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SOLD OUT | Professional Development – How to create a talk for schools
14 March @ 10:00 - 12:00 GMT
*This event is now sold out – see below to be added to the waiting list.*
In this session, experienced author, teacher and actor Jo Cotterill will lead you through the jargon of primary and secondary school structures and explain how to create an event that inspires and excites while still being within your comfort zone.
Numbers are strictly limited for this fully interactive workshop to allow enough time for all participants to explore their strengths and the themes of their book(s) through the exercises set. By the end of the session, you should have a firm idea of the structure and content of your event, along with a lot more confidence to deliver it!
Attendees will be able to access a recording of the event afterwards and will also receive the presentation slides.
This event is now sold out, please email events@societyofauthors.org if you would like to be added to the waiting list.
#SoAatHome Professional Development events – this event is for members only and tickets are priced at £19.50.
Not a member, sign up here with our special #SoAatHome offer and get 20 per cent off for the first year of membership – use code SOAATHOME20.
Accordion Content
Access 20% off your first year of membership of the SoA with discount code SOAATHOME20
The Society of Authors is the UK’s biggest trade union for authors – representing more than 12,000 writers, illustrators, translators and other creative practitioners.
Our standard subscription rate is just £32.50 per quarter (£22.75 for students).
As an SoA member, you’ll get:
- Access to all our #SoAatHome events for free including the Professional Development sessions usually charged at £35 from Feb 2025
- Access to all our Feel Good Friday and Industry Insider events which are usually charged £5 from Feb 2025
- Access all #SoAatHome Vimeo professional development recordings so you can catch up in your own time
- Access Unlimited one-to-one professional advice
- Membership of our online and real-world professional networks and special interest groups
- A range of member-only discounts, including books, insurance and travel
- And much more
‘It was a surprisingly lovely way to meet fellow writers in a friendly, warm surrounding perfectly hosted by the SoA staff. Thank you for all the introductions, the welcome and the nourishment!’ – attendee from SoA in Person: Autumn New Members’ Party 2024
JOIN NOW | PRICING
Programme/What this session will cover
– Welcome, housekeeping and introductions from Sarah Burton – Deputy Chief Executive, SoA (3 mins)
Workshop programme hosted by Jo Cotterill:
– Introductions from Jo Cotterill
– Schools
- Key stages
- Year groups
- Timetables
- SEND
– You
- Your strengths, interests and experience
- Identifying events in your life you could talk about and how.
– Your book(s)
- Analysis of the themes in your books
- Your comfort zones regarding social issues
- Interactive exercises linked with your book(s)
– Comfort Break
– Structuring your event
- How to stay on time and keep your audience engaged
- Software to use for presentation
– What next?
- Talks vs workshops
- Pacing your day
- Fees and contact with schools
– Final thoughts
– Summary and closing comments
Who is this session for?
Children’s authors and illustrators who are new to school visits or would like help with developing a new event.
Send us your questions
If you would like to send questions in advance, email SBurton@societyofauthors.org with ‘How to create a talk for schools’ in the subject header.
#SoAatHome Fundraising Bookshop
Browse our virtual Bookshop.org store featuring books by authors and speakers taking part in the #SoAatHome. When you make a purchase using our affiliate links, a percentage will go to the Society of Authors’ Access Fund, giving authors support for travel, subsistence, childcare or access needs for events, residencies, and retreats.
The Line-up
Jo Cotterill
Jo Cotterill has published over fifty books for children since 2004 with multiple publishers including OUP, Bloomsbury and Barrington Stoke. She writes for educational publishers as well as trade and regularly visits schools to deliver talks and workshops. Her previous careers in acting and teaching have given her extra confidence in public speaking, and she particularly enjoys interactive story exercises with large numbers of children. She has spoken at festivals including Hay, Edinburgh and Oxford, and is a consultant with EmpathyLab. She is currently working on the fourth book in the series The Starlight Stables Gang with Penguin Random House.
Website: jocotterill.com
Need to know
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
Before the event
- Once registered, you will be sent a confirmation email with the Zoom link
- If the confirmation email doesn’t arrive in your inbox, please check your junk/spam email folder
- Please add events@societyofauthors.org to your Safe Senders list so you receive our confirmation and reminder emails
During the event
- This online event will take place on Zoom Meetings; you will be visible on screen and will be able to participate via the chat box or by unmuting yourself
- Attendees have the option to turn on the live transcript
- This event is 120 minutes
After the event
- Hashtag for this event: #SoAatHome
- This event will be recorded. Please note the recording will only be shared with workshop participants.
Booking
Book your place by using the registration below.
SoA Members only – £19.50
Accordion Content
Access 20% off your first year of membership of the SoA with discount code SOAATHOME20
The Society of Authors is the UK’s biggest trade union for authors – representing more than 12,000 writers, illustrators, translators and other creative practitioners.
Our standard subscription rate is just £32.50 per quarter (£22.75 for students).
As an SoA member, you’ll get:
- Access to all our #SoAatHome events for free including the Professional Development sessions usually charged at £35 from Feb 2025
- Access to all our Feel Good Friday and Industry Insider events which are usually charged £5 from Feb 2025
- Access all #SoAatHome Vimeo professional development recordings so you can catch up in your own time
- Access Unlimited one-to-one professional advice
- Membership of our online and real-world professional networks and special interest groups
- A range of member-only discounts, including books, insurance and travel
- And much more
‘It was a surprisingly lovely way to meet fellow writers in a friendly, warm surrounding perfectly hosted by the SoA staff. Thank you for all the introductions, the welcome and the nourishment!’ – attendee from SoA in Person: Autumn New Members’ Party 2024
JOIN NOW | PRICING
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