A group of school children and a woman, likely a teacher or librarian, posing inside a library. The children are holding booklets featuring a girl with dark skin and curly hair on the cover. A large screen behind them displays the text 'OH MY GODS' in pink and purple letters.

Now booking school visits for 2026–27

I’m a published children’s and YA author who has been visiting UK schools since 2019, delivering engaging assemblies and creative writing workshops for Years 5–8.

I work with schools to inspire confident storytelling, creativity, and a love of reading — with sessions that are highly interactive, inclusive, and designed to engage even reluctant writers.

KS3 Sessions (Years 7–8)

Assembly Talk: So You Want to Be a Writer?

Based on Oh My Gods and Friendship Never Ends (ages 11+):

A lively, honest look at how I became a writer — including setbacks, confidence, and creativity - with practical advice pupils can use straight away.

Students will:

  • Understand that writing is a skill they can develop

  • Learn where ideas come from (and how to get unstuck)

  • Feel encouraged to see their voice and experiences as valuable

Creative Writing Workshop: 21st Century Gods

A hands-on workshop where pupils reimagine ancient gods for modern life — from a goddess of music streaming to a god of memes — using mythology to explore contemporary values.

Focus areas:

  • Character creation

  • World-building

  • Writing with humour and imagination

Sessions are discussion-led, playful and structured to support mixed abilities (including EAL students).

KS2 Sessions (Years 5–6)

Creative Writing Workshop: Making Plant Magic

Pupils invent a magical plant designed to help their community, then write a spell poem inspired by its powers.

Themes include:

  • Community and cooperation

  • Identity and heritage

  • Using imagination to solve problems

This session supports creative writing, vocabulary development and confidence in self-expression.

Practical details

  • Available for in-person visits across the UK

  • Virtual sessions via Zoom also available

  • Sessions can be adapted for assemblies, workshops, or combined visits

Email me for availability, pricing, and to discuss your school’s needs: info@alexandrasheppard.com

School Visit Testimonials

"The children thoroughly enjoyed the session and I truly appreciate the time you took to go around and really speak to the individual children about their ideas for their poem. Despite myself popping in and out of the session, it did not go unnoticed how attentive you were to them all. You made writing the spell poems really fun and the session engaged all the children with them all having a poem that they created to share afterwards."

 — Ms N. Matthews, Chalkhill Primary School

"It's sometimes hard to know what to expect with an author visit but I had every confidence that Alex's visit was going to be a one to remember. The assembly was interactive, fast-paced and included some great writing tips. The 21st Century Gods workshop was well thought out and planned which engaged our students from the moment they walked in the door. Since your visit, there have been so many copies of Oh My Gods being read. Thank you for encouraging our students to read!"

— Mr D McLaughlin, Walker Academy

"We really enjoyed the workshops because it gave us a chance to extend our writing and to be creative with our story concepts. We would love to do it again and Alex was great fun. Thank you for this opportunity." 

— Cecilia, Year 8