Harry Laing is a poet, children’s author, creative writing teacher and comic performer.
I have a passion for poetry, comic performance and for teaching. As a poet I’ve had four books published Thirst (1993), Backbone (2010) unsettled (2021) and most recently Time of Fire (2023). As a children’s author (and poet!) I also have three. Shoctopus – poems to grip you (2015) a book of illustrated poems for 6-12 yr olds, MoonFish (Ford St, 2019) a poetry picture book with art by sixteen of Australia’s best known illustrators and RapperBee – poems to give you a buzz (Ford St 2021). I’ve written and performed 8 solo shows and toured one of them, Away with the birds for STARTS (Southern Tablelands Arts). I was awarded CASP grants to write and perform a two-hander Playing for Time in 2012 and a staged radio show Under Braidwood in 2014. I’ve also written for radio: my two series of quirky country tales Stories from the edge of the forest and Tales of a Tree Changer were broadcast on ABC Radio National’s Bush Telegraph in 2005/2006. I continue to present at literature festivals, take workshops and perform in both primary and senior schools. I co-teach the long-running PoetryAlive weekend workshops with Nicola Bowery.
I teach a wide range of workshops:
- creative writing workshops for Yrs 1-12
- poetry performances for Yrs 2-12
- drama workshops for Yrs 3-6
- comic monologue workshops for Yrs 7-12
- creative writing workshops for adults and comic monologue workshops for adults
- Professional Development workshops for teachers
- voice workshops
I like to think I have the ability to get people writing whatever their age and stage. Perhaps this is because humour is a big part of what I do. I’ve been Poet On Wheels (2006) worked in many schools, judged schools poetry competitions, been a writer in residence and taken workshops in jail. And I’m constantly surprised and delighted by the quality of writing of participants in my workshops.
I live near Braidwood on the Southern Tablelands of NSW. I’m keen to work in rural and regional Australia as well as the metropolitan areas and happy to travel for workshops. I am available for half-day, day workshops or residencies.
Contact details:
e: harrylaing@bigpond.com
mob: 0456 049540
home: 02 48461075
PO Box 257
Braidwood
NSW 2622
I am represented by Booked Out
and Creative Kids Tales Speakers Agency
I’m also represented by www.creativenetspeakers.com
