Speaker Profile - James Foley

Illustrator and Writer

Region:	Australia West
Age Levels:	5-10, 11-13, and 14-17
Will Travel:	Anywhere in the world
Skype Visit:	Yes
SCBWI Profile:	Member Profile
Speaker Email:	james@jamesfoley.com.au
	Publications

Bio:

James Foley is an award-winning children’s author and illustrator, cartoonist, public speaker and workshop facilitator from Australia. He's the Treasurer for SCBWI Australia West and was previously the Regional Advisor and Illustrator Coordinator.

James' latest picture book, Stellarphant, is shortlisted for the Children's Book Council of Australia's 2022 Picture Book of the Year, as well as Best Children's Fiction in the 2021 Aurealis Awards and the 2022 Australia/New Zealand SCBWI Crystal Kite.

James wrote and illustrated the S.Tinker Inc. graphic novels: Brobot, Dungzilla, Gastronauts and Chickensaurus. The books feature a brilliant young inventor called Sally Tinker and her stinky baby brother Joe.

James illustrated the Toffle Towers series written by Tim Harris; the cult-favourite and CBCA-shortlisted My Dead Bunny; and its follow-up, There’s Something Weird About Lena. James contributed to Total Quack Up and Funny Bones, both anthologies of funny stories with proceeds going to charity.

His earlier books In The Lion, The Last Viking and The Last Viking Returns have all scored several honours, including children’s choice awards, shortlistings in the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year awards, and selection to the International Youth Library’s White Raven list.

James is an ambassador for Books In Homes and Room To Read. He is a massive Marvel movie nerd and he comes from a long line of queuing enthusiasts.

Presentation Description:
Do you need a Meet-the-Author/Illustrator talk?

I give talks about:
- my creative journey
- the making of The Last Viking / The Last Viking Returns
- the making of In The Lion
- the making of My Dead Bunny
- visual literacy
- combos of the above

Or maybe you need a creative workshop?

My workshops include:
- how to draw cartoons
- digital illustration techniques
- how to make your own comics
- how to illustrate picture books
- how to make your own picture books
- secrets of character design
- how to make clay character maquettes
- combos of the above
- making a picture book in a day (requires 5 school contact hours, 12-20 students max)

I'm also available for:
- artist residencies
- literature festivals
- professional development sessions for teachers, artists and aspiring illustrators

I work with students from grades PP-12, and adults too.

If you're after a different sort of talk or workshop please get in touch.

You can find testimonals at my website.