Daniel Ingram-Brown

Daniel Ingram-Brown

Author & playwright. Inspiring reluctant readers & writers. "One of the best author events we've had," St Bartholomew's Primary School, 2023.

www.danielingrambrown.co.uk
Booking enquiry
Daniel Ingram-Brown - author tools

Available for

Workshop, Talk, Reading, Interview, Commission a book

Audiences

Age 7 to 11, Age 11 to 14, Age 14 to 16, Age 16 to 18+, Further Education, University, Adult

Genres

Adventure, Drama, Fairy tale, Fantasy, Fiction, Fiction narrative, Folklore, Magical realism, Mystery, Narrative, Science fiction, Short story, Stage/Screen

Book types

Anthologies, Fiction for adults, Fiction 8-13, Fiction for young-adults, Young Adult

Awards

  • Taner Baybars award for original writing in the field of science fiction, fantasy and magical realism. Awarded by the Society of Authors Authors' Foundation.
  • Doctorate in creative writing and educaion
  • Creative Writing and Drama in Education. Deans Award for Academic Achievement at Masters Level.

Organisations

Details

Thanks for visiting my Contact an Author page!

As a published author, theatre maker and educator, I love inspiring students to read and write for pleasure. I have over twenty years' experience of visiting primary and secondary schools across the country and offer one-off workshops, day visits and longer residencies. I also have a doctorate in creative writing and education.

“It was brilliant… The children were so engaged… They went on to do lots of follow up work. The teachers also said they were ‘inspired’... The aim was to inspire children to read and that was very much achieved. The workshops also inspired them to write too!”

The Grammar School at Leeds

My books:

I am the author of four middle grade fantasy books and have edited eight anthologies of students' writing and two anthologies of adults' writing. I have also written several plays.


→ Bea's Witch: A ghostly coming-of-age story for children aged 9-12. The story explores themes of adoption, the care system, identity, home and displacement (Collective Ink, 2021).

→ The Firebird Chronicles series for children aged 9-12 (Collective Ink) - Rise of the Shadow Stealers (2013), The Nemesis Charm (2016) and Through the Uncrossable Boundary (2018).

My doctoral thesis, The Writer's Cauldron, explores the process of writing and teaching writing, with a focus on the theme of adoption.

“Mystery…foreboding…highly atmospheric… This bildungsroman of a journey captures the vulnerability of a child in care and considers the emotional effect of adoption and bullying. It blends a contemporary character with an historical tale, adding a splash of fantasy and a sprinkle of magic. I have said before that a good book is a good book whether it is written for children or adults and this latest novel, by Daniel Ingram-Brown, and described as young adult fiction, is a good book!”

The Yorkshire Times on Bea's Witch

My approach includes:

    • Building students’ investment, ownership and enjoyment of creative writing.

    • Encouraging reading and writing for pleasure.

    • Co-creating stories with students using drama, oracy and other interactive techniques to inspire un-confident writers and reluctant readers.

    • Modelling writing as a career through Q&As, writing alongside students, book readings and signings.

    • Asking critical questions to encourage young people to develop empathy, understanding and wisdom through writing.

My experience and qualifications:

    • → Doctorate in creative writing and education, with a focus on exploring adoption.

    • → Royal Literay Fund Fellow based at the University of York (2024-present).

    • Recipient of the Taner Baybars Award (2016) for original fiction in the field of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Magical Realism, awarded by the Society of Authors Authors' Foundation.

    • → Consultancy and CPD for developing story based curriculum approaches.

    • → Masters in Creative Writing and Drama in Education, graduating with distinction and the Deans Prize for Academic Achievement at Masters level (2019).

    • → Artistic Directior of Suitcase and Spectacles Theatre Company.

    • → Trustee for Alive and Kicking Theatre Company.

    • Associate of the Storymakers Companya group of artists and educators delivering creative, child-centred learning opportunities.

    • My work has been featured on BBC TV & radio, in Juno Magazine, The Scotsman, Living North Magazine, The Lancashire Times, The Care Experience in Literature Archive and many other media outlets and publications.

 

My school visits often include a whole school assembly followed by workshops for specific classes or year groups, with a book signing after school or at lunchtime. My visits tend to either focus on modelling my job as a writer with 'Meet the Author' sessions that include a talk, readings and a Q&A, or on encouraging the children with their own creative writing through interactive workshops. I can design bespoke workshops to connect with aspects of your curriculum. Please get in touch to talk about specific requirements. Don’t hesitate to ask if you have a suggestion or question. I look forward to hearing from you.

 

A list of my workshops and author talks can be found at www.danielingrambrown.co.uk

For further enquiries or to book a visit, please contact me.

