Attending the 21st CYA Conference in July 2026

Attending the 21st CYA Conference in July 2026

From the Publisher

On Saturday 11 July, I had the privilege of attending the 21st CYA Conference in Brisbane and speaking on the editor panel.

For those who may not know, the CYA Conference (Children's, Young Adult and Adult Writers and Illustrators Conference) has been bringing together writers, illustrators and publishing professionals for over 21 years. Held annually in Brisbane each July, it has become one of Australia's most loved conferences for children's publishing. In 2018, the conference expanded to include adult genres. This wonderful conference creates opportunities to learn, grow, make industry connections and encourage one another.

The CYA Conference has been such an amazing gift to the Australian book community.

I first attended CYA back in 2015, long before Grace Bell Publishing existed. Like so many aspiring publishing professionals, I arrived hoping to learn more about the industry and to meet people who loved children's books as much as I did. Looking back now, I feel quite nostalgic about those early conferences. Some of the aspiring authors and illustrators I met then have gone on to become successful, award-winning creators. It has been such a joy to watch their journeys unfold over the years.

Later, when I was working as a literary agent, CYA became another important part of my career. I met prospective clients through manuscript assessments, and some wonderful connections began around those assessment tables. From both an agent's and now a publisher's perspective, I genuinely believe manuscript assessments can be a valuable way to connect with publishers and agents. They allow both sides to get to know one another beyond a written submission.

That said, I also remember sitting on the other side of the table...

Many, many years ago, I booked an illustration assessment for my own artwork. The feedback was, let's just say, direct, and I remember feeling discouraged. Looking back, I can see that there was a lot I still had to learn and work on. I just wish I hadn't been so afraid to keep sharing my illustrations. Even today, I'm still really shy about sharing my artwork, although you can now spot my little drawings on the Grace Bell Publishing website, especially the bookmarks. (I love bookmarks!)

So if you're ever receiving feedback on your work, I'd encourage you to remember that publishing is wonderfully, and sometimes frustratingly, subjective. Good feedback can help us grow, but not every piece of feedback will be the right fit for your creative journey. Listen carefully, consider the feedback, learn what you can, and use discernment.

This year, I decided not to offer manuscript assessments myself. Grace Bell Publishing isn't planning to reopen submissions until later this year (hopefully). I didn't want to discover a manuscript I absolutely loved when I wasn't yet in a position to consider signing it. Instead, I enjoyed chatting with attendees, speaking on the editor panel, and just being part of the conference.

This year's conference was also especially bittersweet as it marked the final CYA Conference, in this format.

A huge thank you to Tina, whose leadership, generosity and countless hours of work have supported the Australian children's publishing community for more than two decades. Thank you also to the wonderful CYA volunteers. Conferences like CYA don't simply happen. They require an enormous amount of work behind the scenes, and I’m so grateful for the dedication and care that has gone into making CYA such a special event.

Being based in Brisbane myself, I've always been incredibly grateful that such a wonderful conference has been held right here in my own city. It has been a privilege to attend over the years in different roles. First as an aspiring creative, then as a literary agent, and now as the publisher of Grace Bell Publishing.

I'm so thankful to have been a small part of the CYA family over the years, and it was a real honour to represent Grace Bell Publishing at the final conference.

Thank you, Tina, and thank you to the entire CYA team. Your impact on Australian children's publishing will continue long after the conference itself has finished.

All my best

Justine