Mentoring / talks / workshops / judge / panel assessor
Amra Pajalić is a traditionally published award-winning author who has written young adult fiction, memoir and romance novels. She is now an indie author and managing her own publishing. She has also been successful in obtaining funding applications and has been a panel assessor, and is an award-winning short story writer whose writing has been published in anthologies, journals and in online publications.
Combining her skills as an English high school teacher and author, she is an official mentor with Writers Victoria (a writing member organisation in Victoria, Australia). Amra has delivered talks, workshops and mentorship at schools, universities, and writing festivals.
Amra offers mentoring and talks/workshops in the following genres / areas:
CREDENTIALS
WHY BOOK AMRA
As a qualified teacher, I know how to engage a room and deliver real value. Every workshop comes with takeaway handouts so participants leave with practical tools they can actually use. I'm a dynamic presenter who brings energy to the room, reads the crowd, and keeps audiences engaged from start to finish.
RATES
Rates based on Australian Society of Authors
Workshop/One off presentation 1 hr $402
Workshop/One off presentation 1.5 hr $480
Workshop/One off presentation 2 hr $550
CONTACT ME
If you wish to discuss a booking send an email.
Combining her skills as an English high school teacher and author, she is an official mentor with Writers Victoria (a writing member organisation in Victoria, Australia). Amra has delivered talks, workshops and mentorship at schools, universities, and writing festivals.
Amra offers mentoring and talks/workshops in the following genres / areas:
- Young adult fiction
- Adult fiction
- Memoir
- Romance
- Funding applications
- Short story
- Self publishing
CREDENTIALS
- Working with Children Check
- Duck for Cover Public Liability Insurance
- Current Victorian Institute of Teaching Registration
WHY BOOK AMRA
As a qualified teacher, I know how to engage a room and deliver real value. Every workshop comes with takeaway handouts so participants leave with practical tools they can actually use. I'm a dynamic presenter who brings energy to the room, reads the crowd, and keeps audiences engaged from start to finish.
RATES
Rates based on Australian Society of Authors
Workshop/One off presentation 1 hr $402
Workshop/One off presentation 1.5 hr $480
Workshop/One off presentation 2 hr $550
CONTACT ME
If you wish to discuss a booking send an email.
Amra's Library Flyer
View my flyer about my experience delivering writing workshops and presentations.
Workshops
Building a Self-Publishing Business
This workshop is for authors who want to turn their writing into a thriving business. It covers the entire self-publishing process, from manuscript preparation to choosing distribution platforms. Learn to edit, format, and design your book — whether as an ebook, print, or audiobook — and explore the financial side, including pricing, royalties, and revenue streams like audiobooks. You’ll also master marketing strategies and understand the business fundamentals, such as registering as a publishing company and meeting your legal obligations in Australia.
AUDIENCE TAKEAWAYS
Memoir Writing Workshop
In this workshop, participants learn the features and expectations of memoir, how to find ideas through research, how to identify the theme of their memoir, and how to develop their purpose in writing one. We explore memoir writing techniques and delve into the structure of chapters, stand-alone pieces, and the overall narrative arc of a book-length memoir. Participants also consider how to submit stand-alone chapters and extracts to build a publication portfolio.
AUDIENCE TAKEAWAYS
Short Story Workshop
In this practical workshop, you’ll learn how to craft compelling short fiction ready for submission. Designed for emerging writers, the session breaks down the key elements that make short stories work — from structure and conflict to memorable openings and satisfying endings. We’ll explore different types of stories, techniques for developing strong settings and characters, and writing strategies that bring prose to life, including descriptive language, similes, and metaphors. You’ll also learn essential narrative tools such as sentence variety, flashbacks, and foreshadowing.
AUDIENCE TAKEAWAYS
Writing Historical Novels with Purpose
Join award-winning author Amra Pajalić for an engaging workshop inspired by her novel Time Kneels Between Mountains, a gripping narrative rooted in the Bosnian Genocide and the pursuit of justice. You’ll discover how to write a historical novel that resonates with readers and contributes to meaningful conversations about historical events, exploring how to balance the personal and the political by weaving compelling characters into the fabric of real-world events.
USING SCRIVENER, YOU’LL LEARN HOW TO
THROUGH PRACTICAL EXERCISES AND DISCUSSION, YOU’LL LEARN
Grants for Australian Writers
A course to support writers in understanding what assessors are looking for, how to prepare and pitch a successful grant application, and how to assemble all the documentation a grant application requires.
