I'M AVAILABLE FOR SCHOOL VISITS MOST DAYS OF THE WEEK, IN TERM TIME.

PLEASE EMAIL ME AT sherrylc1 (at) optusnet (dot) com (dot) au for bookings. This is often easier for discussing your needs. If you prefer, you can book me either through CreativeNet or BookedOut.

Most schools ask me to do a general talk about writing and my books, along with research and how books are made. I'm happy to talk to you about what you'd like me to do.

I'm also happy to bring books that students can buy and have signed, but it's entirely your choice.
The following are specific sessions that I offer – other kinds of sessions are available by negotiation.

MEET THE WRITER
A general session (45-50 minutes approx) which includes a short talk about being a writer, where my ideas come from and how they grow into books, how I go about research (with lots of "show and tell") and one or more readings from my books and a question & answer session.
This is suitable for all ages from Prep/Grade 1 (picture book and Nibbles) to Grade 6. I adapt it according to age group.

WHO MADE THIS BOOK?
A session (40 minutes) on how a picture book is made. I look at how I write a book, what happens to it in the editing process, how illustrations are created, book design and the final book. I use examples and samples (e.g. galley proofs) from my own publishing processes with Penguin Nibbles and Bites.
This session is suitable for all groups up to Year 12, especially for classes that are creating their own books as part of a project or assessment task.

POETRY
A fun session about reading and writing poems. I talk about how I write poems, read lots of examples to illustrate how an idea becomes a poem, look at a range of types of poems, talk about rhyme and how it works, and also read some classics. Children are encouraged to write one or two poems of their own during this session, if time allows. A general short session on this topic would be 40 mins – to allow time for students' own writing, we need an hour.

STORIES FROM LIFE
This session focuses on stories in our own lives and those around us. Children often write about things they see on TV or in the media. I talk about how to find stories in your own life, using examples from my own books, and how to turn real life into fiction. What do you need to think about in creating this kind of story? How do you make a beginning, middle and ending? This is designed to be a writing workshop – one hour. (Max 20 students).

CREATE A CHARACTER, MAKE A STORY
This is a writing workshop, aimed at showing children how to create interesting characters and, from there, write one or more stories. We will look at what a character needs, what makes a story and a character interesting, plot ideas and basics, and begin a story. This is designed to be a writing workshop – one hour. (Max 20 students).

FEES
Usually, I charge $600 + GST for a full day, but this can be negotiated.
My preference is for three sessions or workshops in a venue (a full day). Half-days can be negotiated. If your venue is more than 30 mins travel from my home, there will be an additional travel component.

I am also very happy to travel interstate. When there are three days of work available (perhaps at three different schools) then costs can be shared and the daily rate reduced a little. Please do email me - I live in Melbourne!

Please email me with all enquiries.