Author Readings, Workshops and Activities at Logan Bookfest
Description
Book Your Logan BookFest Activities
Welcome to the central booking page for all free and low-cost workshops, readings and special activities taking place at Logan BookFest.
Use this page to explore the available sessions, choose the activities you would like to attend and reserve your places in one convenient booking. You can select tickets for multiple activities before completing your order, making it easy to plan a full day of bookish fun for yourself, your family or your group.
The program includes a variety of experiences for different ages and interests, from author readings and creative workshops to special activities such as book bedazzling, painted book edges and miniature bookshelf making.
Entry to Logan BookFest is free, and many scheduled activities are also free. Some premium workshops have a small charge and offer more value. Places are limited for scheduled sessions, so advance bookings are strongly recommended.
Please check the session times carefully when choosing your tickets to ensure your selected activities do not overlap. Each person attending an activity will require their own ticket but you can add all your tickets into the one booking.
Full program information, activity descriptions and event updates can be found at:
Website: loganbookfest.com.au
Facebook: fb.com/loganbookfest
We look forward to welcoming you to a wonderful day of books, creativity and community at Logan BookFest!
Lineup
Book Bedazzling Workshop
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. Fully covering a book can take several hours, so the workshop will focus on selected areas such as the title, key illustrations and decorative details. You may also receive extra gems to continue your design at home if needed. Your book will need to be handled carefully while the adhesive dries, so please bring a small box or bag that allows it to lie flat on the journey home. Spaces are limited. Book your place, bring your favourite story and create a dazzling edition that deserves to be displayed!
Create Your Own Mini Bookshelf
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!
Painted Book Edges Workshop
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!
Where do the Ideas Come From? - Jeffery Doherty
“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 children from 8 years through to teens
Dialogue that delivers - Verity Croker
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 and readers
The Importance of Opening Chapters - Cynthia Terelst
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
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. Spots are limited—come create something truly unforgettable. Suitable for 9-16 years
Blast Off! Ask an Astrophysicist and Build Your Own Rocket - Eileen O'Hely
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 and families
Writing Romance That Hooks: From Idea to Irresistible Opening - Kathleen Kelly
This premium, hands-on workshop is designed for aspiring and emerging writers who want to move beyond ideas and start building a romance story that truly connects with readers. In this session, USA Today and International Bestselling Author Kathleen Kelly will guide participants through the essential elements of writing a compelling romance hook—from understanding what captures a reader’s attention to creating characters, tension, and emotional stakes that drive a story forward. Participants will be led through a simple, practical framework to develop their own story concept, including defining their main characters, identifying core conflict, and crafting a strong opening hook. By the end of the workshop, each attendee will have created a tailored story foundation and a powerful opening line they can continue to build on. This is an interactive session with clear, actionable outcomes, ideal for writers who want practical guidance and immediate progress in their romance writing. Suitable for adults, aspiring and emerging writers who want to develop engaging romane stories and improve their writing skills
World-Build Smarter: An Introduction to Lore Forge
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, also known as J D Lear, 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 journey
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