Frances Watts was happily working as a children’s book editor until the lightbulb moment that resulted in her first book: Kisses for Daddy. Illustrated by David Legge, it was named an Honour Book in the Early Childhood category of the 2006 Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards and has been published in over twenty countries. Her second picture book, Parsley Rabbit’s Book about Books, was also illustrated by David Legge, was a 2008 CBCA Book of the Year. This successful team have since published Captain Crabclaw’s Crew and The Fearsome, Frightening, Ferocious Box. Her other picture books include A Rat in a Stripy Sock (illustrated by David Francis; a CBCA Notable Book and KOALA Honour Book) and Goodnight, Mice! (illustrated by Judy Watson), winner of the 2012 Prime Minister’s Literary Award for Children’s Fiction.
As well as continuing to write picture books, Frances also writes fiction, including fantasy/adventure series the Gerander Trilogy and the medieval Sword Girl series (ill. Gregory Rogers) as well as two historical YA novels, The Raven’s Wing, set in Ancient Rome, and The Peony Lantern (shortlisted for a NSW Premier’s Literary Award in 2016), set in nineteenth-century Japan.
Frances’s latest book, written under the nom de plume Alex Ratt, is The Stinky Street Stories (illustrated by Jules Faber).
As both a writer and an editor, Frances is in a unique position to talk about how books are made. As a writer she talks about ideas and inspiration, language, creating characters, planning a story, working with illustrators and researching historical fiction, interspersed with readings and plenty of audience engagement. As an editor who has worked on many popular and award-winning books for both children and adults, she can also speak knowledgeably about the publishing process.
For more information, visit Frances’s website: www.franceswatts.com.
Testimonials
Frances Watts was very enthusiastic and happy to be presenting to our students. Frances Watts engaged the students and shared some of her personal life experiences which the students really enjoyed. They loved seeing all her books and her powerpoint presentation was another great visual for all the students to connect with.
Good Shepherd Primary School - August 2019Frances was delightful, she engaged the children's interest fully from the kinder to the seniors, she gave them great information of how her stories are created. Answered lots of questions from the children, signed books and posed for photos with the children. It was a lovely day all around.
St Joseph's Primary School - August, 2019Frances was an inspiring, authentic speaker who brought a depth of experience to the presentation. She was able to tailor her talk to suit the different ages (years 3 - 6) that she spoke to. I would have no hesitation in recommending her as a speaker to schools.
Frances Watts - Lane Cove West Primary School, August, 2015Thanks for a truly fabulous CCLC in 2012.
We were so thrilled with the response to your sessions and so grateful for all the energy and passion you devoted to each of the workshops you conducted.
Frances Watts - Curtis Coast Lirerary Carnival, Gladstone, July, 2012
The Stinky Street Stories
Goodnight Mice
Kisses for Daddy
The Greatest Sheep in History
The Middle Sheep
Extrordinary Ernie and Marvelous Maud
Parsley Rabbit's Book about Books
Captain Crabclaw's Crew
Heroes of the Year
Spies of Gerander
Song of the Winns
The Song of the Winns
The Secret of the Swords
The Fearsome, Frightening, Ferocious Box
Tournament Trouble
The Poision Plot
The Siege Scare
The Secret of Zanzibar
The Secrets of Flamant Castle
The Raven's Wing
The Peony Lantern
Featured Speakers
Stop Press
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.
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New Releases See all books
Touring Speakers See all tour dates
Speaker | Location | Tour dates | Book now |
---|---|---|---|
Brisbane | 14 May - 17 May 2024 | ||
Rockhampton | 11 Jun - 20 Jun 2024 | ||
Brisbane | 08 Jul - 10 Jul 2024 | ||
Brisbane | 11 Jul - 12 Jul 2024 | ||
Brisbane | 18 Jul - 19 Jul 2024 |
What people are saying
Shannon visited my year 8 focused literacy class. Her presentation was very well organised, relevant and extremely interesting. Shannon discussed the steps she went through to write and publish her book "Was Not Me". This was closely linked to the theory behind story structures. Students had an opportunity to see early drafting notes and discuss the drafting, illustrating and publishing processes. All of this was presented in a manner that suited my class perfectly and there were lots of o [...]
Tony was a great hit with the students (at the Primary Taster Day) and they really enjoyed his workshops.
We have never had a presentation that was so successfully received by our students, our teachers and our families in the wider community. The presentations were excellent, entertaining, thought-provoking and informative – a real quality experience for all participants.
Once again Speakers Ink provided a wonderful service. You are my first point of call for organising speakers when I need to. Speakers Ink does a great job and your costs are very reasonable given what is delivered. I do look forward to working with you again.
Candice was a pleasure to work with. She had the children engaged with their writing and they all had a wonderful time working with her. Candice was well-prepared and interacted in a beautiful way with both the teachers and students. We would certainly be happy to book her again in future years.
Thank you for yesterday - it was a wonderfully fun and informative hour. Kate was really great and seemed to have a real connection with the students.
Can you envision over 2,000 students from across Australia participating in a collaborative Zoom workshop, where they spontaneously rise and applaud after a poetry performance? Inspired and motivated, these students don't just write; they eagerly share and perform their own poetry, delving into the depths of their emotions and life experiences. Joel models the process, making it accessible for students to adopt and make their own. They're so engrossed in their writing that they don't want to put [...]
Megan captivated her audience as she shared valuable insights into her writing process. Megan inspired our students to share their thoughts, ideas and feelings through writing. She made her books come alive as she used excerpts to highlight her ideas. Our students (and teachers) loved her session.
The students were engaged by David's ability to understand their interests and needs. Ranged from personal interaction to hands-on activities. We hope to invite David again next year during our Visit Japan Week.
Lorraine was a fantastic speaker. She gave the students ideas of how poets work and ran a workshop to practise the skills, so there was a good balance between the theory and the practise which is better for primary students. Her introductory session was also informative and her reading of the poems was good. Just having the opportunity to meet a writer and poet is an experience too.
Her presentation was both humorous and informative and Yvonne was flexible in her delivery and accommodated for timetable changes. I highly recommend Yvonne to any school wishing to have an author visit.