Author Visits
Authors visits for primary and secondary schools, colleges, universities, libraries, festivals, reading & literacy projects and much more... (including CPD sessions for staff).
School Events - Secondary and Sixth Form
What I can offer...
My secondary school events are hugely popular and always informative, sometimes challenging and somewhat informal. I adore working with secondary schools and I am passionate about reading for pleasure, fostering growth mindsets, and encouraging students to push themselves to succeed.
My author sessions are usually talks with Q&A, assemblies, or creative writing workshops. I have written over fifty books and cover a wide range of topics and themes. I can work with all ages from Year 7 to Year 13.
I also provide talks around promoting empathy though reading and creative writing, reading for pleasure, politics, multiculturalism/diversity, Black and Asian history (including diverse voices from British history), British identity in modern times, citizenship etc… and specialise in working with hard-to-engage pupils and non-readers.
Sessions can be in-person or virtual.
“We have had the MOST fantastic day. We’ve all loved it and I’m pretty sure the girls will be talking about the visit and all kinds of issues that Bali raised for a very long time.”
For more details, please use the contact email below.
Primary Schools
An outline...
I am now offering an increasing number of school visits at primary level. These visits are becoming very popular and I love them. I have a range of more recent children's titles, including many that are published by primary level imprints such as Collins Big Cat, Rising Stars (Reading Planet), Rapid Plus, and OUP Readerful. My sessions can be author talks, Q&A, or creative writing sessions - whatever best suits your students.
Themes - Reading for Pleasure, Increased Empathy through Reading and Writing, Fixed vs Growth Mindsets, Creative Writing, WW1 & WW2 History focussing on more diverse and often unheard voices.
Sessions can be in-person or virtual.
“The children really enjoyed it, as did staff. He left everyone feeling really inspired.”
Coming soon... an exciting new project for primary schools (more details shortly!).
For more information about events, please us the contact email below.
International Schools
An outline...
I have worked with international schools across the world since 2001 - everywhere from Australia, China, Hong Kong, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Spain, Brazil, Argentina and many more.
My sessions are suitable for the age ranges given above (primary and secondary, post 16 and undergraduate, post-graduate). I also provide sessions for staff and parents, focussing on the importance of reading for pleasure and creative writing for their students/children.
These sessions can be in person, or virtual, and you can arrange them directly by contacting me using the email given in the contact section below.
Alternately, I work with Authors Abroad UK & Authors Aloud too, and can be booked using their service.
Events for Literacy Projects, Festivals, Libraries and other
Literacy Projects UK and Abroad
I am passionate about promoting reading for pleasure, reading to succeed, promoting greater empathy through reading, and developing creative writing skills to encourage more "own voice" stories. Please contact me on the email below for more information.
National and International Festivals
I have been privileged to work with many festivals since 2001, including Edinburgh, Hay, Bath, Barnes, Singapore, Dublin, Hong Kong and many, many more. I am always happy to work with festivals, big or small, established or brand new - just get in touch via the contact email below.
Libraries
I am happy to visit public libraries during school term time, and work with invited classes.
During non-school hours, I am happy to do library events where an audience has been invited, or as part of a literacy project and/or festival.
I am a passionate supporter of public libraries, and a product of them. Without public libraries, I would not have become an avid reader, nor a writer. Public libraries are vital to any civilised and forward-thinking society.
Contact details below.
Creative Writing for Adults
I have worked with many organisations to provide creative writing workshops for adults. these have been one off sessions, full day events, and also residential courses, alongside the Arvon Foundation and others.
Other Projects and Events & Virtual, TV, Screenwriting/Development & Radio Queries
I am always open to ideas & suggestions about working with other projects & organisations in any field. Please do get in touch if this applies to you.
I also have over twenty years of experience with TV, Radio and Online interviews, panel discussions etc... with Sky News, BBC Breakfast, BBC1, BBC4, Radio 5, Radio 4, and others...
I am keen to try screenwriting and drama development for screen - contact details below - just shout!
Contact Details
For all event queries...
Please note that the email address given below is for event/project queries & bookings ONLY.
All other unsolicited messages will be deleted.
contact: balirai@hotmail.com
