Barry Hutchison

Children's author

Available for:
Interview
Talk
Workshop
Commission


Website: http://www.barryhutchison.com

Contact: Anyone interested in getting in touch with me can contact me at eventsbarryhutchison.com

Awards:
Manchester Book Award 2011 - Shortlisted (Invisible Fiends: Mr Mumbles)

Audiences:
Adults, 5-7 (Key stage 1), 8-11 (Key stage 2), 5-11 (Key stages 1 and 2), 11-13 (Key stage 3)


Details
I'll admit, I don't know much.

I do know one thing, though - I know about writing. And I know about how to get kids fired up about books. OK, that's two things, but you get the point.

Both my workshops and my author talks are fun, interactive events, which get the audience excited about stories.

Workshops
The workshops cover everything from coming up with an idea, to developing characters, setting and plot, in a way that makes even the most complicated aspects of plotting accessible to all. At the end of the workshops, pupils will have a complete story plan, ready for them to start writing, and they will never, ever end a story with "and it was all just a terrible dream" again!

Each workshop lasts around 1.5 hours, which includes time for a Q&A session at the end. The workshops can be squeezed into 1 hour if necessary, but some of the finer detail will be lost.

Workshops are designed for groups up to a maximum of 30, and are suitable for pupils of all ability levels.

Author Talks
My Author Talk events are much more than the name suggests. They have been described as "funny", "engaging", "hilarious", "terrifying", and "bizarre" at various points, and that about sums it up.

Focusing largely on why I became a horror writer, I describe how I spent much of my childhood in a constant state of panic, and then discuss some of the children's own fears. I also reveal where my new horror series, INVISIBLE FIENDS, came from, and talk about how, aged 8, I decided to become an author, and how I eventually managed to get here.

Feedback on both events has been very good, and teachers have commented how many previously reluctant boys have suddenly become much more interested in both reading and writing.

The Author Talk is a lively, energetic event, suitable for audiences of any size.

For younger audiences, I am also available to talk and run workshops based on the Ben 10 books I write.

Where I'll go
I am currently based in East Lothian in Scotland, with easy access to the North of England. However, I have visited schools as far apart as Hackney in London, and Orkney off the north coast of Scotland, so I'm happy to travel anywhere.

	Invisible Fiends: Mr Mumbles (isbn:0007315155) The first in a chilling six-book horror series. Your imaginary friends are back... with a vengeance! View in Amazon
	Invisible Fiends: Raggy Maggie (isbn:0007315163) 2nd in the 6 part Invisible Fiends series. Kyle faces his most terrifying foe to date - a 5 year old girl! View in Amazon
	Ben 10 Storybooks - Book 1 (isbn:1405244674) Two thrilling stories based on the Cartoon Network series, Ben 10 View in Amazon
	Ben 10 Storybooks - Book 3 (isbn:1405246723) More exciting adventures from Ben 10 View in Amazon
	Ben 10 Alien Force - Book 1 (isbn:1405250062) Two stories from the cartoon series, Ben 10 Alien Force View in Amazon
	Ben 10 Alien Force - Book 2 (isbn:1405250070) Two more tales from Ben 10 Alien Force View in Amazon
	Twin Trouble (David Beckham Academy) (isbn:1405245247) A short, easy-to-read novel for football-crazy boys. View in Amazon

Organisations:
Trapped by Monsters - www.trappedbymonsters.com