Make your name as a children's author
Join Award-Winning Children's Book Author Samantha Smith and Learn How to Build Your Brand and Make Your Name as a Children's Author (Even If You Haven't Yet Been Published!)
Live Online, Wednesday, October 15, 2025. Strictly limited places available now.
Online seminar
Exclusive live online seminar with children's author and personal branding expert, Samantha Smith.
Wednesday, October 15, Live Online, Approximately 2 Hours in Length.
4 PM Melbourne, 6 PM Wellington, 7 AM London
With many real-world examples and opportunities to ask questions throughout, you will learn…
Transforming into a known author
Even before readers get to know your writing, they need to get to know you. Here's how you find your voice and start building your name as a children's author worth taking seriously.
Networking and social media actually done right
Social media can feel like a frustrating waste of time, and networking seems exhausting (and scary) until you learn how to do it in the right way for you. Then, it's fun, exhilarating, and builds momentum to launch your book into publication and then into the arms of readers and reviewers.
Launching yourself to publication, awards, and sales
Before you are published, your brand is your signal for publishers to take you seriously. Afterwards, it's a tool to help you break through to the decision makers and gatekeepers who will influence the eventual success of your book. From publishers to reviewers, bookstores and more, learn specific strategies that get results.
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 second picture book, Billy & Buzz, also published by EK Books and illustrated by Melissa Johns, is set for release in the near future.
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 two hours that could change your future as a children’s author.
While this seminar is for aspiring children's authors we are happy to welcome authors at any stage of the journey.
Please note: The session will not be recorded and places are limited. To allow us to provide unfiltered insights into how children's publishing actually works, we will not be recording the session. Because we want to allow all participants the opportunity to ask questions, spaces are strictly capped. Once all places are taken, registration will be closed.
Spaces limited - Register now to secure your spot
Seminar Attendance Only
- Come to the live, 2-hour seminar on Wednesday, October 15
- Take advantage of priority consideration for all your future submissions to EK Books
$95
Seminar Attendance Plus Personal Brand Building Mentorship with Samantha
- Come to the live, 2-hour seminar on Wednesday, October 15
- Take advantage of priority consideration for all your future submissions to EK Books
- 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 Wednesday, October 15
- Take advantage of priority consideration for all your future submissions to EK Books
- 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.
Normally: $390 alone
Special offer for seminar attendees: Only $290 including seminar attendance and everything above. (Important: If you have multiple children's books you want to work on, your book is longer than the typical picture book please write to [email protected] before registering).
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