For Children:

Literary Festival and School Visit Author Talks

Alison delivers engaging, informative and interactive author talks. She will share with kids where her love of books and reading came from, how she became a published author, and talk about the interesting behind the scenes details of bringing picture books to life with publishers and illustrators. She will get kids thinking about the themes in her books and entertain with stories, singing, puppets and costumes.
(30 min, 45 min and 1 hour talks)

Climb the Story Mountain – Writing Workshop

Learn the Secret formula to the perfect story, from an attention-grabbing beginning to a satisfying ending and everything in between. This secret story magic can be applied to picture books, novels, short stories and play scripts.
(1 hour to half day workshops. Suitable for Grade 2 and above)

All About Picture Books – combination of writing workshop and author talk

Learn all about the art form that is a picture book. Story structure, art and words working together, leaving room for the illustrator, the power of 3, word length, character, strong starts, where do ideas come from? The different types of picture books, language choices, editing and more.
(1 hour to half day workshops. Suitable for Grade 2 and above)

Singalong Story Time with Ally the Story Bee

Join Ally the Story Bee for picture book stories, singing, dancing, puppets, colouring and craft.
(30mins to 1 hour sessions, suitable for smaller groups in libraries, bookstores and kindies, kids 3-7.)

Curiosity Detectives Workshop

Go behind the scenes of the making of Growing Pains and Hotel For Bees - where the ideas came from, the amazing upcycled collage illustrations in Growing Pains and how the illustrator created them with recycled materials, See a real bee hotel and learn about why they’re built, learn about Qld native bees and why bees are so important, learn about the differences between hive bees and solitary bees, recycled craft and bee hotel extension, book readings, chat about how curiosity can lead to experimentation and science and also empathy and kindness. (science, art, social/emotional intelligence, overcoming fears, care of the environment)
(1 hour workshops, suitable for single classes prep, 1 and 2)

Great and Small Unicorn Workshop

Where did the idea for Great and Small come from and how did it turn into a story about sport, inclusion and diversity. What is different and the same between the Olympic Games and the Paralympics. “What is your dream?” colouring activity, big and small sorting activity, book reading, fun interactive mini Great and Small Games event, chat about inclusion and diversity and what that means in the playground, as well as celebrating our unique abilities. (inclusion, diversity, sport, friendship, persistence, courage)
(1 hour workshops, suitable for single classes prep, 1 and 2)

For Adults

It’s A Marathon, Not A Sprint…

Alison shares her rollercoaster ride to publication during an inspirational talk about the challenges you’ll face as a writer, how to develop resilience and never give up on your dream.
(1 hour talk for aspiring writers) 

How To Get Published… over and over again

Learn how to get published and keep getting published – We dive into everything from cover letters and pitches, to manuscript appraisals and formatting, industry networking dos and don’ts, character development, idea generation, satisfying story arcs, the rule of 3, word length, leaving room for the illustrator, to rhyme or not to rhyme, working with publishers and publicists, social media and so much more.
(For aspiring and emerging children’s writers. 1 hour, half day and full day workshops) 

How To Launch Your Children’s Book Like A Pro

Learn how to build your author brand and launch your book successfully, including social media, press releases, contacting schools, Good Reads, Reviews, how to work with bookstores and more.
(For anyone published or has a children’s book coming out in the future. 1 hour workshop)