Mel Darbon

Type of Artist:

Schools:
Secondary schools, particularly skilled at working with SENCO schools/students

Talk:
Assembly style talk and workshops.

Non-school events:
Festival talks, interviews, panel events, readings and book signings.

Author Talk, reading and Q&A (45-60 minutes). Key themes: Empathy, learning disability, grief and creative writing

Mel will talk about her book/s, the inspiration behind them and her writing journey to publication and after. She is happy to answer any questions, no matter how difficult the subject, as her stories have some sensitive topics. This includes talking about anything about her brother who had severe learning disabilities.

Author Q and A (30 minutes)

Any questions tackled, as above.

Creative Writing Workshops: (45-60 minutes)

Workshop 1: Bringing Your Characters to Life
Creating memorable characters and understanding their importance in storytelling. A fun, interactive workshop where the students create their own character, building them up through a series of writing exercises.

Workshop 2: The Importance of Empathy (45-60 minutes)
Making a connection with a viewpoint and feelings that are not your own. Through a series of thought provoking exercises the students start to understand why empathy is so important, not just to create a kinder more caring world, but to see how it will shape their futures in every area of their lives.

Workshop 3: The Power of Emotion in Fiction
Emotion is the key to creating stories that leave a lasting impact. It is the heart and soul of fiction. It shapes characters and engages readers. From the relatable struggles of the characters to the themes explored within the narrative, emotion is the vehicle that allows fiction to transcend the page and connect with readers on a deeply personal level. A workshop using specialist Art Cards to stimulate ideas that will help teenagers in their story telling.

Details

Events suitable for: Key Stages 3-4 (Year 9+) Rosie Loves Jack
Events suitable for: Key Stages 3-4 (Year 8+) What the World Doesn’t See

Up to 30 for a workshop, though I like to split them into smaller groups to work, within that number.

Maximum 3 – one in the morning and two in the afternoon – or two in the morning and one in the afternoon.

45-60 minutes for a workshop, with time for signing afterwards

45-60 minutes for a talk plus time for questions and signing afterwards

I am happy to travel anywhere if overnight expenses are met.

Public transport. I prefer to travel by train, so I can work.

Please email us for details

No

I have PLI with the SOA that covers me for up to ten million pounds.

meldarbon.com

Rosie Loves Jack – my debut novel

What the World Doesn’t See

Other Information:

What the World Doesn’t See - winner of The Redhill Academy Trust Young Adult Book Award 2024.
shortlisted for the Waterstones Book Prize for Older Readers
shortlisted for The Cheshire Libraries Book Prize 2025
nominated for The Carnegie 2024

This is a heartbreakingly raw and real story of grief and how one family attempts to come to terms with it. Darbon’s portrayal of Jake, who is one of two narrators along with Maudie, is one of the most truthful I have seen of a person with severe learning difficulties.       

Books for Keeps

What the World Doesn't See' by Mel Darbon is an exceptional YA book, deserving of the highest praise. It is a compassionate, raw, poignant story about grief and transcending appearances in order to be seen, accepted and ultimately loved. It is utterly engrossing, emotionally intelligent and powerfully written. This is a top book of 2023 and should surely receive every accolade going.      

Chris Soul Children’s Writer, Book Reviewer and teacher.

This is a book that works both as a reading experience with great emotional impact but also as a story that encourages you to ask questions and to think about attitudes, differences, inclusion and representation. Mel Darbon pushes us to look beyond the labels and the stereotypes to people as individuals. March is Disability Awareness Month and What The World Doesn’t See will do a great deal to raise that awareness. Although the story and Mel’s Author Note about her beloved brother moved me to tears I am glad I read this beautiful book… An utterly absorbing read and one that will make a difference.      

Library Lady

“Poignant, tender, and utterly absorbing, I defy you not to root for Jake and Maudie.”

Lisa Williamson, author of The Art of Being Normal

“A brave and tender book about loss, family bonds and not judging on first appearance.”

