Claire Saxby, Author

Claire has always had a passionate interest in words – the sound, the levels of meaning, the versatility and the power of words. She loves the idea that words can be sculpted and shaped to enhance meaning. As a writer for children, Claire endeavours to share this passion and magic with her readers.

Claire has a background in health and education. She has lived on a farm, in country towns and in cities. Part of her childhood was spent in Papua New Guinea.

Since 1998, Claire has published fiction and non-fiction titles and poetry for children.
She has visited primary schools in Brisbane, Newcastle and Melbourne talking about books and writing.

Programs available include:

Author Visit (45 – 60 mins) max 50 students.
Where do stories come from? From ideas to published books, Claire shares her experience of writing and all it entails. Includes picture book development from rough draft to final proofs. Planning, plot, character development and reworking are all included in this interactive and informative session.

‘The Haven Island Horn’ Writing Workshop (60 mins) max 30 students.
‘The Haven Island Horn’ is a tightly structured workshop with an ocean theme. Students are guided in the exploration of some fishy characters who must face a grand adventure in a mysterious underwater setting. At the completion of this workshop, students will have an enhanced understanding of story structure and a first draft of their own new story.

Rhyme, Rhythm and Repetition (60 min) max 30 students.
With Jackie Kerin, storyteller
(See Jackie’s page under Storytellers, this website)
What happens when a storyteller meets a writer? Words fly and stories are made!
This co-presented workshop combines storytelling and storywriting.
Students will see how changing words, characters or problems can transform a story. They will also experience first hand how a story is made. The frame story for this workshop is ‘There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly’ adapted with great props and much fun as well as learning.

Claire’s publications include:

2000: Banana Beard and the Bowler-Buddy, (Momentum Novels) Macmillan Education;
Alarming Lucy, (Momentum Novels 3) Macmillan Education;
Green Apricots and Blue Jeans, (Sparklers 4) Blake Education

2001: Walking on Water, (Sparklers 5) Blake Education;
Snow White and Grubby, (Holograms) Barrie Publishing;
Infantita’s Pets, (Laser Beams 2) Blake Education;
What a Joke! (Laser Beams 2) Blake Education;
A New World Record, (Scooters) Barrie Publishing;
Albie’s Secret, (Scooters) Barrie Publishing;
Runaround Rowdy, (PM. Silver) Nelson Thomson Learning

2002: Sheep, Goat and the Creaking Gate, NSW School Magazine
Sock it to me, Sam! Values for Life Publications
Pass the Parcel Values for Life Publications
Hop, Skip and a Jump or Two Values for Life Publications
Blue Tornado performed by Footscray Flyers Circus

2003: Running Away from the Gingerbread Witch, NSW School Mag
The Sardine Solution Macmillan Education
Jaba River Rock and Roll Macmillan Education
The Other Adventures of Spot (article) Mother and Baby Magazine

In production: Animal Stingers (non-fiction) Eleanor Curtain Publishing
Ebi’s Boat (Picture book) Benchmark Publications
Lia’s Leap Values for Life Publications
Jungle Fever (poem) NSW School Mag
It’s a Furphy Harcourt
Deepwater Blues Macmillan Education
Timeout (short story) shortlisted Ginninderra Press ‘Danger’ Competion
The Bommyknocker Tree Thomson Learning

Comments

The children enjoyed the breakdown of the story-planning process. They found the program both entertaining and educational.
St Margaret Mary’s School, Grade 5