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "A coming of age story featuring ghosts, witches, childhood trauma, and adoption. A true must-read for middle readers! …Without a doubt, this is one of my favourite reads of the year…"

Reedsy Discovery on Bea's Witch

“Visiting Emerald Publishing was such an amazing experience and offered an interesting insight into the world of writing and publishing. I particularly loved hearing from author Daniel Ingram-Brown who spoke about his experiences as an author… He was open and honest about any questions we had for him. I really welcomed the feedback he gave me on the short 500-word story... Overall, my peers and I really enjoyed the visit, and we will definitely be submitting our stories to their creative writing contest.”

Meliazah McMahon, Student

"Completely enthralling… Spooky, magical moments… Highly impactful and skilled prose… Hard to put down."

Exclusive Magazine on Bea's Witch

“The room was buzzing all afternoon and Daniel really has the knack of firing children’s imaginations, especially boys. He helped the children to create their own individual stories whilst working in a collaborative way to build a wonderful island in the middle of the library. It was fantastic to see the children growing in confidence during the afternoon and being able to share their thoughts and ideas with their peers in a supportive atmosphere.”

Wendy Kent, Service Development Officer at Knaresborough Library

"This rollicking adventure... is reminiscent in tone to the Harry Potter series and Jeanette Winterson's Tanglewreck. Packed with literary references and cleverness, it focuses on the age-old conflict between light and dark, good and evil, and on the power of story. An engaging read for 9- to 14-year-olds."

Juno Magazine on Rise of the Shadow Stealers

“Not like a normal English class; it’s more relaxed and chilled… It’s fun because I’m allowed to freely express my thoughts and ideas with no wrong answers… [These sessions are] beneficial for all students (even teachers) to develop a sense of understanding how to create a story with complex and interesting characters.”

Aarzoo Khan, First Story Student

"9 out of 10. The writing is rich with atmosphere... Daniel Ingram-Brown has a way of setting the scene so that reader becomes immersed... I was gripped... Fans of the Narnia books or Inkheart will love this read."

The State of the Arts on The Nemesis Charm

“We were absolutely thrilled… You not only sent 70 children home feeling inspired and creative but a whole load of adults as well. The students had an excellent time and they are very excited about continuing their stories… We were really impressed with how you ran both days, with two very different audiences. Both schools felt that they'd had a real author experience and I have to say I got quite a kick out of the slightly anarchic scattering of children around the Hall.”

Beningbrough Hall

Event feedback

We booked Daniel to come and work with three schools in our MAT during a literacy festival. He spent three days working with the three schools. The work he did with the children was fantastic and really supported the theme of the week. All the feedback from the schools within the Academy was extremely positive. Daniel made a real connection with the children teaching them about how he writes and where he gets his ideas from to how he gets these down on paper. His workshops with KS2 were engaging and really gave the children a starting point to produce some fantastic writing in the week. I would absolutely have Daniel back in our schools to share his fabulous stories and work creatively with the children. Thank you Daniel for enhancing our learning in our literacy week.

Dan Kelly (Owl Cotes Multi Acadamy Trust)

Daniel came to visit us on 2nd March. The children and staff were hugely inspired by his assembly and the fantastic workshops that he gave to our Key Stage 2 children. The book signing and sale were a resounding success and the excitement felt by all was tangible. Thank you so much!

Clare Ball (Hindsford CE Priamry School)

Another excellent day. Thank you for engaging our students.

Thomas Raine (The Academy at Shotton Hall)

Books by Daniel Ingram-Brown

I am the author of four middle grade fantasy books and have edited eight anthologies of students' writing and two anthologies of adults writing. I have also written several plays. My books include: Bea's Witch: A ghostly coming-of-age story for children aged 9-12. The story explores themes of adoption, the care system, identity, home and displacement (Collective Ink, 2021). The Firebird Chronicles series for children aged 9-12 (Collective Ink) - Rise of the Shadow Stealers (2013), The Nemesis Charm (2016) and Through the Uncrossable Boundary (2018). My doctoral thesis, The Writer's Cauldron, explores the process of writing and teaching writing, with a focus on the theme of adoption.
978-1789046816
Bea's Witch: A ghostly coming-of-age story

Bea's Witch: A ghostly coming-of-age story

The future can be rewritten. On the eve of her twelfth birthday, Beatrice Crosse runs away from her adoptive home only to encounter the ghost of England's most famous prophetess. The witch offers her treasure, but can she be trusted? Bea must wrestle her past to discover the witch's secret and find her way home. "A deft blending of historical, fantasy, contemporary and adoption fiction. I was genuinely transported." Dr Rachel Connor, Novelist and Dramatist "A heart-warming coming-of-age story, with an added sprinkling of magic." Hannah Seat, Early Years Lecturer and Adoptee 
978-1785359002
The Firebird Chronicles: Through the Uncrossable Boundary

