I'm available for
Workshops
Manuscript Assessments
Mentoring
Readings
School Visits
Speaking Engagements
Competitions
As well as providing regular services to writers and writing groups, I also have many years experience working with people with complex needs. I have worked with writers with all forms of disabilities including those who have limited speech and communication. Many of these writers have since had their work published and/ or won competitions.
I've presented talks and workshops at the Melbourne Writers Festival, the SA Writers' Centre, the Mental Illness Fellowship of SA, the Brain Injury Network, Blind Welfare Association, the Disability Information Resource Centre, Mindshare, the Tea Tree Gully Library, the Tea Tree Gully Poetry Festival, Payneham and St Peters Libraries, Gawler Poets at the Pub, Friendly Street Poets, the Magill and Cavan Training Facilities, and a number of community writing groups and primary schools.
In addition to holding writing qualifications, I have a BA in psychology, and a Cert IV in Community Services. Having worked in community settings for more than a decade I have Child Safe Training, Police and DCSI Clearances, and an understanding of the sometimes complex needs of various community groups.
My writing interests are broad. I write poetry, picture books, memoir, short stories and novels. Many years ago, I studied Children's Literature at the University of South Australia because I have a keen interest in picture books, YA fiction, and fiction for young readers. I taught the following topics at Flinders University: Fiction for Young Readers, Writing Short Stories, Approaches to Literature and Professional English.
If you would like to learn more about my services please email me to discuss rates, &c.
A few comments from partipants of the poetry workshops I conducted at the St Peters Library in 2018:
"Great session. Enabled me to appreciate poetry more and to start the process of creating poetry."
"Loved the sessions. Loved the style of making us think. Felt inspired to write."
"Excellent, inspirational and encouraging."
"Sharon created a class environment in which I felt safe to share. Indeed wanted to share!"
"The two classes/workshops struck the perfect balance between the provision of information (examples) and the opportunity to try, to experiment, to stretch one's wings. Thank you!"
"Loved the class. Especially Sharon. Great exercises. Good learning experience.'"
"I gathered much knowledge from the lecturer, Sharon Kernot. She explains things with great clarity and an open mind. A lecturer who encouraged us and gave us the confidence even to attend to our homework! Thank you so much."