AUDIENCE TAKEAWAYS
Launching and Growing Your Podcast
Is for writers, creators, and small-business owners who want to build a podcast that actually reaches an audience—without getting lost in the technical weeds. Drawing on her experience hosting Amra's Armchair Anecdotes, award-winning author and podcaster Amra Pajalić walks you through the entire process, from the gear on your desk to the guests in your feed. Learn what equipment you genuinely need (and what you can skip), how to record and edit clean audio, where to host and publish your show, and how to grow a loyal listenership. You'll also master the art of booking and interviewing guests, and learn to treat your podcast as a sustainable part of your creative business.
AUDIENCE TAKEAWAYS
Building a Series Readers Can't Put Down
Is for novelists who want to plan and sustain a multi-book series rather than a single stand-alone story. Drawing on her own experience writing across three genres—the Seka Torlak Crime Mystery series, the Sassy Saints YA series, and the Dreams of Destiny romance series—award-winning author Amra Pajalić walks you through building a series that keeps readers coming back book after book. You'll learn how to plan a longer arc without losing the pull of a stand-alone story, keep continuity across characters, timelines and settings, and use bonus content to build reader loyalty between releases.
AUDIENCE TAKEAWAYS
Writing a Crime Novel
Is for writers who want to plot compelling crime fiction that does more than entertain. Drawing on her four published novels in the Seka Torlak Crime Mystery series—which follows an investigator across the Bosnian Genocide and its long aftermath in Australia—award-winning author Amra Pajalić shows you how to structure an investigation, build a protagonist readers will follow across a series, and weave real historical and social-justice material into genre fiction without it reading as issue-driven. You'll leave with the tools to plot, research, and pace a crime novel readers can't put down.
AUDIENCE TAKEAWAYS
Social Media Strategy for Writers
Is for writers, authors, and creative small-business owners who want to build an audience without burning out or losing their voice to the algorithm. Drawing on her experience building an author platform across podcasting, newsletters, and social media, award-winning author Amra Pajalić walks you through choosing the right platforms, repurposing your existing work into content, and growing a genuine readership that converts into book sales and mailing list subscribers.
AUDIENCE TAKEAWAYS
Writing and Publishing Personal Essays
Is for writers who want to turn lived experience into publishable work. Drawing on her essays published in The Age, ABC Education, SBS Voices, and Meanjin, award-winning author and editor Amra Pajalić shows you how to find your angle, structure a personal essay, and pitch it to the right outlets. You'll learn how to shape lived experience into a piece that resonates with readers—and editors—beyond your own story.
AUDIENCE TAKEAWAYS
AUTHOR TALKS
Amplifying Missing Voices: Editing Growing Up Muslim in Australia
In this engaging and thought-provoking author talk, award-winning writer, editor, educator and publisher Amra Pajalić explores the power of storytelling to challenge stereotypes, build empathy, and expand our understanding of what it means to be Australian.
Drawing on her experience co-editing the groundbreaking anthology Growing Up Muslim in Australia (Allen & Unwin), Amra discusses how the project emerged from a recognition that Muslim Australian voices were largely absent from mainstream publishing, and the importance of creating spaces where people can tell their own stories in their own words.
Through personal reflections and insights from the anthology’s contributors — including writers, athletes, activists, lawyers, and community leaders — Amra examines themes of identity, belonging, representation, and cultural diversity. She also offers a behind-the-scenes look at the editorial process and the role editors play in shaping whose stories are heard, encouraging audiences to think critically about representation in literature and the ongoing need to amplify voices that have historically been overlooked or misrepresented.
AUDIENCE TAKEAWAYS
SUITABLE FOR
This workshop is for authors who want to turn their writing into a thriving business. It covers the entire self-publishing process, from manuscript preparation to choosing distribution platforms. Learn to edit, format, and design your book — whether as an ebook, print, or audiobook — and explore the financial side, including pricing, royalties, and revenue streams like audiobooks. You’ll also master marketing strategies and understand the business fundamentals, such as registering as a publishing company and meeting your legal obligations in Australia.
