Laura Harris Publishing offers a wide range of publishing services. Consultancy, Appraisals, Mentoring and Workshops for children’s book authors and illustrators.
We work to bring to light the voices and perspectives of new writers as well as to nurture and develop the works of experienced authors.
Find out the latest news about our Mentor Programs, Workshops and more…
Laura Harris Publishing offers a wide range of editorial and advisory services for children’s book authors and illustrators as well as for Trade Publishers. We also offer management, mentoring and workshops for established and emerging creators.
About Laura Harris
Publishing Luminary: Shaping Australian Children’s Literature
2023 marked Laura’s 35th year in the publishing industry, and she was a recipient of the George Robertson Award for her long and distinguished service to the Australian Publishing Industry. Over those 35 years, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the identity of Australian children’s works and her extensive list of accomplishments is a testament to her passion and dedication to Children’s books.
Laura studied English Literature and History at University, specialising in Archaeology and Primary Sources. She completed a bachelor’s in education and taught High School for approximately six months before landing an Editorial Traineeship at the prestigious NSW School Magazine.
After five years there, Laura moved to HarperCollins Publishers as a Senior Editor and in 1995 became Publisher, Adult and Children’s books.
She joined Penguin Books Australia in 1999 as Publisher, Books for Children and Young Adults and became Publishing Director in 2003 and joined the Penguin Board that year as well. In March 2016, she was appointed Publishing Director at Penguin Random House Australia where she worked until 2023.
Appointments
In 2020 Laura was appointed to the Board of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation where she served until January 2024.
In January 2024, Laura was appointed to the Board of WestWords.
Working With Australia‘s Best Creators
Laura has published every book a child could want…
Laura oversaw the wonderful children’s list at Penguin Random House Australia for almost 25 years and published every book a child could ever want – at all stages of childhood from very young picture books to the most sophisticated of novels for young adults– and everything in between.
Laura edited and shaped works by Melina Marchetta, Morris Gleitzman, Mem Fox, Aaron Blabey, Gus Gordon, Pamela Allen, Graeme Base, Felice Arena, and Sonya Hartnett, to name but a few.
She has been a literary judge of many awards, has lectured in Editing and Publishing and has had numerous reviews and articles published.
After years of working for big global companies, working on thousands of best-selling books with the most loved and acclaimed authors and illustrators in this country, Laura decided it was time to go out on her own and launched Laura Harris Publishing in 2024.
And while often asked, she has checked with her doctor, who assures her she doesn’t have a novel in her.
