Want to improve your creative writing and get your stories published?
Image
Image
Image
 

Want to improve your creative writing and get your stories published?

Want to improve your creative writing and get your stories published?

Workshops for Kids

Karen is a fabulous teacher! Our boy loved every moment of these workshops. He had so much fun and no idea was ever seen as a bad one. His handwriting and writing skills improved tremendously. His imagination and ability to describe and create have developed alongside his confidence. Thank you for a fantastic year!

Lani Jacobs

Karen is a fabulous teacher! Our boy loved every moment of these workshops. He had so much fun and no idea was ever seen as a bad one. His handwriting and writing skills improved tremendously. His imagination and ability to describe and create have developed alongside his confidence. Thank you for a fantastic year!

Lani Jacobs

Holiday Fun in our Maitland Studio and on Zoom

Turbo-charge your creative writing this school holidays with our popular creative writing workshops, Animal Magic, Superhero School and Mad Scientist. Woo hoo! Kalika Magic author Karen Hughes will be presenting these fantastic 3-hour workshops for kids aged 8-13. Join us from anywhere for a morning of fun and inspiration.

WHERE: 248 High St. Maitland OR join us on Zoom

WHEN: 16-18 January 2023

TIME: 10am-1pm

School Holiday Info

School Holiday Workshops

19-21 April

Learn More
Image

Join our Talented Kids Program

Congratulations to all our talented young authors!

'Reach for the Stars', our latest anthology of wild and wonderful stories, is now in bookstores everywhere.

Our talented kids have put in a huge effort learning their craft, chasing inspiration, drafting and redrafting, and polishing up their stories for you to read.

Enjoy!

Get a copy
Image
Weekend Workshops in our Maitland Studio

A series of 3-hour workshops for kids aged 9-12 with author Karen Hughes at our secret garden studio with morning tea provided. At the end of the year, we will publish our own book of wild and wonderful stories.

WHERE: 248 High St. Maitland

WHEN:  Term 1 2024, Sunday 10am-1pm.

11 February: Short Story Blitz

25 February: Write and Perform a Play

10 March: Poetry in the Secret Garden

Learn More
Image

High School Club in Maitland

For kids in Years 7 and 8 who love creative writing. Come along and make new friends. Publish your own book. Weekly one hour sessions with author Karen Hughes every Wednesday in our Maitland studio.

WHERE:  248 High St. Maitland.

WHEN:  Wednesday 4.00pm-5.00pm.

Image
Learn More
Image

Inspiration for Schools

We offer an exciting full term program for schools and community groups with at least 10 participants. The program consists of weekly one hour writing sessions with author Karen Hughes at your school, at our studio or on Zoom, and is aimed at sparking creativity and improving writing skills.

At the end of the term, we'll publish an anthology of student stories.

Alternatively, talk to us about a half or whole day of creative writing workshops, either live or on Zoom.

School Writing Programs

Young Authors Online Club

For kids aged 10+

10 weekly video/activity modules, each with a different story challenge, and one (1) live Zoom session with author Karen Hughes.

Try exciting writing challenges, learn new tips and techniques, and have lots of fun exploring all kinds of different worlds. Submit your stories for publication in our new book.

WHERE: In your own home!

WHEN: Self-paced. Join at any time. New lessons available each week.

Image
Join the Club
Image
Learn More

High School Club on Zoom

For kids aged 12-15 who have completed the Talented Kids Program or Young Authors Club and want to take their writing even further. A one hour brainstorming session with author Karen Hughes every Monday during term. Get creative. Explore all kinds of genres and learn new writing techniques. Submit your stories for publication on our website and in our annual anthology.

WHERE:  At home on Zoom.

WHEN:  Mondays from 5pm-6pm.

Mali is 13 and he's currently doing the Talented Kids program with Karen Hughes ... He's actually just signed up for the program for the third time. He's loved it so much and got so much out of it. He's absolutely loving writing every single week and seeing his writing develop and improve ...

Jo Wise, Melbourne
I’ve just completed the Hunter Valley Writers Talented Kids program for the second time. I enjoyed it a lot and I’m going to do it again multiple times. I liked the structure of it and that I got to write every week and finish stories. I like the idea that my stories will be published in a book for other people to read.
Mali

Our Writing Studio

We acknowledge the Wonnarua people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we gather in the Hunter Valley, and pay our respects to their Elders, past and present. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in the Hunter Valley today. Anikanya!

