Author Engagements

‘If a minute is ever lonely, I’ll keep it company.’

I fill my Writer’s Clock with:image-megaphone-speaking-v1

I would be thrilled to visit your school, library, bookshop or any literary event celebrating reading and writing either personally or VIRTUALLY! Encouraging little kids and big kids to challenge their imaginations and unleash the writer within whilst illustrating the significance of the art of story lies at the heart of all of my presentations. (I occasionally tell really funny lame jokes, too.)

My experience in creating children’s content for a variety of multi media story telling platforms (and its relationship to core curricula) ensures that I can adapt and tailor workshops and presentations to suit tech savvy Gen Z youngsters and adults keen to flex their writing muscle, alike. And despite being a complete Luddite, I am well versed in online presentations across a number of platforms including: Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Facebook Live and more.

Speakers’ Ink

BOOKINGS – To engage me to engage your audience please contact:

Speakers Ink literary speakers’ agency (QLD and Interstate, Overseas)

or

CKT Speakers Agency (NSW and Southern States, QLD)

or

CKT Speakers Agency

Lamont Authors

Lamont Authors (VIC and Interstate, QLD)

or

Email me direct

For more details on workshop and presentation content, download my Author Talk Sheet.

For specifics on school visits, workshops and presentations, download my School Presentation and Workshop Sheet.

For information on virtual online presentations, workshops, author meet and greets or Q & A sessions, visit my Speakers Ink profile. Rates and session outlines available NOW! Alternatively, visit and subscribe to my YouTube Channel for all your virtual updates.

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Story time

TESTIMONIALS

There were lots of positive comments from participants, praising Dimity’s lively and clear presentation, her creative writing ideas and helpful suggestions. I’d highly recommend Dimity as a presenter, especially for Primary Schools in the area of creative writing.

Marj Osborne Aquinas College Reading Roadshow in March 2012

I found the material that was presented has already been very useful. I have implemented the RAFT activity as a warm up in the Learning Enhancement Centre… and several of my students could not wait to commence the task. Many of these students are reluctant writers and yet they are engaged and wanting to use their imaginations. A very worthwhile activity.

Narelle McBride Aquinas College Reading Roadshow in March 2012

Great with children…enthusiasm and passion for writing is clearly evident. Could articulate the relationship between a book and its reader so well. Gave all the information that the children need to become successful writers.

Helensvale branch library, Gold Coast September 2013

Authors in Schools Gold Coast Writers Festivals student testimonials

Engaged so well with your audience and (you) showed us practical ways to create great story ideas  from our life experience. Thank you for your creative efforts! They were certainly appreciated.

Claire Ryan Central QLD Literary Festival June 2014

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Alphabet Zoo Brisbane Writers Festival

I thoroughly enjoyed your session – it was the highlight of the day, for me.

Julann Chippendale Central QLD Literary Festival June 2014

 

I found your enthusiasm for writing delightfully infectious.

Rusty Hunt Central QLD Literary Festival June 2014

 

Our students really enjoyed your presentation. It was very exciting to see an author who could actually engage with students and could talk to them at their level.

Helen Davidson Miami State School Authors in Schools Program June 2015

Book Week encounters

I and the children took away a lot from your great presentation. Your passion for writing was evident and the students I brought were indeed privileged.

Helen Derrington Benowa State School Authors in Schools Program June 2015

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Book Week writing workshops

 

Very apparent (that) the students found the evening to be extremely beneficial, our best yet.

Brian Grimes Business Industry Dinner A. B. Paterson College April 2016

Everyone had a wonderful experience…that was apparent from the significant number of people that remained behind to ask questions and discuss aspects with you.

Robina branch library Gold Coast May 2016

It was great to speak to you about your work and how it is changing and morphing everyday. It was great to speak to someone in a similar creative industry in order to put mine into perspective.

Bailey Eales Year 12 Student Business Industry Dinner A. B. Paterson College Gold Coast May 2017

Write Like An Author Facilitator

The best thing was when we learned how to make stories more suspenseful and when we always played Story Sports at the end of the day.

Trinty Hirst, Write Like An Author Writing Camp, Nudgee College July 2017

I enjoyed learning new writing techniques and found that this helped improve my work a lot. The most useful thing was the character development.

Claudia Birrer, Write Like An Author Writing Camp, Nudgee College July 2017

I learned new things that I never knew from Dimity and Angela.

