Will Kostakis is a passionate advocate for young readers and writers. He released his first novel, Loathing Lola, when he was just nineteen. There's a typo on the first page. It's equally a source of pride and shame. His second novel, The First Third, won the 2014 Gold Inky Award. It was also shortlisted for the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year and Australian Prime Minister’s Literary awards, among others. The Sidekicks was his third novel for young adults, and his American debut. It went on to win the IBBY Australia Ena Noel Award. Most recently, Will has applied his trademark style to the fantasy genre, with Monuments and its sequel, Rebel Gods. Will was awarded the 2020 Maurice Saxby Award by the School Library Association of New South Wales for service to children’s and young adult literature.

Will is presenting his keynote "Embracing diversity re-engages readers" at the next SLANSW Professional Learning Summit. To find out more visit: Professional Learning Summit: Representation Matters (19 March 2022)