Premium Workshops

Our Premium Workshops are extended one-hour sessions designed for visitors who want a more immersive, hands-on education experience. With additional time, specialised materials and more personalised guidance, participants can explore each topic in greater depth.

Where do the Ideas Come From?

Jeffery E Doherty | 9.15am | $15

“Where do your ideas come from?” is one of the questions authors are asked most often during school visits and writing workshops. This session explores the creative process from first spark to working story, including:

• Finding the idea: Discovering inspiration in the world around you

• Expanding the idea: Using practical techniques to develop your initial concept

• Writing the story: Bringing your ideas together to create a clear, workable plot

Suitable for 8 year olds - teens

Dialogue that Delivers

Verity Croker | 10.00am | $15

In this workshop, Verity will explore the purpose and craft of dialogue, sharing practical tools to help you write conversations that feel natural, reveal character, build tension and move your story forward.

Suitable for teens, adults, new writers, readers

The Importance of Opening Chapters

Cynthia Terelst | 11.00am | $20

The opening chapter can make or break a book. In today’s electronic world, readers can sample the first chapter before they buy a book. If a reader does not connect with the writing style or get hooked, they do not press the buy button. This workshop will discuss six important aspects of an opening chapter from setting the tone through to the chapter ending that will help readers click that buy button.

Suitable for teens, adults, new writers, seasoned writers

The Ultimate Fantasy Character Creation Workshop

Siobhan Wilson | 12.00pm | $15

Ready to take your imagination to the next level? Join Siobhan Wilson, a 17-year-old four-time published author who released her first book at just 12, for a high-impact, hands-on workshop designed for kids and teens aged 9–16.

Drawing on her experience writing the Our Pixie Friends books, Siobhan shares real insight into the creative process—helping participants build confidence, originality, and storytelling skills they can actually use.

In this engaging session, participants will explore a range of powerful creative strategies—including S.C.A.M.P.E.R.—to design their own unique fantasy character with depth, personality, and story. This is more than just drawing or writing—it’s about learning how to think creatively, develop ideas, and bring characters to life in meaningful ways.

Suitable for 9-16 years, tweens and teens

Blast Off! Ask an Astrophysicist and Build Your Own Rocket

Eileen O'Hely | 1.00pm | $10

Bring all your spacey questions to ask a real, live astrophysicist then design and make your own air rocket to blast up into space. Children will have a STEM experience with emphasis on astronomy and aerodynamics, with their own rocket to bring home.

Suitable for Children & Families

Writing Romance That Hooks: From Idea to Irresistible Opening

Kathleen Kelly | 2.00pm | $20

In this workshop, Verity will explore the purpose and craft of dialogue, sharing practical tools to help you write conversations that feel natural, reveal character, build tension and move your story forward.

Suitable Adults – aspiring and emerging writers who want to develop engaging romance stories and improve their writing skills.

World-Build Smarter: An Introduction to Lore Forge

J D Lear | 3.00pm | $20

Are you a writer struggling to keep your story organised? Join Logan author J D Lear for a hands-on introduction to Lore Forge, the free writing software that's become her go-to tool for drafting fiction.

Designed with fantasy and series writers in mind, Lore Forge keeps your characters, world-building, and plot structure in one place — without the price tag or the learning curve of other programs.

In this workshop, Jacquelynn, will walk you through the key features live, building a project from scratch with audience participation. Come ready to contribute ideas!

Suitable for new and experienced writers looking for a useful tool to help their writing journeys

Book Craft Sessions

Our Book Craft Sessions are designed especially for readers who love making their books and bookshelves uniquely their own. Choose from three hands-on creative experiences: create a personalised miniature bookshelf, paint the page edges of a favourite book, or transform a book cover with colourful gems in our book bedazzling workshop.

Each one-hour session includes materials, guidance and plenty of creative inspiration. These low-cost activities are suitable for book lovers who want to try something new and take home a special bookish creation.

Painted Book Edges Workshop 11am | $18

Give one of your favourite books a colourful makeover!

In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to transform the page edges of a book using paint, simple designs and decorative details. Choose your colours and create anything from a soft ombré or magical night sky to flowers, vines, stars or an enchanted forest.

No artistic experience is needed. Your design can be as simple or detailed as you like, and all painting materials and guidance will be provided.

Please bring:

• One paperback or hardcover book you are happy to paint

• A book with clean, even page edges

• Your creativity and a few design ideas

Books with a medium-sized page block work best, as very thin books provide less room for a design. Please avoid valuable or irreplaceable books while you are learning.

Spaces are limited, so book your place and create your own special-edition book to take home!

Create your own Mini Bookshelf 10am | $25

Book Bedazzling Workshop 1pm | $18

Turn one of your favourite books into a sparkling special edition!

In this hands-on workshop, you’ll use colourful rhinestonesto decorate a book cover and make it uniquely yours. Highlight the title, follow the existing cover artwork, create a sparkling border or design your own pattern using your favourite colours.

Choose from a large selection of multicoloured jewels. Whether you prefer something bright and bold, dark and magical, or delicate and elegant, you can create a design that suits both you and your book.

No previous experience is needed. We’ll provide guidance, inspiration and all the decorating materials required.

Please bring:

• One paperback or hardcover book you are happy to decorate

• A cover with artwork or details you would enjoy highlighting

• Your creativity and any design ideas you would like to try

Books with clear titles, borders or simple cover illustrations are particularly easy to bedazzle. We recommend bringing a book that is special to you but not valuable or irreplaceable while you are learning.

Spaces are limited. Book your place, bring your favourite story and create a dazzling edition that deserves to be displayed!

Build a tiny bookshelf filled with the stories you love!

Choose from a large selection of miniature books and search for your favourite titles or books still waiting on your reading list. Arrange them on your shelves, then bring your miniature library to life with magical ornaments, tiny plants, potion bottles, and other enchanting details.

Each participant will receive their own miniature bookshelf to decorate and personalise. Whether your perfect library is filled with fantasy adventures, romance, mystery or a little of everything, your finished bookshelf will be uniquely yours.

Once complete, your miniature creation can sit on your real bookshelf among your favourite books.

Your workshop includes:

• Your own miniature bookshelf

• Access to a large selection of miniature book titles

• Magical ornaments and decorations

• All craft materials needed to complete your shelf

• A personalised miniature library to take home

Spaces are limited, so book your place and start planning which tiny books will make it onto your shelves!

How to book your sessions....

All tickets for Logan BookFest workshops, readings and book craft sessions are available through Humanitix. Explore the program, plan your schedule and reserve your places at the following link.

Free Workshops

Free Author Readings

How to book your sessions....

All tickets for Logan BookFest workshops, readings and book craft sessions are available through Humanitix. Explore the program, plan your schedule and reserve your places at the following link.

Contact

Questions? Reach out anytime!

Email

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info@turtlepublishing.com.au

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