My Deadly Boots

Carl Merrison is a respected Jaru/Kija man from the Halls Creek area who came WA runner up Australian of the Year - Local Hero in 2016. He has worked for over ten years alongside Aboriginal youth as a mentor and coach. Carl was the winner of the black&write! Fellowship in 2020 for his young readers' series Backyard Sports (coming in 2023). He was also shortlisted for the State Library Western Australia Writer's Fellowship for his proposal, Kimberley Kickers series. Hakea Hustler is an experienced teacher who has taught around Australia, including in remote Aboriginal communities. Hakea is committed to Indigenous education with a focus on story as learning and empowerment. Carl Merrison and Hakea Hustler's first book, Black Cockatoo (Magabala Books), won Honour book in the CBCA Young Reader category. Samantha Campbell grew up in the Northern Territory and lives in Darwin. She is descended from the Dagoman people from Katherine and as a child lived in remote communities across the Top End. Her first book, Alfred's War, written by Rachel Bin Salleh, was short-listed for the Premier's Literary Awards and the Speech Pathology Awards. She is currently illustrating her fifth children's book.