Bookings for conferences, school class visits, workshops, events, festivals, and more . . .
I attended one of [Andrew's] sessions at GETCA. One of the best I’ve ever been to, and I’ve been teaching for 15 years!
- Brandy Lee, Edmonton
Every year, Andrew works with thousands of students, of all ages, teaching workshops on storytelling, writing, communication, and publishing. His experience as a published author, professional writer, publishing acquisitions manager, and screenwriter provides him with a comprehensive knowledge skill-set that he’s happy to share with individuals across all industries.
Interactive and engaging presentations and workshops range from 60 to 90 minutes and can be tailored to any age group. Fees are negotiable based on number of presentations, travel distance, etc. Please contact Andrew for full details. |
Andrew has distilled what it takes to make a great story and tell it well, in a format that enlightens both seasoned professionals and new students alike. Thank you for this workshop!
- Chris Aanderson, Victoria School of the Arts
Workshops & Storytelling Presentations for Schools
All workshops and classes listed below are specifically designed to be fun, engaging, interactive, and informative for any age group from 7 to 99 years.
Individual sessions are $225.00, with a minimum booking of two sessions per school. OR book Andrew for an entire day for as many sessions as you'd like (including a lunch time read and/or Q&A) for $750.
Individual sessions are $225.00, with a minimum booking of two sessions per school. OR book Andrew for an entire day for as many sessions as you'd like (including a lunch time read and/or Q&A) for $750.
THE 'NOT SO HAPPILY EVER AFTER'
STORYTELLING WORKSHOP 60-90 minutes $225.00 This all ages interactive storytelling workshop will take attendees on a magical journey through the origins of classic fairy tales. Before two Grimm brothers compiled a collection of 'happily ever after' fairy tales, there existed the 'not so happy ever after' fairy tales. As a class, we'll act out some of these common stories and discover what makes these classics unique and how they set the foundation for storytelling today. Attendees are then broken into groups to build their own fairy tales which are performed at the end of the session (time allowing).
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THE 'TRICK OR TREAT' HORROR WRITING WORKSHOP
60-90 minutes $225.00 It's time to get creepy! This genre-bending workshop will take students through the horrors of . . . well . . . writing a horror. We'll explore common horror tropes in storytelling, the formula for building a chilling tale, and put together a complete story outline for a horror movie (featuring workshop attendees).
Touching upon principles of storytelling and genre writing, with a horror-infused twist, this interactive workshop is not for the faint of heart! |
THE 'BIG BANG' WORLD-BUILDING WORKSHOP
60-90 minutes $225.00 World-Building is essential for storytelling in any genre, whether you're creating planets for a sci-fi adventure or building a reality populated entirely by llamas. This interactive workshop takes students through the steps of world-building, examining well-known fictional worlds and providing a hands-on writing exercise in class.
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GETTING INTO CHARACTER(S): CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT FOR WRITERS
60-90 minutes $225.00 Creating characters that can tell your story is often not as easy as many people think. This workshop studies the art of character creation in storytelling, first looking at existing characters, and then learning how to build characters from scratch.
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WRITING MODERN MONSTERS: CREATURES, MYTHOLOGY, AND FOLKLORE WORKSHOP
60-90 minutes $225.00 From sparkly vampires to teenage werewolves and witches, modern monsters come in all shapes and sizes. This interactive workshop takes a look at the origins of famous creature stories, exploring the things that go bump in the night, and how to explore old myths with a modern edge.
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TOP 10 WRITING TIPS FOR YOUNG AUTHORS
60 minutes $225.00 For students looking to explore a career in the writing world, there are a number of pieces of advice that a seasoned author can share. But they’re secret, so tell no one! This presentation will take interested students through 10 useful tips to help inform and influence their future writing career and get them started on the right foot (or left foot if you prefer).
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IT’S ALL PART OF THE PLAN: STORY STRUCTURE WORKSHOP
60-90 minutes $225.00 Storytelling principles have remained the same for centuries and yet writers still struggle to properly plan their stories before beginning to write. This workshop will take students through the formula of storytelling, performing a writing autopsy on an existing story and then planning and creating a new story from scratch. Worksheets provided for future use.
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FROM CONCEPT TO SCRIPT - SCREENWRITING WORKSHOP
60-90 minutes $225.00 Storytelling applied to film or TV is one of the most exciting mediums to explore. This interactive presentation and workshop takes students through how to structure a short film script, including plotting, character development, and dialogue, along with examples. Students are then separated into groups to plot, plan, and write a short film script (time allowing).
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THE DEADLY DINNER PARTY: WRITING A MURDER MYSTERY 101
60-90 minutes $225.00 Fair warning, someone is about to meet an unfortunate fate in this immersive writing workshop experience. This fully interactive workshop will guide students through the process of creating a captivating storyline, developing intriguing characters, and constructing clever clues. Explore the art of suspense and unravel the secrets behind a thrilling whodunnit murder mystery.
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THE CREEPY CHRISTMAS STORYTELLING WORKSHOP
(*offered December only*) 60-90 minutes $225.00 This interactive storytelling workshop is created for grades 7-12 and explores creepy and strange Christmas myths and legends from all over the world. As a class we'll look at stories from Germany, France, and Iceland and find the common themes throughout.
