Bringing a writer, poet, illustrator or storyteller into your school is a great way to inspire children and bring reading to life. Here are some simple steps to planning your event:

Planning:

  • Identify your aims. Do you want to increase enthusiasm for reading, develop writing skills, focus on a particular genre, or explore the books around the world theme?

  • Think about the format. Would you like your writer to read their work for the whole school, answer questions, or run a workshop with a smaller group?

  • Find your writer. You may already have a wish-list of writers, but be aware that those who are well known may be booked up in advance. Contact one of the organisations listed below to find a writer who has experience of working in schools, or talk to colleagues and staff in your local bookshop/library for recommendations of writers in your area.


Preparations:

  • Practical arrangements. Make sure your writer has all the information they need in advance eg. map, contact details, start/finish times, transport information.

  • Prepare your pupils. Read and discuss your writer’s books and build up excitement. Make sure you have your writer’s books in the library, and invite children to design posters or book covers for displays.

  • Books to buy. You may want to organise books for children to purchase and have signed on the day. Contact your local bookshop for help with this.


On the day:

  • Meet and Greet. Make sure you are available to greet your writer when they arrive. Introduce them around the staff room and offer a cup of tea or coffee.

  • Thank You. At the end of the day, thank your writer for their time and make sure that they know how to get home.

After the event:

  • Follow up with the class. Talk about the visit and what children enjoyed most. You could write individual or class letters to thank your writer.

  • Share with your colleagues. Discuss your experiences. What might you do differently next time? Who might you like to invite to visit in future?

The following organisations and agencies offer advice about finding a writer or make bookings on your behalf:

Apples and Snakes
London, North-West, East Midlands, West Midlands, South-West, North-East & South-East
Tel: 0845 521 3460
Email: karen@applesandsnakes.org
www.applesandsnakes.org

Devon Arts in Schools Initiative (DAISI)
Exeter
Tel: 01392 385214
Email: admin@daisi.org.uk
www.daisi.org.uk

Kernow Education Arts Partnership
Cornwall
Tel: 01872 275187
Email: helen.reynolds@keap.org.uk
www.keap.org.uk

National Association of Writers
in Education (NAWE)
Tel/Fax: 01653 618429
Email: paul@nawe.co.uk
www.nawe.co.uk
www.artscape.org.uk
Artscape is a national directory of writers who work in schools

National Centre for Language and Literacy
Tel: 0118 378 8820
Email: ncll@reading.ac.uk
www.ncll.org.uk
Website includes an up-to-date database of contacts

New Writing North
Based in Newcastle upon Tyne
Tel: 0191 222 1332
Email: holly@newwritingnorth.com
www.newwritingnorth.com

New Writing South
Based in Brighton
Tel: 01273 735353
Email: education@newwritingsouth.com
www.newwritingsouth.com

Speaking of Books

London-based agency that handles events and visits throughout the UK and abroad for top Children’s Authors, Illustrators, Poets and Storytellers. Tel: 0208 858 6616 Email:jan@speakingofbooks.co.uk

The Poetry Society

Based in London – national
Tel: 020 7420 9894
Email: education@poetrysociety.org.uk
www.poetrysociety.org.uk

The Windows Project
Based in Liverpool
Tel: 0151 709 3688
Email: windowsproject@btinternet.com
www.windowsproject.demon.co.uk

Write On! – Adventures in Writing
West Midlands
Tel: 0121 246 2770
Email jonathan@birminghambookfestival.org
Agency running year-round writer in school projects

You can also try contacting an author’s publisher – bear in mind that to arrange a visit from a very well-known writer you will need to plan well in advance.

Many locally-based storytellers, writers and illustrators have considerable experience of working in schools and bring as much ‘magic’ to a visit as the star authors.