I LOVE DOING SCHOOL VISITS!
Some comments on my World Book Day 2024 workshops at Christ Church Cathedral School, Oxford:
‘I really enjoyed your talk. It was really inspiring to hear all your tips on how you wrote your books. Your talk has given me lots of ideas for writing my own books that I can write. I liked the story line of The Tragickall History of Henry Fowst. I can’t wait until your next book comes out. Hugo, Year 7.
‘Griselda told us that every story needs a problem that needs to be solved and to have a beginning middle and an end. I think Griselda Heppel set the ‘Faustian story’ in the present day to make it relatable to young readers so that they will not get bored and lose interest in it quickly.’ Henry, Year 7.
I give illustrated talks to Years 5 – 8 on the themes behind my books, involving the students all the way through in the craft of writing, character creation and plot structure. Young people find it as intriguing as I do that all successful fiction, from picture books for toddlers to great literary classics, depend on the same basic plot design.
Since my book, The Fall of a Sparrow, is a thrilling mystery with a supernatural twist, my talk can major on ghost stories and how to build up a spooky atmosphere! For older students this can go more deeply into the creation of the gothic novel and its huge influence on popular culture today. I will also touch on the plight of children who don’t quite fit in, long before neurodiversity was recognised and valued, as this plays a crucial part in the story.
The Fall of a Sparrow
Thriller with a supernatural twist.
Ante’s Inferno and The Tragickall History of Henry Fowst school visits
Dante, classical myth and the First World War comprise my talk on Ante’s Inferno, while Elizabethan magic and the Faust legend conjure up the atmosphere of The Tragickall History of Henry Fowst). In both cases I use images projected on a screen by some of the world’s great painters and illustrators to give the children a taste of these great themes. And as always, I involve them all the way through, giving tips on how to create characters, structure a plot and write realistic dialogue.
The Tragickall History of Henry Fowst
Some happy readers here.
Timings and Signings
Allowing time for questions and discussion afterwards, the whole session comes to around 1 ¼ hours. I'll talk to any number of children, ranging from a few at a time to whole year groups. Most of my visits have been in Oxford and London but I'm happy to go further.
I bring signed copies of my books for children to buy afterwards, if they wish, and usually a good number are excited enough by the story to do so.
And finally…
Since 2013, Ante’s Inferno has been adopted by Pegasus Primary School, Oxford, for their Year 6 Reading groups. The pupils enjoy the adventure story while discussing aspects of bullying, self-esteem and empowerment crucial to the plot – issues also tackled by the https://www.familylinks.org.uk/ nurturing programme which the whole school follows.
Some kind words about my school visits:
“For the boys, it is vital and wonderful to see that behind every book they enjoy is an author … who, like them, revels in the world of imagination, and uses their understanding of the craft of writing to fashion the finished work of literature. - Christ Church Cathedral School, Oxford
“The children were fascinated and really enjoyed hearing you talk.”
“Your talk seems to have gone down extremely well and the boys have been left now with plenty to think about. ”
“You clearly brought the boys something with which they were totally engaged. It’s such a relief they want to read a book that doesn’t involve guns/jeeps/terrorists/the word “suddenly” every second sentence!”
“What a success! I hope you enjoyed it as much as the children obviously did. I think you just gained 40 new fans.”
“The children thoroughly enjoyed spending time with a ‘real life famous person.’ I know many of them will have been inspired and they have already said that they can’t wait to read your next book.”
“I can hardly put into words quite how much the boys enjoyed Henry Fowst...a complex story that has fully engaged the most reluctant reader....The boys’ confidence in reading, writing, speaking and listening has grown immensely. ”