Sophie McKenzie can be booked for events throughout the year. Through an engaging, inspiring and interactive session she reveals how she became a published author, explains her writing process, and offers students tips on improving their own writing skills. If you would like to book Sophie for an event please read the information below, then contact us!
I offer a single talk which can last for between forty minutes and one hour (I’m happy to fit in with your timetable on this!) My talk has been developed over five years and is hopefully entertaining, interactive and informative. It focuses on my writing process and my books and incorporates one or two short readings and a Q & A session.
My talk is very low-tech, but a microphone is always useful – unless the acoustics of the room are excellent. Please also make sure the talk takes place in a dedicated space without people coming in and out all the time.
In order to reach as many people as possible, I like to speak to a minimum audience of 200 students from the same age group as my core readership – years 6, 7 and 8. If you don’t have enough children at your school in suitable year groups, you can always combine with a neighbouring school to make up numbers.
I charge a standard fee plus travel expenses.
Please contact me for details.
Having heard about the stories, students are often keen to get their hands on a book and disappointed if that isn’t possible, so my books should be on sale on the day. Once purchased, I’m happy to sign their copies.
Ideally a letter should be given to the children to take home to parents ahead of the event. This should explain when the event is, a bit about the books that are for sale and the price.
Book sales can be arranged in two ways. Often the best option is to invite a local bookshop to come into school for the day. Alternatively you can, as a school, set up an account with Simon and Schuster’s distributor, HarperCollins, and purchase books on a sale/return basis. You would then be able to organise the sale of the books yourself. Books ordered this way are available at a discount, which you can of course pass on to your students. To do this please contact Karen Comrie at HarperCollins, on 0141 306 3100.
For publicity materials, such as showcards or proof copies (where available), please contact Jade Westwood at Simon & Schuster on: 020 7316 5002 or jade.westwood@simonandschuster.co.uk
There should be at least one member of staff present for every 35 children – this is an insurance requirement.
To make sure everything runs smoothly, it is helpful for me to have a specific contact person to liaise with, plus an emergency phone number in case of problems on the day, and map/travel directions if necessary.
For a complete listing of Sophie’s books and short stories view her bibliography.
Sophie was born and brought up in London, where she still lives with her teenage son. She has worked as a journalist and a magazine editor, but fell in love with writing after being made redundant and enrolling in a creative writing course. She burst into the publishing world with Girl, Missing her debut novel (published 2006), which tallied up numerous award wins nationwide, including the Richard and Judy Best Kids’ Books 2007 (12+ category), The Red House Book Award and The Manchester Children’s Book Award. She was also longlisted for the Branford Boase award, which commends debut authors, and the coveted Carnegie Medal.
Read more...© 2011 Simon & Schuster UK Ltd., a CBS Company. View our terms and conditions, privacy policy. and information for parents