AUDIENCE TAKEAWAYS
- Overview of the publishing industry: rights and agreements
- Steps to self-publish
- Preparing your manuscript: editing, formatting, and cover design
- Choosing the right self-publishing platform or service
- The ways you can self-publish
- Uploading and distributing your book: ebook, print, and audiobook options
- Setting pricing and royalties
- The ways you can publish an audiobook
- Marketing
- Building your author platform
- Advertising
- Promotions
- Adopting a business mentality for self-publishing
- Other revenue sources as an author
- Registering yourself as a business and publishing company
- Meeting your Australian obligations for national deposit
- Resources to take away
Memoir Writing Workshop
In this workshop, participants learn the features and expectations of memoir, how to find ideas through research, how to identify the theme of their memoir, and how to develop their purpose in writing one. We explore memoir writing techniques and delve into the structure of chapters, stand-alone pieces, and the overall narrative arc of a book-length memoir. Participants also consider how to submit stand-alone chapters and extracts to build a publication portfolio.
AUDIENCE TAKEAWAYS
- The features and expectations of memoir
- Memoir writing techniques: composites, timeline compression, name changes, dialogue, point of view, and tense
- Narrative writing techniques: descriptive detail, the five senses, and major and minor characterisation
- How to structure a stand-alone chapter and a full-length memoir
- Dealing with writing obstacles: research, protecting yourself and others, finding support to keep writing, defining your brand, and networking
- Finding opportunities for publication and building a literary portfolio to support submissions to publishers
Short Story Workshop
In this practical workshop, you’ll learn how to craft compelling short fiction ready for submission. Designed for emerging writers, the session breaks down the key elements that make short stories work — from structure and conflict to memorable openings and satisfying endings. We’ll explore different types of stories, techniques for developing strong settings and characters, and writing strategies that bring prose to life, including descriptive language, similes, and metaphors. You’ll also learn essential narrative tools such as sentence variety, flashbacks, and foreshadowing.
AUDIENCE TAKEAWAYS
- Short story structure
- Types of stories
- Conflict
- Beginnings and endings
- Writing strategies: similes, metaphors, and descriptive writing
- Setting and characterisation
- Writing conventions: sentence types, flashbacks, and foreshadowing
- Submitting short stories for publication
- Using publication credits to craft a killer pitch letter for book projects
Writing Historical Novels with Purpose
Join award-winning author Amra Pajalić for an engaging workshop inspired by her novel Time Kneels Between Mountains, a gripping narrative rooted in the Bosnian Genocide and the pursuit of justice. You’ll discover how to write a historical novel that resonates with readers and contributes to meaningful conversations about historical events, exploring how to balance the personal and the political by weaving compelling characters into the fabric of real-world events.
USING SCRIVENER, YOU’LL LEARN HOW TO
- Keep your research organised and accessible, including historical documents, timelines, and multimedia resources
- Create detailed character profiles and track their development across the story
- Map out settings with visual aids and notes to immerse readers in historically accurate locations
- Structure your manuscript using Scrivener’s flexible binder and outline features to manage a complex narrative seamlessly
THROUGH PRACTICAL EXERCISES AND DISCUSSION, YOU’LL LEARN
- How to conduct ethical and effective research for historical accuracy
- Strategies to create characters and narratives that humanise large-scale tragedies
- Techniques to handle sensitive topics with authenticity and care
- How to structure your story to educate readers without sacrificing emotional impact
Grants for Australian Writers
A course to support writers in understanding what assessors are looking for, how to prepare and pitch a successful grant application, and how to assemble all the documentation a grant application requires.
AUDIENCE TAKEAWAYS
- Planning an application
- Viewing annotated successful samples
- Workshopping ideas and strategies
- Support letters, and how to get them
- Other supporting documents
- How to make your application stand out
- Responding to an unsuccessful outcome and seeking feedback
- How to meet your obligations
Launching and Growing Your Podcast
Is for writers, creators, and small-business owners who want to build a podcast that actually reaches an audience—without getting lost in the technical weeds. Drawing on her experience hosting Amra's Armchair Anecdotes, award-winning author and podcaster Amra Pajalić walks you through the entire process, from the gear on your desk to the guests in your feed. Learn what equipment you genuinely need (and what you can skip), how to record and edit clean audio, where to host and publish your show, and how to grow a loyal listenership. You'll also master the art of booking and interviewing guests, and learn to treat your podcast as a sustainable part of your creative business.
