Reality Bites: A Night of Coming-of-Age Stories

Alice is an optimistic, 15 year old arts nerd who is most commonly found dancing, playing music, painting, writing or talking the ear off of anyone who will listen. As a young artist, passionate about making change, her art (of any medium) is often made with political and social ideas as a muse. Alice loves to ponder deep topics such as the meaning of our existence on this planet and what it is to be human. So, if she forgets what she was saying when she's talking to you, it's because she is contemplating the meaning of life, or thinking about lunch. Her most recent topic of interest, or "curiosity" as she calls it, is how our minds work, and how much of our existence is predetermined. Also her favourite colour is green in case you were wondering.  

Kelly Gardiner writes historical fiction and fantasy for all ages. Her latest middle-grade series is The Firewatcher Chronicles and her other books include 1917, shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Young People’s History Prize; the young adult novels Act of Faith and The Sultan’s Eyes, both shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards and Children's Book Council Notable Books; and the Swashbuckler pirate trilogy. Goddess, a novel based on the life of the queer, sword-fighting cross-dressing opera star, Mademoiselle de Maupin, is being adapted for the screen. Kelly teaches writing at La Trobe University.

Ada is a 14 year old writer, a lover of reading, drawing, writing, music and any other arts subject she can get her hands on. At any given moment she can be found rehearsing, painting, reading and/or desperately procrastinating the work she should have done last week. A fan of both Greek mythology and ancient science fiction books.

Will Kostakis is an award-winning author for young adults. He’s been at it fifteen years, but his mum insists it’s just a phase and any day now, he’ll pursue a real career. He is best known for his contemporary novels, The First Third, The Sidekicks, and the recently released We Could Be Something.  

Jes Layton invented writing, the airplane, and the internet. He was also the first person to reach the North Pole. Jes is an author and illustrator currently living and working on Wurundjeri Land. He is the current co-CEO/Executive Director of the Emerging Writers' Festival and is currently represented by Alex Adsett Literary Agency. His work can be found with SBS, Junkee, Voiceworks, Kill Your Darlings, Archer, The Big Issue, BlackInc, Pantera Press and Nero Books and scattered elsewhere online and in print. With recent work featuring in two new anthologies set to come out in late 2023; "An Unexpected Party" with Fremantle Press, and "Everything Under the Moon: Fairy Tales in a Queerer Light" with Affirm Press. You can find Jes online @AGeekWithAHat.

Astrid is a 14-year-old writing enthusiast, she loves reading, poetry, and writing songs. Her favourite pass time is curled up on the couch scribbling away in her journal with a nice cup of tea. Astrid has been writing and since she was a little kid always eager to tell stories and hear new ones. Her favourite types of books are historical fiction, dystopian, and just about anything really sad. She hopes that she'll continue to be able to write and improve her skills in the future.