Reality Reading
Reality Reading was set up by ex-Penguin Publicist Louisa Symington, and aims to assist schools with their author programme.
Using her experience of publicity and author tours from many years spent working at Penguin Books, Louisa liaises between the school and the author, with the aim of approaching and encouraging high profile authors to visit school children to inspire their reading and creative writing.
In 2012 Helen Dunmore, author of THE INGO CHRONICLES visited Hampshire Collegiate school near Romsey in Hampshire, on World Book Day:
Cressida Cowell, author of the HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON series visited Chafyn Grove school in Salisbury:
In November 2012 Lauren St John visited Summer Fields school in Oxford and was a Writer in Residence for a week, teaching and inspiring the children to read with tales of her childhood growing up on a farm in Zimbabwe. Lauren is the author of THE WHITE GIRAFFE trilogy and the critically acclaimed Laura Marlin mysteries, she commented:
‘What a pleasure it is to visit a boys’ school such as Summer Fields, where all the pupils are passionate about books.’
The relationship between Reality Reading and Summer Fields continues as they will be working together on their 150th birthday celebrations in 2014.
In March 2013 Nigerian novelist Chibundu Onuzo visited Wellington Academy in Ludgershall and told wonderful stories of writing her first novel while studying for her A levels at St Swithuns school: pics to come.
If you would like Louisa to organise a Writer in Residence or Author visit for your school, please contact her at: booksatthebarn@gmail.com
