Author Visits

• The Craft of Writing
• The Power of the Pen
• Researching a Theme & Crafting a Novel
• Making Picture Books
• Writing Workshops, Readings & Talks
• Size of Groups
• Anticipating a Visit
• Publishers and Publicity

Beverley Naidoo is sometimes available for readings and workshops.

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The Craft of Writing (One hour)

An introduction to 'being a writer' by drawing on the range of my own work - from novels, short stories, plays, poetry to picture book texts. I talk about how experience, research and imagination are part of my creative process that begins with the seed of an idea.

The Power of the Pen (One hour or longer)

• Develop their understanding of the context out of which my novels have arisen (through listening to my personal story and viewing pictures of the South Africa in which I grew up)
• Think about basic human rights and our own responses
• Develop their awareness of 'viewpoint' both in life and in fiction, including author viewpoint in the way characters and situations are presented

They also have an opportunity to:

• Question me as the author (about crafting and drafting; sources for ideas, plot, characters, settings, viewpoint etc; my background and books; SA now etc)
• 'Hotseat' me in role as one of my characters if they have read the novel (e.g. the madam from Journey to Jo'burg who always provokes a lot of discussion!)

For workshops on Journey to Jo'burg, pre-reading of the book is essential.

I offer a similar session on The Other Side of Truth, relating to human rights issues around refugees, democracy and freedom of speech.

Researching a Theme & Crafting a Novel (One hour or longer)

After 'reading a front cover and uncovering its visual techniques, I aim to engage young people with ideas about:

• Researching a theme for a story and developing a focus (showing some of my own research materials)
• Planting the seeds for a story within the opening
• Using all one's senses to write vividly

Making Picture Books (One hour or longer)

• Baba’s Gift (with Maya Naidoo and illustrator Karin Littlewood)
• Letang and Julie series (with illustrator Petra Röhr-Rouendaal)

  In this session children find out about:

• Getting ideas and researching them
• Developing a theme
• Drafting
• Working with an artist (seeing original 'storyboards' and 'roughs')
• Editing and getting words and pictures to work together
• The publishing process

This session can be adapted either for younger children who are making books for each other or for older students who are making books for younger readers.

Creative Writing Workshops, Readings & Talks

Do get in touch to discuss.

Size of Groups

This depends on the nature of the session. Let's talk!

Anticipating a visit

I like to discuss what would be useful preparation so students can ‘travel’ as far as possible on the day

Publishers and Publicity

My publishers will be happy to support my visit with publicity materials. In UK contact:

Penguin Children's Books Tel: 020 7010 3000 (Ask for Puffin Publicity or ext. 3378)

HarperCollins Children's Publicity (for Journey to Jo'burg) Tel: 020 8307 4453

Heinemann Education Publicity Tel: 01865 314501

Frances Lincoln Publicity (for Great Tug of War) Tel: 020 7284 4009

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