School visits and author events

The Stitchwort Curse assembly and workshop content is most suited to KS2 and KS3. To book please email me on alexandradawewrites@gmail.com

I've run workshops in schools, libraries and bookshops, visited book clubs, and zoomed in to assemblies and classrooms. I love meeting the students and talking to them about their favourite books, and what they're creating themselves. 

 

In-person:

I can come to your school for an assembly, classroom workshop, or a combination of both, with a half day or full day rate + travel, and accommodation if necessary. 

 

Assembly

(45 minutes to an hour, max 250 students)

 

Powerpoint presentation with props. This is fun and interactive, with quizzes and games, and might get a bit noisy!

A brief introduction about me, my background, and how I became an author.

How I researched The Stitchwort Curse, and a Victorian plant hunter game (with a few student and teacher volunteers!)

My love of the natural world, particularly the spooky creatures, and why these creatures are amazing, despite the negative stereotypes.

There is sound and video in the presentation.

There are videos, drawings and photographs of spiders, so please make sure arachnophobes are aware!

At the end we do a spider draw-along, which the students can colour in while I take questions. 

 

Technical requirements:

I will need a screen with sound to plug my laptop into.

In advance of the visit please let parents know I’m coming, and give them some information about the book. I can email a section to add to the school newsletter and social media. 

A copy on display in the classroom or the school library is really helpful, as well as reading an extract out to the class in advance.

If you have a local bookshop I'm very happy to work with them for signed pre-orders. 

 

Workshop

(one hour, max 30 students)

My workshops are suitable for up to 30 students.

We create a character together, and start building their world. This relaxed and informal, and much quieter than the interactive assembly.

We usually start off with several students saying they have no ideas, and don't know what to do, and at the end are delightedly showing off their new character and sharing their story with everyone!

Some fantastic examples of student's new characters here; https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVwBiaQDFh9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

 

Zoom Q&A.

A 25 minute Q&A for classes who have already read the book. They can ask anything they like about writing, illustrating, being an author, or anything else!

Technical requirements:

Zoom (or similar)

 

Fees

In person:

In person Assembly – £250

In person Class Workshop – £130

In person Half Day – assembly plus 1 workshop: £325

In person Full Day – assembly plus 2 workshops (1 workshop delivered to two separate classes) – £485

*All fees are exclusive of travel and any necessary overnight accommodation.  Travel will be charged at standard class rail fare. Accommodation in Premiere Inn or equivalent. I will endeavour to travel to and from your school without overnight accommodation where reasonably possible.

If you have another school nearby that I can visit as well we could work out how to split workshops, travel and accommodation between both venues. We're all working on very tight budgets, I'm happy to have a chat about the budget available and how we can make it work. 

 

Virtual:

30 minute Zoom Q&A: £20

This works best with students who are familiar with the books content. 

 

Book Sales

I will happily sign books for the students. I can help arrange book sales, if required.

 

I had a wonderful time visiting schools with Heather from Reading Rocks, and she made some brilliant videos which you can see on Instagram here; https://www.instagram.com/reel/DA1X_gjRwVX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==