Holiday Fun in our Maitland studio and on Zoom!

Turbo-charge your creative writing this school holidays with our popular creative writing workshops, Animal Magic, Superhero School and Mad Scientist. Woo hoo! Kalika Magic author Karen Hughes will be presenting these fantastic 3-hour workshops for kids aged 8-13. Join us for a morning of fun and inspiration.

WHERE: 248 High St. Maitland or join us on Zoom

WHEN: 16-18 January 2023

TIME: 10am-1pm

Learn More
Image

Join our Talented Kids Program

Congratulations to our young authors!

Image

'Reach for the Stars', our latest anthology of wild and wonderful stories, is now in bookstores everywhere.

Our talented kids have put in a huge effort learning their craft, chasing inspiration, drafting and redrafting, and polishing up their stories for you to read.

Enjoy!

Get a copy

Weekend Workshops in Maitland

Image

A series of 3-hour workshops for kids aged 9-12 with author Karen Hughes at our secret garden studio with morning tea provided. At the end of the year, we will publish our own book of wild and wonderful stories.

WHERE: 248 High St. Maitland

WHEN:  Term 1 2024, Sunday 10am-1pm.

11 February: Short Story Blitz

25 February: Write and Perform a Play

10 March: Poetry in the Secret Garden

Learn More

High School Club in Maitland

Image

For kids in Years 7 and 8 who love creative writing. Come along and make new friends. Publish your own book. One hour sessions with author Karen Hughes every Wednesday in our Maitland studio.

WHERE:  248 High St. Maitland

WHEN:  Wednesday 4.00pm-5.00pm

Learn More

Inspiration for Schools

Image

We offer an exciting full term program for schools and community groups with at least 10 participants. The program consists of weekly one hour writing sessions with author Karen Hughes at your school, at our Maitland studio or on Zoom, and is aimed at sparking creativity and improving writing skills.

At the end of the term, we'll publish an anthology of student stories.

Alternatively, talk to us about a half or whole day of creative writing workshops, either live or on Zoom.

School Writing Programs

Young Authors Club

Image

Join our Self-Paced Online Course for kids aged 10+

Introducing Young Authors Club, our exciting online creative writing program. 10 weekly video modules, each with a different story challenge. The modules are available for 12 months. During this time, kids will have the opportunity to meet author Karen Hughes on Zoom and to submit stories for publication. 

Try exciting writing challenges, learn new tips and techniques, and have lots of fun exploring all kinds of different worlds.

WHERE: In your own home!

WHEN: Self-paced. Join at any time. New lessons available each week.

Learn More

High School Club on Zoom

Image
Learn More

For kids aged 12-15 who have completed the Talented Kids Program or Young Authors Club and want to take their writing even further. A one hour workshop with author Karen Hughes every Monday. Get creative. Explore all kinds of genres and learn new writing techniques. Submit your stories for publication on our website and in our annual anthology.

WHERE:  At home on Zoom

WHEN:  Mondays from 5pm-6pm.

Mali is 13 and he's currently doing the Talented Kids program with Karen Hughes ... He's actually just signed up for the program for the third time. He's loved it so much and got so much out of it. He's absolutely loving writing every single week and seeing his writing develop and improve ...

Jo Wise, Melbourne
I’ve just completed the Hunter Valley Writers Talented Kids program for the second time. I enjoyed it a lot and I’m going to do it again multiple times. I liked the structure of it and that I got to write every week and finish stories. I like the idea that my stories will be published in a book for other people to read.
Mali

Breaking News

Image

Thanks for writing with us at IF Maitland Writers Festival

We sharpened our swords and set out on a wild and wonderful quest over the misty mountains, through the secret forest and into the dragon’s lair. What did we find there? A stash of gold, a pile of skeletons (eek!), and a lonely dragon who just wanted to be our friend. Phew! It was a huge day with our workshops fully booked, despite the 33 degree heat and the wind that tried to blow our tent away. 

