SCHOOL VISITS & EVENTS
School Events
I would love to visit your school and inspire creativity, empathy and reading for pleasure! I offer an assembly-style presentation, a selection of class workshops, or a combination or both.
My main, 45-60 min, assembly is suitable for KS2/early KS3. It's an interactive presentation where I share the things I loved as a child that led me to become an author and show why we’re ALL born storytellers. We also spend some time with some rather magnificent cephalopods in The Great Big Octopus True or False Quiz. Ending on a Q&A. Creative writing workshops focus on editing, or emotions and empathy. Virtual visits are also available.
I have experience of working with students as part of the 826 Valencia nonprofit in San Fransisco, tutoring under-resourced children in creative writing and journalism. I’m also an Empathy Lab trained author.
Please download my schools letter to read more about available sessions/fees:
Testimonials
Ashley, Year 6 teacher at Cradle Hill Community Primary School:
It was a privilege to be able to welcome Lucy Ann Unwin to Cradle Hill Community Primary School recently. Lucy came in to speak to Years 5 and 6 about her debut novel The Octopus, Dadu and Me. From start to finish, her interactive session was engaging and inspiring for the children. After sharing what had initially inspired her to become an author, Lucy provided captivating insights into her own writing process and the importance of re-drafting (which staff have since been able to draw upon in writing sessions with their own classes).
Lucy was relatable, warm and articulate. She was incredibly generous with her time and went above and beyond to answer the children’s questions and sign copies of her book. The corridors of our school have been buzzing with octopus facts since her visit and the children in my class are already queuing up for the chance to read our copy of ‘The Octopus, Dadu and Me’. I am sure that this will be a day that they remember for a long time.
Thank you so much, Lucy. We are already looking forward to your next release and the prospect of you returning to share it with us!
Mr Jones, The Vineyard School:
The Octopus, Dadu and Me is a book which radiates courage and kindness. Lucy not only manages to match this kindness of her book but connects to all pupils through an engaging and interactive presentation.
I would recommend a book signing as a part of her visit as she takes the time to personally interact with all children in a warm manner (as well as having a really cool octopus stamp).
Bookshop Sessions
I offer a 30 - 60 min fun, free interactive session for small groups in bookshops, assuming books can be provided for sale.
The sessions involve a TRUE OR FALSE octopus fact quiz and a comic-strip building session with worksheets — looking inside the mind of some animals as we build our stories. Also, a reading and a book signing. It can also include a personality quiz — Which Character From The Octopus, Dadu and Me Are You Most Like?
I also offer a more flexible origami secret letter session, where we write and decorate a letter or question for an older person in our lives.
Testimonials
Charlotte, Waterstones Crawley:
Lucy Unwin’s comic creating and octopus trivia workshop welcomed children of many ages to tap into their imaginations while sketching out designs for their very own graphic novels, and test their under the sea facts in a fun, yet competitive, quiz!
It was a delight to watch the children buzz with enthusiasm as they generated ideas for their comics and we all learned a thing or two about the amazing octopus in the trivia game! This was such a wonderful event to celebrate Lucy’s brilliant and sensitive book, The Octopus, Dadu, and Me.
Events, festivals, panels
Workshops.
(Photography by Simon Edwards for WORDfest Crawley.)
A variety of workshops are available, please enquire.
Chair.
With a background in broadcast and interviewing for the BBC, I am very much at home on your event stage and would happily chair panel events or interview authors.
For the BBC, I have interviewed entertainment figures from Paul McCartney to Colin Firth, Stevie Wonder to Will.i.Am. For my personal book blog, I have interviewed authors including Sally Rooney and twice National Book Award winner Jesmyn Ward.
Experience of live TV as a regular guest on the BBC News Channel means I am a confident and adaptable host.
Guest.
I am happy to speak on panels, and specialise in talking about empathy, dementia and the writing journey as well as STEM’s place in children’s fiction.
Testimonials
Hazel Holmes, Director of Northern Young Adult Literary Festival and KIDSLitFest:
Lucy's event was well organised and fun filled, she kept her young audience engaged throughout.