Airlie Lawson has worked in the book industry for over 25 years, in Australia and in the UK. A publishing rights specialist, she also holds a doctorate; her research focused on how, where and why Australian novels have ‘travelled’ internationally. Those whose books she’s licensed include acclaimed creator Shaun Tan, national treasure Jackie French, bestselling children’s author Matt Stanton, multi-award-winner and bestselling novelist, Trent Dalton, and global cookbook star Donna Hay. Additionally, she’s been on the boards of the Frankfurt Rights Directors Meeting and Writing NSW, has been a judge of Magarey Medal for Biography, and an Australia Council/Creative Australia Peer Assessor. Head of Rights at HarperCollins Publishers Australia, she is also an Honorary Lecturer at the ANU.