AUDIENCE TAKEAWAYS
- Why podcast? Defining your show, format, and audience
- The equipment you actually need: microphones, headphones, and budget vs. studio setups
- Recording software and setting up your space for clean sound
- Editing basics: cleaning up audio, cutting, and adding intros and music
- Choosing a hosting platform and getting onto Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and beyond
- Understanding RSS feeds, episode scheduling, and show notes
- Booking guests: outreach, pitching, and managing the booking process
- Conducting a great interview: preparation, questions, and getting the best from your guest
- Repurposing episodes into articles, social posts, and listener resources
- Promoting your podcast and building a loyal audience
- Growing your show: collaborations, cross-promotion, and consistency
- Treating your podcast as a business: revenue streams and sustainability
Building a Series Readers Can't Put Down
Is for novelists who want to plan and sustain a multi-book series rather than a single stand-alone story. Drawing on her own experience writing across three genres—the Seka Torlak Crime Mystery series, the Sassy Saints YA series, and the Dreams of Destiny romance series—award-winning author Amra Pajalić walks you through building a series that keeps readers coming back book after book. You'll learn how to plan a longer arc without losing the pull of a stand-alone story, keep continuity across characters, timelines and settings, and use bonus content to build reader loyalty between releases.
AUDIENCE TAKEAWAYS
- Planning a series arc versus a stand-alone story arc
- Building a series bible: characters, timelines, and world and setting details
- Giving each book a satisfying stand-alone structure while advancing the bigger story
- Managing a recurring protagonist's growth and change across multiple books
- Keeping continuity across genres, settings, and time periods
- Using bonus content and novellas to build reader loyalty between books
- Sequencing books: what to reveal, and when
- Branding a series: covers, blurbs, and reader expectations
- Marketing a series versus a single title
- Knowing when—and how—a series should end
Writing a Crime Novel
Is for writers who want to plot compelling crime fiction that does more than entertain. Drawing on her four published novels in the Seka Torlak Crime Mystery series—which follows an investigator across the Bosnian Genocide and its long aftermath in Australia—award-winning author Amra Pajalić shows you how to structure an investigation, build a protagonist readers will follow across a series, and weave real historical and social-justice material into genre fiction without it reading as issue-driven. You'll leave with the tools to plot, research, and pace a crime novel readers can't put down.
AUDIENCE TAKEAWAYS
- Crime genre conventions and reader expectations
- Building an investigator protagonist with a strong moral throughline
- Structuring an investigation: clues, red herrings, and pacing the reveal
- Plotting multiple suspects and motives without losing clarity
- Researching for procedural and historical authenticity
- Weaving real-world social and historical issues into genre fiction
- Balancing violence and trauma with sensitivity and care
- Building tension and withholding information effectively
- Crafting a satisfying resolution
- Turning a crime novel into a series
Social Media Strategy for Writers
Is for writers, authors, and creative small-business owners who want to build an audience without burning out or losing their voice to the algorithm. Drawing on her experience building an author platform across podcasting, newsletters, and social media, award-winning author Amra Pajalić walks you through choosing the right platforms, repurposing your existing work into content, and growing a genuine readership that converts into book sales and mailing list subscribers.
AUDIENCE TAKEAWAYS
- Choosing the right platforms for your genre and audience
- Defining your content pillars and finding your voice online
- Repurposing long-form work—podcast episodes, essays, book chapters—into social content
- Building an author platform before you have a book to sell
- Growing an engaged audience versus chasing followers
- Using social media to build your mailing list
- Content planning and batching to avoid burnout
- Promoting a book launch across platforms
- Working with algorithms without letting them dictate your voice
- Treating social media as part of a sustainable creative business
Writing and Publishing Personal Essays
Is for writers who want to turn lived experience into publishable work. Drawing on her essays published in The Age, ABC Education, SBS Voices, and Meanjin, award-winning author and editor Amra Pajalić shows you how to find your angle, structure a personal essay, and pitch it to the right outlets. You'll learn how to shape lived experience into a piece that resonates with readers—and editors—beyond your own story.