Joseph Elliott, author of The Good Hawk

“An important and beautiful story about the tight bond between two siblings, and looking beyond a person's disabilities.”

Susin Nielsen, author of We Are All Made of Molecules

“An incredibly moving read, this beautifully told story explores grief, family and love in a powerful and impactful way.”

Penny Joelson, author of I Have No Secrets

“A powerful, emotional, and important book about how grief can both tear us apart and ultimately bring us together”

Finbar Hawkins, author of Witch

“This is a beautiful YA novel by @DarbonMel, full of empathy and warmth, I don’t want it to end.”

Lucas Maxwell UKSLA Librarian of the Year

Mel Darbon introduced the audience of the Edinburgh International Book Festival 2019 to her stunning, timely story told from a unique perspective and explained it’s important to give a voice to young people who may not be heard. Mel’s fully interactive event has been specially created to be suitable for those of all abilities and was a huge success. ‘Rosie loves Jack’ is a beautiful, sensitively written and eye-opening book.

Ola Wojtkiewicz Edinburgh Book Festival Creative Learning manager

Mel has written a wonderful novel to engage young adult and adult readers alike. It is a story that will engage, teach, touch every reader. Rosie is a beautiful character with heart, strength, depth and who also has a lot to learn about the world, and you take that journey with her from word one.

Mel visited Bath Central Library as part of our World Book night celebrations, and enthusiastically signed 160 books, greeted guests and made everyone who attended feel welcome. We had an intimate group of young adults who could ask questions, received honest answers and our discussion could have gone on for hours. Mel has also come incognito to other events to support fellow authors and helped be crafty pair of hands with children during our Summer Reading Challenge activities, and she was wonderfully kind, compassionate and engaged with both children and parents.

Mel’s passion for libraries, literacy and sharing stories about voices not traditionally heard is a breath of fresh air and brings not only her stories to life with lived experience, but carries her audience with her and makes them part of her story and allows empathy to be shared, taught and experienced. Mel is passionate, knowledgeable, honest and a delight to work with; she also happens to be a fantastic author and an honestly lovely person.

Louise Judge Development and Outreach Officer at Bath Library

Tuesday's session with Mel was a real success. The way in which she personalised her story fully engaged the students and the follow-up task was met with enthusiasm and hard work. I'd say that all students benefitted from the session.

Mr A Gunning Teacher at The Bethlem and Maudsley Hospital School

Mel led creative writing workshops for groups of our student in 2019. She read from her book Rosie Loves Jack and created thought provoking and engaging workshops that all the students enjoyed immensely. Mel was completely professional throughout and it was a pleasure to have her at Dorothy Stringer.

Ms Morden School Librarian

It was great to have Mel in the classroom with us We have diverse needs and presentations at the hospital school and Mel’s responses were just right. The workshop offered a good balance between structure and flexibility and our young people loved it. Seeing a real writer, hearing about the creative process and having the opportunity to ask questions about all of this is just so valuable. We’d love to work with Mel again.

Paul Harris Key Teacher

Rosie loves Jack

Accolades for Rosie Loves Jack: 1. Shortlisted for the 2019 THE BRANFORD BOASE AWARD @BranfordBoase 2. Winner of the 2019 LEEDS BOOK AWARD in the 14-16 category 3. A WORLD BOOK NIGHT choice for 2019 @WorldBookNight 4. EmpathyLabUK choice for #ReadforEmpathy collection 2019 5. A YA BOOK OF THE YEAR in the Sunday Times Culture Section 6. A BOOK OF THE YEAR for Book Trust 7. A BOOK OF THE YEAR for The Reading Zone 8. Shortlisted for the CrimeFest Award for YA 2019 9. Longlisted for the Teen School Book Awards 2020 ( Shortlist announced in September) 10. Longlisted for The Bristol Teen Book Award 2019 

Accolades: What the World Doesn’t See:

1. Selected as a World Book Day pick by UCP

2. Featured as YA Author of the Month on ReadingZone:  

3. Featured in Book Trust and Teen Librarian publications