Talks and Workshops
Jan can be booked to give talks and workshops for both schools and adults. He has performed all over the UK and Australia with Literature Live, Authors Abroad, Speakers Ink and Nexus Arts and his talks have been described as 'motivational comedy', designed to inspire.
He also runs workshops for adults on how to write page-turners and is a writer in residence at Ipswich Kindergarten.
In Australia you can book him directly, or through agencies like AILA, Lamont Books or Speakers Ink. Jan charges standard ASA recommended rates.
He also runs workshops for adults on how to write page-turners and is a writer in residence at Ipswich Kindergarten.
In Australia you can book him directly, or through agencies like AILA, Lamont Books or Speakers Ink. Jan charges standard ASA recommended rates.
School Reviews
I wanted to say a big thank you for today. The boys really enjoyed listening to you and talked about it a lot after you left... which is a big achievement as they aren’t always like that after an author visit. Dani Smith Teacher Librarian, Brisbane Grammar School
You are an extremely entertaining speaker (and lunch companion!). You kept the students laughing. It was clear that you had our students’ full engagement by the number of questions and the reluctance of students to leave at the end of the session. I particularly noted that students hovered around you and the table of books as they left. Even more striking was one of our shyest year 7’s requesting your autograph at the end of the day (this has never happened before). Further to this I have one young writer email me requesting your contact details so she can send her work through to you (consider yourself warned!).
Chris Barker, Teacher Librarian, Emmaus College, Brisbane.
The students were engaged, captivated and definitely entertained! I would recommend you to all schools.
Melinda Parkinson. Coordinator of Library Services. A B Paterson College, Gold Coast.
Hey sir, you came to my school today. I absolutely loved you, you were a fantastic speaker and I love your books. I am so glad I got to meet you.
T. M. (pupil). Forest Lake High School, Brisbane.
The children thoroughly enjoyed your presentation and are madly writing stories. We fully intend to use your storyboard method of planning. Thanks again, the children (and adults) had a great time and learned a lot. Deb Rametta. Senior Teacher, Moggill Primary School, Brisbane
J A Henderson visited our school as part of a scheme to enthuse reluctant boy readers in lower school; he certainly did that! The boys were mesmerised by his stories. They talked about his visit for weeks afterwards! Sarah Culshaw, Librarian
Really good, interesting and the funniest day of my life! Your adventures have made me want to be an author! D.P. Pupil.
You left an awesome impression on me. I used to think authors were quite dull and boring but you seem like such a laid-back cool (but crazy) guy. I love how you don’t mind expressing yourself, your intense curiosity and you’re simply hilarious. H.F. Pupil.
It was very inspiring how anyone can become writer, not just people who have had that dream since they were a child or were top English-geeks at school. You helped me realise that there’s more out there than I might think and to keep my options open. So thank you. And no my teachers didn’t make me do this N.T. Pupil
Brilliant, funny but also inspiring. He had my stomach sore, I was laughing so much. H.F. Pupil
My friend and I thought we were going to listen to a boring writer that talked for hours in an expressionless voice. We were wrong. Your talk was brilliant…. I think you gave us great advice. H.H. Pupil
You single handedly have inspired me in a way I cannot describe. M.Y. Pupil
Kept everyone happy. Very imaginative, really enjoyed it. A.L., Pupil
Not like other writers, very different with good ideas. T.L. Pupil
I just wanted to send you a personal thank you for a very entertaining afternoon. You captured the attention of S1’s for an hour and that is some feat! Janice Bourelle, Librarian
I wanted to let you know I really enjoyed listening to your journey on becoming a writer. Wow, it was hilarious. I’m going to sit and come up with a brilliant idea. H.G. Pupil
Your talk was funny and everyone at school was talking about it. C.S. Pupil
I wanted to say a big thank you for today. The boys really enjoyed listening to you and talked about it a lot after you left... which is a big achievement as they aren’t always like that after an author visit. Dani Smith Teacher Librarian, Brisbane Grammar School
You are an extremely entertaining speaker (and lunch companion!). You kept the students laughing. It was clear that you had our students’ full engagement by the number of questions and the reluctance of students to leave at the end of the session. I particularly noted that students hovered around you and the table of books as they left. Even more striking was one of our shyest year 7’s requesting your autograph at the end of the day (this has never happened before). Further to this I have one young writer email me requesting your contact details so she can send her work through to you (consider yourself warned!).
Chris Barker, Teacher Librarian, Emmaus College, Brisbane.
The students were engaged, captivated and definitely entertained! I would recommend you to all schools.
Melinda Parkinson. Coordinator of Library Services. A B Paterson College, Gold Coast.
Hey sir, you came to my school today. I absolutely loved you, you were a fantastic speaker and I love your books. I am so glad I got to meet you.
T. M. (pupil). Forest Lake High School, Brisbane.
The children thoroughly enjoyed your presentation and are madly writing stories. We fully intend to use your storyboard method of planning. Thanks again, the children (and adults) had a great time and learned a lot. Deb Rametta. Senior Teacher, Moggill Primary School, Brisbane
J A Henderson visited our school as part of a scheme to enthuse reluctant boy readers in lower school; he certainly did that! The boys were mesmerised by his stories. They talked about his visit for weeks afterwards! Sarah Culshaw, Librarian
Really good, interesting and the funniest day of my life! Your adventures have made me want to be an author! D.P. Pupil.
You left an awesome impression on me. I used to think authors were quite dull and boring but you seem like such a laid-back cool (but crazy) guy. I love how you don’t mind expressing yourself, your intense curiosity and you’re simply hilarious. H.F. Pupil.
It was very inspiring how anyone can become writer, not just people who have had that dream since they were a child or were top English-geeks at school. You helped me realise that there’s more out there than I might think and to keep my options open. So thank you. And no my teachers didn’t make me do this N.T. Pupil
Brilliant, funny but also inspiring. He had my stomach sore, I was laughing so much. H.F. Pupil
My friend and I thought we were going to listen to a boring writer that talked for hours in an expressionless voice. We were wrong. Your talk was brilliant…. I think you gave us great advice. H.H. Pupil
You single handedly have inspired me in a way I cannot describe. M.Y. Pupil
Kept everyone happy. Very imaginative, really enjoyed it. A.L., Pupil
Not like other writers, very different with good ideas. T.L. Pupil
I just wanted to send you a personal thank you for a very entertaining afternoon. You captured the attention of S1’s for an hour and that is some feat! Janice Bourelle, Librarian
I wanted to let you know I really enjoyed listening to your journey on becoming a writer. Wow, it was hilarious. I’m going to sit and come up with a brilliant idea. H.G. Pupil
Your talk was funny and everyone at school was talking about it. C.S. Pupil