Author talks can be amazing, inspiring a love of books and writing. Literacy is a superpower, and I love to be a part of encouraging more reading.
Below are talks and workshops I can present at your school, local library or online.
I’m a teacher and a scientist so if there’s something special you’d like me to talk about, a part of the curriculum you’d love me to touch on I can add that in. I have experience presenting to kids from Kindy to Year 12, so I can adapt to suit different ages if required.
Stories, Science and Inspiration: Meet the Author (Primary)
Year level: 3-6
Time: 45 min – 1 hr
Discover the inspirations behind HM Waugh’s novels. Learn how using real experiences and science can help make a story stronger. Left behind in a dark cave? Brilliant. Been stalked by a doll? Harness that. Learn how we can maximise our creativity and capture our readers.
An energy-filled session packed with humour and writing tips.
“The whole day was terrific and how you tailored your presentation for each age group was excellent.”
Diving into Worlds: Meet the Author (Secondary)
Year level: 7-12
Time: 45 min – 1 hr
Learn how using real experiences and science help HM Waugh make her stories stronger. How can brainstorming turn ghosts into sinister slime mould? Did she really manage to get kidnapped not once, but twice?
Packed with writing tips, interaction and laughs, this session uses real stories from the author’s life to super-charge creativity.
“The students left very motivated to continue their ideas that they created”
Creating Awesome Stories workshop
Year level: 3-10
Time: adaptable from 1 hr to full day
Learn some of the basics of plotting and world-building from HM Waugh, author of middle-grade and young adult novels. How can brainstorming, science and history help your imagination thrive and your story worlds buzz?
“This really helped me because I learned so many different tips and ways of writing stories. I had so much fun learning and writing.” Student, Year 7
“This improved my writing because it really helped me learn how to be very creative. I learned about tension, writing what you like, and adding zing to writing. The author was really good at writing, and a lovely, funny person. Overall I really enjoyed – 5/5!” Student, Year 7
“Heather was funny and a really good educator.” Student, Year 8
The Science of World-building workshop
Year level: 4-10
Time: 90 minutes – 2 hours
Curriculum-linked and energetic workshop where students use real science to inspire their own fictional worlds. How can food chains and adaptations help us create unique and interesting wildlife? What cool aspects of earth and space science will make our worlds feel real?
hm waugh - author 