Writing Tips

Jacqueline has worked with lots of budding authors in workshops and as a one on one mentor. She has also been fortunate enough to work with many talented writers over the years, including John Larkin, Markus Zusak and James Roy, all of whom have taught her loads of writing tips and tricks. If you are interested in working with Jacqueline, please contact her.

In the meantime, here are her top tips to get you started:

1. Show, don’t tell

This is the first rule of writing and while it doesn’t work for everything, you need to think all the time – can I say that differently? Can I paint the picture using words rather than telling the reader what’s happening? Instead of saying: There was a big storm, you could say, a coal coloured sky was shredded by lightning and thunder like cannon fire reigned from the heavens.

2. Practice makes perfect

You can’t expect to be good at something if you don’t work at it. Olympic athletes didn’t just wake up one morning and decide to go to the Olympics, so too good writers must practice their craft. Write as often as you can – set yourself practice drills such as writing descriptions or thinking about similes and metaphors, write a diary or journal, write poetry – whatever takes your fancy but just write. And always have a notebook handy – I have them everywhere!

3. Read aloud, listen aloud

Read your work aloud and listen to how it sounds, and then ask someone else to read it aloud back to you. It’s amazing how differently something can sound when you’re not the one in charge of reading it. Create authentic characters and make sure that you care about them deeply – because if you don’t nobody else will either.

4. Write to be understood, not to impress

Don’t use long words and complicated sentences so that people will think that you’re smart – it’s more likely they just won’t understand what you’re on about! Don’t overcomplicate the text – keep it simple. When you edit, the idea is to cut down on the length of the story and make every single word count.

5. Write the stories you want to write

Think about the type of books you like to read and who your favourite authors are. Write the stories that you would want to read. Develop characters you love to spend time with. If you truly love your characters it’s much more likely that your readers will too.

6. Have fun with the language, play, explore, enjoy and observe

Writing shouldn’t be a chore. Have fun with it and become a great observer – writers are like bower birds – they collect little bits of description and dialogue and ideas from all over the place.

7. Develop a positive attitude, determination and resilience

Writing is hard work and things don’t always go to plan. If you want to be published it will take time. Even if you are fortunate enough to get a contract quickly, it takes anything from a year to several years from the time you sign the contract to the time you will see a book on the shelves. Be happy for the success of others and be the best writer that you can be!

8. Network with other writers and learn from the experts

Take the opportunities available to you to make friends with other like-minded young authors, attend writing courses – you will learn something different from every author you meet – ask questions – look at author websites – write to them and be involved in the community of writers. Remember, I never met an author until I was working as a teacher – you have such easy access to writers these days – make the most of it!

9. Find your voice

When I write I am mostly around 8-9 years old in my head. I write for children and I love being a children’s author. Your ‘voice’ is your unique style, the way you write, the thing that sets you apart from other writers.

10. Read, read, read!

Reading will help you become a better writer. You should read widely for pleasure – but sometimes when there is a sentence, a scene or an image that really grabs you, think about why you felt that way – why did you think it was good or great writing? Maybe even copy it down into a notebook and refer back to it at a later stage.

School Visits

Jacqueline loves working with kids. It has been her passion for as long as she can remember. A highly experienced Primary school teacher and former Deputy Head, her author talks can be tailored to a range of age groups and topics, meeting specific curriculum outcomes.

Jacqueline is equally at home running writing workshops for kids of all ages. If you would like Jacqueline to visit your school please contact her speaking agents:

CKT Speakers’ Agency NSW

W: www.cktspeakersagency.com.au
E: info@cktspeakersagency.com.au
P: 0419 689 942

Booked Out Speakers’ Agency Victoria, South Australia

W: www.bookedout.com.au
E: bookings@bookedout.com.au
P: (03) 9824 0177

Lamont Authors Victoria

W: lamontauthors.com.au
E: bookings@lamontbooks.com.au
P: (03) 87871700

Speakers Ink Queensland

W: www.speakers-ink.com.au
E: info@speakers-ink.com.au
P: (07) 30408-INK(465)

Jacqueline also tours Australia and internationally throughout the year to coincide with the release of her latest titles. Publicity tour events are free but schools must agree to promote her visit and facilitate pre-ordering and sales of the full range of Jacqueline’s books which she will sign on the day.

