AUTHOR TALKS

FOR PRE-SCHOOLERS

Heather will share her interactive look-and-find picture book, Scaredy Cat and lead a discussion on pets and a gentle discussion around anxiety. She’ll also share a few animal-themed songs and a craft activity in which children can make a wearable tail.  

WHOLE SCHOOL PRESENTATION (30-60 minutes)

Meet the Author. This can be for Book Week or anytime and virtual or in-person. Heather will talk about her author journey, how she comes up with story ideas, what happens next and how to get published.  

FOR EARLY PRIMARY (Grades Prep-2 – 60 minutes)

Storytime and writing exercise created around Heather’s picture book, Scaredy Cat. In this exciting and interactive workshop, kids will dream up and write about their own ‘mystery pet’. There’ll also be time for an Ask Me Anything where the kids can talk to a real-life author.

FOR LATE PRIMARY (Grades 3-6)

• Creative Writing Workshop

Based on her middle-grade novel, My Brother The Orangutan, Heather will facilitate a writing workshop where children can write about themselves or someone they know swapping bodies with the animal of their choice. Heather will encourage sizzling starts and plotting. Children will complete the workshop with a solid work-in-progress that can be continued in class.

• Endangered Animals and Activism

A variation on the above workshop, Heather will talk about how she uses research and how her background in journalism has fuelled her creative writing. Children will be encouraged to research the endangered animal of their choice and find out what they can do to help them. In this workshop, children will create a poster on their chosen animal and report their findings.

FOR ADULTS

HOW MY MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS LED TO MY FIRST PICTURE BOOK (30-60 minutes)

In this inspirational presentation, Heather will talk about her experience of post-natal depression and how (on the road to recovery) she wrote a story based on her experience which became her first published picture book, Happy Pants – Why is Mummy so sad?

The talk can be tailored to antenatal groups, new Mother’s groups or parent therapy groups. It can also be altered as a professional development opportunity for Maternal Child Health nurses.

PICTURE BOOK WRITING 101 (1-4 hours)

Many people love the idea of writing a picture book but when they sit down to try, realise what a difficult art form it is to master.

This workshop breaks down the unique elements of picture books and takes participants through the different styles (fiction, non-fiction, concept, etc).

Participants are encouraged to come with an idea to work on. Heather will talk about beginnings, endings, structure, word-choice and tone.

The workshop will conclude with Heather’s top tips for finding publishers and time for questions.

GETTING PUBLICITY 101 (60 minutes)

Heather has successfully used her extensive journalism background to gain widespread media coverage for her books. This presentation is designed for community groups or independent entrepreneurs wanting to gain publicity for their events.

Heather will reveal multiple avenues for publicity and talk about what makes something interesting to the media. Participants will have time to write their own press releases and receive Heather’s feedback. Please come with an idea of something you’d like to promote (either a real event/story or a possible future event).