Author talks & visits
Susan Brownrigg is the author of the Gracie Fairshaw series, and Kintana and the Captain's Curse.
Susan offers both virtual and in person events.
TALKS:
1. The Bumpy Road to Publication. (One hour. Whole school.)
Susan shares how it took her over 20 years and several books to become a published author. Focuses on resilience. 40 minute talk PLUS 20 minute Q&A.
2. Gracie Fairshaw mysteries (One hour. KS2.)
Susan explains how real Blackpool events and places inspired her Gracie books. She talks about why representation matters in children's books and how her family and working-class background influenced her writing. Susan also reveals how she brought the 1930s to life by exploring Blackpool's seaside heritage in person, just like Gracie. (Includes smell cubes, talking tin sounds and costume activities.)
40 minute talk PLUS 20 minute Q&A
3. Kintana and the Captain's Curse (One hour. KS2.)
Voyage back to Madagascar, 1733 and discover how two real life pirate Captain's influenced Susan's pirate adventure. Find out what life at sea was like for young pirates and how Kintana's island really was home to dozens of pirates. Learn how the wildlife of Madagascar influenced her plot including elephant birds, curious aye-ayes with long middle fingers and giant hissing cockroaches. (Includes smell cubes, talking tin sounds, costumes and replica elephant bird egg handling.)
40 minute talk PLUS 20 minute Q&A. Susan can dress in pirate costume.
Susan is a Lancashire lass. She currently works as a library information assistant. She has worked in heritage and wildlife education for 12 years, including a summer season as an education assistant at Blackpool Zoo where she worked alongside ring-tailed lemurs, giant tortoises and Madagascan hissing cockroaches! Her most recent role was learning manager at Norton Priory Museum. Her first career, lasting ten years, was as a journalist and sub-editor for Liverpool Daily Post & Echo Weekly newspapers. Susan has delivered EYFS, KS1 & KS2 school sessions onsite and as outreach.
Susan has delivered a series of author talks + Q&As and workshops at North West schools and family events at libraries.
Workshops
Writing workshops for KS2:
1) A postcard from Blackpool!
A fun hour-long WRITING workshop using maps and real postcards sent by visitors to Blackpool in the past to spark story ideas.
2) Hold the Front Page!
A fun hour-long WRITING workshop using old newspapers to create a newspaper front page. Discover the amazing story of Audrey Mosson - the 15-year-old Blackpool Girl who switched on the Blackpool Illuminations in 1935.
3) A Pirate Life for Me!
A fun hour-long ART & WRITING workshop designing treasure maps and creating a pirate character with an unusual animal sidekick. Taking inspiration from the real life Pirate Island, Madagascar.
4) Bright lights!
A fun one hour ART workshop. Learn about the history of the Blackpool Illuminations and create a new Illuminations design using black card and bright pastels
Susan can also be booked for evening and weekend visits and talks at libraries, bookshops and group meetings in person or via ZOOM or Microsoft Teams.
CONTACT: susanbrownriggwriter@outlook.com - I will usually respond same day so if you haven't heard back do please check your spam/junk mail for replies.
or DM on twitter @suebmuseum
- CHARGES
- One hour visit (ONE author talk/Q&A OR ONE classroom workshop) £150 + Travel expenses
- Half day visit (ONE author talk/Q&A + ONE classroom workshop OR two classroom workshops) £300 + Travel expenses
- Full day visit (ONE author talk/Q&A + TWO classroom workshops) £400 + Travel expenses
- All visits can include book sales/signings.
- (Overnight accommodation where required is an additional cost.)
Susan is a member of the Society of Authors and her fees are in line with their recommendations. She is DBS checked and has public liability insurance.
Testimonials
"We loved meeting our bookpenpals author Susan Brownrigg today. Thank you so much for telling us about your life as an author and answering all our questions and teaching us about Eccles Cakes! The children were so excited to meet a real author, and it will really inspire their reading and writing." Baguely Primary School, Wythenshaw.
"We were de
lighted to welcome Susan Brownrigg into our school to talk about her life as an author. Susan took us on a journey from Blackpool to Madagascar as she explained the inspiration and influences for her latest three books. We were fascinated by her stories and by the props she brought along.
"We learned that writing a book takes a long time and a lot of research. Susan encouraged budding authors to follow their dreams and to never give up.
"Lots of us bought a dedicated and autographed copy of one of Susan's books to enjoy at home.
Thank you to Susan for visiting and to Tony (our book man) for organising this event."
Hatton Hill Primary School, Litherland (Year 2 visit.)