Michael Malaghan has written episodes for CHUCKLEVISION, THE TWEENIES and many other Children’s shows. Michael’s his first novel, GREEK RANSOM, has been short listed for the Somerset Teenage Fiction Award 2009 with, among others, books by JK Rowling, Anthony Horowitz and Jacqueline Wilson. Michael has also worked as an extra on the historical movies: CHURCHILL AT WAR, and ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE, teaches writing to both children and adults, and has had short stories published in many women’s magazines. He made his living as a journalist for a number of years, and is currently writing his third novel. He is available to speak to classes of children about writing a novel, or writing for TV.

Michael says: “It’s amazing just how many budding authors and creative minds you meet during a typical school visit. Children are naturally imaginative and it’s wonderful to be able to be able to encourage that.”

Workshops
Novel Writing:
(Suitable for Years 7, 8 or 9 in groups of approx. thirty). 60, 90, 120 minute sessions available.
Longer sessions include other fun writing exercises:
Topics covered: memorable characters, building a character, heroes and villains (and why we like/dislike them), what happens to our characters (giving them obstacles to overcome), showing events through someone else’s eyes (POV), research, using our experiences/own emotions as well as our imagination, scene setting for maximum effect, creating cliff-hangers and then overcoming them, interesting /realistic dialogue, great titles.

Resources required (school’s responsibility): whiteboard.

TV Scriptwriting:
(Suitable for Years 7, 8 or 9 in groups of approx. thirty). 60, 90, 120 minute sessions available. Longer sessions include more fun writing exercises. Topics covered: brainstorming ideas, plotting and sub-plots, naming characters, making characters believable/come alive, writing realistic/funny/individual dialogue, script layout and writing a scene (groups will produce their own work in ‘What Happens Next’ exercises, and performance (a read-through of scenes)… Resources required (school’s responsibility): TV/DVD or computer projection with DVD RW playback for showing a sample episode of Chucklevision. Note: A hard copy script of an original Chucklevision episode (Buzz Off) will be left for the school’s use.

Praise for Michael’s recent work in schools:
“The students really enjoyed your visit and were talking about it for a long time. One of our students, Nathaniel, thought your book ‘was the best I’ve heard since Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’ - praise indeed! You came across as friendly, approachable but still professional and I think surprised some pupils as they imagined an author would be quite aloof. You inspired them with your account of your journey to getting a book published and gave them a few ideas for different careers they may not have thought of. Keeping a room of 30 year 9 students engaged for an hour is not easy but you had them enthralled and the time just flew by. My copies of ‘Greek Ransom’ still have a waiting list on them and students are asking when your next book ‘French Tapestry’ is going to be available.”
(Library Manager, East Bridgwater Community School)

“Meeting you was a wonderful opportunity for our students. I am sure it has stirred up interest for a few of them to pursue a career in writing!” (Librarian, Robert Blake Science College, Somerset)

“A thoroughly enjoyable and inspiring session which engaged both the aspiring writers in the group and those who simply came to learn more about the book and share their enthusiasm for the story.” (English Teacher, Haygrove School, Somerset)

Praise for Greek Ransom:
“I can’t wait for the next book. Hopefully it’ll be just as jam-packed with adventure.” (Yasmin Bye, Age 11)
“Callie and Nick are my favourite characters in any of the books I’ve ever read. Our English Teacher read us the first few chapters in class and every time she stopped the whole class called out, ‘Why did you stop?’ or ‘Carry on, Ms Chapman’.” (Elly Dillon, Age 12)
“Greek Ransom was amazing and is the best book I ever read!” (Michael Binns, Age 12)
“Bound to inspire even the most reluctant boy reader.” (Love Reading 4 Kids)
“An action-packed tumble through the Greek countryside. A tight plot and a thundering pace carry the reader along. The journey is stimulating and clever.” (The Truth About Books)
“Fills the Anthony Horowitz/Charlie Higson gap for younger readers. Packed with exciting adventure and clever twists.” (Waterstones)
“It’s always exciting to publish brand new authors who you feel really could become stars of the future. Michael Malaghan is one such talent.” (Andersen Press)