Speaking
Are you looking for an author to visit your school or speak at your festival?
Allison Tait is an experienced and entertaining speaker for adults and children, with experience in a wide range of subjects, including writing (for adults, for children), blogging, social media, work/life balance for writers, podcasting and more.
Allison (A.L. Tait) speaks regularly in schools and at children’s literature festivals, presenting workshops and talks for children, with a focus on practical and useful tips and advice to inspire kids to have confidence in their own writing.
Allison’s 12-module online course for the Australian Writers’ Centre, the ‘Kids Creative Writing Quest’, is in high demand.
Allison is also an experienced speaker and moderator at ‘adult’ writing festivals, available to facilitate (and participate) in panels and discussions, as well as presenting workshops and seminars for adults on writing, social media, creativity and more.
She is also available to present reading and writing topics to adults with Your Kid’s Next Read team members Megan Daley and Allison Rushby or solo.
Appearances in recent years have included in-person and online presentations for Sydney Writers’ Festival, Somerset Storyfest, Voices On The Coast Literature Festival, Once Upon A Story Literature Festival, Berry Writers’ Festival, Singapore Writers’ Festival, Brisbane Writers’ Festival, Whitsunday Voices Youth Literature Festival, and more.
For more information or to organise a festival appearance, please CONTACT ME. For school visits, contact me or the relevant speakers’ agency below to discuss your requirements.
Current workshops / Topics
Image Credit: Mick Elliot
School Visit Bookings (including online sessions)
NSW
CKT Speakers Agency
Phone: 0419 689 942
Email: info@cktspeakersagency.com.au
VIC/NSW
Lamont Authors
Phone: (03) 87871700
Email: bookings@lamontbooks.com.au
Queensland
Speakers Ink
Phone: (07) 3040 8465
Email: info@speakers-ink.com.au
Other states and territories
Click here to send me an email.
For Adults
- Engaging reluctant readers, trends in reading and other topics for parents and educators under the Your Kid’s Next Read umbrella
- So You Want To Be A Writer?
- So You Want To Be A Children’s Author?
- Build Your Author Platform
- Working Through The Messy Middle (workshop)
- Creating Literary Communities
- Moderating, interviewing and facilitating panels and in conversations for festival programs (adult and children’s)
For children
- ‘Look, Listen, Take Note’: finding ideas for stories – and what to do with them (talks)
- How To Grow A Story (talk)
- Write What You Know – Make It New (talk/workshop)
- How To Write a Great Mystery Story (workshop)
- Find your writing superpower (talk/workshop)
- Who’s telling the story? Solving the mystery of character and POV (workshop)
- Unlocking The Story Code: 10 Keys To Writing A Great Story (workshop)
- How to write fantasy (workshop)
- Download the flyer (below) for full details of children’s talk/workshop content.
TESTIMONIALS
“Allison is a highly personable guest speaker. She brought enthusiasm, experience and expertise to her presentations as part of our Book Week celebrations.
Our Stage 3 students responded well and took away loads of practical advice to apply to their own writing.
One of our teachers commented post session, “Allison would be great to get back again; especially for a provocation to a writing unit. So many great ideas!”
It was a delight meeting Allison and learning more about her craft and her active involvement in the broader community.”
– Megan Light, Digital Literacy Leader and iCentreTeacher Librarian, Cranbrook School
“Allison’s presentation on writing fantasy stories was both engaging and informative. Students were extremely interested in hearing about the process involved in writing stories and the elements of the fantasy genre.
Allison’s presentation was an excellent authentic experience to enhance their knowledge about writing.“
Diana Linquist, Georges River College Penshurst Girls Campus
“It was a wonderful experience having Allison as Quizmaster for the 2015 Readers Cup competitions in the Ipswich region. For someone who had never seen the competition before she did an amazing job engaging with the students between rounds, filling them in on her writing process and the inspiration for her book.
Afternoon visits to schools also provided students with more extensive knowledge of her writing process. The students showed interest throughout the session and seemed inspired to read more.” – Jenny Stubbs, Coordinator Ipswich District Teacher-Librarian Network
“It was a delight to have Allison on the Sydney Writers’ Festival program. She’s an engaging speaker, generous with her insights and knowledge about both writing and motherhood.
Her blend of inspiration and practical tips gave participants the means and the motivation to work towards their writing goals.”
– Jeanmarie Morosin, Head of Children’s Programs, Sydney Writers’ Festival
“Children who live in far flung regional areas are often deprived of opportunities their city cousins take for granted. These kids devour the opportunity to listen, learn and engage with the writers of the books they read but never dream they may have the chance to meet personally. Allison Tait is one author who makes the dream a reality.
As a founding member and organiser of BRW Festival my job is made super easy when you have an Allison Tait on your guest list.”
Mickey McKellar, Burdekin Readers and Writers Association
““Allison Tait is not only a talented author but was and still is an inspiration to the Year 3 and Year 4 students at Gerringong Public School.
She engaged them in the craft behind being a successful writer by sharing her journey and effective strategies on how to write a quality story.
Weeks after her visit to our school the students still recall and apply the ideas and suggestions she gave them.
At the students’ request we are reading The Mapmaker Chronicles as a class, and this is testament to the presentation Allison gave to the students.”
– Gila Adams, Assistant Principal, Gerringong Public School
Discover all books by a. l. tait
