School workshops & author visits
I regularly visit primary and secondary schools, giving author talks and running workshops based around my books. My sessions are fun, high energy, flexible and can be tailored to your needs.
“Goofy, histrionic, hysterically teenage fun... as hapless as Adrian Mole and as awkward as Bridget Jones... highly entertaining.”
From glamorous dancing llamas and hilariously cursed 10 year-old boys, to awkward teenagers, awkwardly messing up their awkward lives, there’s something for everyone with my school visits, and whether they’re 5 or 15, I’ll get your students laughing! I’m a three-times Carnegie-nominated author and have won, been shortlisted, or nominated for many regional and schools book awards, including the Blue Peter Book Prize, The Lollies, Fantastic Book Awards, Bristol Teen Book Award, and the UK Literacy Association Award.
“... it takes an amazing author to capture the imagination of so many students that they want him back for a visit only months after the last.”
events & Talks
All my events feature PowerPoint presentations and include a fun interactive synopsis of the relevant book. There’s always a reading, Q&A and comedy anecdotes come as standard! No limit on numbers.
author event: Llama Glamarama
Celebrate the grooviest (and most fabulous!) picture book in this colourful, energetic and fun-filled session.
Suitable for KS1. Lasts up to 45 mins.
Reading with illustrations on PowerPoint.
What inspired the book with fun props and costumes.
Hosting our very own ‘Glamarama’ parties!
Re-creating the dance moves, including teaching the whole audience the YMCA choreography!
Resources available for extension activities in class after the session.
Joint events with illustrator Garry Parsons are also available - please enquire for a fee quote and details.
author event: all the lols
A laugh-out-loud and feel-good session which has reading for pleasure (and kids squawking like chickens!) at the heart of it!
Suitable for KS2. Lasts up to 55 mins.
Features Life of Riley and Sleepover Takeover.
Your students will be in stitches as Simon recounts the awkward events and mishaps of his own school days which inspired the book.
Hilarious interactive synopsis featuring props and costumes.
Simon will reveal his secret research about how to attract good luck into your life - including a fun interactive demonstration which will amaze your students!
Reading and Q&A
Author event: the finn jones experience
Your students are invited to join Finn and Eric on their final adventure, which proves even life’s most difficult moments can have big laughs. Note: Finn Jones contains themes of grief and death, but those subjects are only touched on lightly during the event.
Suitable for years 5-7. Lasts up to 50 mins
Why comedy and funny books are so important.
Interactive synopsis of Finn Jones Was Here.
Interactive riddle solving section with prizes!
Working with an illustrator and visual storytelling.
Why I became an author – and how you can be too!
Reading, and Q&A.
Author event: “Own the awkward!”
Awkward teenage hilarity with a positive message? This is the session for you! This laugh-out-loud event includes comedy anecdotes from Simon’s own (hapless) school days, and tackles all things writing, from inspiration, process and craft, to the key themes discussed in the books.
Suitable for KS3+. Lasts up to 60 mins.
Interactive synopsis of Noah Can’t Even or Alex in Wonderland.
Why funny books are important and should be celebrated.
Why LGBTQ+ teens need funny books more than ever.
How ‘owning the awkward’ is the best approach for getting through secondary school (and life in general!)
The journey of a book from first draft to publication.
Being an author as a career.
A reading, Q&A and book signing.
Author Event: Freadom Fighters!
From Simon’s own experiences of section 28 to modern day book bans, this event gives your students the tools they need to challenge censorship and fight for a fairer world. Focuses on YOTO Carnegie nominated titles Gay Club! and Boy Like Me.
Suitable for KS4 & KS5. Lasts up to 60 mins.
Includes LGBT history, such as section 28, tabloid hate, and the AIDS crisis.
Comedy anecdotes from Simon’s own experiences make this a personal and relatable event for everyone.
Includes Simon’s own experiences of facing a book ban.
Highlighting arguments book banners use and giving students the tools to help challenge them.
A positive message and a rallying call to action for all students to help make the world a better place.
Readings and Q&A
Author Event: Being a Writer
A career and craft focussed event aimed at students from Year 10 upwards. Simon will talk about his route into being an author, share advice for those thinking of a career in publishing, and provide top tips to give your writing the best chance of getting noticed.
KS4 & KS5. Lasts up to 60 mins.
Simon’s journey to publication.
Different routes into publishing.