Image
Image
Our term 4 Talented Kids workshops were a blast! Thanks for being such an enthusiastic group of young authors. We're so proud of you all! We can't wait to see your stories, poems and scripts in our next anthology.
Visit our Photo Gallery
Image

Thanks for writing with us at IF Maitland Writers Festival

We sharpened our swords and set out on a quest over the misty mountains, through the secret forest, and into the dragon’s lair. What did we find there? A stash of gold, a pile of skeletons (eek!), and a lonely dragon who just wanted to be our friend. Phew! It was a huge day with our workshops fully booked, despite the 33 degree heat and the wind that tried to blow our tent away. 

School Holiday Workshops

Image

Our school holiday workshops went off with a bang! Secret Witches School, Superhero School, Step Back in Time, Animal Magic, Blast Off! and Witches on Zoom were all completely fabulous and we can't wait to try out some new exciting topics in January.

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
    Our book launch at the Maitland Writers Festival was heaps of fun! Thanks for coming along to celebrate with our Adventure Unlocked authors. Our Mythical Magical Creative Writing Workshop afterwards was fully booked and everyone had a great time eating jam drop cookies and writing brilliant stories. You can check out the photos here.
    Image
    Visit our bookshop
    Congratulation to the Talented Kids at Central West Leadership Academy in Dubbo!
    Image
    Get your copy now
    Congratulation to the Talented Kids at Murrurundi Public School!
    Image
    Get your copy now

    Our new anthology is here!

    Image
    Get your copy now

    Our latest book is out of this world!

    Congratulations to all the talented kids who contributed their magical stories to this year’s collection.

    Image
    Image

    Adventure Unlocked

    Unlock a world of adventure with this wild and wonderful collection of stories written and edited by our talented kids – with a little help from author Karen Hughes. From time travel to space diaries, dragon quests to friendly zombies, there’s something in here for everyone!

    ‘I wish I had an imagination like this.’ – Lewis Carroll

    Read Our Stories

    Featured image for “The White Star of the Mountain”

    The White Star of the Mountain

    by Georgia Shaw This is the story of the brave hero of Kilga, Jason McLean, who risked his life for…
    Featured image for “Sun Street News #2”

    Sun Street News #2

    The latest edition of our newspaper is hot off the press!…
    Featured image for “The Goblin-Monkey”

    The Goblin-Monkey

    by Anushka Iyengar Gorch stomped his heavy, green, warty feet. Children all scattered as he came near; animals ran to…
    Featured image for “Who You Really Are”

    Who You Really Are

    By Sienna Hardy PAGE 1 The wind swirled around the town and whipped Jade’s hair into her face. Her mother…
    Featured image for “Welcome to the first edition of our newspaper”

    Welcome to the first edition of our newspaper

    Our Talented Kids are not only fabulous story writers, playwrights and poets, they are also professional journalists with a nose…
    Featured image for “Air”

    Air

    by Chloe Patron Wind whistles through my hair,as we play in the yard.The flying kite freezes midair,when the wind catches…
    Read Arthur and the Dead, The Time Machine, Flip, and more!

    Stay in the Loop

    Enter your email address and we'll let you know when we post a new story.

    Image
    We love Hunter Valley Writers workshops and courses in our family as they are magical experiences for all children. The inspiration, fun and laughter are what school holidays are all about ... becoming published authors is a happy bonus! There is something very special and motivating for children to see their own words in print in a 'real book'! Karen Hughes is a wonderful teacher and great writing mentor!
    Claire Michell

    Sharing the magic of words

    Dr Karen Hughes is the author of Kalika Magic series for kids 9+, exploring themes of courage, adventure, and the power of the imagination. Karen grew up on a cattle station on the Liverpool Plains, where she spent her childhood climbing trees, riding horses, and reading Narnia books. She attended a primary school with only six pupils, before being packed off to boarding school at age 12. Karen was a lawyer in Canberra for almost 10 years, but has now thankfully recovered. She is currently writing her fifth Kalika Magic book and working on a speculative novel for adults.

    PhD English/BA(Asian Studies)/Bachelor of Laws/Grad.Dip Legal Practice/Adv.Dip Classical Herbal Medicine/Children's Book Council of Australia/Australian Society of Authors/International Association for the Fantastic in the Arts/Speculative Literature Foundation USA

    Image

    Now on the NSW Premier's Reading Challenge!

    Image
    Image
    Image
    Image

    Now on the NSW Premier's Reading Challenge!

    Image
    Visit our bookshop
    Visit our bookshop
    Supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.