Cath Crowley is an author of young adult fiction. Her novels include The Gracie Faltrain trilogy, Chasing Charlie Duskin, Graffiti Moon, Words in Deep Blue and Take Three Girls (co-written with Fiona Wood and Simmone Howell). Graffiti Moon won the Prime Minister’s Literary Award for Young Adult Fiction, the Ethel Turner Award for Young People’s Literature, and was named an honour book in the Children’s Book Council, Book of the Year. Words in Deep Blue was recently awarded the Gold Inky for 2017, the QLD Literary Award for Young Adult Fiction and The Prime Minister’s Literary Award for Young Adult Fiction. In 2018, Take Three Girls won the CBCA Award for Book of the Year: Older Readers.
Visit Cath at cathcrowleyauthor.com
I’m an award-winning author of books for young adults, published in Australia and internationally. I’ve spoken in schools and libraries and at festivals across Australia and internationally. Topics for talks include the writing process of specific books, the craft of writing, the importance of creativity, and how I came to be a writer. But I’m very happy to tailor talks to suit school needs.
Sessions
Workshops can be tailored to suit school needs.
Possible topics include:
Short story
Creating believable, original characters
The importance of conflict in fiction
Personal writing
Creating atmosphere in fiction
Dialogue
Ways to avoid cliché
Inspiration–getting started and getting unstuck
Collaborative Writing Workshop
This workshop focuses on collaboration and extending the imagination. Participants are encouraged to discuss plotting and characterisation, to find narrative solutions together, and to make decisions that result in a sustained voice. Collaboration is challenging, yes, but it’s fun – and writers benefit from consciously reflecting on their creative processes, and the processes of others.
Online Author Q&A
Online sessions are flexible–that’s the great thing about them. They can run for 30 minutes to an hour. You might book in a class, or a group of keen readers. Students can ask questions about the writer’s life, the craft of writing and my books. Students can also troubleshoot problems they’re having with plot, character, dialogue or structure.
Testimonials
Cath’s passion for writing is so infectious – certainly some of the best feedback we’ve had on a speaker.
Youth Events - City of CaseyCath’s presentation was fantastic. Cath has a wonderful way of captivating and inspiring her audience. (We) would definitely have Cath back again.
Maribyrnong Library ServiceI just wanted to let you know that your Graffiti Moon continues to be in our popular listing of fiction titles– and I still receive congratulations and well done’s on how fantastic you were with the girls at assembly.
Star of the Sea College
Gracie Faltrain Takes Control
Gracie Faltrain Gets it Right (Finally)
The Life and Times of Gracie Faltrain
Chasing Charlie Duskin
Take Three Girls
Words in Deep Blue
Graffiti Moon
Featured Speakers
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Welcome to Term 2
If you haven't already done so, now is the time to book your speakers for Book Week next term.
Please get in touch and we will be happy to provide recommendations for your school.
You can use the contact form, or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
New Releases See all books
Touring Speakers See all tour dates
Speaker | Location | Tour dates | Book now |
---|---|---|---|
Sunshine Coast | 04 Jun - 06 Jun 2024 | ||
Rockhampton | 11 Jun - 20 Jun 2024 | ||
Brisbane/Gold Coast | 19 Jun - 21 Jun 2024 | ||
Brisbane | 08 Jul - 10 Jul 2024 | ||
Brisbane | 11 Jul - 12 Jul 2024 |
What people are saying
I am very pleased to report that we had a wonderful experience with the 2 speakers that we booked. Both Peter (Carnavas) and Pat (Flynn) worked well together, engaged the students and when they broke into smaller year level groups coped really well and tailored the lessons to suit the students.
Our children were fascinated by the methods Chrissy wrote, illustrated and published her magical picture book. At each stage of her journey in her presentation a child opened a surprise sparkly box. They saw first-hand examples of the material she used in her beautiful illustrations. Their interest was captured by an insight into her creativity and her encouragement to work at what they loved to do, no matter what hurdles they met on the way.
I highly recommend Maria as a speaker. Our students found her presentation interesting and engaging, and I was impressed with the way Maria held their attention throughout.
Belinda’s presentation style was very suitable for our students. She connected well with all year levels and understood how to engage them. I was very impressed with her style personable and very approachable for students. I would welcome Belinda again to speak to our students.
Anna had the audience locked on to her presentation from start to finish. She unfolded a fascinating story of literary detective work, tracing the lives of her Polish grandmother and her family, and the audience couldn't wait for a formal question-and-answer period at the end – they threw in questions as the session went along, and she handled them brilliantly and honestly.
Students had the opportunity to implement their creative writing skills during Matt Porter’s workshop. The students were enthralled and totally engaged during the entire session, which catered to all abilities. His activities and tips achieved immediate results and the kids were soon writing far more descriptive and exciting stories. What a brilliant visit from an up-and-coming young author. We hope to see him back here in the near future.
All communications with Speakers Ink Agency were effective and prompt. Staff were very pleasant to deal with.
I just wanted to thank you on behalf of Ormiston College. Our guest visitors certainly enjoyed your presentation and as one person said on leaving “From now on I will be looking for his cartoon before I even read the front page.” Thank you again for being a part of our 25th Anniversary Literary Lunch.
A.J.’s willingness to adapt on the fly and adjust her schedule was paramount to the success of the session. It was absolutely brilliant in terms of content and was perfectly tailored to their assessment task. As a teacher, I garnered insider tips and tricks to improve young students’ writing and the early feedback from some of my top students was fantastic. In fact, one teacher in the session already shared a writing task to the teaching team based on her presentation today. Thank you, A.J., for [...]
Thank you for single-handedly bringing my 10 year old son back to reading.
Versatile across all stages Sue captures and holds her audience’s attention from the get-go. As a former teacher, Sue knows how to pitch, pace and present to perfection. Staff and students were equally enthralled and impressed. Five stars from us at Yarrawarrah School. Nailed it!