Alison D. Stegert

There is no buzz that beats the one that comes from sharing my passion for books, writing, and creativity with kids and other writers. Got a speaking or facilitating opportunity? Let’s talk!

I would be thrilled to contribute to your classroom, school, literary festival, bookshop, or library. With heaps of public speaking and facilitation experience under my belt, my repertoire includes unique activities and workshops for audiences of all ages, from preschoolers to adults.

Manuscript Mentoring

If you’re burning to write your own novel but need a little coaching, consider hiring me as your mentor. I’m available for short- and long-term projects.

Click the button below to find out more.

My Point of Difference

My previous career as a school counsellor and my graduate training in applied psychology informs much of my work. For example, I demonstrate how personality typing tools can be used to create compelling characters creation and to build a believable backstory.

I love to spark an interest in history, a fondness for handwritten correspondence, and an appreciation of quirky creatures – human and otherwise. Inspiring girl empowerment, particularly in the areas of STEM, civics, and self-belief is a personal mission. I also aim to foster a love of reading and enjoyment of writing. Helping people young and old achieve their writing dreams makes my heart sing!

A Participant’s Recommendation

I highly recommend Alison as a quality workshop presenter. Her precision to detail, her creative skills, and her vibrant interaction with her participants make her a unique talent. She will not disappoint.

Lee Burton, MA Creative Writing

Festival & Conference Appearances

My festival and conference experience includes:

• Eumundi Writers’ Festival, Sunshine Coast, 2025
• Book Links Romancing the Stars, Brisbane, 2025
• SCBWI AU East Critique & Create Palooza, Sydney, 2024 (Adults)
• Cairns Tropical Writers’ Festival, 2024 (Student and Adult Audiences)
• Beyond the Book Literature Festival, 2024 (Students)
• Historical Novel Society Australasia Conference 2023 (Adults)
• ASLA Conference 2023 (Adults)
• SCBWI QLD State Conference 2019 (Adults)
• And various online events during the pandemic period.

Secondary School Workshops & Talks

I’ve shared my enthusiasm for writing with homeschooled students and pupils from Saint Andrew’s Anglican College, Northside Christian College, and Clayfield College (a number of years ago).

• The Art of Illumination (art and history, secondary)
• Finding the Story in History (Year 12)
• Short Story Techniques & Tips (Years 8, 9, 10)
• Historical Character Development (Year 7)
• Understand Your Character (and Yourself) with the Enneagram
• Victorian Horrible History
• Tips for Writing Tight
• And More!

Testimonial

Alison presented to our Year 7s as part of their work in English on writing from a perspective as a historical figure. She held the students’ interest with her calm delivery and engaging stories about how she used historical research into her own middle grade novel, inspiring them to weave interesting facts into their own work. Ali was easy to work with and very professional; I was particularly impressed with how she linked our students’ work with her own presentation to make it even more relatable for the students.

Caroline Gordon-Johnson, Secondary Teacher Librarian, St Andrew’s Anglican College

Primary School Visits & Activities

Primary students from Tin Can Bay State College and Northside Christian College have benefitted from my visits.

• The Victorian Art of Letter Writing
• Bird Watching with Ali (Based on my picture book, Boogie Woogie Bird)
• Message in a Bottle Writing Adventure
• Cabinets of Curiosity Activity
• And More!

Testimonial

Alison Stegert ran two primary school workshops during our Book Week Celebrations 2018. She ran a very interactive story time, showing the children what people wore during the time of the story’s setting. She used different hats to depict the different characters as she read aloud, which the children loved! When her time drew to a close, the children were begging for her to come back and finish the book.

In her ‘Message in a Bottle Writing Adventure,’ she led the children through a well-structured activity, where the children “found” a bottle containing a letter from a shipwrecked sailor. Their task was to reply with suggestions to help him to send in their own bottle. The children were very enthusiastic about this session and came up with some inspired ideas. We loved having Alison and would love to make her Book Week visits an annual special. Thanks Alison!

Lesley Davis, Primary School Teacher Librarian (retired), NCC

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Adult Writing Workshops

• Super Psymple Psychology for Writers Series:
  • Creating 3D Characters with the Enneagram
  • Building Believable Backstory with Tools for the Psychologist’s Toolbox
  • Self-Care for Creatives
  • Surviving Limboland – Staying sane while you’re waiting (and working) for your Big Break
  • Journalling for Joy
• Story Gym:
  • First Chapter Fitness Checklist
  • Getting Unstuck – Five Ways to Breakthrough Writers’ Block
  • Toning Exercises for Flabby Middles
  • Sticking Your Landing – Wow-worthy Endings
• Organising Research with OneNote
• Unfolding Victorian Fashion
• Illuminated Initials

Testimonial – Events for Adults

I have attended several of Alison’s workshops, the most recent being the ‘Writers in the Tropics’ Conference held in Cairns. Alison gave a presentation that was well researched, with informative slides and handouts that were understandable and not overloaded in detail. Not only was her workshop presentation excellent, her interactive management of the group (over twenty plus people) kept her audience engaged for over an hour.

I have known Alison for more than five years as a friend and mentor. I consider her a person of high intelligence and impeccable character.

Lee Burton, Writer

School Holiday Programs

To give back to the indie bookshops that hand-sell my books, I run fun school holiday workshops. EG: Where the Wild Things Are, Quick Brown Fox Bookshop, and The Little Book Nook. Examples include:

• The Art of Victorian Letter Writing (ages 9-13)
• Steampunk Spy School – Cyphers, Gadgets & Disguise (ages 9 -13)
• Message in a Bottle (Primary)
• Bouncy Birds (Youngsters)
• An Inspirational Intro to Illuminated Lettering (Secondary)

Testimonials – Bookshop Events

…(Alison’s) calm, happy and approachable manner ensured that the children felt safe to create and explore. We loved making the cards and envelopes. The letter activity was engaging, and I loved hearing the written responses for the group.

Anna Sheen, Bookseller at Quick Brown Fox Bookshop

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