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What does it take to write a book, have it published and build a career in the literary world?
These were just some of the questions explored when children's and young adult author, editor and publisher Rochelle Stephens visited Calrossy to work with students in Years 2, 6 and 9 through a series of presentations and interactive workshops.
As the founder of Wombat Books and Rhiza Edge, Rochelle shared her journey from the classroom to the publishing world, demonstrating how personal interests, curiosity and a willingness to persevere can shape future pathways.
For Junior School students, Rochelle spoke about her background as a teacher and explained how her passion for mathematics and science continues to influence her writing today. Through an interactive role-play activity, students stepped into the shoes of both authors and publishers, gaining a firsthand understanding of the challenges involved in turning a manuscript into a published book.
Year 9 students explored the writing process in greater depth, selecting from three creative prompts before developing their own short stories. Rochelle then provided individual feedback, offering practical advice and encouragement as students refined their work.
Throughout the sessions, students were encouraged to ask questions about writing, editing, publishing and the many different careers that exist within the literary industry. More importantly, they discovered that the path to success is rarely straightforward.
Rochelle spoke candidly about the setbacks writers often encounter, reminding students that resilience is an essential part of any creative journey. Her message was simple but powerful: don't give up, even when something feels difficult or impossible.
Beyond developing writing skills, Rochelle's visit encouraged students to think more broadly about their own interests, strengths and future aspirations. By sharing her experiences as an author, publisher, editor and educator, she demonstrated that purpose can often be found by pursuing the things we love and remaining open to the pathways they create.
For many students, the day was about much more than books. It was an opportunity to see how creativity, perseverance and passion can open doors to unexpected possibilities and inspire the next chapter of their own stories.
