HORSHAM: Kids Writing Workshop with Nicole Kelly
Ballarat children’s author Nicole Kelly is coming to Horsham Library these school holidays — and she’s bringing a world of magic with her!
Nicole will take young readers behind the scenes of her latest novel, Shifters. The piece shows how she created a thrilling story with magic, shapeshifters, Japanese culture and the spirit world.
And after, the young writers and storytellers will take part in a workshop, hosted by Nicole. Throughout this workshop, she will teach children how to take what they see in real-life and create a story from it.
This event is best suited to children aged 8-13. Children aged 13 and under will require parental/guardian supervision.
About Nicole
Living in regional Victoria with her young family, Nicole has been a teacher for more than 15 years. Taking her love of reading and words, she began writing short stories and non-fiction writing which has been published in Outback Magazine, The School Magazine, The Victorian Writer and more.
Nicole released her first novel, Lament, a historical fiction novel based on the life of Ned Kelly at the beginning of the covid pandemic with Hawkeye Publishing after coming runner-up in the manuscript prize.
This year she has signed on with Hawkeye Publishing
again, to release her middle grade fiction, Shifters, in
June 2026 bringing her love of Japanese language, culture and mysticism to young readers.
Shifters
Lost in Japan. Hunted by shadows. Emily must find her voice – and her courage – to save a friend from ancient magic.
When Emily moves to Japan with her father, nothing feels familiar – she doesn’t speak the language, she doesn’t understand the culture, and she’s never felt more alone.
But everything changes in Kyoto, when she meets Koji – a boy with a mysterious connection to the spirit world. As ancient magic stirs and dark forces begin to close in, Emily is drawn into a hidden world of shapeshifters and secrets.
To save her friend, she’ll have to find courage she never knew she had – and discover that home isn’t always a place. Sometimes, it’s the people we choose to protect.
