Visiting+authors

We finally made contact with Deborah Ellis, albeit via a snail mail address that turned out to be incorrect, but the letter managed to find her eventually! Following is a quote from her reply, outlining details of the costs (I believe she's quoting in Canadian dollars): "In addition to air fare, my transportation to the airport in Toronto (around $200), and cheap hotel, my speaker's fee is $250 per each session. Sessions run from 45 minutes to an hour, pack as many kids into the room as you want. The time I'm free to consider coming is from March 9 until the end of the month." I'm passing this information on, along with her new contact information (below) for your consideration. If any are still interested in inviting her, perhaps we could discuss the possibility at Wednesday's meeting. Deborah Ellis, 102 Brook St., Simcoe, Ontario, Canada N3Y 3G5 519-426-3172 email: ellis@can.rogers.
 * Deborah Ellis- CANCELLED**

 11/28/2007 5:00 AM >>> Dear Schools coordinator, My name is Patricia Bernard and I am a published author in Australia. Each year I visit schools in Australia, New Zealand and France to do writing workshops with students aged 8-18. This year I went to International Schools in Papua New Guinea and Irian Jaya, Indonesia. I have 33 books published in Australia, USA, Germany, Belgium and Netherlands. My newest book is called CLAW OF THE DRAGON, and has a Chinese hero. This is published by Scholastics Australia. I am sending you the cover in a second email. I have 4 books that have Chinese Australian heroes, two set in the 'now' and two about Chinese children and teenagers in Australian history. All my books are very adventurous. All history is well researched**.** TWO OF MY BOOKS HAVE BEEN TRANSLATED INTO GERMAN. I am writing to you to see if you are interested in me visiting your school during my Hong Kong writing workshop tour in 2008. My workshops last one and a half to two hours. I speak to three groups a day (approximately 150-200 students - much smaller in Papua.) My fees are simply: EITHER the school pays $600 aust (approximately $9500hk PER DAY ) (based on the Australian Society of Writers fees) OR I will speak for free for ONE DAY if the students buy in advance $900aust (approximately $13500HK). I pay my fare and hotel. You are the first school on the Hong Kong International list that I have contacted. If you are interested I would need to know what month you think would be a good month to come to Hong Kong (schoolwise). I know the Writers Festival is on in March - so that is out. I know the Olympic Games is going to take up a lot of time. So I am looking at September -October (but this may not be a suitable time, please advise me). Please see below for more information on what the workshops cover please contact me. If you are interested in me appearing at your school I will send a book list, schools as references. Thank you, Patricia Bernard PATRICIA BERNARD, 54 BIRRELL STREET, QUEENS PARK. SYDNEY 2022. AUSTRALIA. WEB:WWW.patriciabernard.novelcity.com/ or Patricia Bernard  author. EMAIL:patriciabernard@iinet.net.au TELEPHONE 611 2 93694249
 * Patricia Bernard**

In the meantime, author [ and storyteller] Dan Yashinsky is planning to visit HK in the autumn of 2008 - dates not yet finalised - he's a fantastic communicator with all ages so if anyone is interested please contact Jan Mann ( janetemann@yahoo.co.uk ). His books are on Amazon; some stories for children and one superb book more for adults called 'Suddenly they heard footsteps... ' which I think should be required reading for all educators.
 * Dan Yashinsky**

Jon Cleave has written several books in the “Gully” series about a seagull. These books are probably most appropriate for Grade 3 to 6. Jon is willing to come out to Hong Kong for a visit, more info available on his website http://www.thegullery.co.uk/
 * Jon Cleave**

Extract from Jon's mail "I would of course love to do a visit and some readings. I've done several now in the UK. The sessions have evolved into a nice format I think. Usually, we start off by drawing Gully on a large piece of paper, and talking about all his different parts, and colouring them in. Then the kids come up with any seagull stories that they may have, and we have a nice chat about these, and about gulls and birds in general. I do a reading of one of the stories with the vocal characterisations. Then the children can invent and name an animal/bird character of their own, draw, and write a story about it. We can finish off by singing the 'Gully Shanty' a little ditty that's on the CD and nice and simple for the kids to pick up. Of course, the session can be tailored to whatever requirements you may have. If I came over specifically for Gully, I would like to fill the week with as many schools as possible. I charge £200 per day, plus travel expenses!!! But if I could come for a week, for example, those could be split between participating schools. Also, I leave a full set of the books etc at every school I visit as part of the deal."

Fiona has a copy of his books and CD. Please let Fiona know if you would interested in being involved if we can get Jon to come out.