Follow the Yellow

Out and about: An Instagram Diary

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Over the last few months, I’ve been busy going out and about to lots of events, and talking about The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow and The Mystery of the Jewelled Moth. I haven’t had much time for blogging – but I have been capturing my adventures via Instagram!

Here are a few highlights:

2016 got off to a great start with a trip down to Falmouth, in Cornwall, with Louise. The visit had been organised by Falmouth University, who had invited us to talk to their creative writing students about getting published and getting an agent. The perfect opportunity for a winter trip to the seaside!

The sea! #nofilter

A photo posted by Katherine Woodfine (@followtheyellow) on

As well as a lovely event at the university, where we had the chance to meet and chat with lots of students, we also visited a fantastic local school, where Year 5 had turned a corner of their classroom into the Millennium Falcon!

I wasn’t at all surprised to discover lots of lively imaginations in the class when we got started coming up with ideas for mystery stories.

Spotted at Marlborough Primary in Falmouth where Class 5 have built their own Millennium Falcon 👏

A photo posted by Katherine Woodfine (@followtheyellow) on

Afterwards there was even chance for a quick paddle on the nearby beach (it was a bit cold though!)

Paddling with @llmonts

A photo posted by Katherine Woodfine (@followtheyellow) on

In February I spent lots of time out and about visiting schools. One highlight was my day out with Little Star Writing: a fab organisation that runs award-winning children’s creative writing workshops.

I visited two fantastic schools with the lovely Mel, for author talks and signings – as well as as the chance to join some of the Little Star Writers for an after-school writing group.

Love these pictures from yesterday’s @littlestarwriting events! Met lots of writing superstars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️ #LSW

A photo posted by Katherine Woodfine (@followtheyellow) on

I was really inspired by talking to them about their writing and hearing them read aloud – what a wonderful initiative. It happened to be the day of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize shortlist announcement, and the children enthusiastically helped me celebrate!

Celebrating the news that #ClockworkSparrow has been shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize! ⭐️⭐️⭐️ #wcbp16 #lsw Repost @littlestarwriting with @repostapp. ・・・ These are our super #excitedfaces over @followtheyellow being shortlisted for the @waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2016! Good luck, Katherine! ⭐️✨ #LSW #authorevent @egmontpublishinguk

A photo posted by Katherine Woodfine (@followtheyellow) on

Also in February, I travelled up to Chester for the WayWord Festival. I had a really fun afternoon in Chester Town Hall, which had been gorgeously decorated  with book-themed bunting and vintage suitcases exploding with books and book characters for the occasion.

I talked to an audience of children and families about Clockwork Sparrow and Jewelled Moth – with a little help from some young detectives in the audience. But my favourite thing of all was the music they played when I came on stage… now I feel like the Jurassic Park theme should be playing every time I enter a room!

Lovely #JewelledMoth event at #WayWord festival in Chester today, where the decor included bookish bunting and these suitcases exploding with superhero characters 💥

A photo posted by Katherine Woodfine (@followtheyellow) on

Soon after, Jewelled Moth was officially published – and then it was time for World Book Day!

I headed out for several days of school visits, including a visit to the Lady Eleanor Holles Junior School in Hampton, where as well as meeting lots of keen readers, I also had the chance to meet the school archivist, who showed me some amazing Edwardian photographs from the school archives – like this one:

Great session at Lady Eleanor Holles School today… The school archivist showed me lots of old photos from the school’s history, including these 1900s school girls #Edwardiana

A photo posted by Katherine Woodfine (@followtheyellow) on

I also headed out to The Weald School in Billingshurst, who were celebrating World Book Day with their annual Weald Book Awards. Local primary schools take part in the awards, reading all seven books on the shortlist, and voting to choose the winner – as well as making lots of brilliant work inspired by the shortlisted books.

The awards culminate with a special evening event hosted by the pupils themselves, with some of the authors in attendance. I had a great evening and really enjoyed meeting the two other shortlisted authors who were tehre – Jennifer Grey and Kim Slater.

Although none of our books scooped the top prize – that honour went to Danny Wallace for Hamish and the World-Stoppers – we all had a fantastic evening, and I especially loved seeing some of the amazing work that pupils had created inspired by Clockwork Sparrow.

Lovely evening at the Weald Book Awards – check out some of the amazing work inspired by #ClockworkSparrow from kids who took part! 💙💛

A photo posted by Katherine Woodfine (@followtheyellow) on

And for World Book Day itself, I headed out with the brilliant Just Imagine for some events at primary schools in Billericay in Essex. Everyone got involved, putting their detective skills to the test, trying their hand at my new secret code puzzle, and even helping to come up with some amazing ideas for titles for my next book!

I saw some truly amazing World Book Day costumes (the teachers had pretty great outfits too). I wished that I’d dressed up as well, but at least I had my trusty straw sailor hat with me as an accessory:

Boater hat on, and off on the train to #WorldBookDay events with Just Imagine! 👒 (In need of a second cup of coffee, hence the slightly mad expression) @egmontpublishinguk

A photo posted by Katherine Woodfine (@followtheyellow) on

And to complete World Book Day… I was on TV!

Back in London after a busy day, I headed over to Channel 5’s studios to be a guest on their 6.30pm news programme. I joined presenter Matt Barbet for a chat about World Book Day, and why celebrating reading is so important.

You can watch the interview here:

Being on live TV was a little bit nerve-racking, but fun – a great conclusion to World Book Day week! Now I’m looking forward to a couple of quiet weeks … and oh yes, perhaps doing a bit of writing…!

PS Follow my next round of author adventures on Instagram at @followtheyellow

1 Comment on Out and about: An Instagram Diary

  1. Thedignst Oriert
    May 18, 2016 at 6:01 am (8 years ago)

    So many pretty things on your list! I hope you have a wonderful day!

    Reply

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