Academic year 2025 – 2026 started off in fine style!
I delivered my second ATSA session in Atherton, collaborating with Wigan libraries, to fire up talented writers from eight local primaries. School visits in Rossendale and Cheadle were fantastic and both return visits allowing me to build on existing links. A new school on the visit map was Golden Hill in Leyland where I worked with Y6 boys as part of a project for International Men’s Day. An event at County Hall in Preston followed to celebrate IMD – a fab day!
This term saw the continuation of my ‘Writer in Residence’ role at St Matthew’s in Blackburn. I will again be working with all KS2 classes across the year and writing sessions so far have covered witches, Greek gods and Viking warriors to name but a few. It’s really lovely to build links across the year and exciting to see the children’s writing develop.
November saw visits to schools in Blackpool, St Helens and Blackrod. The Blackrod visits featured sessions in both of the village primaries as part of a Government-funded project that will culminate in a storytelling gig for the community in the library in February 2026.
Creepy Impossible Tales launched in October so libraries have featured heavily this term. I toured the new book visiting libraries in Blackpool, Lancashire and Greater Manchester – all gigs were well-attended and we had a terrifying time. I visited Pendleton Library in Salford to deliver a story science session with Wendy from Daresbury Laboratory as well as making my Bolton Central Library debut working with school groups. I do love a library gig!
As always, huge thanks to those who have supported me and provided opportunities to continue my ‘literary mission’.
