Shortlisted for CYA 2025: ‘Grey Finds A Home’ Recognised in National Picture Book Competition
I’m so excited to share that my picture book manuscript, Grey Finds A Home, has been shortlisted in the 2025 CYA Writers & Illustrators Conference Competition!
My entry placed in the top three for the category:
📘 A03 – Picture Book – Primary – Non-Fiction
👩⚖️ Final Judge: Nicola Santilli, Children’s & YA Publisher at Allen & Unwin
To be recognised in this way is a huge honour and a meaningful moment in my writing journey.
About the Manuscript: Grey Finds A Home
Grey Finds A Home is a narrative non-fiction picture book that follows a grey-headed flying fox named Grey. Through Grey’s journey, the story explores how these once-nomadic megabats have begun forming permanent urban colonies in Australia’s cities—a behaviour shift driven by habitat loss, climate change, and the availability of city food sources.
This isn’t just a story about bats—it’s a story about adaptation, coexistence, and the challenges wildlife face as they adjust to a human-dominated world. It invites young readers to see these often-misunderstood animals with empathy, curiosity, and respect.
Why This Matters
The CYA Conference is one of Australia’s premier events for emerging children’s authors and illustrators. Being shortlisted is a strong vote of confidence in the potential of Grey Finds A Home. I’m grateful to the CYA team for the opportunity, and inspired by the many talented creators recognised alongside me.
More than anything, I hope this story can play a small part in changing the way we talk about and care for native animals like Grey. These flying foxes are essential pollinators and seed dispersers—vital to the health of our ecosystems, yet increasingly vulnerable in the face of urbanisation and climate extremes.
What’s Next?
I am currently seeking the right publishing pathway for Grey Finds A Home. Whether it finds its home with a traditional publisher or takes flight in another way, I’m committed to bringing Grey’s story to young readers.
Thanks to all who have supported me on this journey so far—this shortlisting is a wonderful encouragement to keep going.