I was up at Oxford University Press this week, representing author-kind to heads of libraries from all over the UK, explaining just what it is that authors do when they get to a school (Andy was doing this at the last librarian’s get together, apparently, and some of them are still lying under a damp flannel in a darkened room). Publishers from all over the country were also there, with their own pet authors helping out.
I bumped into our would-be rescuer and Faber pet author Alexander Gordon Smith (see the Poetry section for his ill-fated attempt to spring us all) looking funky in an orange t-shirt. He tried to get me to make a run for it, but I had to sadly explain that all your lives (or at the very least, your good looks) were forfeit if I did not return with my monster chaperone.
Sitting next to Hattie, from OUP, as she talked to the librarians, made me realise that not every children’s author actually wants to go and talk to schools and library groups. Here in the caves, we all do, and not just because it’s a chance to get away from monster guffing and Scabulous Scratchworthy’s dandruff and skin sheddings (although Baz insists these are quite a good pork scratchings substitute on a desperate day).
Some of the librarians weren’t sure what a visit from an author would necessarily bring. From what I’ve seen of my fellow TBMers in action, and from the response I’ve had from schools and libraries I’ve been to, it’s something a bit extraordinary. Some teachers later describe it as ‘once in a lifetime’ for their pupils, and some parents email and tell you that their son or daughter has finally begun to enjoy reading, after years of being unbothered. It’s a bit like delivering a 15000 volt charge of enthusiasm (but without the charring and the screaming).
No author ever visited my school. I would have flipped if Joan Aiken or Anthony Buckeridge had arrived one day, so I really do get this. So if you’re a pupil or student, tell your teacher that authors do come to schools and make a big difference. And if you’re a teacher, try it! Most authors have websites now with info about visits. I know we all do – have a look!
14/08/2009 at 8:14 pm Permalink
I couldn’t agree more, Ali. Iain Banks came to my English class when I was in secondary school and spent an hour just chatting about his books and the writing process. He didn’t do anything special, but I bet there isn’t a single person in that class who doesn’t remember the visit today (15 years later!).
I love doing school visits – it’s one of my favourite parts of the job – and I probably get as much out of the events as the pupils do.