Credits and Memberships

Publishing History

• 2022 – Short story, The Hat Competition, published in Storm Cloud Publishing’s Christmas Tales 7 anthology.
• 2022 – Dogs Are Intelligent Enough to Play Pass the Parcel, reprint of short story in The School Magazine;
• 2021 – Marlow Brown: Magician in the Making, second in a chapter book series for ages seven and above, published by Celapene Press;
• 2019 – Marlow Brown: Scientist in the Making, first in the Marlow Brown series;
• 2010 to 2019 – Nine pieces published in The School Magazine – both fiction and non-fiction, including poetry, short stories and a play;
• 2010 – Poetry published in Celapene Press’s Short and Twisted anthology;
• 2006 – Junior fiction short story, Dad’s Secret, published in Ginninderra Press’s Secrets anthology.

Other Writing Credits

• 2019 – Third prize in Jackie Hosking’s Spring Poetry Competition;
• 2019 – Flash fiction piece shortlisted in the inaugural Buzz Words Short Story Competition;
• 2018 – Third prize and honourable mention for poems in Jackie Hosking’s Spring Poetry Competition;
• 2018 – First prize in the CJ Dennis Poetry Competition in the ‘Adults Writing for Children’ category;
• 2018 – Picture book manuscript longlisted by the CBCA for the Aspiring Writers Mentorship Program;
• 2017 – Picture book manuscript longlisted by the CBCA for the Aspiring Writers Mentorship Program;
• 2006 – Junior fiction short story shortlisted in Ginninderra Press’s Secrets competition.

Professional Development and Memberships:

Kesta has completed several children’s writing courses over the years, including Sherryl Clark’s picture and chapter book writing courses, Jen Storer’s ‘Scribbles’ course, and most recently, ‘Writing Picture Books’ with the Australian Writers’ Centre.

She also facilitates a children’s writers’ group in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), the Australian Society of Authors (ASA) and the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA).