HOLIDAY PROGRAMS
Write a Book in a Week with Ashleigh Barton (July 14-18, 2025)
9:00 - 11:00am Years 2-4 $600
11:30am - 1:30pm Years 4-6 $600
Write a Book in a Week | Course Overview
Join bestselling children’s author Ashleigh Barton to plan, write, produce and promote a book in just one week! Working both independently and collaboratively, students will create an anthology of works on a theme chosen by the class. This fun and hands-on writing course will cover the foundations of writing a creative story including plotting, developing characters and writing techniques, as well as editing and getting a book ready for print. Drawing on Ashleigh’s experience as the Publicity and Marketing Manager at one of Australia’s biggest publishing houses, students will also learn how books end up in the hands of readers and how they get promoted. Celebrate the end of the course with a book launch!
Day 1: Prep your toolbox
Prepare your writer’s toolbox with an overview of the fundamentals of creative writing. This first session will cover all the things that make a good story including plotting, structure, characters and more. Before the session is over, we’ll vote on a theme and start brainstorming ideas.
Day 2 and 3: Write on
Sessions two and three will consist of guided writing. Students will work on their stories with Ashleigh on-hand to answer questions, offer advice and make suggestions to ensure each story is the best it can be. We’ll keep our minds sharp with fun brain break activities.
Day 4: Print ready
In this second-last session, we’ll be polishing our works and getting them ready for print. This will include self-editing, peer review, typesetting and a final proofread. We’ll also decide on a book title, design a cover and create any illustrations.
Day 5: Promo time
Now that our book is ready to go, it’s time to promote it. Ashleigh will share some in-house insight on how books end up in stores, and students will have a go at designing their own marketing materials like bookmarks, posters and digital advertising. Students will also write their own speeches explaining their work which they’ll be invited to read out in true book launch style!