Publicity Tours

Australia

For publicity tour enquiries in Australia please contact:
Tina Gumnior
E: tgumnior@penguinrandomhouse.com.au

Singapore

For publicity tour enquiries in Singapore please contact:
Jacqueline Harvey
E: jacqueline@jacquelineharvey.com.au

United Kingdom

For publicity tour enquiries in the UK please contact:
E: jacqueline@jacquelineharvey.com.au

For all other countries please direct your enquiries directly to  Jacqueline@jacquelineharvey.com.au

Awards

• 2023 – Willa and Woof: Mimi is Missing shortlisted for Speech Pathology Book of the Year Awards
• 2023 – Kensy and Max Breaking News shortlisted for the REAL awards which are the Children’s  Choice awards KOALA’s in NSW, YABBA’s in Victoria and KROC in the NT
• 2022 – Alice-Miranda at Camp shortlisted for the REAL awards which are the Children’s Choice awards KOALA’s in NSW, YABBA’s in Victoria and KROC in the NT
• 2021 – Winner of the KOALA Legend Award
• 2021 – Kensy and Max: Out of Sight Shortlisted for the REAL awards which are the Children’s Choice awards KOALA’s in NSW, YABBA’s in Victoria and KROC in the NT
• 2021 – Alice-Miranda in the Outback Shortlisted for the REAL awards which are the Children’s Choice awards KOALA’s in NSW, YABBA’s in Victoria and KROC in the NT
• 2020/21 – Kensy and Max 1: Breaking News shortlisted for the Red Dot Book Awards Singapore
• 2020 – Kensy and Max 1: Breaking News shortlisted West Australian Young Readers’ Book Awards
• 2020 – Kensy and Max 1: Breaking News shortlisted for the REAL awards which are the Children’s Choice awards KOALA’s in NSW, YABBA’s in Victoria and KROC in the NT
• 2020 – Kensy and Max 3: Undercover long listed Davitt Awards for Crime Fiction
• 2019 – Alice-Miranda in Scotland shortlisted for the REAL awards which are the Children’s Choice awards KOALA’s in NSW, YABBA’s in Victoria and KROC in the NT
• 2018 – Alice-Miranda Holds the Key shortlisted West Australian Young Readers’ Book Awards
• 2017 – Alice-Miranda in China shortlisted for the REAL awards which are the Children’s Choice awards KOALA’s in NSW, YABBA’s in Victoria and COOL in the ACT
• 2016 – Alice-Miranda at Camp Honour Book Winner KOALA awards
• 2016 – Alice-Miranda at Camp shortlisted for the REAL awards which are the Children’s Choice awards KOALA’s in NSW, YABBA’s in Victoria and COOL in the ACT
• 2015 – Alice-Miranda in Japan shortlisted for the REAL awards which are the Children’s Choice awards KOALA’s in NSW, YABBA’s in Victoria and COOL in the ACT
• 2015 –  Clementine Rose and the Seaside Escape shortlisted for the Australian Book Industry Awards Book of the Year 0-8 years category
• 2015 – Alice-Miranda in Japan shortlisted for the Australian Book Industry Awards Book of the Year 8-14 years category
• 2014 – Alice-Miranda in Paris Honour Book Winner KOALA awards
• 2014 – Alice-Miranda in Paris shortlisted for an Australian Book Industry Award in the Older Reader’s category
• 2014 – Alice-Miranda in Paris shortlisted for the REAL awards which are the Children’s’ Choice awards KOALA’s in NSW, YABBA’s in Victoria and COOL in the ACT
• 2014 – Alice-Miranda in Paris shortlisted for a WAYRBA – the Children’s Choice Awards in Western Australia
• 2013 –  Alice-Miranda Shows the Way Honour Book Winner KOALA awards
• 2013 – Alice-Miranda Shows the Way shortlisted for the REAL awards which are the Children’s’ Choice awards KOALA’s in NSW, YABBA’s in Victoria and COOL in the ACT
• 2013 – Alice-Miranda in New York shortlisted for the Australian Book Industry Awards Book of the Year 8-14 years category
• 2013 – Alice-Miranda In New York winner Random House Children’s Book of the Year Australia
• 2012 – Alice-Miranda at School winner YABBA award for the Junior Reader Category and Honour Book winner in the KOALA awards in NSW
• 2012 – Alice-Miranda At School shortlisted for the REAL awards which are the Children’s Choice Awards – KOALA’s in NSW, YABBA’s in Victoria and COOL in the ACT
• 2012 – Alice-Miranda At School shortlisted for a WAYRBA – the Children’s Choice Awards in Western Australia
• 2012 – Alice-Miranda At Sea longlisted for a DAVITT Award – for crime fiction
• 2011 –  Alice-Miranda At School shortlisted for the Australian Psychological Society Children’s Peace Literature Award
• 2010 – Jacqueline Harvey was named Favourite Author of the Year on the Kids Book Review website
• 2006 – The Sound of the Sea HONOUR BOOK Children’s Book Council of Australia Awards
• 2001 – Jacqueline Harvey won the Frustrated Writers’ Mentoring Competition with the NSW Branch of the Children’s Book Council

