Author

VIRTUAL AUTHOR VISITS

Book Sarah now for a virtual author visit to your school, LGBTQ+ youth group or event.

 

 

"Our Year 7 students loved Sarah's visit to Glenthorne, it was engaging, funny, and thought-provoking. Her novel, Nothing Ever Happens Here, is an amazing read that helps build empathy and understanding. Sarah does a fantastic job at getting students excited about her work and reading for pleasure in general. I highly recommend her for any school visit!" Lucas Maxwell, UK School Librarian of the Year 2017.

 

What is a virtual author visit?

An opportunity for young people to get excited about reading, to ask questions to a published author and to get creative themselves.

 

I offer three sessions for schools, libraries and events. I also run a bespoke, lower-cost session specially for LGBTQ+ youth groups (within schools, local authority or voluntary sector).

 

The cost for each session includes one signed copy of Nothing Ever Happens Here or Proud of Me for your class, youth group or library.

 

Option 1: Writing (extra-)ordinary stories

 

You don’t need magic or fantasy worlds to create an exciting story. Fascinating people and ideas for amazing stories are everywhere in our ordinary lives, if we know how to look.

 

This session covers:

  • How and why I write (extra-)ordinary stories, including short readings from Nothing Ever Happens Here and Proud of Me
  • How to spot an (extra-)ordinary story and top tips on how to write your own
  • Author Q&A
  • Introduction to (extra-)ordinary creative writing exercises which can be done after the session

 

(45 minutes, £75*)

 

Option 2: From Prejudice to Pride: Writing stories with LGBTQ+ characters

 

Books with LGBTQ+ characters used to be banned, now they are celebrated. What has changed and why do LGBTQ+ books still matter?

 

This session covers:

  • Brief introduction to LGBTQ+ terminology and history
  • How and why I chose to write about LGBTQ+ characters, including a short readings from Nothing Ever Happens Here and Proud of Me
  • Author Q&A
  • Introduction to LGBTQ+ icons challenge which can be done after the session

 

(45 minutes, £75*)

 

*If one school books both 45-minute sessions, it’s £130 in total.

 

Option 3: Meet an author

 

This session covers:

  • Brief introduction to why and how I became an author and the writing process
  • Q&A on any aspect of writing and/or specific questions about Nothing Ever Happens Here and Proud of Me, writing LGBTQ+ characters or writing real-life stories

 

(20 minutes, £25)

 

LGBTQ+ youth/school groups only: Finding your voice

 

Everyone has a story to tell, and the world needs to hear the voices and experiences of young LGBTQ+ people. So what do you want to say?

 

This session covers:

  • Fun, non-threatening, quick-fire creative writing activities to help you express yourself and connect with others
  • Tips for discovering queer authors, characters and books
  • Author Q&A

 

(30 minutes, £20)

 

How can a virtual author visit benefit my class / year group?

An author visit is a great way to bring books to life, to spark creativity among students and to encourage students to discover books they might not have encountered before.

 

My debut novel Nothing Ever Happens Here and second novel Proud of Me have LGBTQ+ themes and characters. In September 2020, new Relationships, Health and Sex Education guidelines in English schools meant that primary schools were encouraged to discuss ‘different families’ (including LGBT families) and secondary schools must include LGBT people and relationships throughout the RSE and PSHE curriculum.

 

A virtual author visit can help reinforce better understandings of healthy relationships, of the importance of empathy and of diverse families.

 

Visits work best when students have had a chance to read and discuss the book first, and have been given time to prepare questions. These resources can help you get started in exploring the themes of family and friendship within Nothing Ever Happens Here before and after the visit.

 

“Sarah’s events are really engaging and perfectly pitched at UKS2 and LKS3 students. Sarah manages to strike a great balance between engaging the audience with the story, talking about creative writing and her own experience as an author and introducing the audience to the importance of representing all types of families. Nothing Ever Happens Here is a great book to talk to young people about LGBTQ+ issues and trans issues in particular and I would really recommend Sarah’s event as a starting point for that.”  Mariana Mouzinho, Seven Stories

 

What age group would a virtual author visit be suitable for?

Sessions are designed with upper KS2 (Year 6) and lower KS3 (Years 7-8) in mind. When you book a session, I’ll ask you a bit more about your students or your group so I can make sure the content is just right for them.

 

Can students buy copies of Nothing Ever Happens Here to tie in with a virtual author visit?

Absolutely! Please get in touch with your local independent book shop who can help you get hold of copies for students to buy.

 

Can students get books signed at a virtual author visit?

Obviously this is trickier online than in person, but I have signed bookmarks that I’d love to send out to schools, youth groups or events which book a virtual author visit.

 

When can we book you for a virtual author visit?

Bookings are open now for September 2020 onwards. Tuesdays are preferred, but I can be flexible based on your preferred dates and times. I can do evening sessions for LGBTQ+ youth groups.

 

Particularly good opportunities for a visit would be LGBT History Month (February), World Book Day (1 March), Pride season (June-July), International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, IDAHOBIT (17 May).

 

How do we pay for a virtual author visit?

I will invoice you after the visit has taken place. Costs for each session are given above.

 

Ready for a virtual author visit? Still got questions?

Find out more and book now for September 2020 onwards.