AUDIENCE TAKEAWAYS
- What makes a personal essay work: finding your angle
- Structuring an essay: opening hooks, narrative arc, and endings
- Turning lived experience into universal insight
- Balancing memoir and opinion in essay writing
- Writing about sensitive or difficult material with care
- Editing for voice, clarity, and impact
- Researching and fact-checking personal essays
- Pitching essays to literary magazines, newspapers, and online outlets
- Building a body of published essays into a writing career
- Using essays to build your author platform and portfolio
AUTHOR TALKS
Amplifying Missing Voices: Editing Growing Up Muslim in Australia
In this engaging and thought-provoking author talk, award-winning writer, editor, educator and publisher Amra Pajalić explores the power of storytelling to challenge stereotypes, build empathy, and expand our understanding of what it means to be Australian.
Drawing on her experience co-editing the groundbreaking anthology Growing Up Muslim in Australia (Allen & Unwin), Amra discusses how the project emerged from a recognition that Muslim Australian voices were largely absent from mainstream publishing, and the importance of creating spaces where people can tell their own stories in their own words.
Through personal reflections and insights from the anthology’s contributors — including writers, athletes, activists, lawyers, and community leaders — Amra examines themes of identity, belonging, representation, and cultural diversity. She also offers a behind-the-scenes look at the editorial process and the role editors play in shaping whose stories are heard, encouraging audiences to think critically about representation in literature and the ongoing need to amplify voices that have historically been overlooked or misrepresented.
AUDIENCE TAKEAWAYS
- Why representation matters in literature and society
- The role of storytelling in challenging stereotypes
- The diversity of Muslim Australian experiences
- Insights into the editorial process behind a major anthology
- Practical reflections on creating more inclusive literary spaces
SUITABLE FOR
- Public libraries
- Literary festivals
- Writers’ centres
- Schools and universities
- Cultural diversity programs
- Community organisations
Mentoring services
Victorian residents make a booking through through Writers Victoria. Writers Victoria members receive discounted price.
Outside of Victoria/International book Amra directly. View information about mentoring in the file below and use booking form. Email Amra if you have questions.
Outside of Victoria/International book Amra directly. View information about mentoring in the file below and use booking form. Email Amra if you have questions.
| amra_pajalic_mentoring_services.docx |
| ap_writing_mentorships_booking_form.docx |
Judge
Amra is available as a judge of writing competitions. She has been:
- 2017 Victorian Premier's Award for Unpublished Manuscript judge and convenor
- 2014 Glen Eira City Council 'My Brother Jack' Awards judge for the teen category
- 2013 City of Melton Literary Awards judge for the teen category and was MC for the award night.
Panel Assessor
Amra delivers grant writing workshops and mentors based on her experience as a Writers Victoria Literature Funding Panel Member and has successful grant applications from Creative Victoria, Artists in Schools funding to run short story workshops at various high schools, Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre Events grant on behalf of Women’s Leadership Group for launch of community project, Women’s Leadership Grants-Department of Community Planning and Development on behalf of Women’s Leadership group for community project.
Public appearances
Overview of Public Speaking experience
2026 Memoir Writing workshop, Melton Literary Festival
2026 Funding workshop, Melton Library,
2026 Growing up Muslim in Australia event, Darebin Libraries
2026 Writing compelling fiction, Malvern Library
2026 Self Publishing for Beginners, Toorak/South Yarra Library
2025 Steps to Self-Publish, Sandringham Library
2025 Introduction to Writing from Life (online), Writing NSW
2025 The Business of Self-Publishing, Writers Victoria
2025 Write, Publish and Realise Your Creative Vision panel, Sunshine Library
2025 Introduction to Writing from Life course (online), Writing NSW
2025 Growing up Muslim in Australia conversation, Emerald Hill Library
2025 Short Story workshop, Wyndham City Library
