Professional Development – Bringing picture books to life: school visits
30 June @ 10:00 - 11:30 BST
If you are a picture book author or illustrator looking to get started with school visits or you’re simply in need of fresh inspiration, join Sarah Burton, Abie Longstaff, Sophy Henn and Clare Helen Welsh for this practical session.
They will discuss the structure and content of their events for pre-school, reception, Y1 & 2, and what equipment they use to bring sessions to life.
This session is for children’s picture book authors and illustrators who are looking for structure and ideas for their school visits. It will cover pre-school through to Year 2.
This event is in conjunction with our Children’s Writers and Illustrators Group (CWIG)
#SoAatHome Professional Development events – free for SoA Members | £35 for Non-Members
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What will this session cover?
- How to get school visits
- How to structure your event
- Tips for speaking to very young children
Programme
- Welcome and introductions from Sarah Burton – Deputy Chief Executive, SoA (3 mins)
- Panel discussion with Abie Longstaff, Sophy Henn and Clare Helen Welsh (60 mins)
- Comfort Break (5 mins)
- Q&A with audience (20 mins)
- Summary and closing comments (2 mins)
- This event will be moderated by Hope Norman – Membership and Local Group Administrator, SoA
Send us your questions
If you would like to send questions in advance, email HNorman@societyofauthors.org with ‘Bringing picture books to life’ in the subject header. We will prioritise questions sent in advance and answer as many as we can from the audience on the day.
The Line-up
Sarah Burton
Sarah Burton is Deputy Chief Executive at the SoA and she leads the advisory service, which provides members with unlimited professional advice. Working closely with the team, Sarah supports authors by offering expert guidance on all aspects of the business of writing. As a coordinator of the Children’s Writers and Illustrators Group, a special interest group within the SoA, she has a particular interest in industry issues affecting creators of children’s books.
Abie Longstaff
Abie Longstaff is a best-selling author of children’s fiction. Her picture books include The Fairytale Hairdresser (on Nickelodeon as ‘Sunny Day’) and the Before the Fairy Tale series. For older children, she writes The Magic Potions Shop series and The Trapdoor Mysteries books. She also writes school readers for a range of educational publishers.
Abie regularly appears at literary festivals and schools, and gives mentoring and manuscript advice.
Instagram: @abielongstaff | Bluesky: @abielongstaff.bsky.social | Substack: Publishing Peptalk
Sophy Henn
Sophy Henn is an award-winning author/illustrator and the creator of the much loved Ted, Pom Pom, Bad Nana, Pizazz and Happy Hills fiction series and the Lifesize non fiction series. She has been a World Book Day Illustrator for two years in a row and a World Book Day author/illustrator.
Instagram: @sophyhenn
Clare Helen Welsh
Clare Helen Welsh is a former teacher, now award-winning children’s writer of over 70 books. She loves silly ideas, big feelings and stories that sneak in learning disguised as fun. When she isn’t writing, you might find her playing badminton, painting, walking her dog Hope or helping children and adults create their own stories.
Instagram: @ClareHelenWelsh | Website: www.clarehelenwelsh.co.uk | LinkedIn: Clare Helen Welsh
About the Children’s Writers and Illustrators Group (CWIG)
Our Children’s Writers and Illustrators Group (CWIG) is a professional community of writers and illustrators who create content for the children’s publishing market.
We campaign as a group on issues of specific relevance to us, as well as raising the profile of children’s books more generally.
An elected committee directs the work of the group, and it is managed day to day by coordinators Sarah Burton and Hope Norman. Please see the CWIG committee page for details and deadlines for upcoming vacancies.
Accessibility
- Attendees will have the option to turn on the live transcript, to watch with subtitles
- If you require BSL interpretation for this event, please email events@societyofauthors.org
Booking
SoA Members: Please use the ‘Register – SoA Members’ form below and provide your details, including your membership number. If you’re unsure of your SoA ID, please email info@societyofauthors.org.
Non-members: Choose one of the two ticket options below, complete the registration form, then fill out the billing info to finalise your payment.
For event or registration questions, email events@societyofauthors.org.
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Register - SoA Member
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Please email events@societyofauthors.org if you have any questions
