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Once a publisher and editor, CATHIE TASKER has edited and commissioned nearly 800 books and now works as a creative writing teacher. She’s passionate about books, reading and online learning. Cathie has worked with Australia’s leading trade and children’s book publishers — HarperCollinsPublishers, Scholastic Australia and Koala Books. She judges literary awards for fun, and has worked with the CBCA, the Aurealis Awards, the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards and others.
Cathie sees her most important skill as teaching writing and working as a structural or developmental editor to help authors shape and develop their work. She is a member of FEN (Freelance Editors Network) and works as a teacher, mentor, consultant, manuscript assessor and speaker.
As an editor and publisher she worked on popular and award-winning titles, many of which are still in print.
Literary Awards — Judging
[Judging usually takes place in the year before the award is announced.]
Aurealis Awards
2019 — Convenor — Science Fiction Novel (2018)
2018 — Convenor — Anthologies and Collections (2017)
2017 — Convenor — Anthologies and Collections (2016)
2016 — Convenor — Horror Category (novels, novellas, short stories) (2015)
2015 — Convenor — Horror Category (novels, novellas, short stories) (2014)
2014 — Judge — Adult Science Fiction Short Story (2013)
2013 — Judge — Adult Fantasy Novel (2012)
2012 — Judge — Adult Fantasy Novel (2011)
2010 — Judge — Adult Fantasy Novel (2009)
2009 — Judge — Adult Fantasy Novel (2008)
Bundanon Trust — Residency Program
2012 — 2013 Panel Judge, specialty — Fiction, Drama and Poetry
Children’s Book Council of Australia
2016 — Fiction Judge — Book of the Year Award — Older Readers & Younger Readers (2015)
2015 — Fiction Judge — Book of the Year Award — Older Readers, Younger Readers, Early Childhood and Picture Book of the Year (2014)
2014 — Fiction Judge — Book of the Year Award — Older Readers, Younger Readers, Early Childhood and Picture Book of the Year (2013)
IBBY Australia (International Board on Books for Young People)
2015 Advisory Panel for IBBY Honour Book
Kathleen Julia Bates Writing for Children Competition (6th)
2008 — Judge
Lane Cove Council
2018 — Judge — Short Story Prize
2017 — Judge — Short Story Prize
2016 — Judge — Short Story Prize
Nestle Write Around Australia
2005 — State Judge, NSW
NSW Premiers Awards
2019 — Judge — Ethel Turner Award (2018)
2018 — Judge — Ethel Turner Award 2017)
Sci Fi Film Competition
2014 — Convenor and Judge — Adult Science Fiction Short Story
Society of Women Writers NSW inc
2016 — Judge — Children’s fiction