Type of Artist:
My own journey to becoming a published author, in which I reference my own writing as a child which hopefully will help inspire budding young writers at your school
Age & audience size: The event is suitable for Years 7 up and works with any size audience (the more the merrier if they are age appropriate!)
Timing: The event lasts an hour (including 15 minutes Q&A). Schools also need to factor in signing time at the end of the event.
Content: The event is highly-interactive and includes:
- My own journey to becoming a published author, in which I reference my own writing as a child which hopefully will help inspire budding young writers at your school
- An introduction to the concept of the novel, in which I encourage audience participation in prediction exercises
- An introduction to the themes in my novel including the psychology of imprisonment, labelling, peer pressure, brainwashing and memory. These are illustrated with video clips from famous psychology experiments with reference back to Nowhere
- An interactive reading of the first chapter of Nowhere (using volunteers from the audience)
- Q&A
11 - 16
Workshops – between 15 and 30 Talks – 50 + (no upper limit)
Max 4 sessions a day
45 minute talk (with 15 minute Q &A) Book signing afterwards
Workshops can be from 45 minutes to an hour
Anywhere, if overnight expenses are met
Train/bus
I have a current DBS check
Jonrobinsonwriter.wordpress.com
Nowhere (2013)
Anywhere (2014)
Somewhere (2015)
"Just wanted to drop a line and share how pleased we were with Jon Robinson. From the minute he arrived Jon was warm and friendly. His presentation to the students was thoroughly entertaining and engaging and so many different subject teachers who were supervising their classes commented on how interesting the talk was- particularly his talk about subliminal messages and child psychology. He was happy to answer all questions and many students were disappointed that the session had to end. Jon then signed countless books adding personal messages and posing for photos. He was extremely patient with those who wanted to talk about writing (myself included) and nothing was ever too much to ask
‘Jon was a real hit here with students and staff. So much so the English staff have asked if we can have him back when next book is published. I thought Jon’s presentation was great, he kept students mesmerised with his observations’ – JT, Librarian, Francis Combe Academy, Watford
Our visit from Jon Robinson was a great success. He engaged the Year 7 students from the start talking about his early writing career and his new book NOWHERE, the characters, the story and the deeper psychological meaning behind it. The talk was interesting, fun and interactive and left the Year 7s totally enthused by his writing. I bought 15 copies of the book for the library – all of which were borrowed within the first 5 minutes of break – and I have a huge reservation list. Rarely has an author provoked such a reaction in our school.’ – LB, Librarian, Slough & Eton C of E Secondary School
Jon is a wonderful presenter who had the students fully engaged throughout his presentation. The students loved the idea of ‘Nowhere’ and many have now bought the book. The ideas in his talk – particularly about peer pressure and the psychology of prison guards and prisoners – were fascinated and really well explored. We all enjoyed his visit a great deal, and I look forward to reading ‘Nowhere’ with classes next year. – RK, Ashlyns School, Hertfordshire
‘We were delighted to be able to welcome Jon to Parmiter’s. I think the overwhelming success of his talk can be attributed to his ability to engage with the students at their level – just the right mixture of content, comedy and gore! Even our disengaged students got something from it.’ – ND, Librarian, Parmiter’s School, Hertfordshire
I’ve also worked in a one-on-one setting with sixth formers, discussing their creative work (Even though my books are YA thrillers, I am well read in a great deal of literature, from James Joyce to Stephen King, so quite adaptable!