Liliane Grace
LILIANE GRACE is the author of a unique ‘personal development novel’ for adolescents (The Mastery Club - also as an audio and e-book) and two children’s picture books (The Boy Who Barked and The Boy Who Found His Pulse, both ‘Champion Series’ titles). She has had numerous articles published in magazines and won several short story competitions, including First and Second Prize in the 2004 Australasian Short Story Competition.
Liliane is also a dynamic and engaging speaker. In 1987 she began working as a Creative Writing Tutor to community house groups and to teenagers on ‘Discovery!’ a personal development, accelerated learning program, and then taught at various colleges and TAFEs, settling at Monash University (Short Courses Centre) between 1999 and 2006.
Liliane dabbled briefly in corporate training (Persuasive Writing for State Bank and Contemporary Writing Skills for Prudential in 1991), but has mostly focused on Creative Writing workshops for the adult education market and inspirational talks encouraging audiences to listen to their hearts and act on their dreams.
Liliane’s writing programs include a six week (or two day) introductory course called ‘Writing Mastery’, which focuses on building confidence, unleashing creativity and mastering the criteria of impactful writing, and a six month program (one day per month) called ‘Writing It’ in which students focus on their own projects and benefit from group workshopping and direct personal feedback.
A home-educating parent of three, Liliane is also a long-time enthusiastic student of empowerment principles. In 2005 she walked away from a growing business marketing health products in order to write The Mastery Club – See the Invisible, Hear the Silent, Do the Impossible, which inspires young people to believe in themselves and shows them how to set and achieve their goals. This prize-winning book has achieved a far wider audience than the 9-15 year olds originally anticipated – readers of all ages are being inspired to reach inside themselves and dust off their dreams – and is beginning its international journey (see below).
Liliane values self-awareness, creative expression, personal empowerment and global citizenry, and her vision encompasses the establishment of Mastery Clubs around the world through which young people can meet and understand each other, and support each other in fulfilling their potential. Liliane’s own three teenagers are or have been engaged in home-based learning, and she is an advocate of young people pursuing study/lives that are meaningful to them, thus fulfilling the true meaning of education, being to ‘draw out’ rather than ‘cram in’…
Liliane Grace is also author of The Champion Series, a series of picture books for children about modern day leaders who followed through on a childhood dream. The first two books were launched in 2008. Her other writing interests range from stories, novels and plays for both children and adults, to non-fiction articles and books. She is about to embark on writing her first screenplay.
You can view Liliane's website at www.lilianegrace.com.au
Contact us if you'd like to know more about Liliane's intended visit to New Zealand in 2011.
THE MASTERY CLUB – See the Invisible, Hear the Silent, Do the Impossible, is about five school students who form a club to support each other in achieving their goals and dreams. Led by a precocious, green-haired girl called Nina, and encouraged by her unusual family, these young people learn the attitudes and practical strategies that will enable them to succeed.
The following achievements indicate Liliane’s commitment to the success of her writing and also her impact as an author:
* Australian Sales Report: Self-published in July 2006 (2000 books); reprinted November 2006 (3000 books); reprinted May 2007 (4000 books); reprinted November 2009 (3000 books, of which the first 1000 have already sold). These figures bring The Mastery Club into the realm of Australian Bestseller.
* Overseas Publication: Chinese publishing company (Oriental Press) released a Mandarin translation of The Mastery Club in May 2010 and has already sold over 2000 copies. Liliane recently signed a contract with German publisher, Anahita-Verlag for a German language edition.
* Literary Award: The Mastery Club is a prize-winner in the 2007 U.S. Independent Book Publisher Awards, Youth Fiction Category (bronze medal).
* Endorsement: Internationally renowned Behavioural Educator, Dr John Demartini, whose work is currently being incorporated into the education system and the criminal justice system of South Africa, volunteered the Foreword. Testimonials and endorsements have streamed in from readers of all backgrounds and ages – parents, teachers, teenagers, children, psychologists, ministers, youth workers, entrepreneurs, reluctant readers, avid readers. Psychologist Kenneth Pierce, co-author of The Dance of Bullying – A Breakthrough Tool for Teachers and Educators, says ‘I recommend [The Mastery Club] highly and reference it regularly in seminars with clients’.
* Youth/Education System: The Mastery Club is beginning to be used by teachers as a text in schools and is inspiring readers around the world to form their own Mastery Clubs. Liliane is developing classroom materials and a ten-session program based on the 10 Lessons in the book. Teachers’ Notes (secondary level) are available now. The 10 Lessons program has so far been piloted in two Victorian primary school and a West Australian secondary school. She also receives expressions of interest and appreciation from those working in social welfare.
