‘I’ve always hated reading for years but that’s all changed now! Bali Rai visited the school yesterday. He tackles issues like racial prejudice, gangs, drugs and teenage love. He writes about life as it is, not how he thinks it should be – this makes his books real.’
VIRTUAL VISITS ARE NOW AVAILABLE…
My older sessions focus on two areas: author taks/q&a and/or creative writing sessions.
For AUTHOR sessions, I am happy to talk to any size group, up to and including entire school years. The sessions revolve around the older books and are geared towards promoting reading for pleasure.
My style is very informal and I talk to pupils across the ability range. I am increasingly asked to concentrate on reluctant readers, and I have vast experience in this area. I am passionate about pushing reading for pleasure and my older novels are very popular with young people who often don’t enjoy reading. I have a wide range of stories for reluctant readers too, published by Barrington Stoke, Harper Collins, Scholastic and others.
I can also talk about diversity, multiculturalism, empathy skills, citizenship and politics. I am very flexible and can tailor any of these sessions to suit the needs of your pupils. In the past I have contributed to Carnegie shadowing events, Book Prizes, Prize Giving events, Question Time events, debates etc…
Please note: the subject matter and content of some of the older novels may not be suitable for Yr7’s. I am happy to provide more information on this if you get in touch.
“Bali was really inspirational – backing up everything we try to do in the LRC and English Departments.”
Creative Writing:
The creative writing sessions are also very flexible. I can follow a pre-arranged framework, or do my usual sessions, which focus on dialogue, structure, character building, writing about the pupils’ own environment and using imagination. I’m very happy to work alongside your English department or literacy coordinator when planning these sessions.
Group sizes for creative writing, as a rule, should be small if possible – a maximum one class preferably.
HOWEVER, I realise that schools need writers to be flexible, and I am happy to tailor my sessions to your needs.
“He was great and our students loved the time spent with him. They produced some very imaginative work. A definite for next year!”
Contact Details…
For more information, or to book an event, please contact balirai@hotmail.com
(PLEASE NOTE THIS IS FOR EVENT ENQUIRIES ONLY. PLEASE DO NOT USE FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE. ALL UNSOLICITED MAIL WILL BE DELETED/BLOCKED.)