclone in Western Australia’s Pilbara region, but grew up by the beaches of Perth’s northern suburbs. She has authored six books for children – Splish Splash Splosh!, What Can I Get For Mother’s Day?, Barking Mad, Say Goodnight, Say Hooray and Say Hello, and was the inaugural recipient of the Ray Koppe Young Writers Residency (Australian Society of Authors/Varuna). She has also contributed as a poet to The School Magazine (NSW Department of Education) and has poems published in the anthologies Right Way Down and If I Could Eat The Stars. When she’s not writing, Renae is a passionate advocate for early literacy and a familiar face at storytime sessions across WA.
Web: www.renaehayward.com
James Foley – Treasurer
James Foley makes children's books for children who read books. If you're a child and you're eating his books, you're doing it wrong. His picture book Stellarphant is available around the world. It was voted Picture Book of the Year in the 2022 Children's Book Council of Australia's Shadowers' Choice Awards; it was named an Honour Book in the 2022 CBCA Picture Book of the Year category; it was voted into Australia's Top 50 Kids Books; and it was selected for the International Youth Library's prestigious White Ravens List. It has been shortlisted for a further eight awards. James' latest graphic novel series Secret Agent Mole follows agents Max Mole, Helena Hippo and June Bug, for whom no mission is too dangerous or ridiculous! James' earlier books have scored multiple honours, both in Australia and internationally. He lives in Perth with his wife Renae, their 2 kids, and a labrador called Frankie. He's an ambassador for Books In Homes and Room To Read. He's a massive Marvel movie nerd, and comes from a long line of queuing enthusiasts.
Web: jamesfoley.com.au
Denis Knight – Webmaster
Denis Knight was born in the late 1960s near Perth, Western Australia, and grew up in a quiet suburb not too far from the beach. He spent most of the 1970s watching Doctor Who and Monkey, and most of the 1980s listening to ZZ-Top. He now spends his days managing complex computer systems for shadowy government departments, and his nights writing science fiction adventure novels for young readers, including the Hunter Black alien conspiracy series, and the Max Neutron intergalactic espionage series. He lives in Western Australia with his wife, his two children, and his extensive collection of The X-Files DVDs. He has never been eaten by space wasps or abducted by aliens-as far as he knows.
Web: denisknight.com