Details
ABOUT ME
Hello! My name is Bryher Mackenzie and THE NIGHT WHALE (illustrated by Gillian Eilidh O'Mara and published by Walker Books) is my debut picture
book. I like to write books with big feelings and magic, too. My literary agent is Lorna Hemingway at Bell Lomax Moreton.
SCHOOL VISITS:
It would be rather dreamy to visit your school and share my love of stories with you all.
Underneath is a rough guide of what I can offer on a school visit but please do say if you have any other ideas in mind.
Assemblies: With lots of behind the scenes peeks, assemblies can cover topics from WRITING HOW WE FEEL and MAKING A BOOK, from initial ideas
to publication, to WHAT IS AN AUTHOR? and my own experiences. All assemblies will include the message that anyone can be an author.
Workshops:
Magical beings (and big feelings)
A workshop where children will create their own characters. Children will answer a number of questions to build their own character profiles. They will
then be able to draw their own characters ready to a craft a story for them to star in. There are optional add-on activities such as constructing quests
and discussing how we can use goals and obstacles in our storytelling and/or how we can explore feelings through our characters when writing and
illustrating.
Where would you go?
If you could take a trip on the Night Whale's back, where would you go? Who would you take? And what snacks would you pack?
Become an illustrator and draw your own spread for The Night Whale. Includes a class discussion about the importance of setting.
Workshops can be adapted for KS1 and KS2.
Session length: Assembly, up to 30 minutes. Reading and Q&A plus time for signing, up to 45 minutes. Workshops, 1 hour.
For EYFS, a reading and Q&A is always good.
This is flexible so please do ask.
Travel: I live in Shropshire and I am prepared to travel anywhere if schedule allows, and if return travel and (where necessary) accommodation
expenses are covered.
Fees: My fees are based on The Society of Authors recommendations. I am aware of the current pressures on school budgets and will try my best to
work with you and your budget.
https://societyofauthors.org/SOA/MediaLibrary/SOAWebsite/Guides/A-Guide-for-Schools-Organising-an-Author-Visit.pdf
Please feel free to contact me about possible visits without feeling that you are then obliged to book. Questions are always welcome.
Thank you!
