Author Visits

Dee is available for in person or virtual author visits and residencies in schools, libraries and festivals anywhere in the world.

Why invite me?

• You enjoy my writing
• You have your own stories to tell and you need someone to help you work out how
• You want to inspire your students
• Your students have read or studied my work
• You want your students to enjoy a unique creative experience

Testimonials

The students were engaged and fascinated by how you go about putting a story together, especially the amount of background research that goes into ensuring authenticity of your work. What a great idea to finish off by having the audience actually begin to compose their story, characters, setting and plot. I think that you offered realistic and practical advice about how to become an author and sustain your craft.
Shailer Park State High School – August 2022

Thanks again for giving your talk. It was informative, interesting, and full of useful insights. The students all commented on how good it was.
Morgan – Victoria University 2021

Dee White was an inspiring presenter when she ran workshops with our students in Years 3 to 6. The sessions were tailored to the age and learning focus of the groups, the students were actively engaged, asking questions and enthusiastically sharing their own writing. I have no hesitation in recommending Dee White’s writing workshops, they’re fantastic.
Fiona Walker, New Gisborne Primary School 2021

I enjoyed planning stories and inventing interesting plots – Elizabeth aged 12

I liked learning how to plot stories and characters – Phoebe aged 10

Workshops I can run

– Primary School –

Chase the Rainbow

After reading Reena’s Rainbow, students will talk about why Reena wants to be part of the rainbow. Students will brainstorm ways to include others in their play activities. They will talk about the colours of the rainbow, and draw a picture using these colours.

Rainbow Poetry

After reading Reena’s Rainbow and viewing the Auslan version, students will discuss deafness, homelessness, friendship and resilience. They will then create their own acrostic rainbow poems

More Than One Way to Tell a Story

Cupcakes for Sleeping Beauty is a play that introduces students to a fun take on a familiar story. It invites discussion about language, different text formats and making writing fun. The workshop could involve the class performing the play.

A Duel of Words

Using A Duel of Words, students will be encouraged to think about the power of words, the places people live and how this affects their lifestyle, values and identity.

Students will be introduced to debating, and the poetic style used by Banjo Paterson and Henry Lawson to argue their points of view in the Bulletin Newspaper in the 1890s.

Your World, My World

Hope for Hanna will introduce students to the life and challenges of a girl growing up in a third world country.

Students will work in groups to respond to issues and challenges faced by children within their own country and around the world. They will discuss resilience, resourcefulness and empathy.

Revolving Around the Sun

Revolving Around the Sun is a play about the Solar System that can be performed by the students, helping them identify the planets of the solar system and their journey around the sun.

Heroes and Villains

What makes a hero and what makes a villain? Where does the inspiration for characters come from and how do you make them authentic. Learn how to pit your hero and villain against each other to create a compelling story. (K9 Heroes)

– Secondary Schools –

Unlikely Heroes

A workshop inspired by K9 Heroes, four stories inspired by dogs who have saved people’s lives. What is the criteria for heroism? What are heroism stereotypes? Can anyone be a hero? Do heroes have flaws?

As well as discussing answers to these questions, students will be introduced to narrative non-fiction and its ability to combine fact and fiction.

Why We Should Care About the Past

How do stories help us learn about the past? Why does the past matter? Beyond Belief was inspired by the true story of Muslims at a Paris Mosque who saved Jewish Children during WW2. This workshop looks at diversity and acceptance and how our perceptions and attitudes can be changed by our experiences. It examines the Holocaust and why stories of hope are so important to us.

Your Story Matters

Learn how to craft stories based on your own personal experiences and identity. Beyond Belief and the Eddy Popcorn books feature boys of the same age from very different worlds yet they have a lot in common. Learn how our experiences and our identity shape the stories we tell and how authors use literary devices to add emphasis and layers of meaning.

It’s All A Big Laugh

Learn how to incorporate personal experiences and humour to add tension to a series story or add depth to a funny one. What makes a funny story and does it need a story arc and believable characters. Learn about devices that writers use to create humour in stories.

World Building and Research

Dee spent a month in Paris researching Beyond Belief. She shares her research techniques and how she created the world of Paris 1942. She also discusses the importance of verifying your sources and how the internet is full of fake facts.

– Adults –

Creating Compelling Characters

Eleven year-old Ruben (Beyond Belief) who fears for his life in war ravaged Paris in 1942 is very different from Eddy Popcorn who’s the same age but whose biggest problem is that he’s grounded for the holidays for not doing his homework. Yet these characters both compel readers to keep turning the pages. Dee’s session will include getting to know your characters so well that they earn their place at your dinner table. She’ll cover developing profiles and key traits that will make your characters vulnerable, real, flawed and fantastic; staying with readers long after they’ve finished your book.

Putting Characters into Conflict

Get to know your characters and how to create tension and excitement in your story by putting them into conflict.

What Happens Next

Brainstorm your story to identify your big idea then learn how to create a compelling, dynamic plot arc for your characters. This workshop includes creating a strong beginning, raising the stakes and bringing your story to a resolution that’s satisfying for the reader.

Bookings

Australia

International

Contact Dee via the enquiry form on this website.