How much do authors earn anyway?!
Timelines of publishing a book, from idea to finished copies.
Working with an editor.
Other aspects of being an author, from events to social media.
A selection of writing tips, including dealing with writers block and finding your voice.
Q&A
Workshops
All of my sessions are adapted to suit the ages of the students participating, with differing content, resources and presentation styles for each group. The workshops are limited to a maximum of 30 students.
Writing comedy workshop
Get your students laughing as they learn how to create their own pieces of funny writing. We’ll look at a range of techniques and a guided writing exercise will have them all creating funny stories in minutes. Up to 30 students.
Suitable for Years 5 - 11 - adapted to suit. Lasts for 1-2 hours (flexible).
Create your own comedy underdog character with my simple 3-step process.
Discover my top tips for writing comedy - including finding a funny ‘voice’.
Highly interactive throughout.
Guided creative writing exercise exploring a range of comedy techniques, with class presentation of material.
creating character workshop
Writing doesn’t have to be all about being stuck behind a desk! This fun, energetic workshop sees students on their feet, as Simon uses his theatre background to help them create some original characters. Up to 30 students.
Suitable for Years 4 - 9 - adapted to suit. Runs between 1-2 hours (flexible).
Fast-paced, drama-based exercises to create and develop character.
Learn how to get to know your characters by letting them ‘speak’ to you.
Ideal for students who are less confident with writing, or need to develop imagination skills.
Can include a writing exercise extension activity.
Requires a larger space, free from furniture.
Ideas Factory workshop
Where do the ideas for books come from? And once you have one, how to you develop it into a story? Find out in this action-packed workshop, guaranteed to get creativity flowing! Up to 30 students.
Suitable for KS1-KS3 - adapted to suit with age-appropriate resources. Lasts 1-2 hours (flexible).
Highly interactive and hilarious demonstration of the process from inspiration to basic book idea, including characters and plot.
Fast-paced group activity as students devise quick-fire ideas based on stimuli.
Class presentation of results with option for writing exercise extension.
This is quite a physical workshop with requires the students to move around.
writing funny mysteries
Get to grips with this writing technique which encourages students to plan ahead, structure and re-work their writing.
Suitable for Year 5+ adapted to suit with age-appropriate examples. Lasts 60 mins.
This is the ideal workshop after reading Sleepover Takeover, but can also work without.
Learn how to plant clues and use red herrings.
Explore how to use set ups and payoffs to create brilliantly funny slapstick comedy.
Interactive examples and guided writing exercise with class presentation of work.
advanced comedy writing workshop
Take the funny to the next level with this advanced workshop which explores a range of more complex techniques. Up to 30 students.
Suitable for Year 8+, lasts 1-2 hours (flexible).
Explore my comedy toolbox of repetition, metaphor, juxtaposition, misdirection, absurdity, slapstick, and much more!
Fun, interactive introduction to all of the above.
Guided practical writing exercise.
online events
Online versions of my talks are available in a simplified format. I’m experienced in delivering high-energy presentations over Zoom, or your preferred service.
Visual elements of talks are still used.
Readings and Q&A.
Discounts for multiple sessions.
Get in touch to discuss options.
“Simon’s engaging and entertaining writing style is equalled in his vibrant and enthralling presentation skills... several “hard to reach” students loved getting copies of his novels and have been avidly reading and telling their friends about the books and their experience meeting a real live author.”
Fees
Up to 2 hours of talks / workshops - £350
Up to 4 hours of talks / workshops - £500
Virtual events - from £100 per hour
Travel expenses and overnight accommodation (where required) are charged on top of the fee, but will be agreed with you beforehand.
If you have further questions, want to check availability, or would like to make a booking, just drop me a line by clicking HERE or via my contact form.
“What an outstanding author talk and comedy writing workshop! Simon brought his books and characters to life in a laugh-out-loud and fun-filled session, which had students hooked! Students’ discussions and engagement was brilliant. A true joy to see. What an incredible experience for students and staff!”
“So funny... Year 10 are buzzing!”
Banana fun at Prenton High School for Girls!
“Simon’s visit was fantastic! The pupils were in stitches during the year group talks and got so much out of the workshops. He is definitely the most popular author we’ve had in to date.”
“This is just a note to say a HUGE thank you for inspiring a tricky class of many ‘non-readers’”
Writing workshop with Year 7 group at The Carlton Academy.