2025 Margaret Hamilton
Creators' Residency Program
Emerging and published authors or illustrators of books for children or young adults are invited to apply for the Margaret Hamilton Creators’ Residency Program (MHCRP) which offers ‘the gift of time and space to create’.
We strive to achieve a thriving, creative world embracing the transformational power of stories across generations.
The inaugural winners of the
Margaret Hamilton Creators’ Residencies for 2025 are
Jo Staker and Lucie Towers.
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Jo Staker is an emerging children's author writing picture books, junior fiction and middle grade. Jo has completed various courses on writing for children, and has been shortlisted and won creative writing competitions, as well as being published online and in The School Magazine. Jo currently works in public libraries and lives in Western Sydney. Jo’s intention is to continue work on a middle-grade fiction title.
Lucie Towers is a bookseller, a volunteer with a range of literary organisations and has previously interned at Writing NSW. Lucie’s focus for the Residency is to continue work on a fast-paced graphic novel which she has been developing.
Congratulations to Jo and Lucie. Stay tuned to hear and see moments from the residencies.
Congratulations to all applicants – selecting the inaugural winners was no easy task!
As part of our mission, Children’s Book Council of Australia NSW Branch Inc. is offering a series of one-week residencies at our office in Writing NSW. There is a space for children’s authors/ illustrators to concentrate intensively on their work, to advance their creative skills and to access our library of all previous CBCA award-winning books. We also intend to offer 2-3 mutually agreed ‘drop-in visits’ throughout the week by experts such as established authors, illustrators, publishers and other significant players in the children’s book industry.
The time of the residency will be mutually determined by the successful candidates and CBCA NSW Branch.
The expectation is the experience will offer personal and professional insight and expand the applicant’s industry networks. CBCA NSW will also be widely promoting the experiences of the successful applicant during the residency.
Selection Criteria/ Eligibility
Applications for the MHCRP are received by the CBCA NSW Selection Committee.
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Proposals must be from authors or illustrators who are current CBCA NSW Branch members.
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Applicants for the residencies may be emerging (yet to be published) or published children’s and YA authors and illustrators.
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Project proposals must clearly outline the benefits for the applicant of having space (one-week).
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The residency must take place during a mutually agreed week, Monday to Friday between 9am-5pm.
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Applicants must meet their own costs of transport and accommodation. The office space is provided as part of the residency. The program of mentorship is also provided (the latter set up by the CBCA NSW Selection Committee).
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Applicants must submit a CV and a 300-word proposal for work for the one-week residency. Applicants are welcome to outline the possible support they need such as advice/ mentorship from fellow creators/ publishers/ etc.
Inaugural Margaret Hamilton Creative Residency Awardees:
Jo Staker | Author
Lucie Towers | Illustrator
The inaugural recipients of the 2025
Margaret Hamilton Creators’ Residency for 2025 are
Jo Staker and Lucie Towers.
​
Jo Staker is an emerging children's author writing picture books, junior fiction and middle grade.
Jo has completed various courses on writing for children, has been shortlisted and won creative writing competitions,
as well as being published online and in The School Magazine.
Jo currently works in public libraries and lives in Western Sydney. Jo’s intention is to continue work on a middle-grade fiction title.
​
Lucie Towers is a bookseller, a volunteer with a range of literary organisations who has previously interned at Writing NSW. Lucie’s focus for the Residency is to continue work on a fast-paced graphic novel which she has been developing.
Congratulations to Jo and Lucie.
Stay tuned to hear and see moments from the residencies.
Congratulations to all applicants – selecting the inaugural winners was no easy task!
