EVENTS, VISITS, CONSULTANCY
‘Our English teachers felt Chris offered us the best author visit we’ve ever had!’
Schools
I offer standard author visits, talking about my books and the writing process. However, I’m far more interested in talking to young writers about their work; about how we create stories and how we can tell them, as clearly and effectively as possible. As well as one-off workshops and days, I have delivered a few workshop 'series'; spread out over several weeks, I can work with writers to help them develop and deliver a particular writing project.
Editing and manuscript (MS) development
Can’t see the wood for the trees with your WIP (work in progress)? I’ve been through the editing process myself at all stages. MS feedback -both giving and receiving - was a critical part of the MA in Writing for Young People I completed a couple of years ago. I have put MS feedback into two novels that are now published and two more where that MS secured the author an agent.
Festivals and conferences
I’ve talked at a few of these in the last couple of years including:
Hay Festival
Bath Children’s Literature Festival
Trowbridge Arts Festival
Corsham Story Town
NAWE (National Association of Writers in Education)
Penzance Literature Festival
Mare di Libri (Sea of Books), Italy, where I was shortlisted for the prestigious Premio Andersen award
Grand Designs Live (as part of Oceans4authors)
If you are interested in having me at your event please email me directly. (see contact page.)
Paper Nations: I have done a fair bit of work with this wonderful partnership (operating out of Bath Spa University), including research, teaching and consultancy. I am an affiliate of their Dare to Write programme. For the past three years, Paper Nations has worked to inspire young people to write. Building on this success and the network of partnerships forged, they are now taking a love and passion for creative writing to people of all ages. You can find out more about them here: http://papernations.org/
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TESTIMONIALS
Endorsements from festivals, schools and consultancy clients
‘Chris Vick was a delight to work with. An easy going friendly approach worked so well with both our British and International students. Our English teachers felt Chris offered us the best author visit we’ve ever had! Thank you Chris, we would highly recommend you to other schools.’
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‘To be able to grip and audience of this age-group takes some level of skill. Chris delivered a seamless talk, and presentation, with confidence and a good stage presence. His subject matter resonated with the audience and he clearly engaged them with what he had to say about the creative process..’
‘There were a copious number of appropriately probing questions from the audience which Chris addressed in a friendly, informative, respectful style. This approach would have been appreciated by them because there is nothing worse at this particular age, than an adult trying to be 'down there' with the kids. They smell patronisation or insincerity in a nano-second!’
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‘Chris was able to connect with the students really quickly, in a workshop pitched to engage students across a range of abilities. Chris's thoughtful responses to students' ideas and questions ensured that they felt confident to participate. The practical suggestions for getting started with creative writing were useful for teachers as well as students. Although Chris talked about his own writing, there was no 'hard sell' of Chris's own books, which was refreshing.’
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‘An interactive workshop on the principles of narrative/story writing which has provided a great revision aid for those students about to take their IGCSE in English. Chris comes across as very approachable and friendly and was very attentive to all student contributions made, generating a great rapport with his audience and inspiring confidence in less self -assured or shy students.’
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‘As part of the Paper Nations’ team of writing tutors, Chris devised and led workshops for young people which gave them belief in themselves as storytellers and helped them to create and celebrate their first pieces of published work. He created a strong rapport with both teachers and students to make the workshop programmes a great success, helping Paper Nations towards its vision of enabling young people ‘to access regular, high quality support to enjoy and develop a talent for the art of writing.’