Caitlin Mason, Write Like An Author Writing Camp, Nudgee College July 2017

Escaping to Book Week 2017

Some of our littlest learners enjoyed listening to a real-life author talking about how she writes books. Our Year 1 students learnt about what it means to be a author, where she gets her ideas from, her real life experiences and how these relate to her stories and many other things. They also asked some very good questions. Marilyn Fry TL, Book Week, John Paul College August 2017

Dimity was very entertaining, lots of valuable information. (I) would love to attend more of Dimity’s workshops. Sharron Alexiou, Creative Writing (adult) Workshop November  2017

Well-delivered information, enthusiastic and vibrant. Tamara Whitby, Creative Writing (adult) Workshop November 2017

Had such a great time…I learnt a lot. Anna Pyromallis, Creative Writing (adult) Workshop November 2017

BEAR launch Carey Lane ELC

It was so wonderful to see how engaged the kids were with you and your story this morning. We were over the moon with the event and you were integral in it being such a success! Laura Miller pp Simone Crowther, BEAR Book Engagement and Reading program launch, Carey Lane ELC – St Hilda’s School June 2018

It was definitely an awesome session and I learnt so much. I also gained some real world knowledge which is very difficult to come by in the classroom. Caitlin – Literary Legend, 40th Meanjin Holiday Writers’ Camp July 2018

The best and most useful thing about camp was how to make story goals more interesting. The camp gave me all the information I needed. Hannah, Write Like An Author Camp Somerset College July 2018

We learnt a lot of new writing techniques…like that you have to punish your characters to make your story interesting! Aditya, Write Like An Author Camp, Somerset College July 2018

Dimity was a popular author who supported our Authors in Schools Program, which I organised during my time on committee with the Gold Coast Writers Association. She holds children in a spell as she story tells. Gary Ivory, former Principal Palm Beach State School September 2018

Happy Campers – Write Like An Author Camp

I loved seeing everything come together with the story. It was lots of fun! I learned what dialogue means and lots of other interesting words that helped me understand the concept of writing. I loved it…totally awesome! Nicole, Write Like An Author Camp, Beenleigh State School September 2018

Dimity was an excellent teacher and I learnt so many new writing tools. Annabelle, Write Like An Author Camp, Beenleigh State School September 2018

The best thing about the camp was getting the opportunity to work with an author and learning about Show, Don’t Tell. Laurence, Write Like An Author Camp, Beenleigh State School September 2018

I learned how to further enhance my creative writing and how to develop an advanced story line and interesting characters. Lily, Write Like An Author Beenleigh State School September 2018

Your incredible work with the Roving Reporters was just that … incredible. Smooth, inclusive, organised and wonderful. … everyone loved the readings after each session.  Your reading was loved and it sounded just right.Thank you so much for your professionalism, creativity and joy. Susanne Gervay Creating Creative Writers for Proficient Teachers PD Day part of the SCBWI 2019 Conference

Great workshop and judging by the feedback the kids enjoyed it and the stories you read. Jenny Stubbs President Book Links QLD Young Writers Short Story School Holiday Workshop July 2019

SCBWI StoryCraft QLD State Conference. Presenter / Panel Facilitator

Thank you so much! The kids loved it. … and the teacher feedback was equally as good. We will definitely have you back. N Stephens Year 2 Teacher Mansfield State School November 2019

Your professionalism is exemplary. Alison Stegert QLD ARA SCBWI QLD Australia East NZ as emcee and panel moderator for SCBWI QLD State Conference November 2019

Love the reading, Dimity…brilliant expressive reading. Theresa Anne, Teacher Librarian, May 2020

A beautiful storyteller. Rowanne Grinstead, Youth Services Librarian, Eastern Regional Libraries VIC Storytime May 2020

Dimity was very engaging and enthusiastic in her presentation to the (Year 1 and 2) students. I heard positive feedback from teachers that they had gone back to their classrooms and worked on activities which were based on what she had spoken about. That is the highest compliment in my view. Pam Bell, TL Warrigal Road School, August 2020

Pippa and friends at Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School

We loved your visit. Your energy and enthusiasm is infectious! Lonnie Rutland, TL Book Week St Augustine’s Parish Primary School, October 2020

What a privilege to have you visit us – thank you for your generosity and approachability – that was a very special element of your visit! Allison Christian, HOC Book Week Payne Road Primary School, October 2020