* Screen Development: The Mastery Club has attracted interest from several film-makers and a formal option for a screen adaption is being considered.
* Mentorship: Futurist and Strategist, Dr Peter Ellyard, has offered his mentorship in developing programs that are based on the methodology presented in the book for a range of market segments.
* Reviews: Please visit www.themasteryclub.com.au to read testimonials and book reviews. The author’s favourite is from New Zealand’s Sunday Star Times, which begins with the words: “Move over Harry there’s a new wizard in town and her magic isn’t confined to the realm of fantasy…”
THE CHAMPION SERIES is a new series of children’s picture books about modern day leaders who followed through on a childhood dream or goal. The first two books were launched in December 2008 in a shared project with Robert Kennaugh, author of Family Magic.
* The Boy Who Barked features the inspiring story of Dr John Demartini, who was labelled learning disabled as a child and overcame many challenges in order to become the internationally best-selling author and educator that he is today.
* The Boy Who Found His Pulse is about whole food revolutionary Don Tolman, whose stubborn quest from the age of eight for the recipe of nature’s perfect food resulted in his acquisition of ancient wisdom and his achievement of extraordinary results in the domain of health and healing.
The Champion Series team is currently in conversation with two Australian women celebrities for the next Champion Series books.
OTHER WRITING
Current and proposed projects include the sequel to The Mastery Club, the screenplay for The Mastery Club, and a non-fiction version of Liliane’s Writing Mastery course which addresses the possibility of using writing to heal one’s relationship with oneself (working title: Your Life: A Brilliant Story), as well as more novels (adults and children) and picture books. (Details available upon request.)
Another forthcoming project that is to be compiled and edited by Liliane Grace is entitled ‘But I’m Different’. This is to be a book of hard-hitting chapters by various women in their 40s to 60s in which they reflect on their ‘turning point years’, ages 16 to 24, when significant life decisions are made, such as whether to study, travel, work, get married, have children. This book targets teenage girls and shares with them honest stories about choices, decisions and regrets from everyday women who ‘learnt the hard way’. The book aims to support young girls and women who are perhaps unable to discuss these issues with their own parents and to assist them to orient their lives successfully. It has the potential to be used as an English school text. (This book is in an early stage of development.)
OTHER EXPERIENCE
Varied. Predominantly Home-Based CEO (ie parenting, home education). Also editing service (occasionally), a wonderful year-long stint at Playbox Theatre Company in the Publicity department in 1990, reception work for a chiropractor, theatre reviewer/sales rep. for an emerging newspaper that never made it, sandwich maker for a take-away shop, PA to a couple of business people (very briefly), office temp. work… And ‘Mothering’ of a boy (now 18 years old) and twin girls (now fifteen).
RESPONSES TO LILIANE GRACE AS A SPEAKER
“She Rocked the House”
Liliane Grace presented at a marketing seminar that I ran. She presented late in the afternoon – typically a slower time. And let me tell you she rocked the house; the audience was enthralled by her honest and candid story of her self-publishing journey. And everyone attending got some valuable tip to take away with them. I recommend her whole-heartedly as your next speaker.
- John Anderson, Director, Visionary Business Leaders International
I only had to attend the first session of Liliane Grace's 'Writing Mastery' course to know she knows her stuff! Wow! Her confident and vivacious style warmed the audience up quickly, and she delivered her material in a well-designed series of steps that had everyone fully engaged. Liliane is clearly an experienced presenter who is able to bring out the “inner writer” in everyone attending her program. Liliane, you score 10 out 10!
- Paul Puckridge, Training Director, The Success Institute
Liliane Grace is truly someone that has walked the ‘mastery path’ and continues to be a source of inspiration and illumination for so many people. After recently speaking at our Life’s Precious Gift seminar event she had the remarkable presence and spirit to captivate the audience and take them on a journey of self-discovery and self-exploration. Through her own remarkable story of expanded possibility and perseverance to follow one’s dreams, Liliane left the audience feeling both uplifted and encouraged. If you’re looking for a speaker with the ‘chutzpah’ to move the heart and soul - then Liliane Grace is the person that I’d be delighted to recommend!
- Les Price, Director, Enspirited Business Solutions
Our Rotary Club had Liliane Grace as a guest speaker. Liliane is an author of books for teenagers and she was one of the best speakers I have heard in the time I have been in Rotary and others at our club shared that sentiment. I urge you to consider inviting her to your club. I am presently reading her book ‘The Mastery Club’ and am thoroughly enjoying it.