The Firebird Chronicles: Through the Uncrossable Boundary

Gigan Ticks foretell the end of time. The world is beginning to fade. As the NIGHTMARE army advances, can Fletcher and Scoop cross the Threshold into our world? Will they be able to reunite their creators, before they slip into oblivion? Fletcher and Scoop are apprentice adventurers at Blotting's Academy, where all Story Characters are trained. Join them on their final feat as they discover the cost of crossing the Boundary in Daniel Ingram-Brown's thrilling conclusion to the Firebird Chronicles. “Big applause to Daniel for tackling issues of mental health, grief, and growing up.” Auburn Langley "Magical...inspiring...the perfect balance between magic and reality." Dani Reads  
978-1-78535-285-0
The Firebird Chronicles: The Nemesis Charm

The Firebird Chronicles: The Nemesis Charm

They say only the dead can cross a Threshold, the dead and those who have faced a Nemesis Charm. When Apprentice Adventurers, Fletcher and Scoop, discover their mother has fallen under the curse of a strange sickness, they prepare to sail for its source, a Threshold, a doorway to the world beyond the Un-Crossable Boundary. But they are not the only ones seeking to cross the Threshold. Their old enemy, Grizelda, has heard that beyond the Boundary lives a woman with the same power as the Storyteller. With the help of a monster made with an undead heart, she plans to cross the Boundary and steal that power for herself. If she succeeds, the Academy, the island and everything in Fletcher and Scoop's world will be hers. “The writing is rich with atmosphere… Daniel Ingram-Brown has a way of setting the scene so that the reader becomes immersed in the world of the characters… I was gripped… Fans of the Narnia books or Inkheart will love this read.” The State of the Arts 
978-1780996943
The Firebird Chronicles: Rise of the Shadow Stealers

The Firebird Chronicles: Rise of the Shadow Stealers

In this fantasy adventure, Fletcher and Scoop are Apprentice Adventurers from the ancient establishment of Blotting's Academy on Fullstop Island. This is the place where all story characters are trained. The trouble is, they can't remember how they got there. It's the first day of term, but the two apprentices soon realise something is wrong. Things are going missing, including their own memories, and Scoop has the unsettling feeling that something is creeping in the shadows. As the children search for answers, they become entangled with the life of the Storyteller, the islands creator and king. They journey to his wedding banquet and find themselves uncovering a hidden past. What is their connection to this mysterious man? And is there more to him than meets the eye? “The book...explores issues such as the purpose of a life, identity, and the role of stories in holding out world together… Reminiscent of other fantasy authors such as Terry Pratchett and Jasper Fforde... Confident pre-teen readers will enjoy it as an intriguing adventure story, while older readers will enjoy reading between the lines for a more philosophical experience.” Dig Yorkshire  
9780857484857
Planomania Project: The Time Portal

Planomania Project: The Time Portal

An anthology by the First Story Group at Co-op Grange Academy, Bradford  
9780857484727
You Are Not Alone: The Diary of the Girl in the Shadows

You Are Not Alone: The Diary of the Girl in the Shadows

An anthology by the First Story Group at Co-op Grange Academy, Bradford  
9780857484697
Lost and Found: Where Am I?

Lost and Found: Where Am I?

An anthology by the First Story Group at Co-op Grange Academy, Bradford 
978-0857484130
Keighley Untamed

Keighley Untamed

An anthology by the First Story Group at The Holy Family Catholic School  
978-0857483409
Voyage to the Unknown

Voyage to the Unknown

An anthology by the First Story Group at Beckfoot Upper Heaton 
978-0857483720
Revelations of the Forest

Revelations of the Forest

An anthology by the First Story Group at Dixons Allerton Academy 
Stories from the Forests of Leeds

Stories from the Forests of Leeds

A treasury of tales from differeent writers, re-imagining Leeds as a forest in a fairytale, beautifully illustrated by Si Smith. Curated by Daniel Ingram-Brown. 
978-1291874556
The Leeds Story Cycle

The Leeds Story Cycle

Seven short stories set on the day of the Grand Départ of the Tour de France from Leeds. "...moving, shocking, humorous, sad and hopeful." Dr Helen Reid 
9780857482419
We Have Conquored Earth!

We Have Conquored Earth!

An anthology of new writing by the First Story students at Beckfoot Upper Heaton who took part in creative-writing workshops led by writer-in-residence Daniel Ingram-Brown. 

Photos and videos

Daniel Ingram-Brown - first image
Daniel Ingram-Brown - first image
Daniel Ingram-Brown - first image

Keywords

ADVENTURE ALLEGORY CHARACTERISATION CHILDRENS BOOKS CHILDRENS FICTION DRAMA FANTASY FICTION IDENTITY IMAGINATION JOURNEY JOURNEYS MAPS MYSTERY MYTHS PARABLES PERFORMANCE PLAYS PLOT SCHOOLS SCRIPTS SPIRITUALITY STORY THEATRE WRITING