In the Zone at St Peter’s Catholic Primary School Book Week 2021

Awesome festival panel and fab moderating by Dimity! (Aleesah Darlison, Children’s Author); So grateful I was able to be a part of such a spectacular panel. Thank you so much Dimity for being an amazing moderator. I had loads of fun, and learned so much from all of you. (Rebecca Lennard, YA Fantasy Author); Thank you Dimity for all your work in putting together such incisive and though-provoking questions. I had a hoot. (Shannon Horsfall, Author Illustrator); Many thanks for including me. I have touched base with, and made friends with, so many like minded people; you make me happy! (Gary Crew, Professor Emeritus, Children’s Author), FAWQ Moreton Bay Readers and Writers Festival, November 2021

St Peter’s Catholic Primary School Lower Grades Book Week 2021

Fellow Diaspora Panelists: Dr June Perkins and Sharon Orapeleng

I attended the panel at the QWC on Friday and just wanted to send you a sincere thank you. I found your input and insights so valuable and very moving. I do hope we’ll see your stories touch on these experiences of yours as you have so much to offer. The audience started to think about their own lives, the struggles of their own ancestors, and all of a sudden the ‘us and them’ melts and we’re all more alike than we first saw. Such a welcome sensation for Australia. Lauren Elise Daniels author editor, QWC Diaspora Panel attendee, December 2021

It was lovely to host all the contributors. The panel was a great success with so much conversation being generated. Thought provoking content which caused some writers check their own inclusivity. It was a wonderful night and we have received much praise. Lori-Jay Ellis, CEO QWC hosts of the Diaspora Panel Discussion, December 2021

Thank you so much Dimity, I have learned so much from you during my mentorship. You are such a thorough and insightful (wonderful) mentor and so generous with your knowledge. Sarah Speedie, Children’s author Greenleaf Press Mentorships, 2021

I enjoyed our assembly with Dimity on Monday: she’s a very engaging speaker! via TL Shirl Roser from Dulwich College Puxi, Shanghai, Virtual Book Week Assembly presentation on Creative Arts Industries for Festival of Stories Week, February 2022

It has been a successful week and I received lots of positive feedback about the writer (Dimity Powell ) Many thanks! David Ingram, Head of College Dulwich College Puxi, Shanghai, February 2022

The students thoroughly enjoyed the virtual assembly. You were very inspiring and encouraging towards the young readers and writers of Wyoming Public School. Surinda Walton Teacher Librarian, Books In Homes Australia Virtual Book Giving Assembly, March 2022

Connecting with kids’ curiosity at Coomera Rivers SS

As well as an inspiring, expert insight into writing and authorship, Dimity encouraged our students to dream big, be brave and believe in themselves. Dimity catered her sessions to suit our students perfectly, including Prep to Year 5. The sessions were large groups of 100 + and Dimity kept them all engaged with her expertise as an author, sense of fun, and a polished and engaging presentation. Kym Oestreich, Teacher Librarian, Book Week, Trinity Lutheran College, August 2022

While it’s wonderful we now have the technology to connect with others virtually, it’s still fantastic when we have visitors in our classroom in person! Our students were lucky enough to learn from friend and award winning author, Dimity Powell , who shared her writing experiences and tips about the writing process and engaging your reading audience. She helped our students answer the big question, “What choices do authors make?” Dimity loves sharing her work and supporting young authors. Karen Caswell, Authenticity in Edu, Primary school teacher, June 2022

Dimity, Pippa and a very special primary and G.A.T.E.WAYS student sharing their dreams during Book Week 2022

My daughter thoroughly enjoyed her time with Dimity this morning and hasn’t stopped speaking about her. Please send our compliments, we truly appreciate the learning opportunity for Sofia which was made memorable thanks to an amazing educator. Eight Miles Plains SS Parent, G.A.T.E.WAYS Education Ignite Program November 2022

Pippa and friend, Upper Coomera Branch Library

Dimity did a great job off the cusp with filling in at the last minute. Next time we would probably have her writing workshop talk about mythical creatures and dragons to tie in with Marc’s drawing of the dragons from Deltora Quest. This way the writing group that went first would have a link to use when they went to the drawing workshop. Book Week with Marc McBride – dragon-master Everton Park State School August, 2023

It was so much fun, … everyone said how much they enjoyed it. They loved the stories and your presentation was so engaging … you had great charisma! Upper Coomera Library Storytime – Local Writers’ Month, November 2023