We'll then use those common story themes to create our own Creepy Christmas fairy tale (featuring workshop attendees). The consumption of candy canes will be encouraged. |
Adults Only - Workshops & Presentations
The workshops listed below are specifically designed for 19+, not because they're full of foul language (maybe a small amount) or nudity (that'll cost you extra), but because they address challenges, techniques, and tools specifically for adults, addressed from a storytelling perspective. These sessions can be delivered online or in-person, at colleges, conferences, private group meetings, festivals, and comic-cons. PLEASE CONTACT FOR COST AND AVAILABILITY |
Andrew is an expert presenter, who's incredibly confident and flexible and always sure to make everyone feel involved in an unforgettable session. Can't wait to see what he has in store next time! |
WRITING HUMOUR AND OTHER TERRIFYING THINGS
(interactive presentation) 60-90 minutes "One person's giggle is another person's groan" - A literary agent shared this insight with me nearly two decades ago when I submitted my first novel (a work of satirical fiction). Although he loved the book, he confessed his apprehension about representing humor. This interactive presentation explores humor in its various forms, addresses the boundaries of political correctness, provides guidance on fearlessly writing humor, and emphasizes the importance of laughter in our daily lives.
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STORYTELLING ADDICT: A RECOVERY PROGRAM FOR WRITERS
(interactive presentation) 60-90 minutes The world is full of self-help solutions to aid all manner of afflictions, except when it comes to being a writer. We all suffer the same problems: we question our career choices, invite procrastination, and are often crushed with paralyzing self-doubt. We're a creative force of nature . . . until it comes to solving our own problems.
This 12-step self-help guide is designed to help writers get out of their own way, and empowers attendees to do what they do best—create! |
THE FEARLESS ORATOR: MASTERING THE ART OF PUBLIC SPEAKING
(interactive presentation) 60-90 minutes Counted as one of the top fears among North Americans, public speaking is simply another art form that requires a touch of mastery. In this interactive presentation, you will learn how to become a fearless and confident speaker, exploring communication theory, techniques to overcome nervousness, and how to engage your audience. From crafting a compelling opening to using body language effectively, you will gain practical tips and strategies to captivate and inspire your listeners.
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I walked away from Andrew Buckley's script writing workshop more inspired and more confident. The workshop was filled with lots of valuable information, resources, and laughter. His workshop was engaging, and was filled with relevant examples that I connected with and relate to.
- D. P.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: THE CREATIVE WORLD OF OUR ROBOT OVERLORDS
(interactive presentation) 60-90 minutes AI has emerged as a tool that the entire world has embraced, and consequently, has become a headache for authors and artists everywhere. This workshop offers an open discussion forum to teach the pros and cons of AI while laughing about how we’ll all eventually be replaced by talking toasters. Most importantly, it also provides useful tools and advice on how to use AI as a creative tool for writing projects.
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SCHOOL VISITS FOR AUTHORS:
LEARN HOW TO EARN ADDITIONAL INCOME BY SPEAKING IN SCHOOLS (interactive presentation) 60-90 minutes If you’re an author, and have published a book (whether it be self, traditional, or otherwise), you should be speaking in schools about your writing craft and your experience. Students and teachers alike love to hear from authors, it’s an excellent source of additional income, and gives you more opportunity to sell your books. This session teaches attendees how to reach out to schools, who to contact, what to charge, how to build your presentation/workshops, and more!
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Andrew's session was a blast! Not only will it be helpful for spicing up my writing instruction, but it also inspired me to add a new spin to my own writing.
- Veronica Wood, Edmonton
A SOMEWHAT ALMOST USEFUL MARKETING GUIDE FOR AUTHORS: MARKETING FOR BEGINNERS
(interactive presentation) 60-90 minutes “Where do I start?” is a question many authors ask when it comes time to market both their beloved masterpiece, and themselves. This interactive presentation represents a beginners guide for authors, designed to get them on the right track when it comes to branding themselves, marketing their work, and reaching their audience. It covers the essentials of social media, websites, public speaking, marketing methodology, and more.
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2 COLLABORATORS TALKING COLLABORATIVE WRITING
(interactive workshop) 60-90 minutes Explore the fine art of collaborative writing, as taught by two collaborators - Finnian Burnett & Andrew Buckley. Writing with someone can bring forth powerful skills—As writers talk through changes, mash genres and styles, and absorb each other’s singular strengths, each writer can come out of the process better for the experience.
In this workshop, through interactive discussion, we will delve into the opportunities and processes of collaborative writing, including setting expectations, utilizing technology, the importance of accountability, and fostering open communication. Attendees can also gain insight into how to select collaborators and collaborative projects and the value of venturing beyond one's own genre. |
Andrew joined our creative writing club for 6 sessions throughout the year. His engaging talks helped our students nurture their love of writing. Many of the kids mentioned how much they enjoy our meetings because of him! Not only did they truly enjoy their time, but they also learned tons!
- Michelle, Canyon Falls Middle School
Andrew's workshop on horror writing is easily one of the most informative and engaging workshops I've ever been a part of.
- Jeremy McMullen, Sa-Hali Secondary, Kamloops BC