About Hootenanny Books

The definition of a Hootenanny is a folksy get-together, a hoe-down, a shindig. It's a party where the food is served with love and the music's got you tapping your toes. At a Hootenanny- mum's dancing, grandad's playing the spoons and everybody's having a ball. This is what we at Hootenanny Books want young people to experience when they read one of our books. We want them to feel engaged, enthused and nourished. Most importantly, we want them to foster a love of reading to last their whole lives.
Hootenanny specialises in publishing children's books that have 'something special'. Whether it's the exquisite illustrations or the spell binding stories, we want you to just know when you've picked up one of our books. Created and headed by Nadine Bates, (a writer, publisher, wife and mother of two small boys), Hootenanny Books is dedicated to creating books and apps that allow you to share in something extraordinary.

Nadine Bates

Nadine lives in the Gold Coast hinterland and relishes the quiet, sweet community that she and her family have become deeply a part of. Besides being happily married, raising two adorable sons and six unruly chickens, she also loves to write stories for the young and young at heart. Nadine created Hootenanny Books to publish works by emerging and undiscovered authors and illustrators in order to delight readers with fresh, engaging new works.

Nadia Sunde

Nadia Sunde is being hailed as a 'breath of fresh air' in the emerging Australian 'kindie indie' scene. Her Brisbane-based ensemble, Nadia & The Best Band In The World, play real music for kids and grown-ups who want to enjoy something a little more rootsy and organic. The first track off her latest album, Homespun ( The Goat and The Goose), was awarded 3rd place in the children's category of the 2009 International Songwriting Competition, alongside Australian luminaries like Sarah Blasko and Troy Cassar-Daley.
"It's my intention to craft stories that bring a heartfelt sense of connection to people of all ages. Whether it's dancing in the kitchen to a rockabilly song about Red Rattler trains or making a rainy day nest of blankets and reading a picture book, I love the thought that families and friends are listening to and enjoying my storytelling together."

Jody McGregor

Jody is a freelance artist specialising in sculpture, children's entertainment, and art workshops. She has provided arts programs and displays for organizations such as Brisbane city council, Queensland health and Logan Public Libraries. Her interest in early childhood creative development and the fostering of creative intelligence is the corner stone of her practice and a continuing study. She also runs www.cakefigurines.com.au creating personalised sculptures for weddings and events.

Zlatica Hlavacova

Zlatica Hlavacova is a self-taught illustrator and a doll artist living with her family in a heart of Europe - Slovakia. Her artistic expression is incredibly sincere and filled with tenderness and childlike innocence. " I create with passion and love. Painting and creating a sweet tiny being gives me so much enthusiasm and happiness I can barely explain by words. I hope my positive feelings are embedded in my work..." www.pupaart.blogspot.com
www.pupaart.etsy.com

Submission Guidelines for Hootenanny Books

Hootenanny Books is now accepting manuscript submissions for the 2013/2014 period. We publish children’s picture books exclusively- ones with a unique, fresh voice that capture the hearts of our editors. In order to submit, please fill in the query form below and remember to include your contact details. Multiple submissions are encouraged by Hootenanny Books- just let us know where else you’ve submitted please. Due to the sheer volume of submissions we receive, we regret that not all queries can be responded to. Please know that we appreciate your interest, however unless we decide to publish your work, we will not send a response.