One light bulb moment: standing in the hall of my old school, now called Horsforth Featherbank Infant School (Junior in my days!), talking to staff about how the school has changed, I realised my passion for writing had begun right there, right in that school. We were talking about poetry. That’s how I began – writing poems – at the age of nine …. right there! First book (so glad that one got lost) written when I was eleven (I can still see the cover in my head).

Thanks Steph for giving me that light bulb moment … and thank you Featherbank (you might have got bigger but the names are still above the front doors – GIRLS and BOYS – separate entrances, and the hall has not changed in all these years)!

Horsforth 3 October 2013 creative (9)

‘ …. You made Friday very special for the children, staff and visitors. Swans are really looking forward to caring for their new class pet! Thanks again.’ Best wishes, Gaynor Collier – Admin Manager, Knights Enham

Thanks to all the pupils and staff for making me feel so welcome.  What a fun day we had!  Hope you enjoyed hearing our family story about how we began to write.  I think you enjoyed the snails??

Make the most of your FANTASTIC library.  Two books a week is not such a hard target.  If you have any ideas for stories, or have written one since I visited, let me know – I’d love to read it!  Hope the two snails I left behind have plenty of visitors and are loving their new home.  I wonder what names they might have been given?

I loved my day.  Thanks again for the invitation and see you all soon I hope.

Bye for now.

Sarah

Looking forward to seeing you all on Friday 20th September, to working with you all and to opening your new library!  I’m going to talk to you all about how we began to write as a family, what gave us the idea for our stories and listen to what kinds of stories you like to read.  I’m bringing you some little visitors too.  Get those hands ready for a little bit of mini-beast exploration!  But remember – it’s only for those who want to have a go.

See you all soon.

Sarah 🙂

What a cracking show! Thanks to all of you who came and supported our stand at the Alresford Show on Saturday. It was a brilliant, brilliant day. A massive thanks to my assistant, George, who performed (as always) particularly well with his snail demonstrations, not forgetting Bob, Gary, Sidney and the newly-named George, our wonderful giant African land snails.

As I sit here typing this, snail trails glistening in the early morning sun outside, I am happy to announce a further extension of Show price books – 3 for 2 – for a short period only. If you’d like a book and missed us on the day, do email me. People are already buying their books for Christmas, so get your order in with requests for your special messages. George signed his first book on Saturday which was a real thrill for him.  ‘I felt quite proud …’ he told me later.

If you’d like a school visit, then do email your questions through. Bookings are well under way, as are creative writing workshops for primary to college students, including our newly-promoted creative writing enrichment programme. We are currently looking at author-on-line arrangements with primary schools for on-line assistance. Email for a free catalogue if this is of interest to sarah@madaboutsnailbooks.com and I’ll get back to you asap.

Forthcoming titles include The Lost Shell, The Legend of Old McSlithers (for our younger readers) not forgetting Snalien (for 7-11 year olds).

Happy snailing to you all!
Sarah

Normal blogging service resumes after months of studying the art of writing and creative writing teaching … here goes!

For those of you looking to attend the Alresford Show this Saturday, we’d love to see you on stand number 23 inside the Craft Marquee. There are some giant African land snails on show, and all of our snail books for 5-11 year olds which are available for signing.

Come and see a giant African land snail if you’ve never seen one. Try holding one (wipes are available), or just come along and have your picture taken with a monster snail on your hand.

For the children, there’s free colouring, a find the snail name game and a chance to make your own snail bookmark. So, snail fun for everyone! Don’t like snails? Just come along and take advantage of our special show prices – 3 books for the price of 2 – with or without a special message.

If you’re a teacher looking to book an author visit, creative writing workshop or enrichment programme, come and pick up a free catalogue or take a look at what dates are available.  Christmas school fayre bookings are also being taken.

See you all there!

http://www.alresfordshow.co.uk/

Did somebody say there might be a free snail on offer?  Turn up in fancy dress and I just might be persuaded to part with one …. S.

Snail Trail is now out on KINDLE! Download now for a sneak preview at £2.00/ USD4.96.

AMAZING DAY YESTERDAY.

SAW A SNAIL’S HEART BEAT.

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?

A GLASS SNAIL ON THE HANGER, SELBORNE, IN THE COMPANY OF JUNE CHATFIELD.

WOW!

THE MIRACLE OF LIFE ….