“For three days Tanya enthralled audiences here at Harrow International School Bangkok. We were impressed by her versatility and how seamlessly she moved from free-flow time with our youngest students in the Early Years Centre to holding a highly intellectual discussion with our Year 12 and 13 A-Level Literature students. She was a warm and entertaining presence who students responded to naturally, with question after question after question. This often resulted in sessions running over time and students then coming to the book signing so they could ask even more questions! Tanya’s visit was a true highlight and we have absolutely no idea how we will follow it in future!?”
– Alison Jeffrey, Harrow International School, Bangkok
Tanya is very happy to talk about her books and the whole business of being a writer – where ideas come from, how she plans a book, how she structures her day. She tells stories about her animals, about working in the zoo and performing with Storybox Theatre so that her author visits are fun as well as instructive. She can cope with large audiences (500 +) as well as single class-sized groups. She can also run creative writing workshops although these require more planning and teacher input and can usually only be done with small groups. She’s always open to suggestions and ideas but generally speaking a school visit from Tanya works like this:
AUTHOR TALKS:
For PRIMARY SCHOOLS
A visit involves three sessions (duration 45-60 minutes depending on the school timetable) plus a short (15 minute) storytime with youngest children.
For Y1/Y2 Flotsam & Jetsam and The Fisherman and His Wife
Tanya tells the story of The Fisherman and His Wife, getting the children to join in with the making the sounds of the sea, thunder and lightning. She then talks about how the story of the Fisherman led to her writing the Flotsam and Jetsam books. Tanya chats with the children about the seaside, what can be found on the beach and how those items might be used to create a story.
For Y3/4, Muck, Monsters & Magic
How do you make a tapir faint? How can you make a horse’s lower lip go floppy? What do mucky puddles have to do with writing stories? All these questions and more will be answered when Tanya explains how she became an author and what she was doing before she picked up her pen.
She talks about her novels including the Meg and Merlin series, Waking Merlin and The World’s Bellybutton.
For Y5/6, Murder and Mayhem
This is Muck, Monsters & Magic with an additional element: Murder! Tanya talks about the Poppy Fields series of murder mysteries as well as Horse Boy and Midwinter Burning.
FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS
Tanya is very happy to tailor her visit to suit a school’s particular needs, but a day would involve a maximum of 3 sessions – either 3 talks or 3 workshops or a combination of both (duration 45–60 minutes, depending on school timetable).
A typical day might involve:
An hour long talk to a whole year group. Tanya begins on a light note, telling stories about what she did before she became a writer, engaging and entertaining her audience before she moves on to more serious matters. She talks about the whole business of being a writer – where ideas come from, how she sets about writing a full length novel, how she structures her day and so on. She can then either focus on her own historical fiction (Buffalo Soldier, Apache, Lightning Strike, The Battle of Cable Street etc) or on her accessible re-tellings of classic literature (Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights and Frankenstein).
Following this she can work with smaller, class sized groups, running creative writing workshops. Themes can be adapted or invented to suit an individual school’s needs and Tanya is always open to teachers’ ideas. Example of workshop sessions are:
Murderously Good Plots:
A chance to commit murder during school time! It’s great fun, but also an excellent way of getting students to plan carefully and structure their ideas. Beginning with a plot ‘map’ students devise their own Agatha Christie style plot and write the opening scene.
An Epic Journey:
How do you begin a story? Tanya leads students through a series of questions and exercises that will lead to them writing the opening for of epic adventure.
Gothic Greats:
Tanya delves into the gothic traditions of Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights and Frankenstein, leading students through a series of creative writing exercises to enable them to create their own Gothic tales.
FEEDBACK
“Your talk was the most entertaining author talk I have ever been to. (And I’ve been a school librarian for 20 years so I’ve been to a few).”
– C.Marsh, Christopher Whitehead Language College
“The whole day was such a success, and the enthusiasm and inspiration you generated were amazing. Staff and students have sought me out to say how much they enjoyed it and to pass on their thanks to you. One of our new teachers said it was the best day she has ever spent in a school!”
– M.Wiggins, Ryde Academy
“I just wanted to say how hugely my 9 yr old daughter enjoyed your talk last week. For a 20 minute journey after school I re- lived all the drama, envy, humour and of course, PIG! Maeve was sparkly eyed, pacy and full of smiles as she recounted her experience. She obviously loved it. Thank you.”
– Darragh Turley
“We are writing to thank you for your sparkling contribution to the festival last week and to say that your impact on the young people and the adults was really quite marked. Not only did you charm and engage them, you inspired them…. Thank you for being involved, and for your inspiring contribution. Your impact on young writers and readers cannot be underestimated.”
– Ray Speakman, West Midlands Gifted and Talented Partnership
TO ARRANGE A VISIT
For UK visits Tanya’s fee is £595 a day (for up to three hour long sessions), £495 for a half day (two sessions), and £395 for a single talk – plus travel/accommodation if required. However, this is negotiable – for small groups, tiny schools and very good causes she is happy to arrange a special rate.
Overseas rates are negotiable depending on travel time etc.
For further information or to make a booking please get in touch.
Tanya Landman 