James Moloney Award Winning Author will be conducting Writer's Workshops throughout FNQ Schools during the Week 2 - 6 August.
James Moloney has published more than 30 books for children and adolescents and has been the recipient of numerous literary awards including Children's Book of the Year for Older Readers.
James Moloney was born in Sydney but his parents soon shipped the family up to Brisbane. He's lived in Queensland ever since. His experiences as a young teacher in Cunnamulla, a small town in Queensland's far west, were the foundation for his first Young Adult novel, CROSSFIRE.
James Moloney is one of Australia’s leading writers for children and young adults. His passion for story telling has seen him produce more than thirty titles right across the age range from ‘seven to seventeen year-olds.’ His novel, A Bridge to Wiseman’s Cove, a study of loneliness and a young man’s attempts to redeem his family’s past is one of this country’s quiet best-sellers and widely studied in high schools. In recent years he has branched out into fantasy with the popular The Book of Lies. Another fantasy titled Silvermay will be released in 2011.
Thanks to James Moloney's willingness to stretch numbers, we ended up with 32 Year 8 and 9 students in the writing workshop yesterday. I think all students enjoyed the day, as did the two staff who attended. We are now planning to set up a couple of recess sessions where we proof read, and help students to edit and refine at least one of their pieces of writing (they did two) . The intent is then to "publish" a collection, at least for the participants... I have photos, but have not looked at them yet, or checked permission to use. Will follow up.
Please thank the Business Liaison committee for their ongoing support of our group of high schools, in providing a unique opportunity for some of our gifted or at least enthusiastic students. Without their support, the cost to us individually would be prohibitive.
Regards - Sally May
Teacher Librarian
Atherton State High School
Our numbers for the James Moloney Workshops were great!
Thursday All day workshop with Yr 8, 9 and 10s - 32 students
Friday - Follow up workshop (Period 2 & 3) with Yr 8, 9 and 10s - 16 students
Friday - Year 11s - 33 students
Friday - Year 12s - 64 students
Please pass on to the BLA members just how much our students enjoyed the experience. James very effectively structured and aimed his workshops to suit the various age groups.
Darren, Christina and I will meet to discuss next year's options soon.
Lucy Daly
Teacher-Librarian
Mareeba State High School
Student numbers: Malanda State High School
Year 10: - 22
Year 11: - 23
Year 12: - 45
Year 8/9 group: -26
Our students thoroughly enjoyed the experience of working with a published author and gaining insight into the creative writing process. Our school enjoyed having the author for 2 days although I doubt that our budget will allow us to make that a regular event. The 2 days gave us a much greater coverage of students and we were thrilled to have James Moloney as his novels are studied in Year 10 and Year 11. In terms of poetry, we would be very interested in one of the poets who write verse novels such as Stephen Herrick and Catherine Bateson. This article has been published in the Eacham Times and a condensed version will be featured in our 1/2 page spread for Tablelander.
Many thanks once again for the support of the Business Liaison Association and it's sponsors in this worthwhile educational venture.
Lyndell Sellars
Teacher-Librarian
Malanda State High School