Talks and Workshops
Currently touring:
- Create an environmental slam poem to perform to your class! (Adapted for ages 11-16)
- Get into publishing (Careers Talk, adapted for ages 16-18 or University students)
- Marketing for Authors (Branding and Book Marketing, for adults)
University Visits:
Enrich your students' experience with a industry expert visit! I am an experienced workshop leader and I feel passionate about sharing practical skills and information about the book industry with English and Creative Writing Students. Ask about my current two hour talks for Universities: 'Principles and Practices of Business within Independent Publishing' and 'Anthologising Contemporary Poetry' or get in touch for a more bespoke talk for your year group.
I recently wrote an article for The Bookseller on my experience at Arts University Bournemouth which you can read here, which also takes a look at how and why Universities should work with independent publishers and freelancers within the book industry: "In the current climate of Arts university courses being classed as 'low value' (see Sheffield Hallam University, whereby English literature has been removed from their offerings 'because graduates struggle to get highly paid jobs'), it seems more important that independent publishers and freelancers work with universities to facilitate open conversations with their English and Creative Writing students."
Get in touch:
isabellekenyon {@] hotmail DOT co DOT uk
"Thoroughly impressed with Isabelle's talk to third year Creative Writing students at AUB. Clear, professional and packed full of valuable, practical information for life beyond university. We'll be inviting Isabelle back for future sessions!"
- Dr James Cole, Course Leader, Creative Writing at AUB
School and College Visits
I am a Manchester-based publisher with a background in Drama facilitation and Arts Marketing. I feel very passionate about engaging young people in creative writing and especially poetry, because I feel that poetry can get a bad rep! I'm keen to both challenge and excite young people and inspire them to put pen to paper.
Feedback from a recent visit to The King's School:
"Isabelle delivered a 25-minute presentation to two separate groups of Year 8 pupils (12/13 years old), each of around 65 in number. This consisted of a very attractive and highly engaging PowerPoint for one talk, whilst the absence of a projector necessitated the other being delivered entirely by Isabelle at the front with handouts of poems. The presentations, and Isabelle's work in general, were extremely impressive with some really strong messages about poetry, about the environment but also about sheer doggedness and making a success out of yourself at such a young age!
They covered her career to date, including her route into publishing; her work with poets and scientists aimed at raising awareness of environmental and charity issues; her own poetry writing; and the Planet in Peril competition, which she encouraged King's students to become involved with. She spoke in a very confident manner, perfectly pitched at the age group with humour, in spite of the very serious message, discussing the creation of 'found' poetry and poetry based on scientific articles, with reference to a number of examples. The pupils and staff enjoyed the talk immensely. She also fielded questions about criticism of her own work and the route into publishing.
We discussed the idea of making this an annual fixture to tie in with the ecocriticism project, and even the possibility of compiling and publishing an anthology of King's pupils' poetry. We would be delighted to have Isabelle back into school next year."
- Richard Kellett, Head of English, The King’s School Macclesfield
I would be delighted if you would like me to visit your school to do either a talk or a workshop, to any age group. To organise this and discuss details please email Isabelle Kenyon: isabellekenyon@hotmail.co.uk
