For Teachers

School visits, virtual visits, contact details, teachers’ notes and other resources

1. School visits:

I’m currently offering the following two workshops and two author talks. With a bit of notice, I am also happy to tailor a workshop to your requirements.

Whispers in the Dark: how to build your own fantasy world
Particularly suitable for children interested in fantasy and/or children interested in writing, but also works well for a general class.
Year 3 – adult, preferred max 30 students. Length: 60 – 90 minutes.

Writing masterclass
A workshop for keen writers, exploring aspects of the writing craft.
Years 3 – 12, preferred max 35 students. Length: 60 – 120 minutes.

Mystery, magic and minchwiggins
Lian Tanner spills behind-the-scenes secrets about writing her newest books, Spellhound and Fledgewitch. She will share her best tips and tricks, including: the three very important questions that she asks when writing a story, and five guaranteed ways to have fun with stories. She will also answer the burning question, should dragons be allowed in schools?

Filled with interactive storytelling and audience participation, this session will inspire both teachers and children.
Years 3 – 6, preferred max 150. Length: 60 minutes includes question time

Picture Books
A warm-hearted presentation that uses humour and Lian’s childhood to tell the stories behind Ella and the Ocean and When the Lights Went Out, and models how younger children can use their own experiences in their stories.
Kinder/Prep – Year 2, max 60. Length: 55 mins includes drawing time

Feedback on workshops/talks:

We have seen a number of authors come to visit our school, but few can measure up to the incredible imagination and entertainment of Lian Tanner! She held the entire audience in the palm of her magical hand, which is not an easy task for 90 grade 5 and 6 students! Thank you for sharing your talents with us Lian!
Aimee Rooney, St Thomas More’s, Launceston (2024)

Lian Tanner’s visit to our school was the highlight of the Library year. Lian was funny and engaging and left our students on an inspirational high. They have spent today writing wonderfully imaginative stories and have been hounding me to get more copies of her books on our shelves. What a treat!
Gary Scale, Clovelly PS, NSW (2023)

Our teachers all thought your sessions were great and especially liked how they tied in with the narrative units they were working on with their classes. You definitely inspired our students!
Wendy Holdsworth, Westerway Primary School, Tasmania (2023)

2. Virtual visits:

I’m currently offering live online talks as well as pre-recorded sessions tailored to your school, with answers to student questions sent in beforehand. Given that I live in Tasmania, it’s a good solution to the distance problem.

3. Contact details:

For mainland Australian schools/festivals/libraries wanting to enquire about an in-the-flesh or online visit, please contact:

For NSW/ACT: Booked Out Speakers Agency
Phone: (03) 9824 0177
Email: bookings@bookedout.com.au
Website: https://bookedout.com.au/

or: Creative Kids Tales Speakers’ Agency
Phone: 0419 689 942
Email: info@cktspeakersagency.com.au
Website: www.cktspeakersagency.com.au

For Victoria: Booked Out Speakers Agency
Phone: (03) 9824 0177
Email: bookings@bookedout.com.au
Website: https://bookedout.com.au/

or: Lamont Books Pty Ltd
Phone: 03 8787 1700
Email: hayley@lamontbooks.com.au
Website: www.lamontbooks.com.au

For Queensland: Speakers Ink
Phone: 1300 979 465 or 0428 111 155
Email: sandie@speakers-ink.com.au
Website: https://www.speakers-ink.com.au/

For South Australia: Booked Out Speakers Agency
Phone: (03) 9824 0177
Email: bookings@bookedout.com.au
Website: https://bookedout.com.au/

or: Becky’s Literary Bookings
Phone: 0424 584 697
Email: becky@beckysliterary.com.au
Website: http://www.beckysliterary.com.au/

For all other matters, including Tasmanian and international live and virtual visits, you can contact me through my literary agent, Margaret Connolly:
Phone: 02 9449 6342
Email: mconnollyagency@gmail.com

OR my Australian publisher, Allen & Unwin:
83 Alexander Street, Crows Nest, NSW, Australia 2065
Email: publicity@allenandunwin.com

OR message me via my author facebook page.

OR leave a message on my blog. It won’t appear until I’ve approved it, so if you don’t want it made public, just say so.