Author Talks and School Visits
One of the best parts about being an author is having the opportunity to get out and talk with young people about nature, magic and history. I offer author talks and school visits, and can adapt the sessions to suit your students and curriculum.
I am available for in-person and virtual visits and you can book me directly, or via Lamont Authors here.
I'm an experienced speaker and have presented sessions both nationally and internationally, across a vast range of audiences and age groups.
As well as school visits, I can present sessions and workshops across age groups and audiences for libraries, literary festivals, organisations, and community events.
I'm passionate about inspiring action for our beautiful, fragile planet and nature features in all my books. I find history fascinating and uncover stories that may have been forgotten, or hidden, and bring them into the light. I believe that fantastical things can happen and see magic in the everyday.
If you're looking for a children's and YA author who speaks from the heart, who laughs loud and loves deep, who's passionate about people and planet, and who understands we come in a glorious rainbow of human beings, I'm your person.
As well as chatting about books and writing, I can present on a variety of topics. This includes caring for your mental health, understanding neurodiversity, chronic illness and mental illness, ideas for writing historical fiction, how to write nature in stories, using your senses and emotions in writing, and how to combine fact with fiction. My ideas are endless, so let me know what themes or topics you are interested in and I can put something together!
I am a Role Model for Books in Homes, part of the Author PenPals programme and on the committee for the South Australian branch of the Children's Book Council of Australia.
Please contact me below if you would like to chat more about booking me to speak at your school or event.
Helen
Lovely Words From Lovely People
When the author (Helen Edwards) visited us, I had so much fun! She told us many interesting things.
Awi Ling, Myrtleford P-12.
I liked learning about the cameras, Lyrebirds and Alice. I also liked learning about history of Mt Buffalo.
Kaitlyn Bugg, Myrtleford P-12.
"Helen’s visit to our school was phenomenal! Her presentation was very informative, giving students an insight into the process and inspiration of her writing. Her presentation captured all student’s attention, engaging them through discussions, interactive examples, and props! All students thoroughly enjoyed Helen’s visit to our school!"
Sophie Van der Burg
Year 5-6 teacher Yarrawonga P-12
"Thank you Dr Helen Edwards for visiting our school during Book Week and introducing our students to your latest novel, The Rebels of Mount Buffalo. We can't wait for the next book so that we can have you back again!'
Natasha Lawson Forbes
Teacher, Mitcham Primary School, Kaurna Country
"Helen came to visit our school for Book Week this year, and presented a really interesting session about historical fiction. She included many fascinating images, artefacts and stories, and told us about the development of her new novel, "The Rebels of Mt Buffalo". She brought to life her own story of becoming a writer, right from childhood, and her highly engaging presentation style had our Year 5 students eagerly participating. We were all left excited about reading and writing!"
Miriam Doull
Teacher, Mitcham Primary School, Kaurna Country
"It was fantastic having Helen in person to talk with our students at Bright P-12 College. She was so engaging, and her presentation was intriguing with historical photographs and artifacts from the area. My students were keen to know more and to read ‘The Rebels of Buffalo’."
Renee Tanaskovic
Learning Specialist. Bright P-12 College
"It was a thrill to host Helen as our Book Week author. She captivated the interest of our Year 7s and 8s with a teaser of her upcoming book, complete with historical props. The students can’t wait to borrow a copy of Rebels of Mount Buffalo when it comes out!"
Rachel Wood
Teacher Librarian, Roma Mitchell Secondary College
"Helen is an extremely knowledgeable and experienced blogger and social media manager who engages her audience in a professional, yet authentic and relatable manner. Helen has a special skill and passion for building a genuine connection with people".
Kelly Wagner
KIDS YOGA
"Dr Helen Edwards ran a professional development session for the ASA on Representation & Inclusion: writing characters who have chronic illness, mental illness, and/or who are neurodivergent. Helen was highly professional to deal with and conducted a session which was expertly researched and presented. The engagement and subsequent feedback from the participants was excellent. We look forward to running future sessions with Helen."
Jodie Spiteri-James
Professional Development and Events Manager
Australian Society of Authors
"My Year 7s were thoroughly engaged by the story of how Helen's upcoming novel, The Rebels of Mount Buffalo, was born as an idea and came to fruition as a novel over a number of years, fitting well with this year's Book Week theme of Read, Grow and Inspire. The students were also amazed to see the old cameras that Helen brought in, which were from around the time the novel is set in the late 1800s. All in all, a fantastic start to Book Week".
Christian Stamatelopoulos
Year 7 Teacher, Roma Mitchell Secondary College
"I have worked with Helen since 2004, initially in her capacity of CEO of Diabetes Counselling Online, then as higher degree research student, and then as consultant for Decision Support Analytics.
Throughout this time, I have seen Helen present a diverse range of Seminars, Workshops, Lectures and Talks. She is a very competent speaker, able to engage with the audience through personal stories, while placing emphasis on the content and providing essential information in a clear and natural manner.
I highly recommend her to you
Prof Timothy Skinner
Head of Psychological and Clinical Sciences
Charles Darwin University
Get in Contact With Me
