Katrina Roe is a children’s author, book reviewer and media professional. Katrina writes inclusive stories that inspire kids to face challenges with courage and kindness.
For many years she presented a morning radio show on Sydney’s Hope 103.2 and was the host of two podcasts, The Hope Book Club and Australia’s Invisible History.
Her first picture book, Marty’s Nut-Free Party was Shortlisted for the Speech Pathology Book of the Year, Emily Eases Her Wheezes was a CBCA Notable while Lily’s Balloon won the Caleb Prize in 2019. In 2023, she won the Forevability Award for Same, a true story about her brother, Charlie, who has cerebral palsy.
Her unpublished middle grade novel, The Stolen Child, won the published author section of CYA in 2023 and is being released with Riveted Press in 2026.
Katrina’s next picture book is called The Man Who Stood Up to Ned Kelly and is a true story about a brave man who took on Ned Kelly during the siege of Jerilderie. It is being published by Wombat Books in 2026.
In her day job, Katrina works in marketing for a large regional library service and occasionally fills in on ABC Saturday Breakfast.
Katrina writes on Wiradjuri Country in Wagga Wagga, where she lives with her family, three chickens and a sock-stealing dog called Toby Trouble.
WHAT CYA CONFERENCE DID FOR ME
Winning the published author section of CYA in 2023 opened doors for publishers to consider my work. It made them take notice and be willing to take me seriously and have a closer look.
I also received a lot of media coverage, such as an article in the local paper and interviews on the radio which increased my profile as an author in my local community.
My middle grade manuscript, The Stolen Child, which won the published author section of CYA in 2023 is being published in June this year by Riveted Press.