2025 Festival of Fiction, Perth Writers' Festival
2024 Growing up Muslim in Australia event, Emerald Hill Library
2024 Self Publishing Workshop, Brimbank Writers Festival
2025 Time Kneels Between Mountains: Amra Pajalic in-conversation with Mirela Cufurovic, Better Read Than Dead
2025 Time Kneels Between Mountains book launch, Hunt Club Community and Arts Centre
2025 You can choose your friends, but… panel at Festival of Fiction, Perth
2025 Steps to Self-Publish with Amra Pajalić, Sandringham Library
2025 Online: Introduction to Writing from Life, Writing NSW
2025 The Business of Self-Publishing, Writers Victoria online
2025 Short Story with Amra Pajalic, Wyndham City Council online
2025 Brimbank Writers Festival Event, Michael Carr-Gregg in conversation with Amra Pajalic,
2024 Growing up Muslim in Australia event at Emerald Hill Library
2024 Delivered Self Publishing Workshop as part of Brimbank Writers Festival, 23.03.24
2024 Jesse's Triumph launched at 2024 Brimbank Writers Festival with an in conversation with Demet Divaroren
2024 Appeared at Readings Bookshop to talk about Growing up Muslim in Australia
2023 Online Writing NSW Introduction to Writing from Life
2023 Using Fictional Techniques in writing non-fiction at VATE Ideas Lab: Teaching English in the Middle Years Conference
2023 Writing for Competition at Wyndham City Council
2023 Memoir writing workshop at Caroline Springs Library
2022 Memoir writing workshop at Brimbank's Sunshine Library funded by Creative Brimbank
2022 Australian Culture Panel for #LabLuminosity by Lab Insight and Strategy
2022 Memoir Writing Workshop with Geelong Writers
2021 Memoir Writing Workshops for Vision Australia, through Writers Victoria
2021 Grant Writing Workshop at Self Publishing Network Conference,
2021 Heroine's Writers' Festival
2021 Things Nobody Knows But Me. Author Talk at Box Hill Library
2020 Writers Victoria Workshops: All About Memoir
2020 Brimbank Literary Festival, Stories of Strength and Resilience
2020 Bayside Readers & Writers Festival, Weaving Fact with Fiction panel
2019 Kingston Arts Centre panel Journey to Publication
2019 Brunswick Bound First Chapters Event
2019 How to Write a Successful Funding Application workshop at Writers Victoria
2016 How to Write a Successful Funding Application workshop at Writers Victoria
2015 Workshop – IDENTITY: YOURS, MINE, OURS at Immigration Museum for MWF
2015 Growing up Muslim panel at Melbourne Writers Festival
2015 Short story writing workshop as part of the Brimbank Literary Festival.
2026 Funding workshop, Melton Library,
2026 Growing up Muslim in Australia event, Darebin Libraries
2026 Writing compelling fiction, Malvern Library
2026 Self Publishing for Beginners, Toorak/South Yarra Library
2025 Steps to Self-Publish, Sandringham Library
2025 Introduction to Writing from Life (online), Writing NSW
2025 The Business of Self-Publishing, Writers Victoria
2025 Write, Publish and Realise Your Creative Vision panel, Sunshine Library
2025 Introduction to Writing from Life course (online), Writing NSW
2025 Growing up Muslim in Australia conversation, Emerald Hill Library
2025 Short Story workshop, Wyndham City Library
2025 Festival of Fiction, Perth Writers' Festival
2024 Growing up Muslim in Australia event, Emerald Hill Library
2024 Self Publishing Workshop, Brimbank Writers Festival
2025 Time Kneels Between Mountains: Amra Pajalic in-conversation with Mirela Cufurovic, Better Read Than Dead
2025 Time Kneels Between Mountains book launch, Hunt Club Community and Arts Centre
2025 You can choose your friends, but… panel at Festival of Fiction, Perth
2025 Steps to Self-Publish with Amra Pajalić, Sandringham Library
2025 Online: Introduction to Writing from Life, Writing NSW
2025 The Business of Self-Publishing, Writers Victoria online
2025 Short Story with Amra Pajalic, Wyndham City Council online
2025 Brimbank Writers Festival Event, Michael Carr-Gregg in conversation with Amra Pajalic,
2024 Growing up Muslim in Australia event at Emerald Hill Library
2024 Delivered Self Publishing Workshop as part of Brimbank Writers Festival, 23.03.24
2024 Jesse's Triumph launched at 2024 Brimbank Writers Festival with an in conversation with Demet Divaroren
2024 Appeared at Readings Bookshop to talk about Growing up Muslim in Australia
2023 Online Writing NSW Introduction to Writing from Life
2023 Using Fictional Techniques in writing non-fiction at VATE Ideas Lab: Teaching English in the Middle Years Conference
