NSW Premier's Reading Challenge (PRC) 2021 author interviews

Ivy from Ebenezer Public School chats to 'The AMAAAZING Nat Amoore!' about her writing process. Nat shares her top tips for creating great characters, why she thinks children are going to make a difference in the world, and what she wants to be when she grows up.

Suitable for primary students.

Emily from Galston High School talks to Zana Fraillon at the Sydney Writers' Festival Secondary Schools Day. Zana shares her writing process, how she decides who her audience will be, and the importance of research. She also shares the process of writing her latest award-winning novel, The Lost Soul Atlas, and how important it is to be respectful and authentic when creating characters from diverse backgrounds.

Suitable for secondary students.

Join Ashley from Galston High School in conversation with Australian author Leanne Hall, about the real-life drama that inspired her latest book, The Gaps. Leanne reflects on the importance of representing contemporary settings and characters in her work, and how being a writer has changed the way she views herself and the world around her.

Suitable for secondary students.

Georgia from Galston High School talks to Jeremy Lachlan talks about his love of action adventure and fantasy, and how getting lost in a museum helped inspire his first book, Jane Doe and the Cradle of All Worlds. Jeremy provides some inspiring tips for writing – what part do Nintendo and naps play in his process? Tune in to find out!

Suitable for secondary students.

Gary Lonesborough shares his experience as a debut author with Angie from Galston High School backstage at the Sydney Writers' Festival Secondary Schools Day. Gary talks about what inspired his own-voices novel The Boy From the Mish, and how his real-life experiences and relationships inspired the fictional settings and characters in his book.

Suitable for secondary students.

Andrew McDonald and Ben Wood share their pigeon expertise with Abigail from Ebenezer Public School. Did you know there are hundreds of different types of pigeons – and only some of them fight crimes? Andrew and Ben share their experience of collaborating as author and illustrator to create their fantastic Real Pigeons series.

Suitable for primary students.

Michael Pryor has written almost 40 books, and he sits down with Jasmine from Galston High School to talk about his Gap Year in Ghost Town duology. He shares why he focuses on Australian landmarks and landscapes in his writing, and what he enjoys about writing contemporary fantasy books which play with stereotypes.

Suitable for secondary students.

Declan from Lidcombe Public School talks to one of Australia's most beloved children's authors, the wonderful Emily Rodda! Emily shares her journey as an author, from writing extensively as a child to having her first novel published at 36, to now over 100 books later! Join Declan and Emily as we get some insight into the writing process for some of our favourite children's books.

Suitable for primary and secondary students.

Kirli Saunders, proud Gunai Woman and award-winning author, chats to Ella-Rose from Lidcombe Public about discovering her love of sharing stories as a child. They discuss how stories can change the world, and help us through difficult times. Kirli also provides some fantastic tips for your young writers!

Suitable for primary and secondary students.

Matilda from Ebenezer Public School interviews the 'Wunder-full' Jessica Townsend. Jessica talks about her inspiration as a writer, how to deliver stories that are both familiar by using tropes but also be original, and her top tips for coming up with character names. There are many more tales to come from Jessica in the world of Morrigan Crow, so get the inside scoop on this fantastic series while you wait for the next book in the series!

Suitable for primary and secondary students.