Australian children’s book author, illustrator and visual storyteller. I weave magic, creativity and fun into all I do.
Delight doesn’t begin to express how I feel for my Storyfest debut! I’m joining their 32-year legacy in the children’s literary space as author/illustrator for the Storyfest South West Writers’ Festival.
A three-day, jam-packed programme tailored for students and schools to engage with Australia’s best storytellers.
I’ll be donning my best witch’s hat to present a selection of student sessions and workshops, followed by a thoughtful adult panel on writing complex topics from the heart.
Each Storyfest Writers’ Festival kicks off with a Prologue Party, a FREE community event with fun activities, food and plenty of books to buy!
Join me in St George this September. I’ll be the one with all the ever growing to be read pile and witches hat.
About Liv Lorkin
Liv Lorkin is a heart-led creative, children’s book author and illustrator. Crafting thoughtful stories that navigate complex themes while spreading the message of hope.
Since discovering her niche in self-publishing with her first picture book, “Winter in Ballarat“, she has authored six and illustrated seven more books, culminating in her latest release, “Sage and the Journey of Grief.” Drawing from her childhood experience of losing her mum, infusing her middle-grade writing with authenticity and empathy.
When not immersed in illustrating on Dharawal land, she can be found exploring gardens, finishing a good puzzle and drinking her third cup of tea.
Reading the Dark: The Power and Purpose of Emotionally Complex Stories for Young People
What happens when we give young readers books that explore the raw, the real, and the difficult? Join celebrated author Lili Wilkinson as she chairs a vital discussion with authors Pip Harry and Liv Lorkin around the importance of emotionally complex stories for children and teens.
Together, this panel will explore the concept of “reading the dark” — delving into books that tackle grief, mental health, diversity, climate, trauma, displacement, and other weighty realities facing today’s youth. These are the books that comfort, challenge, and ultimately connect young readers to themselves and the world around them. The panel will unpack the reasons these books are essential, how to encourage young people to engage with them and offer personal insights on how writing and reading the dark has impacted their own lives.
