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Speaking & Events

I am fully vaccinated. And will continue to receive boosters as they become available.

I am available for speaking engagements and workshops at schools, libraries, conferences, etc., either in person or virtually. I’ve also had experience judging writing competitions.

I can be booked through the below agencies, or you can contact me directly at givanoff@optusnet.com.au

Possible topics include:

  • Introduction to writing
  • Story structure
  • Characterisation
  • World Building
  • 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.

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Testimonials

“George ran some terrific workshops with our Years 3 and 4 classes. He engaged the children during his presentation and many of them were talking about his visit days later.
He gave the students very practical writing tips and suggestions that they can incorporate into their own stories. We would happily recommend George to other schools and we would love to have him back at our school in the future.”

Jacqui Cleary
Librarian
Christ Church Grammar School (2019)

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank George very much for his writing workshops at Moreland City Libraries. They were a great success and I think everyone, including the teachers, loved it. George really was fantastic at engaging the audience and that age group can be tricky at times. He got the students thinking about characters, situations and what special powers they could have using mind maps, and took lots of imaginative suggestions from them!”

H. Babatsikos
Moreland City Libraries (2018)

“George was an enthusiastic speaker, who’s level of excitement inspired the children. They hung on his words when he read parts of some of his books, & he left them hanging, wanting to pick up the books to keep reading! Our George Ivanoff books are already racing off the shelf, with lots of kids abuzz about them!”

A. Johnson-Clarke
Montrose Primary School (2017)

“George had a fabulous impact on the students at every level of of the school, as well as the staff! He had everyone captivated during his address to the whole school – nothing better than to see the students laughing raucously and fully transfixed as he read some of the hilarious episodes from his books. Even better when you overhear students say spontaneously ‘I can’t wait to read that book’, or when so many hands go up to ask him questions. He also hit the mark with his workshops and again had just the right balance of information, interaction, and fun. Would love to have George visit again, but in the meantime there’s a queue of students keen to borrow and read his books- the perfect fit for our students.”

Nan Shiels
Rossbourne School (2016)

“Our week of workshops with George were fantastic and very well received by the children and teachers. George really became ‘part of the school’ whilst he was here. He willingly chatted to everyone and took an interest in all that was going on. George was warm, friendly and accommodating. The children loved his workshops and they were pitched at the correct level (as he had to swap from grade level to grade level). Teachers found the workshops were excellent for them as well. All commented on how George reads aloud and were in awe of his talents . The time he spent and the passion he shared were inspiring for children and teachers. It was great to have George here and we greatly valued the week we got to share with him. I would have no hesitation in recommending George to any other school, or to have him visit us again.”

Robert Nelson
Principal
Bannockburn Primary School (2016)

“Thank you George Ivanoff for coming to Ilim College and inspiring our secondary students to write. George was able to keep the students listening and working with enthusiasm for both of the one hour sessions. It was delightful watching him engaging the students with questions, anecdotes, and examples from his own books. The students only had praise about George after attending his session. One student said her favourite part was George’s personality and how interesting he was. My only complaint was that he did not stand still long enough for me to take a good photo of him!”

Ozge Sevindik-Alkan
Librarian
Ilim College of Australia (2013)

“George was our National Year of Reading Patron for Mentone Grammar during 2012, and we could not have asked for a better patron. George was generous with his time and sharing his experience as a writer and actor. He achieved an immediately rapport with our students, and has maintained contact with those who have ambitions to become authors themselves. Over the year, George attended various events, including the Mentone Grammar launch and end-of-year celebrations of NYR 2012, and spent a week with students in their English classes, sharing his experiences with the whole group and then providing small workshops for keen writers. I’m sure that we will be inviting George back to our school again in the near future.”

Miffy Farquharson
Head of Libraries
Mentone Grammar (2012)

“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)

“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)

“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)
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