Testimonials

Epping Public School 2021

I think Jacqueline was very funny, and I loved her story about Robbie! She was honestly so fun, and it was exciting getting to meet one of Australia’s best-known authors!” – Sarah Year 6

I really liked seeing Jacqueline. She is very loved amongst EPD students. I also enjoyed all of the funny stories she had to share with us. All of them made me smile in lockdown. I haven’t read any of her books and now I am inspired to read some of them. I can tell she is a very hard working author and I love that. I can’t wait to see her again and I am sure that next time I see her I will have a blast. Maya Year 5

It was such a treat for Jacqueline Harvey to be able to visit our school virtually. Her books are some of our most borrowed books and our students are always excited when new books in her series are released. It was a dream come true for many of my students to be able to meet her. We all enjoyed hearing her hilarious tales from her time as a teacher. The students loves hearing about Jacqueline’s favourite elements to include in stories and felt very inspired. I look forward to hosting her again in the future. Angela Teacher Librarian

Northpine Christian College Brisbane 2021

Loved the presentation. Great speaker. Loved the explanations of where ideas for characters come from. Jacqueline kept the students entertained and wanting to hear more. Michelle Year 3 Teacher

It was wonderful. I love all your stories and can’t wait for the new Kensy and Max book! Paityn – Year 3

It was amazing. Jacqueline is the funniest woman ever. I loved meeting her and I hope she can visit again. Her jokes were so funny. Faith – Year 3

I enjoyed it a lot because her jokes and the back stories of the books were amazing! I think she is the best author ever! I just can’t describe how amazing her books are. My favourite books are the Alice-Miranda series. Thomas – Year 3

We all thoroughly enjoyed our author visit by Jacqueline. The students and staff laughed at the stories of some funny characters in her life and loved hearing about her books, including all the forthcoming ones! We all can’t wait to read them and look forward to Jacqueline visiting our school again in the future. She is a very lovely lady and extremely talented author and speaker who had the students fully engaged and talking about the visit for weeks. Kim – Librarian

St Agatha’s Catholic Primary School Brisbane 2021

The greatest author visit EVER! Myla, Year 3

We LOVED listening to Jacqueline’s stories, especially the ones about when she was a teacher. Ivy, Year 3

We had the best fun with Jacqueline. Mannix, Year 3

Jacqueline Harvey is an inspiration for young students who want to become authors. Bonnie, Year 3

Jacqueline tells the funniest stories – we were all cackling. Arabella, Year 3

An inspiring and humorous author who brings light and laughter to any school she visits. Louis, Year 3

Jacqueline Harvey entranced our Year 2-6 cohort for over an hour. Her humour, warmth and enthusiasm echoed throughout her presentation. So many teachers commented about what a fantastic presenter Jacqueline was and both students and staff were laughing out loud at her animated stories about her life as a teacher before becoming an author. Thank you Jacqueline for sharing not only your wonderful books with us but for also sharing your passion, joy and creativity related to writing and the writing process. We can’t wait for your new books to be released and will be looking forward to you visiting again sooner rather than later. Jo Noble Teacher Librarian

Trinity Grammar School Sydney 2021

Jacqueline came and spoke to the boys in Years 3-6 for our term 1 author visit. She was an excellent presenter that had the boys hooked on every word she said from the moment they walked it. The stories that she shared with them were not only entertaining, but demonstrated to the students how they could include suspense into both their oral storytelling and written stories. Our boys were very excited to start reading the Kensy & Max series during the upcoming school holidays. – Mrs Abigail Nel

When Jacqueline was talking, she spoke about all the things that happened when she was young, what happened when she was a teacher and what she is doing now as an author. My favorite part was when Jacqueline was talking about her as a teacher and she had this crazy kid in her class named Robbie. The characters she spoke about that were in her books are Kensy, Max, Alice Miranda and Clementine Rose. I liked how Alice Miranda travels around the world, Clementine Rose has a cute pet pig named Lavender. I would like to read Jacqueline’s Alice Miranda’s Trip To Egypt because I thought it was hilarious when she talked about that there was a person who was the top agent of a spy group but then he got exposed. – August, Year 4

Writing for Children Course Writing NSW November 2019

Jacqueline was both inspiring and instructive – she covered an enormous amount of material and shows us what hard work gives.

Jacqueline was informative and frank. There is no room for sugar coating in this industry. It was refreshing to hear it like it is.

