About Belinda

Books have always been at the centre of my life. I’ve spent more than 30 years working in children’s publishing as an editor, publisher, literary agent and consultant. During that time, I’ve worked with some of Australia’s leading publishers, authors and illustrators, helping to develop books from first idea through to publication.

I began my publishing career as a sub-editor at The Law Book Company before moving to Scholastic as a magazine editor. It was there that I fell in love with children’s books, discovering picture books such as Margaret Wild and Donna Rawlins’ My Dearest Dinosaur and Jeanette Rowe’s Scallywag. Two years later, I attended the inaugural Children’s Book Council conference, and my career path was set.

Since then, I’ve worked as an editor and publisher for Hodder Headline (now Hachette), ABC Books and HarperCollins, before becoming Editorial Manager for Australian Standing Orders, where I reviewed and selected new children’s books for schools across Australia.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with many of Australia’s most loved and respected children’s creators, including Alison Lester, Garry Disher, Libby Hathorn, Frances Watts, Judith Rossell, Matt Ottley and Glenda Millard.

What I’ve always loved most is working closely with writers and illustrators: helping them shape their ideas and tell their stories in the best possible way.

Today, I work as a literary agent, freelance editor and mentor, supporting both emerging and established children’s creators as they develop their work and find the right path to publication.

I live near the ocean in Sydney. When I’m not working with books or reading, you’ll usually find me swimming in the sea. From my desk, I look out onto the bush, where the local birds keep me company while I work.