Build your brand and platform as a children’s author (Even before you are published!)

Join award-winning children’s book author and branding expert Samantha Smith to learn how to build an author brand and platform that publishers expect - helping your work stand out before you get a publishing deal.

Live Online, Thursday, February 26, 2026. Strictly limited places available now.

Online seminar

Exclusive live online seminar with children's author and personal branding expert, Samantha Smith.

Thursday, February 26, Live Online, Approximately 2 Hours in Length.

4 PM Melbourne, 6 PM Wellington, 6 AM Paris

With many real-world examples, practical resource downloads, and opportunities to ask questions throughout, you will learn…

Transforming into a known author

Finding your voice, clarifying your author brand, and building credibility so publishers and readers take you seriously, even before publication.

Networking and social media done right

Using social media and networking in a way that fits you, builds momentum, and supports publication and long-term visibility without feeling performative or exhausting.

Launching yourself to publication, awards, and sales

How your author brand signals professionalism to publishers, reviewers, booksellers and other gatekeepers, and how to use it strategically at different career stages.

Building a professional author platform publishers expect

Creating the essential infrastructure behind your brand, including a simple author website, discoverability basics, visual consistency, and making it easy for publishers and media to find and contact you.

After the seminar, you will have time to apply your learnings to your manuscript and share your book with EK Books for consideration for publishing and development opportunities!

Meet your mentor

Samantha Smith's debut picture book, Harriet's Hungry Worms (EK Books, 2023), has wriggled into the hearts of children, parents, and educators - earning international recognition including the 2024 NYC Big Book Award (Picture Books: Ages 4-8), North American Book Awards (Silver), and Rubery Book Award (Shortlisted). Her next two picture books are being published by EK Books and are scheduled for release in 2027.

Alongside her work as an author, Sam is an experienced communications strategist and brand consultant. Through her consultancy, Pinnacle Collective, she helps organisations and creative professionals shape compelling stories, build their brands, and connect authentically with audiences across channels.

When she’s not writing or supporting clients to build their brand, Sam is active in the children’s literature community as a CYA judge, a proud Author Ambassador for the Little Readers Read-a-thon and an Author Pen Pal. She is also a member of the Australian Society of Authors, the Children’s Book Council of Australia, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

After the live lecture, you will be invited to improve your manuscript and send it to EK Books for consideration.

At EK Books, we are on the lookout for new authors to work with but want to make sure that authors are giving their books and messages the best chance of success. After the session, participants will be invited to send your manuscript to us for consideration.

Change your future as a children’s author

Join us for a focused live masterclass that could change your future as a children’s author.

While this masterclass is ideal for aspiring children’s authors, we welcome authors at any stage of their journey.

Please note: This session will not be recorded and places are limited. To allow for open discussion and unfiltered insights into how children’s publishing actually works, spaces are strictly capped. Once all places are filled, registration will close.

Spaces limited - Register now to secure your spot

Seminar Attendance Only

Come to the live, 2-hour seminar on Thursday, February 26
Take advantage of priority consideration for all your future submissions to EK Books
Receive practical take-home resources and checklists to support your author brand and platform

$95

Seminar Attendance Plus Personal Brand Building Mentorship with Samantha

Come to the live, 2-hour seminar on Thursday, February 26
Take advantage of priority consideration for all your future submissions to EK Books
Receive practical take-home resources and checklists to support your author brand and platform
Plus: Work with Samantha Smith personally over two private 30-minute sessions. Use the time to build your brand, plan your publication or promotion campaign, and/or get feedback on your book.

$390 including everything above.

Seminar Attendance Plus 'Focus, Assess, Recharge' Feedback from EK Books

Come to the live, 2-hour seminar on Thursday, February 26
Take advantage of priority consideration for all your future submissions to EK Books
Receive practical take-home resources and checklists to support your author brand and platform
Plus: Send your manuscript to the EK Books editorial team and receive guaranteed feedback designed to help you see your book from a publisher's perspective and make the changes you need to advance to publication (Great deal! normally $290-490 alone)

$290

Testimonials

What our students say

“Just wanted to say how much I loved your session with EK. It was very informative and you present so well too. Thank you!”

“Awesome workshop. I was so impressed with your commercially savvy mind and how you also got yourself out there with the unique ways to market and share your story. I’ve definitely got some homework to do but I’m excited!”

“Your webinar was AMAZING! I got so much value from it.”

“Thank you for sharing your wisdoms and love for writing in your recent EK Books branding webinar; so awesome and so incredibly helpful.”

“Thank you so much for the informative and entertaining webinar on building an author brand this afternoon. Fabulous!”

“I wanted to thank you for the valuable insights. It was incredibly helpful and informative!”