If you’d like me to visit your school, let’s talk! You can book me by contacting me directly or through Speakers Ink. In addition to the options below, I love being involved in other school-based initiatives that get young people excited about reading and writing (eg. One School One Book, Author in Residence, writing competitions/groups, etc)… so please get in touch if you have any ideas! Note that ASA rates apply, and I am based in Brisbane.
*** Download a Losing the Plot colouring page here ***
Author talk: Fairytales – Weird, Wonderful, Wild (Year 2-6)
Get your students excited about books, fairytales and storytelling! We’ll learn about the Brothers Grimm, do a quiz based on Grimms’ original fairytales and see a scene from Losing the Plot come to life with the help of some audience volunteers. Students will learn about life as an author and have the opportunity to ask questions. This entertaining and interactive 45- to 60-minute presentation is suitable for larger groups.
Workshop: Magical Portals, Fantastical Worlds (Year 3-6)
Students will learn about portals and how they can transport characters to other worlds. We’ll discuss examples from popular children’s fiction, as well as from Losing the Plot and Down the Plot Hole. Then we’ll examine some ‘magical’ objects for inspiration before creating our own magical portals and fantastical worlds! This engaging 45- to 60-minute workshop is suitable for class-sized groups of up to 35 students.
Workshop: Create a Funny Character (Year 3-6)
Students will learn how to use exaggeration to create a funny character. We’ll discuss examples from popular children’s fiction, as well as from Losing the Plot and Down the Plot Hole. Then we’ll create our own funny character! This fun 45- to 60-minute workshop is suitable for class-sized groups of up to 35 students.
Workshop: How to Write a Story (Year 3-8*)
This hands-on workshop begins with a presentation of several key writing tips, followed by quiet writing time during which I provide students with one-on-one encouragement or advice. Topics covered include generating ideas, planning and writing a story, the importance of editing, and practical ways to ‘elevate your writing’. By the end of the workshop, each student will have produced a unique short story. This inspiring 90- to 120-minute workshop is suitable for class-sized groups of up to 35 students.
Please note: This is a versatile workshop that can be scaled up or down according to audience age and the time available. Schools have used this workshop to tie in with a narrative writing unit, to build skills ahead of NAPLAN, and as the basis of a whole-school writing competition. I have even run an in-depth version of this workshop over two full days as an enrichment activity for selected students, with the resulting stories being published in an anthology. I’m happy to tailor this workshop to your goals to ensure it’s a wonderful experience for your students!
*This session can also be adapted into a 45-minute workshop for Year 1-2 students by having the outcome be an illustrated acrostic rather than a short story.
Workshop: All About Inciting Incidents (Year 5-8)
Students will learn what an inciting incident is and why stories need them. We’ll discuss examples from popular children’s fiction, as well as from Losing the Plot and Down the Plot Hole. Then we’ll come up with some inciting incidents of our own! This thought-provoking 45- to 60-minute workshop is suitable for class-sized groups of up to 35 students. It can be attended as a stand-alone session or as an add-on to the Magical Portals, Fantastical Worlds workshop.
Workshop: Improv Games for Writers (Year 5+)
No pencils required – this workshop is an engaging mix of discussion and play! Do you want to exercise your students’ ‘storytelling muscles’ while enjoying a lot of laughs along the way? In this session, we’ll explore several key writing concepts (including voice and rewriting) by playing some fun group improv games that bring those ideas to life. Don’t worry – no one has to come up the front unless they volunteer to! This lively 45- to 60-minute workshop is suitable for class-sized groups of up to 35 students (or adults… this session works as a lighthearted but enriching PD opportunity for grown-ups too!).
Storytime With an Author (Prep-Year 1)
For your youngest students, I can offer a storytime in which I read them several picture books (including You Are Not a Pup!)… and maybe even get them to read one to me! This option works well as a 30-minute session. It makes a nice add-on if I’m presenting other sessions to your older grades and you don’t want the little ones to miss out on the opportunity to meet an author. If you like, we can also include a scavenger hunt in which children hunt for the characters from You Are Not a Pup! around their classroom or library!
Annaleise Byrd 