Strong Women Protagonists: Conversation with Three Women Writers

Writing Strong Women Protagonists 

Female readers dominate the book-buying market. In 2025, what do they want to see reflected back at them when it comes to fictional female characters?  

Authors Anne Freeman, Casey Nott & Holly Cardamone have crafted 3 very different female leads for their debut novels…but they have one trait in common – strength. In this vibrant panel session, Anne, Casey & Holly explore why they wanted their characters to ‘live’ feminism & how they brought this to life on the page. 

About Casey Nott

Casey Nott is a Melbourne based author who writes women-centric, contemporary fiction. Her debut novel, Forgotten, asks, what would you do if you couldn’t remember your life? Her second novel, Five Stages of Grace, is due for release in May 2026.

About Anne Freeman

Anne Freeman is an award winning author who writes contemporary fiction about women who are stuck in life and the extraordinary ways they shake themselves loose. She has written two novels, Returning To Adelaide in 2022 and Me That You See in 2024. 

About Holly Cardamone

Holly Cardamone is a Melbourne-based author and communications specialist. Her debut novel, Summer, in Between was the 2024 winner of the Hawkeye Publishing Manuscript Development Prize and was published September 2025.