Sharing my books and passion for writing with groups of children is a great delight to me.

I started my working life as a primary school teacher with a special interest in (and much passion for) literacy education and children’s literature. In 2005 I left teaching to pursue a career in children’s book publishing and I am now Publishing Manager for Walker Books Australia.
 
I have many years experience as a speaker, storyteller and workshop leader, presenting at schools, libraries, state and national conferences and festivals. My presentations are engaging, dramatic and humorous and involve much audience participation.

Bookings and Enquiries:

i can be contacted for school visits, workshops and presentations via Lateral Learning:

Phone:  02 9569 4844
Fax:     02 9569 4811
E-mail: bookings@laterallearning.com.au
Web: www.laterallearning.com.au

Presentations

I am happy to speak to a variety of topics and themes and will adapt my presentations to cater for specific needs.

Some of my presentations include:

Primary Schools Program:

It’s all in the Telling: [Years 3-6]

In this session participants will be taken on a wild story journey: trekking through snowstorms, dodging giant spiders, fleeing raging bushfires. Along the way, they will discover what it takes to make a story both authentic and gripping, and will explore the special tools writers employ to make their stories sparkle. The session will also endeavour to enthuse participants about books and reading.

Time for a Story [Years K-2]

This session for younger students focuses on dramatic, humorous and interactive storytelling – I’m partial to dress-ups! – and will encourage students to use their imaginations and actively participate. It will also touch on the process of book making and include the sharing of illustrative roughs, original art, printer’s proofs etc.

Writing Workshops:

I am happy to deliver workshops to any age group from Year One upwards. I draw on my teaching, writing and editing experience to inspire young writers to use their imaginations and provide tips and exercises for writing development. Workshops focus on getting ideas, creating characters, plotting, using imagination and writing super starts

Go Wild Workshop:

Story ideas are everywhere. This workshop guides students through the process of how to use their imaginations to turn simple ideas into wild stories. Through the active participation and writing exercises, students will explore the special tools writers employ to make their stories sparkle.

Secondary Schools program:

My role as Publishing Manager at Walker Books and eight years’ experience as a children’s book editor puts me in the unique position of being able to speak about the publishing process from a variety of perspectives. The Inside Story provides insight into the world of publishing with tips about how to get a story noticed. (Best suited to ages 12+)

The Writer’s Journey:

Using Get a Grip, Cooper Jones as a primary example, this session will explore the writer’s journey from initial idea to final book. It will demonstrate how authors use a combination of research, their own experiences and imagination to create stories that are authentic and gripping.

Thematically:

I am able to use my books to speak to a variety of themes including, the importance of place, identity, peer pressure, self esteem, courage, betrayal, difference, acceptance, journeys, belonging and growing up.

Adult Programs:

In a Nutshell: Writing for Children and Young Adults Workshop: I have been giving writing for children one-day workshops for a number of years. (WEA, Wollongong / FAW Nowra / NSW Writers’ Centre) My experience as an editor and my role as a Publishing Manager adds a unique perspective to these workshops.

Testimonials:

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