- Philip Rowell, Rotary Club of Brighton North
(from an endorsement email sent to another cluster of Rotary Clubs)
Liliane Grace is an amazing speaker, with the magical ability to take listeners on a believable journey, which will lead you to achieving your dreams. The Champion Series showcases two people who defied all odds and created their own destinies, despite the hardships, challenges and negativity they endured along the way. They show us that anything is possible, and the ONLY tool you need is the belief in yourself. Liliane, thank you for dedicating your time to coming to speak to our group, we were all blown away by the enormity of your stories, and look forward to seeing more of your magical work.
- Keren Loyer, Co-President of WIZO Matan
WRITING CREDITS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER FROM MOST RECENT:
‘The Exalted Rhythm’
Short story, published in Untitled, 2010.
‘The Wandless Wizard Inside You’
Article, published in Insight Magazine, 2010.
‘Sam and the Knight Suit’
Children’s story, winner of Third Prize in the Charlotte Duncan Award, 2010.
‘Can Anybody Hair Me?’
Article published in Positive Words magazine 2010.
‘Don’t Look for Mr Right or give up on him – create him!’
Article published in the Living Now 2009 Annual following its original publication in the Living Now magazine in 2008.
The Champion Series – ‘The Boy Who Barked’ and ‘The Boy Who Found His Pulse’
Two children’s picture books published in December 2008 by The Champion Series.
‘Unplugged – a play on the word plug’
Short play, performed at the Victorian Writers Centre ‘Tongue in Cheek’ Cabaroke, July 2007.
The Mastery Club – See the Invisible, Hear the Silent, Do the Impossible
Novel self-published in 2006. Four print runs; over 10,000 copies now in circulation. Winner of a bronze medal in the 2007 Independent Book Publisher’s Award, Youth Fiction.
‘The Genius and The Fisherman’
Short story, winner of First Prize in the Australasian Short Story Award 2004.
‘The Prince Who Would Not Grow’
Short story, winner of Second Prize in the Australasian Short Story Award 2004.
‘Gone. Missing.’
Short story, shortlisted in the 2004 Joseph Furphy Literary Award and the WriteSpot 2003 Short Story Award.
‘Man and Wife’
Short story published in Images, the anthology of the Eastern Writers’ Group in 2004.
‘The WashHouse Blues’
Short play for primary school aged children, written, directed and produced by Liliane Grace in November 2003 as an amateur production with the children of the Home Education Network (Eltham area).
‘While He’s Driving’
Short story published in 2002 in a Short Story Collection compiled by Roadside Services and entitled ‘Slippery When Wet’.
‘Keep It Simple, Sweetheart’
Article published in Conscious Living (magazine), June/July 99.
‘Suzanne’
Poem published in an anthology entitled, The Second Worst Thing and then re-published in Bone of my Bone in 2000.
‘The Wholistic Approach - Parenting in Context’
Article published in Sydney Child (newspaper), Sept. 98.
‘Leg Sleeves & Other Childhood Magic’
Article published in Living Now! (newspaper), May-June 98;
‘Rescuing My ‘I’’
Article published in Living Now! , May-June 98;
‘Mirror, Mirror on the World - A New Age Fairy Tale’
Short story published in Golden Age (magazine), Nov-Dec 96.
‘There’s a Woman in my Shoes’
Article published in Living Now!, July-August 96;
‘No More Worms’
Short story published in Golden Age, Feb-March 96;
‘Unraveling the Person from the Pattern’
Article published in The Whole Person, Jan-Feb 96;
‘The Perfect Partner – Perfect for What?’
Article published in The Whole Person, Sept.-Oct. 95;
‘Designer Birth – create your ideal birth experience’
Article published in The Whole Person , July-August 95;
‘A Quick Guide to Happiness’
Small pamphlet written and produced by Liliane in 1994. (This project was abandoned when she became pregnant with twins and gave birth in 1995.)
‘Loving ’Em All’
Short story published in The Whole Person, Jan-Feb 94 issue.
‘What A Marvelous Job You're Doing!’
Article published in Infant Times (magazine), 1992.
‘Thy Mother, Thy Boarder and Thee’
Article, Second Prize Winner in The Bugle Short Story Competition, 1986.
‘You Oughta Be In Pictures’
Short short story published in On the Off Beat by Carbon Productions in 1986.
‘The Path of Betrayal’
Short play for adults performed in amateur theatre in 1982 by Studio Edav.
First short story competition won in 1978 at age 14 (The Zionist Federation of Australia) and second in 1980 (Begonia Festival ‘Esso’ Literary Competition, 1980).
