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?

[Doddle]

We had Jacqueline Wilson at the last school I taught at, she was great, the children really enjoyed it. We also had Malorie Blackman who was very good too.

[unicorn]

very true Mud..
Anthony lishak looks v interesting... just got to see if the school will spend anything!!!

[unicorn]

Morpurgo even...

I'm tired!!!!

[Mud]

personally I would be careful about booking the more famous people, as IMHO they tend to do less and go on their names and the books (but they get booked cos they're great writers - writers do not necessarily make the best show) - less famous authors work harder and look for one who understands the curriculum

HTH

[unicorn]

Morpugo!!

Anyone ever booked Jacqueline Wilson?

[unicorn]

apparently Morpungo knows who it is but won't tell!!

(I tried MM first of all - but he will be 'taking a break' after a busy 2 years)

Great ideas here - I will have to try for a freebie first and then see if the school will stump up some dosh.

[roisin]

The children's laureate has some sponsorship/funding - so that might explain the Quentin Blake thing. The new children's laureate (Michael Morpurgo has just finished) will be announced on 26 May.

Who's on the shortlist? Does anyone know?

[Janh]

I wonder if nobody asks Quentin Blake usually, because they think he's too busy and high-powered and important, and in fact he's secretly longing to do it...?

Worth a shot, unicorn!

[roisin]

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!

[popsycal]

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

[Cadbury]

SF - WOW!

[SoftFroggie]

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.

[FrenchGirl]

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!

[Cadbury]

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

[yoyo]

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

[Cadbury]

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

[bakedpotato]

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.

[yoyo]

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

[Enid]

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.

[tamum]

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.

[Janh]

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

[unicorn]

ooh thanks all.. lots of helpful stuff.

Do all the authors always charge?

[tiddlypom]

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.

[kerfuffle]

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