Speaking

I am available for speaking engagements and workshops at schools, libraries, conferences, etc. I’ve also had experience judging writing competitions. My rates are reasonable and negotiable. I can be booked through Creative Net, or I can be emailed directly: givanoff@optusnet.com.au

Possible topics include:

• Starting out in professional writing
• The writing process: from idea to finished book
• Education market versus trade: the difference between writing for these two very different markets
• Fiction versus non-fiction
• The importance of research
• Using personal experience as a springboard for writing fiction

I am also happy to tailor a specific topic to your needs.

Testimonials

“George spoke candidly, professionally and with insight. He is an excellent judge of how to pitch a talk to an audience and seems to be a natural teacher.”
Prof Kevin Brophy
“Encounters with Writing” coordinator, University of Melbourne (2010)

“George Ivanoff read at the Bright n Sandy Food & Wine Festival 2010 in the literary adventures tent. He proved flexible and able to respond appropriately to the young age group that attended and was utterly engaging in his reading without need of visual stimuli. His capacity to capture and hold kids’ attention was clear when, during a brief sprinkle of rain, many kids and parents sheltered in the tent, listened, and were too entranced to leave until the end of his presentation.”
Suzanne Olb
Event producer
Bright n Sandy Food & Wine Festival 2010, Bayside City Council

“For the past three years George Ivanoff has been a presenter at the Darebin Cluster Boys’ Writing Expo. George has enthused and inspired the boys to view writing as a means to not only express themselves but to transfer themselves and others to new worlds and new dimensions. George is always well-prepared for the workshops and I have no hesitation in recommending him as a presenter / facilitator to any school or organization wishing to employ a professional and inspirational writer.”
Greg Lambert
Professional Development Leader
Lakeside Secondary College (2007)

“The children were inspired and thought that they gained a lot from the day. They certainly had plenty of ideas for how they would work on their own writing in the future.”
Rob Nelson
Principal
Bannockburn Primary School (2007)

“George makes the situations and experiences of the school yard ammunition for his writing. He helps students see their world as potential stories.”
David McLean
Head of English and Drama
Mentone Grammar School (2004)

“Thank you for your informative and entertaining session… It was thoroughly enjoyable.”
Caroline Fairlie
Melbourne Girls Grammar School (2003)

“George’s lively style of presentation engaged and amused the most jaded of our students. I believe that our students learned more about the processes of writing, review and publication from George than they did from any of our other presenters, many of whom were very expensive, high profile authors. I would warmly recommend George to any school that is considering hosting any type of writer’s event. He is excellent value!”
Vicki Curtain
Teacher-Librarian – North Campus
College Curriculum Leader
Sunshine College (2001)

“He spoke to the Year 7 students, who thought he was simply wonderful and promptly started borrowing his books from the library.”
Sue Bursztynski
Teacher-Librarian Senior Campus
Sunshine College (2001)