Iszi Lawrence

Type of Artist:

Talk: The real history behind my Key Stage 2 novels and how I turn the past into engaging stories.

Workshop 1: Writing historical fiction: how to use the past to write incredible stories (ages 9+)

Workshop 2: How to Time Travel (ages 6-9). Imagining the past, how we’d get there and what we would do when we meet the people (or dinosaurs).

My talks go into the historical backgrounds of my books and how I went about writing them. I usually focus on the most outlandish, exciting history to really inspire the kids. The length of the talk is tailorable but short and sweet is always good. Topics I cover: Suffragettes (jiu jitsu suffragettes), WWII and the home front (how to crash a spitfire), Pirates in the Caribbean (the transatlantic slave trade), American Revolution (Colonialism), Ancient Egypt, and 1066 and the Norman invasion. If there is a particular book or area of history you want me to focus on, just let me know - the Time Machine Next Door Series do cover more too!

In workshops I focus on storytelling, characters and making the setting seem real. I also teach children how they can research and where they can go when they are stuck for ideas. We learn what the difference is between a plot and a story. We then pick a period of history the students are familiar with (usually something they have just finished or are near the end of). I teach them how to brainstorm and together we work out the start of a story and individually write a dramatic scene. Some students prefer to draw the cover, which is great too! If there is a particular time the class is focusing on we can tailor it to that.

Details

I’m most experienced with 7-14 year olds. Infants would be too young, but I’m happy to speak to older teenagers.

Up to 30 in a workshop. Obviously the smaller the group the more feedback I can give. I’m not limited in numbers for talks but would request that I’m not talking for more than 45 mins to large assemblies without a mic to save my voice

Max 5. (If all the sessions are for the same group of students, no more than 2 sessions a day - so an assembly and a workshop is fine.)

Talk: Any length - I can snip it down to ten mins or go for 60 mins. I would recommend short and sweet with plenty of time to answer questions.
Workshop: 45-60 mins but can snip it down. Less than 30 mins means I can’t offer much feedback.

Anywhere overnight if expenses are met.

I’m based in Reading.

Car at 45p a mile. I’m right by Tilehurst Station if you want to work out the train ticket cost.

Please email us for details

Yes

Yes

iszi.com

The Unstoppable Letty Pegg (Bloomsbury Ed 2020)
Billie Swift Takes Flight (Bloomsbury Ed 2021)

“Iszi provided an unforgettable and engaging experience for our students. She kept over 200 year 7 pupils rapt for nearly an hour, using historical tales and personal anecdotes to bring her approach to writing to life. Her workshops were both creative and entertaining; the student-centric approach led to a bespoke experience which was unique for each class (I don’t think they’ll ever look at bumblebees in quite the same way again...) Iszi clearly brought a wealth of experience as a performer and presenter with her; I would certainly love to have her back.”

Chris Earl, Literacy Coordinator, Framwellgate School Durham.

‘Iszi ran a workshop for our Teenage History Club (a group of 12 to 19 year olds) who meet at Ancient House Museum. Iszi had a wonderfully friendly, yet assertive manner with the group which created a safe and encouraging environment for the teenagers to participate and ask questions. Iszi was able to subtly alter her style to ensure both extraverts and introverts were involved. The workshop she ran had massive impact on the teens, especially on their confidence levels and even three years later they still regularly reference it. I have no hesitation in recommending Iszi to deliver workshops in schools to all ages.’

Mellisa Hawker, Learning Officer, Norfolk Museums Service

“It was great to work with Iszi for our virtual Book Festival in October 2020, she communicated well and made it clear what she was able to deliver for us. Her session was informative, well paced, funny and really inspiring. “The Unstoppable Letty Pegg” is a brilliant historical fiction novel and it was great to learn about the research that went into the book. The young people came up with lots of brilliant questions at the end of the talk. We look forward to working with Iszi again in the future.”

Elizabeth McDonald, Wokingham Borough Libraries

I’m very open to your ideas. Like I say, I do enjoy teaching history, and I do work for The British Museum so if you would like me to talk about Suffragettes or WWII or indeed pirates or anything the kids are into I’ve probably covered at least a corner of it in my work…