About Once Upon a Festival
Once Upon a Festival is a unique event in South Australia and is one of the largest literary festivals for young people in Australia.
Thousands of young people will have the opportunity to experience a stellar lineup of world-class authors and illustrators in workshops, talks & special events over two days, with the aim of fostering a lifelong love of literature in students aged 7 – 17 years.
An initiative of Immanuel College in collaboration with Immanuel Primary School.
Latest News
Carla Salmon’s debut novel shortlisted for Major Award!
03/06/2026
Carla’s powerful first novel has been shortlisted for the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year Award for Older Readers… 
Celebrating Margot McGovern’s Rising Success!
03/06/2026
We’re thrilled to share exciting news about one of our Once Upon a Festival presenters, Margot McGovern—and there’s plenty to celebrate!… 
A Blooming Success for Katrina Nannestad!
31/03/2026
We’re thrilled to celebrate Festival favourite Katrina Nannestad, whose delightful novel Frances Bloom has been shortlisted for the 2026 Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book of the Year Award for Younger Readers… 
More Award Love for Lili Wilkinson’s Unhallowed Halls
31/03/2026
We’re delighted to share exciting news about Festival Presenter Lili Wilkinson. Her most recent novel, Unhallowed Halls, has been shortlisted for the 2026 Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book of the Year Award for Older Readers… 
Charlie Archbold’s The Sugarcane Kids and the Mystery at Angel Bay arrives soon!
16/03/2026
The wait is over… Charlie Archbold is about to release her new book, with the The Sugarcane Kids and the Mystery at Angel Bay hitting shelves on the 31st of March 2026… 
R.A. Spratt releases new novel: Romeo v Juliet!
19/02/2026
We’re delighted to share that beloved Australian author R.A. Spratt, who will be appearing at Once Upon a Festival this year, has just released her brand‑new novel, Romeo v Juliet, published on the 3rd of February 2026… Aurelius Awards nomination for Lili Wilkinson!
18/02/2026
Congratulations to Once Upon a Festival presenter Lili Wilkinson for being shortlisted for the Aurelius Awards in the Best Young Adult novel category! 
Ella Forever – School Rivals has arrived!
18/02/2026
Congratulations to Festival Presenter Serena Geddes on the release of her first graphic novel Ella Forever: School Rivals, on the 1st of February 2026! … 
Jack Heath’s thrilling new novel arrives this April!
18/02/2026
Once Upon a Festival presenter and bestselling Australian author Jack Heath is releasing a brand‑new YA thriller, I Know What You’re Hiding, on 1 April 2026! … 
Amy Doak’s latest thriller to be launched at Once Upon a Festival!
03/09/2025
Everything looks perfect. Until it isn’t… 
Buzzing with Emotion: Pip Harry’s “Drift” Lands!
21/08/2025
Award-winning author Pip Harry returns with Drift, a beautifully crafted verse novel that explores friendship, resilience, and the unexpected ways life can change… 
Robots, Resistance, and a Remarkable Heist!
19/08/2025
Today marks the thrilling release of Heist 2: The Remarkable Robot Robbery, the latest adventure from acclaimed author and performance poet Joel McKerrow… 
Double the Thrills! Gabriel Bergmoser Unleashes Two New Books!
30/07/2025
We're thrilled to announce that acclaimed Once Upon a Festival author Gabriel Bergmoser has just had two new books published: Andromache in the Dark and High Rise… 
Nat Amoore : ‘I don’t need a little brother’!
16/06/2025
Sydney-based children's author and 2025 Once Upon a Festival presenter Nat Amoore, has just released her first Picture Book: I don't need a little brother! … 
Upcoming Release of Amy Doak’s ‘Eleanor Jones is Playing with Fire’
16/06/2025
Eleanor Jones is Playing with Fire, the third book in Amy Doak's popular Eleanor Jones series, will be released on the 1st of July 2025… Learn more… 
Katrina Nannestad Wins Prestigious Award!
20/05/2025
We are thrilled to announce that Once Upon a Festival Author, Katrina Nannestad, has won the Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children’s Literature… 
New Release: Willow Bright’s Secret Plot by A.L. Tait
15/05/2025
A.L. Tait (aka Allison Tait) has just launched her latest middle-grade novel, Willow Bright’s Secret Plot – Learn more… 
Pip Harry’s ‘August & Jones’ novel shortlisted for the 2025 YABBA Awards!
14/05/2025
We’re excited to share that August & Jones by Pip Harry has been shortlisted for the 2025 YABBA Awards… 
Nat Amoore’s ‘We Run Tomorrow’ shortlisted for 2025 YABBA Awards!
14/05/2025
We’re excited to share that We Run Tomorrow by Nat Amoore (with awesome comic-style artwork by Mike Barry) has been shortlisted for … 
Katrina Nannestad’s Five Nominations for 2025 YABBA Awards!
14/05/2025
We are delighted to announce that five of Katrina Nannestad's remarkable books have been nominated for the 2025 YABBA Awards! Learn more… 
Jack Heath’s Triple Nomination for 2025 YABBA Awards!
