Anyone arranged an 'author' visit? (ROISIN?)

[unicorn]

i am trying to get something sorted for dd's primary school for children't book week.

Has anyone got any a)brilliant authors (ie who talk well to kids!) b)experience of arranging this?

Would a poet do? Paul Cookson is fab. Don't know how much he costs though.

When is book week?

We had Willy Russell and Ted Hughes at my school. (mid 80s) Stayed in my mind for ever-so exciting!!

lots of children's book people on the main page of that site although Nick Butterowrth is the only one I've heard of.

This depends on how much you want to spend. Most will come for a day and work with groups throughout the school. If you would like a poet you could contact The Poetry Society. Have you contacted local secondary schools (state and independent) as you may be able to share someone? Independents with charitable status are often keen on such initiatives.

There is a brilliant storyteller called Ben Haggerty that I can get you contact details for. CAT me if you want them.

absolutely fabulous author and ex primary school teacher also runs a website for creative writing

antony lishak

he is truly amazing and held the entire school in thrall (I think he does it for small and large numbers)

he tends to be quite booked up though

Nick Sharrat came to my daughter's school (well, did lots of schools in Stockport) They loved it adn he did a quick line drawing for them to keep at the school. I know he's an illustrator but same principle...

Brian Moses (children's poet) came to the school where I worked once ...
He was great ....
No idea who arranged it though or how they did it ... sorry.

I've just had a nose at anthony lishack's website, I'm inspired to write a story now, nevermind the children

We had Paul Geraghty who was fantastic - he's an author/illustrator so some kids were more interested in the art aspect, some in the story aspect. He did an illustration in front of them, talking them through it, then gave it to the school. They were all making their own books afterwards! He's a very nice man, too, and of course excellent with the kids.

ooh thanks all.. lots of helpful stuff.

Do all the authors always charge?

I don't think you'll get a brilliant one for nothing, unicorn!

We've seen lots of children's authors at the Edinburgh Book Festival over the years. The really brilliant ones that stand out are Philip Ardagh (so funny), Nick Sharratt, and Aileen Paterson. Others who were interesting (to me) but didn't really engage the children's interest so much were Shirley Hughes, Tony Ross and Francesca Simon. Ds also saw Antony Horowitz recently and really enjoyed it. We have several local authors who come in fairly often- I guess they don't charge but I think it's because they see it as a community thing and don't have to travel. If there's anyone like that then I would go for them.

unicorn I arrange lots of these.

where are you?

your best bet is to get in touch with your local Literature Network (usually run by your local council) - they can advise you of any local authors that do this kind of thing.

If you go for a national author be aware that they can charge huge fees - babette cole cost us £200 per HOUR.

Ben Haggerty (could be Heggarty) is approx £300 - £400 per day I think. Good value compared to Babette Cole!

Maybe do some research (via local bookshop?) to see if anyone suitable has a new book coming out, then contact publishers to ask if writer would come to school as part of publicity drive? Maybe I'm naive, but I can't believe they'd charge for that, as it's for a school/good cause -- esp if you said you'd try to get the local paper along. I can imagine if people are having to travel, you might have to cover costs though.

I have a friend whos a visiting author. This is his website He's a great guy and wonderful with children.

Cadbury - he looks nice! Would he offer a MUMSNET reduction (think he might be quite popular somehow)?

lol! I have no idea. He is ds's godfather. He wouldn't have a clue who cadbury was though. You'd have to actually mention my real name I think. He's a brilliant song writer too. And a great husband, father, teacher, pretty much an all rounder

dd's school had Liz Million (both writer and illustrator I think), she spent the whole day there, did lots and lots of drawings with the kids during workshops, which they then put up in the school, and was apparently a very exciting speaker too. No idea how much she is....
this is her
dd also won one of her books signed by her!

I know someone who got Quentin Blake to visit when he was Children's Laureate (wow) and he didn't charge (wow) and signed a book for every child (double wow) and he asked to come earlier than arranged to spend more time with the children (triple wow) and he left the school with a picture he drew for them then and there.

I have absolutely no idea how they managed such a coup, but I'm sure he wouldn't do that for everyone who asks!

The kids were thrilled.

SF - WOW!

we arrange them at school/////CAt me if you want more info

I've nothing to contribute really to the excellent advice here. I've never arranged one, but I guess your best bet is someone local (who won't have large travelling/accommodation costs), and someone not very famous, who won't charge a HUGE fee.

Good luck!