Due to Coronavirus, we have to cancel the 2020 festival. Hopefully we can reschedule it for next year. I hope all of the wonderful teachers and students out there remain virus free. Stay safe.
LITERARY FESTIVALS FOR 2020
Exciting new presenter joins our line-up. Popular author and entertainer Andy Jones is joining us for the CQ Festival week.
Andy is an ABC and Harper Collins bestselling children’s author and entertainer. He tours schools, writers’ festivals, libraries and events all over Australia. The ‘Hot Jokes for Cool Kids’ series, that has sold over 500,000 copies (with 1.5 million copies sold across all his titles), has made him a firm favourite with kids and parents alike. Andy is a trained primary school teacher and has utilised this invaluable education to create his shows, CD’s and books. Book now for our 2020 festival. Dates are filling fast.
The aim of the School Literary Festival is to encourage students to read, spark an interest in writing, and to allow them to meet and be inspired by some of Australia's leading authors.
Nothing stimulates reading, writing and art more than a visit from your students’ favourite author or illustrator. Through our network of authors and illustrators you will have a choice of well-known and loved adult and children’s authors and illustrators.
HOW THE SCHOOL FESTIVAL WORKS: Workshops can be planned to suit the needs of the students and to fit in with the writing and art assignments in the curriculum and the Naplan test. During the day your students get to workshop with many of our authors.
We can rotate our authors to the class rooms of the participating students or set them up in the library or hall and have the students come to them. The cost of the festival depends on the number of students participating and the number of authors chosen. Contact Elaine for a firm quote. elaine@austlitfest.com
Our larger festivals have 10 presenters, but smaller festivals can be organised with as few as 4. The number of presenters can be adjusted to suits your needs and space restraints.
Funding is available from many sources for this kind of activity.
This year's line-up includes: Paul Collins:Paul has written many books for children and young adults. He is best known for his fantasy and science fiction titles. Paul gives 2-3 hour workshops to students and adults on fantasy writing and world creation, which includes plotting. He also specialises in one-hour writing and editing workshops, gives industry overview talks, and talks on getting published to adults. His latest book is Harry Kruize, Born to Lose.
Meredith Costain:Meredith is a versatile writer whose work ranges from picture books to novels and narrative non-fiction. Her books include CBCA Honour Book Doodledum Dancing, My First Day at School, Disaster Chef, A Year in Girl Hell, and novelisations of the TV show Dance Academy. Her latest series is the quirky Ella Diaries, with illustrations by Danielle McDonald.
Susanne Gervey:Recognised for books on social justice, from bullying to disability, Susanne’s award winning youth literature is endorsed by Variety, Room to Read, Life Education & many others. Her books include I Am Jack, a best-selling rite-of-passage book on school bullying adapted into a play by Monkey Baa Theatre for Young People.
Pam Rushby:Pam is a multi-award-winning author of many popular historic novels. She presenst talks and run workshops, from one-hour to full-day sessions, for school students and adults. Talks and workshops can also be tailored to suit particular requirements. She is a registered teacher.
Elaine Ouston: Elaine has a Master of Letters in Creative Writing. She teaches writing to adults and children and writes books and short stories for children and young adults. Her books have an educational theme. The Mystery of Nida Valley series teaches children about Australian megafauna and her latest book, Barben’s Magic Quest teaches them the importance of saving trees to save the environment. She is a popular speaker at schools in Queensland. The list of her workshops is on her website. http://www.elainejouston.com
Andy Jones: Andy is an ABC and Harper Collins bestselling children’s author and entertainer. He tours schools, writers’ festivals, libraries and events all over Australia. The ‘Hot Jokes for Cool Kids’ series, that has sold over 500,000 copies (with 1.5 million copies sold across all his titles), has made him a firm favourite with kids and parents alike. Andy is a trained primary school teacher and has utilised this invaluable education to create his shows, CD’s and books.
Choose any other author or illustrators you want to come to your school. But get in early before they have other bookings. Our festivals have been held annually at many schools.As an example of the calibre of our presenters, the sides of this page show presenters from past literary festivals. But many more are available. You can choose who you want to visit your school. More of our previous presenters are shown in the slide show at the top of the Home page. But you are not limited to these presenters. Tell me who you want, and I will see if they are available.
These festivals are held during a school day at individual schools or venues. An open day for groups of students from schools unable to hold a festival, a video link to country schools, a professional development day for teachers, support staff, and librarians, and workshops for local writers are also available.
Many options exist for you or your school to take part in these exciting events:
Design your festival - Choose your presenters:If you want more than our 6, the rest of the2020 festival presenters are up to you. You choose the number you want to come to your school. Tell us who you want and we will see if they are available. You are not limited to the authors shown here.
An Author Visit or Workshop: If you don’t want a festival, you can choose to have one of our presenters, or as many as you wish, attend your school for a day of workshops or an author talk with your students.
Send students to an Open Day Festival: This is an opportunity for schools to send selected students to a one-day event. The students will have workshops with and mix with each of our presenters during the day. This event will be held at a venue in Rockhampton. The date will be advised when all bookings are firmed.
Book your date and presenters early to make sure you don't miss out. If your school is interested in obtaining more information, discussing holding a festival, or attending one of our events in 2020, please fill in the form below, email Elaine at elaine@austlitfest.com or phone 0417 351 717 to work out the details.
