Susanne Gervay OAM
Susanne Gervay OAM is an award-winning Australian author, educator, literacy advocate and international speaker whose work champions social justice, inclusion, diversity and the transformative power of literature.
She was awarded the Lifetime Social Justice Literature Award by the International Literacy Association for her body of work and has received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her contribution to literature. She has also been nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, one of the world’s most prestigious international honours for children’s and young adult literature.
An acclaimed author of books for children and young adults, Susanne’s writing explores themes of identity, belonging, resilience, disability, multiculturalism, family, peace and social justice. Her books have reached readers internationally and are widely used to encourage empathy, dialogue and understanding among young people.
As an international and national speaker, Susanne has addressed audiences in New York, Delhi, Istanbul, Singapore, Ubud, across Australia and in many other parts of the world. She brings extensive experience working with children, educators, writers and communities, making her a particularly engaging speaker and workshop leader.
Susanne is an Ambassador for Room to Read, Patron of Monkey Baa Theatre, an Australia Day Ambassador, a former Director of NSW Writers and a long-standing advocate for literacy and children’s literature.
HLF-WWK 2027 is delighted to welcome Susanne Gervay OAM to Kathmandu for the festival and writers’ workshop, May 29–June 6, 2027, themed:
“Nature Writing, Travel Writing & the Spirit: Writing the Earth, Mapping the Soul.”
Her participation will bring a powerful perspective on how literature can connect young readers with the world around them, foster empathy and give voice to diverse experiences.