2023 Writing for Competition at Wyndham City Council
2023 Memoir writing workshop at Caroline Springs Library
2022 Memoir writing workshop at Brimbank's Sunshine Library funded by Creative Brimbank
2022 Australian Culture Panel for #LabLuminosity by Lab Insight and Strategy
2022 Memoir Writing Workshop with Geelong Writers
2021 Memoir Writing Workshops for Vision Australia, through Writers Victoria
2021 Grant Writing Workshop at Self Publishing Network Conference,
2021 Heroine's Writers' Festival
2021 Things Nobody Knows But Me. Author Talk at Box Hill Library
2020 Writers Victoria Workshops: All About Memoir
2020 Brimbank Literary Festival, Stories of Strength and Resilience
2020 Bayside Readers & Writers Festival, Weaving Fact with Fiction panel
2019 Kingston Arts Centre panel Journey to Publication
2019 Brunswick Bound First Chapters Event
2019 How to Write a Successful Funding Application workshop at Writers Victoria
2016 How to Write a Successful Funding Application workshop at Writers Victoria
2015 Workshop – IDENTITY: YOURS, MINE, OURS at Immigration Museum for MWF
2015 Growing up Muslim panel at Melbourne Writers Festival
2015 Short story writing workshop as part of the Brimbank Literary Festival.
Artist in Residence Testimonials
2012 – Gisborne Secondary College – Writing workshops– Year 9 and 10
2011 – Keilor Downs College – Writing workshops with short stories published in an anthology – Year 9
2010 – St Albans Secondary College - Writing workshops with short stories published in an anthology – Year 9 accelerated.
2011 – Keilor Downs College – Writing workshops with short stories published in an anthology – Year 9
2010 – St Albans Secondary College - Writing workshops with short stories published in an anthology – Year 9 accelerated.
Testimonials
'I would like to thank Amra for a wonderful session - she educated, entertained and enthralled us all – even staying back to answer questions (so many questions!)!' Sarah, Library Customer Service Officer, Sydenham, Library, Self Publishing Workshop at 2024 Brimbank Writers Festival
'Great workshop - so much information packed into that two hours. Thank you!!' Miffy, particpant at Self Publishing Workshop, 2024 Brimbank Writers Festival
'This was a fantastic workshop to attend. Amra's excellent at hosting a hell of a time!' Riley, participant at Self Self Publishing Workshop, 2024 Brimbank Writers Festival
'Working with Amra has been transformative. She simultaneously built my confidence and vastly improved my writing and manuscript, while also helping me navigate the publishing industry. I am especially grateful for the way she responded to my work on its own terms by building an understanding of my style and then supporting me to improve it.'
Farrin Foster, memoir mentee
'The memoir writing workshop with Amra was an incredible experience. Amra's enthusiasm and passion were contagious, and her constant encouragement allowed me to explore not only a new genre of writing, but also to reflect on my life and how my experiences have shaped who I am today. Amra's expertise as a teacher and memoir writer were obvious, and I really enjoyed learning from her. Being able to share personal life events with other women in such a safe space was also valuable, and I now have the confidence to share my writing with others. Thank you Amra, and I look forward to being part of another one of your workshops in the near future.' (JH) Sunshine Library Memoir Writing Workshop Participant
'It was a pleasure having Amra Pajalic facilitate these Memoir Writing Workshops. Amra was always prepared in advance of the sessions and shared her extensive experience, skills and passion for this writing genre. Amra made a concerted effort to get to know the participants and provide ongoing support and advice. Amra also raised the possibility of furthering this partnership with the idea of developing a writing group for Brimbank Libraries, which we are keen to pursue.' Josephine Mifsud, Senior Library Services & Programs Officer, Sunshine Library
‘Amra Pajalic, author of The Good Daughter, coached us over four double periods, when we learned how to plan and produce a short story. We were divided into small groups in order to create small, personal learning environments. Each session Amra guided us through different techniques for the creation of characters and plots. Our stories were partially based on relatives, the key themes being emigration to Australia and acceptance into the community. Mine was loosely based on my grandfather and his emigration from England to Australia. Through group discussions we developed our stories to a high standard. I have taken away a whole new manner of writing and planning stories from these workshops. I will be able to apply the skills in every piece of writing I do from now on. It was a thoroughly rewarding experience.’
