Talks for readers who want the sources, not just the story.
Every talk is built for the room: a library evening, a classroom, a history society, or a working session for writers. Four topics, four settings.
The Assayer’s Wife
A guided walk through the goldfields research behind the novel, with the parish records and ledgers that started it. Ends with time for the room’s own family stories.
Reading the Goldfields
A classroom session on 1850s Victoria built around primary sources rather than dates and names, paired with a teachers’ notes pack for follow-up work.
Who the Record Left Out
For local and family-history groups: how to find the people the official record never thought worth naming, and what to do with what you find.
Research for Fiction
A working session on turning archival research into fiction without inventing what the sources cannot support — for writers working on historical material.
A short clip from a library talk
A few minutes from a recent talk, plus questions from the floor. Full recordings available on request for librarians, teachers and event organisers.
45–60 minutes
A single evening talk for libraries, history societies and community groups, with time for questions and a short reading.
One class, or a full day
Built around a set text or unit, with primary-source handouts and the teachers’ notes pack included.
Half day
A working session on archival research for historical fiction, from finding sources to knowing when to stop researching and start writing.
Library talk — regional branch(fictional)School visit — secondary history classes(fictional)History-society evening(fictional)Writers’ research workshop(fictional)Library talk — central branch(fictional)School visit — primary and middle years(fictional)
“She had read our local archive before she arrived. Our members are still talking about it.”
History-society organiser (fictional)
“The easiest visit we booked all year — and the one our students asked to repeat.”
School librarian (fictional)
Booking, briefly
Fees by setting, with pro-bono dates held each year for public libraries and schools. Travel arranged on booking.