Keynotes Available:
'Jen has an amazing ability to educate, stimulate and entertain simultaneously.'
Jen McVeity is the Australian head of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and a 2003 Churchill Fellow. She has
published over 20 books for children and young adults in five countries. A mad sportswoman, she lists as her hobbies circus trapeze, rock climbing and she has just won bronze in World Masters beach volleyball.
About Jen's books:-
Dreamcatcher (the story of a girl who starts a Green Guerrilla gang to rebel against her politician father) was short-listed for the Environment Award and won the Family Award.
It is also on the New York Library's Best Books List - and is Hawaii Library's Most Stolen book!
Dreamcatcher is set as a Year 7/8 text in many schools around Australia.
Shadow Seeker the sequel took 22 months to create, and was bid for by the top four publishers in Australia. Released in 2002, the first print run sold out in a week.
Jen has over 16 chapter books published in Australia, Canada and the USA.
Her trademark style is fast moving plots which hook kids into her books – while the underlying family and social explorations bring kids
back to read again and again.
'A very exciting part of the program. Can we have more achievers like Jen please?'
Jen has spoken to audiences from twenty to two thousand and passionately believes in the power of words to take people from where they are - to where
they want to be.
'…an approachable and knowledgeable speaker with a uniquely refreshing style.'
A trained speaker with an ASM rating with National Speakers, Jen has presented keynotes at conferences throughout Australia, Asia and the USA.
'…a great speaker, dynamic, informative, self-effacing humour, wonderful at keeping the audience involved.'
Jen's sense of life and vitality has audiences laughing, learning and above allremembering, as they take up the challenges of nurturing creativity!
1. How NOT to Write a Novel
Using hilarious examples from her own worst writing, expert suggestions to improve
techniques and inspirational quotations from famous writers, Jen McVeity outlines the top six traps of writing - and how to avoid them. There's even a video clip of Jen on a
circus trapeze which shows exactly how to create tension!
1. Topics: Writing is easy; all you do is sit staring at a blank sheet of paper until the drops of
blood form on your forehead. (Gene Fowler)
2. Dialogue: Dialogue... is the most effective way of all of revealing character. (Eleanor Nilsson)
3. Body Language: 'Well, hello there...' There was a smug smile on his face and his hands
were in his belt, pointing exactly where he was thinking.
4. Starts: Beware the information dump at the beginning of the story - where information is
simply given to the reader instead of teased out in scenes and dialogue and action. (Jane Yolen, author of 235 books)
5. Tension: No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprise for the writer, no
surprise for the reader. (Robert Frost)
6. Editing: And back you go to rewrite, to rework. That's if the task is more important than
the fragile ego. (Michael Brindley, scriptwriter)
The Final Say: There are three rules for writing the novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are. (Somerset Maugham)
Jen teaches master-classes to writers in Australia and the USA.
Feedback: Arizona Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrator, 2002
- Excellent, excellent presentation by Jen McVeity. What a joy. Gracious, knowledgeable, gutsy, confident lady. (Lynn Murray)
- Excellent! Love your presentation style! Lots of energy! (Cindy)
- Presented effortlessly and with a real sense of enjoyment. (Diane Staley)
- Professional, humorous, hard-hitting, informative and extremely educational. It was
gratifying to see that everyone, from novices to well-published authors came away feeling enthusiastic, inspired and able to face their writing with confidence. Your
graciousness in sharing valuable insights into the craft and the heart of writing was a real gift. (Dawn Dixon, conference convenor)
2. Creating Creativity
'Back then I was called a day dreamer. Now I am called a writer.' (Paula Danziger.)
Why do the best ideas always come to you in the shower? Should you edit as you write or
just 'go with the flow'? And how can you persuade your spouse that you really are working when you are staring out the window?
Jen gives a unique insight into how creative people actually work – and the findings are
surprising. Writers, dramatists, musicians and illustrators need both the conscious (logical) and the subconscious (creative) parts of their brain to compose great work.
Sharing manuscripts, drafts of plans and entertaining insights into her own creative process,
Jen shows participants how to use practical strategies to enhance their creativity. For instance, scheduling set times to create actually gives you more inspiration - as the brain is
expecting to work. If the more critical and logical side of the brain becomes too strong, writer's block often happens - so you should just 'blurt it all out' in the first draft. Finally, a
fascinating experiment with a paper clip and piece of cotton will show how easy it is to call up the 'flow' needed to tap into the creative subconscious.
Powerful and dynamic (no airy-fairy theory here) this gives people not only the knowledge –
but also the practical tools - to enhance their own talents and creativity.
The presentation ends with dramatic performance of the climactic scene of Shadow Seeker (the sequel to Dreamcatcher) where the main character uses Queen's We Will Rock You and
the power of passionate words to quell a riot.
Feedback: Qld Gifted and Talented Conference
- 'Your great wit, humour and intellect shone out like a beacon helping us to find new energy and enthusiasm…' (Judith Hewton, President, Queensland Association of Gifted and Talented Children)
- 'Wonderful, enlightening, inspiring, entertaining, a breath of fresh air.' (Sue Bennink, G&T co-ordinator, Corinda)
- 'Jen, you are magical, contagious, engaging – you drew me into your vision and your
world and challenged me to see beyond where I am. Thank you!!' (Dr Anne Flood, Director, Tall Poppies)
3. The Sporting Chance
A highly visual presentation using video clips, music and performance readings to
show that talent is not enough, toughness counts too!
There are over 5,000 manuscripts submitted each year to HarperCollins publishers – and two
books are published from that pile – at the most. That's roughly a 1:2500 chance of getting a book in print.
And Jen McVeity still wanted to be a writer.
Or a ski bum.
'Jen, you are magical, contagious, engaging…'
Now, with over 20 books published in five countries, Jen McVeity is a Churchill Fellow and
heads the Australian Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.
She is also an ex-ski instructor, a state league swimmer, a bronze medallist in beach volleyball
(World Masters) - and she's still trying to nail a back 'sault on the circus trapeze.
'Love your spirit, your honesty and your sharing of your own life.'
Audiences all over Australia, Asia and America have laughed and learnt as Jen contrasts the
courage and teamwork demanded by the sporting world against the creativity and risk taking needed in the bunny-eat-bunny world of fiction writing.
And demonstrates clearly the resilience needed to survive in both!
Jen's keynote and panel presentations include:-
2003
Queensland Writers Centre
NSW Writers Centre
Newington Literature Festival
Mildura Wentworth Arts Festival
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) National Conference
Tucson SCBWI Conference
Salt Lake City SCBWI ConferenceIn 2001-2, Jen's keynote and panel presentations included:-
2001/02
National Primary Principal's conference, Australia and NZ
Queensland Association Gifted and Talented
Arizona - Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
Manila Society of Writers
National SCBWI conference, Los Angeles
Hawaii - SCBWI Writer's conference (It's a tough life…)
Keynote and workshop sessions together are often possible for a reduced fee. Please consult
Jen's office to negotiate your particular requirements.
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