Phila Hayes, Student, Gisborne Secondary College, 2012
'Amra is a talented writer. She is also a down to earth, personable and inspiring speaker. Talking to the writing group at Kensington Neighbourhood House she combined passion for her craft with helpful insights and wisdom about the publishing industry. I'd highly recommend Amra for any speaking engagement.' Emilie Collyer, Hired in 2012
'Amra has been a guest speaker for our Industry Overview subject in the Diploma of Professional Writing & Editing at VU. She was knowledgeable and gave the students a very good explanation of the writer's life, how she writes her books and her path to publication.' Sherryl Clark, Hired in 2010 and 2011
'With her connection to students from the ‘west’, Amra proved to be an inspiring model to the year 9 students she led through the planning, drafting, editing and publication stages of their short stories. She maintained their commitment throughout the process through personal consultations and regular feedback via email. The students and their teachers are excited about the seeing their work go to print!' Colleen van der Horst, Library Co-ordinator & Alicia Sergiejew, English Co-ordinator, Keilor Downs College
'She has had a significant influence in encouraging students to become more accomplished writers. The production of polished, finished work is a powerful stimulus and will surely inspire these young authors to greater efforts in the future.' Jo Harris, Library Manager, St Albans Secondary College
'Great workshop - so much information packed into that two hours. Thank you!!' Miffy, particpant at Self Publishing Workshop, 2024 Brimbank Writers Festival
'This was a fantastic workshop to attend. Amra's excellent at hosting a hell of a time!' Riley, participant at Self Self Publishing Workshop, 2024 Brimbank Writers Festival
'Working with Amra has been transformative. She simultaneously built my confidence and vastly improved my writing and manuscript, while also helping me navigate the publishing industry. I am especially grateful for the way she responded to my work on its own terms by building an understanding of my style and then supporting me to improve it.'
Farrin Foster, memoir mentee
'The memoir writing workshop with Amra was an incredible experience. Amra's enthusiasm and passion were contagious, and her constant encouragement allowed me to explore not only a new genre of writing, but also to reflect on my life and how my experiences have shaped who I am today. Amra's expertise as a teacher and memoir writer were obvious, and I really enjoyed learning from her. Being able to share personal life events with other women in such a safe space was also valuable, and I now have the confidence to share my writing with others. Thank you Amra, and I look forward to being part of another one of your workshops in the near future.' (JH) Sunshine Library Memoir Writing Workshop Participant
'It was a pleasure having Amra Pajalic facilitate these Memoir Writing Workshops. Amra was always prepared in advance of the sessions and shared her extensive experience, skills and passion for this writing genre. Amra made a concerted effort to get to know the participants and provide ongoing support and advice. Amra also raised the possibility of furthering this partnership with the idea of developing a writing group for Brimbank Libraries, which we are keen to pursue.' Josephine Mifsud, Senior Library Services & Programs Officer, Sunshine Library
‘Amra Pajalic, author of The Good Daughter, coached us over four double periods, when we learned how to plan and produce a short story. We were divided into small groups in order to create small, personal learning environments. Each session Amra guided us through different techniques for the creation of characters and plots. Our stories were partially based on relatives, the key themes being emigration to Australia and acceptance into the community. Mine was loosely based on my grandfather and his emigration from England to Australia. Through group discussions we developed our stories to a high standard. I have taken away a whole new manner of writing and planning stories from these workshops. I will be able to apply the skills in every piece of writing I do from now on. It was a thoroughly rewarding experience.’
Phila Hayes, Student, Gisborne Secondary College, 2012
'Amra is a talented writer. She is also a down to earth, personable and inspiring speaker. Talking to the writing group at Kensington Neighbourhood House she combined passion for her craft with helpful insights and wisdom about the publishing industry. I'd highly recommend Amra for any speaking engagement.' Emilie Collyer, Hired in 2012
'Amra has been a guest speaker for our Industry Overview subject in the Diploma of Professional Writing & Editing at VU. She was knowledgeable and gave the students a very good explanation of the writer's life, how she writes her books and her path to publication.' Sherryl Clark, Hired in 2010 and 2011
'With her connection to students from the ‘west’, Amra proved to be an inspiring model to the year 9 students she led through the planning, drafting, editing and publication stages of their short stories. She maintained their commitment throughout the process through personal consultations and regular feedback via email. The students and their teachers are excited about the seeing their work go to print!' Colleen van der Horst, Library Co-ordinator & Alicia Sergiejew, English Co-ordinator, Keilor Downs College
'She has had a significant influence in encouraging students to become more accomplished writers. The production of polished, finished work is a powerful stimulus and will surely inspire these young authors to greater efforts in the future.' Jo Harris, Library Manager, St Albans Secondary College