Take advantage of the last FREE online author events of this summer term to spark your pupils’ imaginations and boost their engagement with reading ahead of the long summer break.

Events for Pupils

• National Literacy Trust: Award-winning author and performance poet Sophie Thakur leads an online, pre-recorded workshop that focuses on the theme of reflection, celebration and aspiration. During the workshop, pupils will have the opportunity to practise their speaking and listening skills and participate in reflective writing activities designed to help them celebrate their achievements of the past year and think about their aspirations and goals.
  • Date: The recording will be available until 31st July.
  • Suitable for pupils aged 12-18
• Book Squad: Join author Mike Rampton for a fact-fuelled event introducing his latest book Become a Genius in a Year. From which spiders can kill you to being sick in space, discover  fun facts to help curious readers become certified super-brains.
  • Date: 3rd July
  • Suitable for pupils aged 7-10
• Waterstones Virtual School Visit: Internationally acclaimed author and broadcaster Bettany Hughes shares her passion for the history of the Ancient World as she introduces her debut children’s book There Was a Roman in Your Garden, exploring some of the fascinating stories behind ancient artefacts and answering pupils’ questions.
  • Date: 4th July
  • Suitable for pupils aged 8+
• Mr Dilly Meets: Celebrate the start of this year’s Women’s Euro Championship with Mr Dilly and award-winning author Tom Palmer as he talks about his own journey from football-mad reader to bestselling writer, shares his top five books about women’s football and answers pupils’ questions. Join in the Euro 2025 Predictions Challenge for the chance to win a virtual author visit with Tom.
  • Date 4th July
  • Suitable for pupils aged 7-11
• Scholastic Schools Live: What makes a gripping thriller? Join authors Sue Wallman and Rebecca Westcott as they share their top writing tips and introduce their latest page-turning titles Watch Your Back and Wish You Dead.
  • Date 7th July
  • Suitable for ages 13+
• Waterstones Virtual School Visit: Discover what it is like to live on a cruise ship with actress Emma Swan as she introduces the first title in her new mystery series Cruise Ship Kid: Thief at Sea! Like Silver, the book’s heroine, Swan spent her childhood on cruise ships and was ‘ship-schooled’ while travelling the globe. With quizzes, drama games and the chance to put your own questions to the author.
  • Date: 9th July
  • Suitable for pupils aged 8-12
• National Literacy Trust/Premier League Reading Stars: Learn all about the art of persuasion at this online workshop that connects football and literacy. Matt Oldfield and Seth Burkett – authors of The Football GOAT series – join sports broadcaster Kenzie Benali to share their top tips on how to bring people round to your point of view as they explore footballing GOATs (Greatest Of All Time).
  • Date 15th July
  • Suitable for pupils aged 7-11

Events for Teachers and Librarians

• Owning It – Our disabled childhoods in our own words: James and Lucy Catchpole, Nina Tame, Sophie Kamlish and Sora J. Kasuga join Nikki Gamble to celebrate the publication of Owning It, a new anthology of 22 autobiographical stories capturing the highs and lows of growing up with a disability.
  • Date: 17th July

If you are interested in hosting an in-person author event in the new academic year, don’t forget that Authors Aloud, Authors Abroad and Speaking of Books are all organisations dedicated to helping schools spark a love of reading by bringing young people and authors together.