In this 1.5-hour workshop for youth, attendees will learn how to create relatable characters, write authentic dialogue, be inspired by their own life experiences and the world around them, and explore real-world challenges in their writing – all through fun activities and insights from a published author.
About the presenter:
Samera Kamaleddine is a Sydney-based author, but for many years she was a journalist, writing for magazines about everything from friendship dramas and school bullies to body confidence.
She is passionate about sharing diverse stories of growing up in Australia and believes everyone should feel ‘seen’ in books. Her debut YA novel, Half My Luck, was published in 2021 after it won the HarperCollins Matilda Prize. Her first book for middle-grade readers, The Sideways Orbit of Evie Hart, was shortlisted for the 2024 CBCA Book of the Year for Younger Readers. She is currently working on a two-book series due for release in 2026.