Rockhampton Regional Libraries Off the Shelf Festival 2019

Our visiting students, teachers and library staff greatly enjoyed Jacqueline’s presentations during the Festival. Her adaptability, great sense of humour and professionalism shone through the various workshops that she delivered and were lively and student-centred. We have had terrific feedback from students and families who joined the library service as a result of her passion for writing and libraries.

Claremont College 2019

Jacqueline Harvey visited our school (Claremont College) to give up us an inspiring talk about her most humorous memories and to introduce us to her latest book series Kensy and Max. We really enjoyed listening to her talk and are so excited to get our hands on a Kensy and Max book. Jacqueline is also the author of the books Alice Miranda and Clementine Rose. We hope she comes to our school again soon.

Emma and Amy

Year Six students

St Mary’s Catholic Primary School Concord – August 2018

Jacqueline was kind enough to do four sessions for our school which was very generous of her. I watched all sessions and they were all wonderful. She was amazing from start to finish. She engaged all ages of her audience and there were no behavior issues because she was so entertaining. She was funny and animated and simply a delight. The comments from the students after the performance were all positive. Best speaker I have ever booked.

Feedback from Year 5 boys SCOTCH College Perth 2018

Jacqueline Harvey is full of stories and when she tells them, they are funny, entertaining and hilarious. Lucas

Jacqueline Harvey’s books are action packed with cool characters, who do many awesome things. She has brilliant ideas and she takes you to many places in her stories. Tommy

I could read Kensy and Max for hours on end. September is so far away for the next one. Charlie

I like all the character’s in the Kensy and Max series. I especially like Fitz and Song. James

I like the way Jacqueline Harvey writes, I think I’ll read an Alice Miranda and Clementine Rose book now because she used great description and cool story lines. George

Spy stories are the best and I like how all the characters played a part in the big conspiracy! Jack

I think Jacqueline Harvey’s books are terrific. I love the mystery in Kensy and Max and it makes you feel like you never want to stop reading. Jack

Jacqueline Harvey’s books are great to read because they’re funny, which makes them great for all kids, not just girls! Henry

Feedback from Newcastle Writers’ Festival Presentations 2017

‘Jacqueline’s presentation was very engaging for staff and students. Inspirational.’

‘Thoroughly enjoyed it. High energy fun presentation. Great tips for writers.’

‘Brilliant. Very engaging! Both boys and girls thoroughly enjoyed the presentation.’

Kate Martin, Librarian Riverbank Primary School

‘Just a quick note to say how much we all loved your visit here to us at Riverbank! I have had so many positive comments from the staff and from the students about your wonderfully engaging sessions on Wednesday. We have about 10 classes through the Library on Thursdays and another 5 on Friday, and without exception, they have all wanted to talk to me about you and your books. Every last one of your books has been borrowed and there were some sad faces today when the last classes realised they were too late.

Thank you so much for making our Book Week event so enjoyable. Please come back and visit us soon.

We can’t wait to read the first book in your new series!’

Feedback from Fran Carson CBCA Central Coast

‘Thank you so much for sharing your infectious enthusiasm and providing such inspiring insights into your books and writing. Your presentation on Thursday evening and the sessions with the children on Friday were very entertaining and gave both teachers and students invaluable insights into your characters and stories.’

‘The children loved the day. Have had feedback from teachers and librarians that this was the best author event we’ve ever hosted.’

Christine Sinden, Junior School Librarian, TARA Anglican School for Girls

‘We were absolutely thrilled to have Jacqueline Harvey visit TARA Anglican School for Girls last week. She conducted an hour long session with 140 girls which engaged and enthused every single one of them. The talk about Jacqueline and Alice Miranda since that time has been a constant buzz in the library, playground and classrooms.’

Hayley Tuft, Year 5 Teacher, Macarthur Anglican School

‘I found Jacqueline Harvey’s visit to be invaluable to both my class and myself. I found her ideas to be so fun and engaging. I have loved bringing these to my class and seeing students that would normally shy away from writing actually getting excited and passionate about what they are creating. So far I have done a few of the quick writing exercises with my class and the results have been amazing.’

Di-Anne Pleskun, Kindergarten Teacher, Macarthur Anglican School

‘Jacqueline Harvey provided a breath of fresh air to our teaching and approach to writing. We work very hard and so do the children and we were at a point where we were wondering… ‘Where to next?’ and then we had a visit from Jacqueline Harvey. Her demonstration lessons and presentations were motivational. Key phrases, story starters and strategies were just the things we needed to inspire our quite competent kindergarten writers.’

Gillian Maugle, Librarian, Wiley Park Public School after having Jacqueline visit for the Books In Homes Presentation

‘Jacqueline was absolutely fabulous! The teachers have commented that she was the best presenter ever! The children were extremely happy with their books.’