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Young Authors Workshops - Spring 2026

Does your child love making up stories, creating characters, or filling notebooks with ideas?

The Young Authors Workshop is a two-day creative writing programme for students who want to write for the joy of writing. Over two full days, students will learn how to shape an idea into a complete short story, then draft, edit, and polish their work with guidance from award-winning children’s author Tom E. Moffatt.

This is not school-school.

It is author school.

Students will be encouraged to think like real writers, experiment with ideas, build memorable characters, solve story problems, and create a finished piece they can feel proud of.

The workshop is open to young writers aged 8–12, with two locations to choose from: Cambridge, near Hamilton, on Monday 28th and Tuesday 29th of September, or Rotorua on Wednesday 30th of September and Thursday 1st of October. Each location offers the same complete two-day programme.

Book for Cambridge
Book for Rotorua
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Young Authors Workshops, Spring 2026, for ages 8–12. Cambridge: Monday 28 September and Tuesday 29 September, 9am–3pm, at Cambridge Primary School, Cambridge. Rotorua: Wednesday 30 September and Thursday 1 October, 9am–3pm, at Otonga School, Rotorua.

What students will work on over the two days:

  • Coming up with original story ideas
  • Creating a main character
  • Building a clear problem and plot
  • Planning a short story from beginning to end
  • Writing a first draft
  • Simple editing and polishing techniques
  • Preparing their story for inclusion in a group anthology
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What Parents Need to Know

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What is included

Each student receives:

A printed writing workbook
Two full days of author-led creative writing instruction
Time to plan, draft, edit, and polish their story
A certificate of completion
One paperback copy of the group anthology after the workshop (additional copies cost $20 each)

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Who It's For

This workshop is designed for keen young writers and budding authors. It is ideal for children who enjoy stories, imagination, characters, books, writing, or creative thinking.

Students do not need to be perfect spellers or already writing long stories. They just need to be willing to have a go, share ideas, and spend time developing their writing.

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Price

Standard: $210
Early Bird: $190
Sibling price: $180 each

Places are limited to keep the group small and supportive.

A bright green and blue backpack, a water bottle, a laptop, a lunchbox with a sandwich, fruit, and a pencil.

What to bring

Students should bring:

Morning tea
Lunch
Water bottle
Pen or pencil
A charged laptop or Chromebook on Day 2, if possible

Book for Cambridge
Book for Rotorua

Questions? I’ve Got Answers

The workshop is for keen young writers aged 8 to 12. It is ideal for children who enjoy stories, characters, books, imagination, and creative writing.

The fee covers two full days of small-group tuition, individual guidance and writing materials. It also includes preparing the story collection for publication and a paperback copy for every young author.

No. They do not need to be perfect spellers or already writing long stories. They just need to be interested in writing and willing to develop their ideas.

The workshop is mainly aimed at children who already enjoy writing or storytelling. A reluctant writer who loves ideas and stories may still enjoy it, but this is not designed as a remedial writing programme.

Each student will plan, draft, edit, and polish an original short story. Students will also have the chance to submit their story for inclusion in a paperback anthology for their bookshelves.

Yes. Families will receive PDF and ebook editions of the finished story collection within two weeks of the workshop. A printed edition will follow, with every young author receiving their own paperback copy.

Students are encouraged to bring a charged laptop or Chromebook on Day 2 so they can type and polish their story. If they cannot bring a device, they can still attend, but their story will need to be typed at home and emailed by the deadline if they want it included in the anthology.

Morning tea, lunch, water bottle, pen or pencil, and a charged laptop or Chromebook on Day 2 if possible.

No. Students need to bring their own food and drink.

Places are limited. The target group size is 12–16 students, with a maximum of 18.

If minimum numbers are not reached, families will receive a full refund.

Bookings are refundable up to 7 days before the workshop, minus any booking fees. Cancellations within 7 days are non-refundable unless the place can be filled from a waiting list. If the workshop is cancelled due to low numbers, families will receive a full refund.

Yes. The advertised age range is 8–12, but keen seven- and thirteen-year-old writers are welcome to join too.

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Don’t Just Take My Word for It…


Tom was amazing! He was very animated, engaging and got the kids laughing
St. Cuthbert’s CollegeAuckland

I love how he showed them how to write such a good story. Talking to my children after they said Tom was awesome.
Janice(Mother of year 6 & 8 students)

Tom was highly organised and demonstrated flexibility as he shared his workshop with various year levels by moving to different learning hubs throughout our school.
Endeavour SchoolHamilton

My son absolutely loved this workshop and came home excited to keep writing each day. Tom made the sessions fun, encouraging, and engaging, even for a child who normally struggles to stay interested in writing.
Evelyn(Mum of year 5 boy)
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Meet the Author

Tom E. Moffatt is an award-winning children’s author whose funny books have helped thousands of children enjoy reading and writing. His books include the Barking Mad series and a range of joke books and short story collections for young readers.

As a former teacher and current writing tutor, Tom loves helping young writers find their voice, grow their confidence, and discover the fun of creating their own stories.

Parents are welcome to contact Tom with any questions at: TomE@writelaugh.com.

From Rough Ideas to Finished Stories

Give your child two creative days to turn their ideas into characters, scenes, and a story they can be proud of.

Book Now - Cambridge
Book Now - Rotorua
Proud Authors holding copies of Short Stories from Young Authors
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Red circular logo with a stylized lowercase "i" in a modern font, centered within the circle.
Book cover featuring a stylized illustration of a serene landscape with a sunset, overlayed with the title "Embers of Dawn.

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