What does an author do on school visits? What’s the point of them?
Over the last two weeks I’ve been on visits from Birkenhead to Bideford. The schools, and the children, can be as different as chalk and cheese but as a visiting author I aim, and hope I deliver, a fun and informative day that will encourage children to read, help them with their writing and inspire them to achieve – whatever their life goals are.
West Kirby Grammar School took lots of pictures on my visit with them that they’ve very kindly allowing me to share ( thank you!) They give a really good flavour of what you can expect if you invite me to your school. As my visits often do, this one started with a talk to the whole of years eight and nine. Their school motto is:
Ad metam contendo; ‘Strive towards the goal’
A perfect fit for my talk on Resilience and Reading.
The rest of the work day was spent doing workshops. These are smaller groups, usually of about 20-30 pupils, where we get to grips with some of the nitty-gritty of writing. It’s fun but hard work and no slacking off is allowed!
Quite often I’ll spend a bit of lunch time signing books.
This often gives me a chance to meet pupils have a particular interest in writing. This was the case at Prenton High School . Oh the energy and passion of these young adults! I was so inspired by them, also they gave me chocolate (thank you!) and poetry ( thank you Grace, such beautiful words, I was so touched) and a portrait (Jessica, thank you, you’re so talented and I’m so lucky!) and they shared their stories – what an amazing gift that is.
Every school is different, every child is different, so every visit is different but they all have one thing in common – author visits can inspire and engage and inform – and if you have me for a visit, I’ll do my very best to make it fun too!
Kathryn Evans is available for school visits all over the world. If you’d like to book her for an event at your school, college or writing group, please contact Authors Abroad.
Kathryn Evans 
Wow! What amazing gifts from such talented pupils! And I know from experience that many more will have been inspired by your brilliant talks. All so lucky to have a visit from such a lively, wonderful author ❤️
Thank you! I do miss you in the school library – I hope your enjoying your retirement 🙂
How lovely, what a great day! Good of them to share the pictures too!
It was a great few days!