talk with anecdotes, readings and a question and answer session,
I will always try to tailor my visit to fit the particular needs
of your school. I am flexible: I can work with large groups -
a whole year or an entire school, or do more concentrated work
with smaller groups. I can fill a whole day, or provide shorter
sessions. Whatever suits you and your school.
Most schools request a talk and a reading for one or more year
groups. Often I'm asked to perform at part or full school assemblies.
Having worked for years as an actor, I'm comfortable in front of
a large audience. But I am equally at home with smaller groups.
For creative writing workshops, smaller groups are ideal - a whole
class is the maximum, but often it's more effective to work with less.
Generally, workshops can achieve more if there are at least a couple
of sessions. I've done longer - even working regularly with a class
over a whole year. For real results the work needs to be ongoing.
Pictures of some rather peculiar inmates at Lochinver Primary School:
And, on a trip to Hounsdown School, the usual suspects were caught trying to hide behind copies of Intelligent Life.
Some schools are looking for something cross-curricular, if this
is you, I can help - as well as writing novels for children and young
adults, I have fifteen years experience as a writer and producer in
films and TV. Before that, I worked extensively as an actor and gave
workshops for several years at Shakespeare's Globe. I have also worked
as a sports coach. My novels cover a wide range of subjects from soccer
to science to Shakespeare and the future of the universe. If you want
cross-curricular, I can provide material that links sport, drama,
English literature, language, science and more.
Readers of my books are usually from Yrs 4 - 11. And most of the work I
do is with young people from this age range. However, I'm happy to
include younger children in the `author talk' type sessions if they're
part of a big group that includes the years above. I have written TV
shows for the pre-school age-group - Little Robots and Kipper the Dog.
Because of my experience in film and TV, I sometimes get asked to do
talks and workshops with older secondary school students who are taking
media studies. I have also lectured and given workshops on screenwriting,
story-lining, writing for soaps, dramas and films and on aspects of
producing, at secondary, graduate and post-graduate level.
Tell me your particular needs and I will, wherever possible, attempt
to accommodate. If in doubt, please ask.
To find out how much a workshop or author visit would cost, or to
discuss your requirements, click here for my email address.
Literary Festival/Event Appearances:
Oxford, Hay On Wye, Swansea, Manchester, Birmingham, Southampton,
Cheltenham Writing Together, Lowdham, Liverpool Writing On The Wall,
The Northern Children's Book Festival, Web Weavers Festival
back to front page...