Virtual Festival
Monday 26 February to Wednesday 28 February
Program is subject to change. Please check back for updates.
All times are Brisbane Times (AEST)
Monday 26 February 2024
Charlotte Barkla
Talk: Start your story (Yrs 5-8)
Learn how to plot a story, from generating story ideas and developing believable characters, to creating conflict, working with tension, and building satisfying resolutions. Students will workshop and develop their own ideas, and learn the skills to take their story-writing to the next level.
Mon 26 Feb : 9.30am - 10.15am (Brisbane time - AEST)
Nikki Mottram
Talk: Pitching to Publishers (Yrs 10-Adult)
What information to provide to publishers when trying to get your book published, e.g. genre, word count, target market, comparison titles. Avenues to contact publishers e.g. through their website, in person through “literary speed dating events”, competitions etc. The “elevator pitch”
Mon 26 Feb :11am - 11.45am (Brisbane time - AEST)
Briony Stewart
Talk: Illustration Magic (Yrs 4-6)
Mon 26 Feb : 1pm - 1.45pm (Brisbane time - AEST)
Tuesday 27 February 2024
Mick Elliott
Talk: It’s all true! Even the bits that I made up!(Yrs 4-7)
Enter the imagination of best-selling author, illustrator, kids’ TV producer and professional mischief maker, Mick Elliott as he reveals his secrets for creating comic characters and twisted tales, like Squidge Dibley, The Turners and Dads & Dogs. This dynamic, interactive session is a rare opportunity for kids to hear first-hand from one of Australia’s funniest and most energetic storytellers.
Tues 27 Feb: 9.30am - 10.15am
Tania Ingram
Talk: Story Hunting (Yrs 2-5)
Have you ever wondered how authors come up with story ideas? Grab your pencils and notebooks and join Tania for a story hunt! Using examples from her own work, Tania will show you several different methods you can use to hunt down your own cracking story ideas. She may even tell you about the alien-robot neighbour she lived next door to as a kid! - Suitable for primary school children from years 2 to 5
Tues 27 Feb :11am - 11.45am (Brisbane time - AEST)
A.J. Betts
Talk: One Song - one chance to change your life (Yrs 8-12)
AJ will share the backstory, worldbuilding and research behind her latest book, One Song, and give practical writing advice for students regarding character development, goal setting and obstacles.
Tues 27 Feb :1pm - 1.45pm (Brisbane time - AEST)
Wednesday 28 February 2024
Megan Daley
Talk: What’s the Buzz about Bees? (Yrs Prep - 3)
Join author, educator and beekeeper Megan Daley for a nature-based book adventure with a particular focus on those most fabulous of pollinators - bees! Megan will share her picture book, ‘The Beehive’ (ill. Max Hamilton) and show bee artefacts as participants gather buzz-worthy facts and complete a guided drawing. Find out what the buzz is about bees, and why we need to create bee friendly habitats.
Wed 28 Feb: 9.30am - 10.15am (Brisbane time - AEST)
Dr Sarah Pye
Talk: Who’s who in the rainforest? (Yrs Prep - 5)
Did you know some frogs can fly? Or teenage bearded pigs have mohawks? Sarah Pye spent weeks in the jungles of Borneo researching her acclaimed Wildlife Wong books. In this engaging session, she and her puppet sidekick, Pongo, introduce some amazing creatures she met along the way, including many you have probably never heard of!
Wed 28 Feb: 11am - 11.45am (Brisbane time - AEST)
Susanne Gervay
Talk: Peace through literature (Yrs 6-9)
Heroes of the Secret Underground, demands its young readers to examine. Unafraid of tackling topics of war and grief and hope. Susanne holds the reader by the hand in this classic voyage and return adventure narrative. Steeped in the rich and dramatic history of wartime Europe. Heroes of the Secret Underground, invites its readers to literally step into the shoes of the oppressed and journey back to walk with them to better understand and find healing courage and new and heroic meaning to their lives.
Wed 28 Feb: 1pm - 1.45pm (Brisbane time - AEST)