Darren Groth
Darren Groth is a Vancouver author and citizen of Canada, having moved from his native Australia in 2007. His novels include Kindling and the highly acclaimed YA work, Are You Seeing Me?. His novel Exchange of Heart in AUS/NZ was published August 2017. In CAN/US, the book was released under the title Munro vs. the Coyote. His latest novel Infinite Blue, co-written with his brother Simon Groth will be published in September 2018
Darren was the winner of the 2016 Adelaide Festival Award for Young Adult Literature and has been a finalist in numerous other prestigious prizes including the CBCA Book of the Year (Australia), the Prime Minister's Literary Awards (Australia), the Governor General's Literary Awards (Canada) and the BC Book Prizes (Canada).
For fun, he watches 'American Ninja Warrior' with his beautiful Canadian wife and eats at Fatburger with his wondrous fifteen year old twins.
Darren's Books
Infinite Blue (2018)
Ashley Drummond is an elite swimmer. Clayton Sandalford is a talented artist. From the moment of their first meeting, they were destined to be together. Staying together, however, will test the limits of their love. A world-record swim, and the strange vision that accompanies it, raises questions about the couple's connection. Then a life-altering incident triggers a mystical change, which will demand that both of them let go in ways never imagined. Infinite Blue is a contemporary fairy tale about love and loss, flesh and water, the source of eternity, the lure of possibility and the belief that life is limitless when it's immersed in legend.
Exchange of Heart (2017)
Are You Seeing Me? (2014)
For Perry, the trip is a glorious celebration of his favourite things: mythical sea monsters, Jackie Chan movies and the study of earthquakes. For Justine, it's a chance to reconcile the decision to ‘free' her twin, to see who she is without her boyfriend, Marc – and to offer their mother the chance to atone for past wrongs.
But the instability that has shaped their lives will not subside, and the seismic event that Perry forewarned threatens to reduce their worlds to rubble.
Kindling (2010)
On a perfect autumn April noon five-and-a-half years before, wife and mother Felicity died saving her only child from a raging house fire. Although Kieran's inadvertent hand was complicit in the tragedy, Nate refused to apportion blame. The tragic circumstances of the blaze, however, constituted a secret that a fearful father dared not share with his 'different' son. But now, as the burning forests of nearby Pendarra Hill fill the sky with smoke and the TV screen with concern, Kieran will discover the devastating truth. And driven by a desire to make amends for the 'stupid little kid' of half a decade before, he will disappear into the night.
Talks
#AuthorLife
A fun flyover of the scribbler life, answering such questions as 'How did you get here?', 'Where do your ideas come from?' and 'What's the best thing about being a writer?'; includes an interactive game with prizes; grades 7-12; 60 minutes; suitable for individual classes or larger groups.
Seven Pieces of Perry Advice
An entertaining insight into the decorated YA novel Are You Seeing Me? and an exploration of life lessons provided by protagonist, Perry Richter; includes two interactive games with prizes: ‘AYSM Numbers’ and ‘Jackie Chan or Ogopogo’; Grades 7-12; 60 minutes; suitable for individual classes or larger groups.
Seeing is Believing
A look at the odyssey of Are You Seeing Me? from conception to publication, as well as tips on fashioning great fiction and handling reader feedback/editor process; includes two co-operative learning activities; Grades 8-12; 60 minutes, suitable for writing groups/classes.
Small Stories, Big Dreams - A Duck Dive into Flash Fiction
An intro to flash fiction, its craft, its creation and its publishing opportunities; includes two co-operative learning activities; Grades 8-12; 60 minutes, suitable for writing groups/classes.
All Heart
A powerful and engaging exploration of the 2017 YA novel Exchange of Heart, the folklore of the coyote’s “trickster” reputation, and strategies to defeat inner voices of negativity; includes two interactive games with prizes: ‘Fair Go Facts’ and ‘Coyote Says’; Grades 7-12; 60 minutes; suitable for individual classes or large groups.
Workshops
Authorship: The FAQ
A comprehensive and interactive overview of ‘insider’ author knowledge; includes five co-operative group exercises; half-day, suitable for creative writing groups.
Literature's Little Brother - A Guide to Short Story and Novella
A spotlight on literature's concise forms - the short and the novella - focusing on essential techniques, narrative styles and structures, and current publishing opportunities; half-day; suitable for creative writing groups.
Small Stories, Big Dreams - A Deep Dive into Flash Fiction
A practical exploration into the world of flash fiction, its craft, its creation and its publishing opportunities; includes multiple writing exercises, an open mike session, and a competition/prizes; half- or full day; suitable for creative writing groups.
Testimonials
Darren was very friendly to staff and students. He was more than willing to give extra time to speak to the students in a one on one environment. He was very engaging and got lots of audience participation with a game. Would definitely use Dave again as a speaker at our college.
St Edmund's College - August, 2017Darren was a very engaging and gracious author to present to our students during Book Week. He presented to 3 different year groups and was entertaining and willing to answer any of the boys' questions. I would have no hesitation in asking him to the school to present again. He was great fun.
St Joseph's Nudgee College - August, 2017Darren’s writing and presence resonated very well with teens…His talk was quick-moving, incorporated subject matter geared to the age group, and got them participating, laughing and having fun. I felt that he had a big impact on the students and I can’t recommend him highly enough.
North Vancouver City LibraryThe Grade 9 students greatly enjoyed Darren’s book talk; they were engaged and really enjoyed that he was funny. They were spellbound. Also, his leaving a lot of time for questions about writing and inspiration was excellent.
Delta Secondary SchoolIt was so great to have Darren come to visit our classes…Darren was engaging, inspiring and certainly knowledgeable about his craft. He read from his book, talked about the characters he created and shared bits from his personal life too. Darren was comedic, which always captivates kids, and summarized his presentation through a game. They loved it. We’d love to have him back.
Laura Secord Elementary
Infinite Blue
Exchange of Heart
Kindling
Are You Seeing Me?
Speaker type
- Author
- Virtual visits
Links
