From parallel portals, supernatural powers, and gothic magic – this session has them all! Photo: Canberra Writers Festival.
From parallel portals, supernatural powers, and gothic magic – this session has them all! Lisa Fuller (Washpool), Jasmin McGaughey (Moonlight and Dust), and Sandy Bigna (Little Bones) know how to blend mind-bending fantasy to reveal truths about our real world.
Their characters navigate messy, transitional spaces, using magic to explore grief, discrimination, friendship, and what it means to belong somewhere.
Come hear how these authors create fictional worlds that feel authentic, represent cultures respectfully, and give us all the power to tell our own stories. #LoveOzYA
Sandy Bigna is a passionate supporter of local children’s literature, and reviews Australian children’s books on her social media platforms at Aussie Kids Books.
She has worked as a children’s librarian, and has been awarded two Varuna Residential Fellowships. In 2020, Sandy’s YA manuscript Exposed was shortlisted for the Matilda Children’s Literature Prize. Little Bones is her debut novel.
Lisa Fuller is an Eidsvold Murri, living on Ngunnawal and Ngambri lands (Canberra) since 2006.
She is a lecturer at the University of Canberra, an award-winning writer, editor, literary agent and mum. Lisa writes children’s literature, short stories, poems and memoir.
Her picture book with Samantha Campbell, Big Big Love, recently won the 2025 ACT Literary Award for Children’s Literature (Younger readers).
Lisa’s latest book, Washpool, is a middle grade fantasy written for her nieces.
Jasmin McGaughey is a Torres Strait Islander and African American writer working at Books+Publishing.
She is the author of Moonlight and Dust and Ash Barty’s Little Ash Series. She has written for Overland, Kill Your Darlings, SBS Voices and Griffith Review.
The details
What: Reimagining Worlds, Reclaiming Power
When: Sunday 26 October, 1.30pm
Where: National Museum of Australia
Cost: $15 per person. Tickets available via Canberra Writers Festival.