14/05/2025
We are excited to announce that three of Jack Heath's thrilling books have been nominated for the 2025 YABBA Awards! In the Fiction for Older Readers category, 200 Minutes of Danger and 300 Minutes of Danger have captivated readers with their heart-pounding short stories.
Learn more… 
Joel McKerrow’s Book nominated for 2025 YABBA Awards!
14/05/2025
Joel McKerrow's captivating book, Urban Legend Hunters: The Dreaded Mr. Snipe, has been nominated for the prestigious 2025 YABBA Awards in the Fiction for Younger Readers category!
Learn more… 
Amie Kaufman to release new standalone Novel, Lady’s Knight
10/04/2025
Renowned Australian author Amie Kaufman is set to captivate readers once again with her upcoming standalone novel, Lady's Knight, scheduled for release on the 3rd of June, 2025… 
The second thrilling book in Joel McKerrow’s Graphic Novel series, Urban Legend Hunters to be released soon!
03/04/2025
Renowned Australian author and performance poet Joel McKerrow will soon release the second book in his popular graphic novel series, Urban Legend Hunters: The Hideous Mrs. Mortimer… 
Karen Comer’s Dual Literary Triumphs
03/04/2025
In a remarkable achievement, Festival author, Karen Comer has secured two major literary accolades in 2024… 
Corey Tutt’s recently released Deadly new book!
03/04/2025
Corey Tutt recently released his fascinating (and deadly!) new book, Caution! This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles… 
Mark Smith Releases Gripping New Novel, Three Boys Gone
03/04/2025
Acclaimed Australian author Mark Smith recently released his latest novel, Three Boys Gone… 
Jacqueline Harvey’s New Ghostly Adventure Awaits!
02/04/2025
Jacqueline Harvey is about to launch a new series 'with 'The Girl and the Ghost' on the 29th of April… 
Katrina Nannestad’s ‘All the beautiful things’ wins the 2025 Indie Book Children’s category Award!
26/03/2025
All the Beautiful Things by Katrina Nannestad is an impeccably researched historical novel set in Nazi Germany. Tugging at the heart-strings, it is a must-read novel for middle-grade readers… 
New Jack Heath novel released!
28/02/2025
Jack Heath's newest novel 'The Spider Army' released on the 1st of March 2025!
Here's a sneak peak… 
‘Kevin saves the Show’ has just been released!
06/09/2024
Once again, award winning author Jacqueline Harvey has teamed up with illustrator and stop-motion animation artist Kate Isobel Scott, having created the second book in the Kevin the Sheep series, Kevin saves the Show! 
Lili Wilkinson’s ‘A Hunger of Thorns’ awarded CBCA Honour Book in the 2024 Older Readers category
05/09/2024
'A Hunger of Thorns' is one of the novels that Lili will discuss during Once Upon a Festival as part of her 'Lili Wilkinson on Fantasy' talk for Students in Years 7-11… 
Charlotte Barkla’s second book in the 11 Ruby Road historical fiction series, 1925, has just been released!
05/09/2024
It is 1925 and Bert Mueller and his German-Australian family have moved from Ipswich to their new house at 11 Ruby Road. Bert’s father has been deported to Germany after the Great War, and with Dad still absent, Bert is unsure about moving away. 
This is no April Fool’s Day joke! Secret Agent Mole – Book 3 released!
04/04/2024
Dr Nude’s anti-gravity Doomsday Device is ready to blow. Max and the team have to stop it or the entire Earth could be split in two … and then they’ll never get their secret agent licences! 
Kevin the Sheep – Recent release by Jacqueline Harvey & Kate Isobel Scott
04/04/2024
Why can't Kevin be more like the flock?! Kevin the Sheep is unusual, he does things his own way. But will being different help him save the day? 
Kate Isobel Scott wins prize for her animation to Pink Floyd’s ‘Money’!
03/04/2024
Congratulations to talented Australian Claymation artist and creative, Kate Isobel Scott, who has won a prize for her animation to Pink Floyd's 'Money' a timeless classic from their Dark Side of the Moon album released in 1973… 
11 Ruby Road – Charlotte Barkla recent release
03/04/2024
Join Dorothy and the inhabitants of 11 Ruby Road in 1900, as Federation is dawning and a new century begins. Perfect period fiction for middle-grade readers and also for fans of the Our Australian Girl series… 
Devil’s Kitchen – New Release by Candice Fox
03/04/2024
Candice Fox’s latest thriller is the definition of nailbiter… 
George Ivanoff’s new podcast: It’s true… or is it?
12/03/2024
What’s true? What’s not? Can you tell the difference?
A new podcast from Michael Pryor and George Ivanoff that mixes fact and fiction, then tries to sort them out.
In each episode Michael and George present three remarkable stories to each other. Two stories are true,
but one is totally made up… 
‘Waiting for the storks’ by Katrina Nannestad wins a prestigious literary award!
