Markus Zusak

Markus Zusak is the international bestselling author of six novels, including The Messenger, Bridge of Clay and The Book Thief – one of the most loved books of the 21st century and a New York Times bestseller for more than a decade. It won multiple international awards, and the 2013 film adaptation was nominated for Oscar, BAFTA and AACTA Awards.

His work has been translated into more than 50 languages and awarded numerous honours around the world.

Three Wild Dogs (and the Truth) is his first work of nonfiction.

Gina Chick

Gina Chick is a barefoot nomad who’s happiest sleeping on the ground, next to a fire, muddy paws and all. She’s the daughter and granddaughter of bestselling Australian authors Suzanne Chick and Charmian Clift. Writing is in her genes.

Gina won the inaugural season of Alone Australia (SBS and iTV) after spending 67 days completely solo in the brutal Tasmanian winter wilderness, dancing barefoot in the moss and singing to a platypus, which just goes to show she’s a bit bonkers but also she never quits.

Her first book, We Are the Stars, was released in October 2024 by Simon & Schuster and is a bestseller. She reckons her grandmother would be chuffed.

Virginia Trioli

Virginia Trioli is a journalist, broadcaster and author. She is a two-time Walkley winner: in 1995 for her business reporting, and in 2001 for her landmark interview with the former defence minister Peter Reith over the notorious ‘children overboard’ issue.

Virginia is currently host of ABC TV’s Creative Types and former host of ABC News Breakfast, Q&A and ABC Melbourne Mornings.

She is the author of Generation F: Sex, Power and the Young Feminist – her response to Helen Garner’s The First Stone.

Virginia’s latest book, A Bit on the Side: Reflections on What Makes Life Delicious, is a celebration of Australian food culture and a reminder to savour life’s small joys – all told with her renowned insight and wicked sense of humour.

Peter Greste

Peter Greste is a journalist, academic and media freedom activist.   He spent 25 years as a foreign correspondent for the likes of the BBC, Reuters and Al Jazeera, chasing his curiosity and dreams of adventure by covering some of the world’s most difficult conflicts.

In 2013, while he was covering the unfolding political crisis in Cairo, he and two colleagues were arrested on terrorism charges. They faced a sham trial, enduring solitary confinement and detention for 400 days. Since his release, he has become a strong voice for media freedom, winning numerous awards for his campaigning.

He wrote about his incarceration and what he regards as the ‘global war on journalism’ in his book, The Correspondent, which has been turned into a major film starring Richard Roxburgh.