22/08/2023
On the 6th of September, the 2023 Queensland Literary Awards ceremony was held with Katrina Nannestad's 'Waiting for the Storks' winning the Children’s Book Award category! … 
Katrina Nannestad’s ‘Travelling bookshop : Mim and the baffling bully’ shortlisted at the 2023 YABBA Awards!
18/05/2023
On the 17th of May, the 2023 YABBA Awards shortlisted Australian books were announced with Katrina Nannestad's 'Travelling bookshop : Mim and the baffling bully' being shortlisted in the Younger Readers category… 
Tim Harris has been shortlisted in the 2023 YABBA Awards!
18/05/2023
On the 17th of May, the 2023 YABBA Awards shortlisted Australian books were announced with Tim Harris' ‘Mr Bambuckle's Remarkables’ being shortlisted in the Older Readers category… Katrina Nannestad’s ‘Waiting for the storks’ shortlisted at the 2023 YABBA Awards…
18/05/2023
On the 17th of May, the 2023 YABBA Awards shortlisted Australian books were announced with Katrina Nannestad's ‘Waiting for the storks’ being shortlisted in the Fiction for Years 7-9 category… 
Katrina Nannestad’s ‘Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief’ has been shortlisted at the 2023 YABBA Awards!
18/05/2023
On the 17th of May, the 2023 YABBA Awards shortlisted Australian books were announced with Katrina Nannestad's ‘Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief’ being shortlisted in the Fiction for Years 7-9 category… 
Karen Foxlee has been shortlisted in the 2023 YABBA Awards!
18/05/2023
On the 17th of May, the 2023 YABBA Awards shortlisted Australian books were announced with Karen Foxlee's 'Dragon Skin' being shortlisted in the Fiction for Years 7-9 category… 
Jared Thomas’ new novel for younger readers, Uncle XBox, was recently released in March 2023
17/05/2023
Uncle XBox is a coming-of-age story that offers gentle insights into growing up, family and finding your place in a digital world. Or not… 
Dr Sarah Pye’s new book will be launched on the 5th of June – World Environment Day!
17/05/2023
Dr Sarah Pye's new book 'Wildlife Wong and the Sumatran Rhino' will be launched on the 5th of June – World Environment Day! Katrina Nannestad’s ‘Waiting for the storks’ long-listed for a Children’s Historical Fiction award!
11/05/2023
Once Upon a Festival author, Katrina Nannestad, has just had her most recently published book 'Waiting for the storks' long-listed for the 2023 Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction! 
Sean Williams ‘Honour among ghosts’ nominated for an Aurealis Award in the Best Fantasy novel category!
11/05/2023
Sean Williams 'Honour among ghosts' nominated for an Aurealis Award in the Best Fantasy novel category! 
Astrid Scholte’s ‘League of Liars’, nominated for an Aurealis Award in the Best Young Adult novel category!
11/05/2023
Astrid Scholte's 'League of Liars', has been nominated for Aurealis Award in the Best Young Adult novel category. 
Karen Foxlee’s ‘The Wrath of the Woolington Wyrm’ nominated for an Aurealis Award in the Best Children’s Fiction category!
10/05/2023
Karen Foxlee's 'The Wrath of the Woolington Wyrm', the first book in the Miss Mary-Kate Martin's Guide to Monsters series, has been nominated for Aurealis Award in the Best Children's Fiction category. 
Amie Kaufman’s new book ‘The Isles of the Gods’ released!
10/05/2023
Exciting news! Amie Kaufman has just launched her latest book 'The Isles of the Gods', and it's causing quite a stir.
The launch of 'The Isles of the Gods' took place at Dymocks Melbourne on May the 4th. 
And that’s a wrap for Once Upon a Festival 2022!
17/11/2022
We have had a sensational Festival this year immersing in literature for young people with thousands of students from right across Adelaide over the last 2 days PLUS a fun and entertaining Community Gala last night celebrating the written word and the wonders it brings to both young and old. Thank you to everyone who made the event possible – our incredible authors & illustrators, our sponsors, all of the teachers and students who participated and of course the team at Immanuel. 
Once Upon a Festival 2022 : Community Gala
14/11/2022
As an addition to this year’s festival, we introduced the Once Upon A Festival: Community Gala, a night of celebrating the written word and the wonders it brings to both young and old.
The event was expertly MC’d by Australian journalist, news, and radio presenter, Rebecca Morse, ably assisted by Casey M (Year 11), and supported by DJ, Jacob A (Year 9).
The community event was a fantastic evening of entertainment, including music performances from Immanuel College and Immanuel Primary students Once Upon a Festival 2022 – a celebration of the written word
06/11/2022
On the 3 & 4 November, the Immanuel Campus was transformed into an exciting and vibrant Festival atmosphere that celebrated literature for young people.
The second annual ‘Once Upon A Festival’ gave students the unique opportunity to participate in workshops and talks with 21 of Australia’s renowned authors and illustrators to build skills and experiences in many areas of literacy.
Student participation was a highlight: 
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