I’m available for in-person and virtual school/library visits and am currently accepting bookings for visits for this school year. I am also available for festival bookings for panel events, creative writing workshops and author events. I have appeared at the Barnes Children’s Festival, the Northern Kids Literary Festival, the Basingstoke Crime Writing Festival and the Whitchurch Children’s Festival. I have also run creative writing workshops at local bookshops and libraries.
I am based in Hampshire but am also close to both Berkshire and Wiltshire. In person/virtual school visits can be arranged on Tuesdays or Fridays and additionally Thursday mornings for virtual visits only.
I have ten years’ experience of working within a primary school setting, running workshops and creative writing classes with KS2 children in my role as school librarian.
I offer a variety of formats including: assembly presentations, Q&As, readings, writing workshops and book signings. My events are most suited to KS2 children but can also be tailored for KS3 children. All events and visits are charged according to the guidelines of The Society of Authors.
Please use the website contact form to get in touch for more information or to discuss any requirements you may have.
Testimonials
You can read all about my visit to Bitterne Park Primary School on their blog to get a flavour of the format of my school visits.
Bitterne Park Primary, Southampton
We really enjoyed having Jo to visit our Year 3 and 4 learners. She spoke to us all about how she became and author, the process of writing a book and helped us come up with our own ideas for a heist story. She kindly agreed to be interviewed by our Year 6 Student Librarians who loved the chance to find out more about being an author. Since her visit, lots of children have asked about borrowing her books from the library and she’s even inspired some of them to write their own stories!
“Jo Clarke was full of lots of interesting facts and incredible stories” – Emma, Year 6 Student Librarian
“(Since the author visit) I’ve been inspired to write my own story. I used to think writing was a bit boring but now she’s made it really fun” – Chloe, Year 4
Verity Robinson, Mangotsfield Primary, Bristol
Our children really enjoyed Jo’s visit and loved hearing about what inspires her writing, how she does her research, and the journey of a book from first draft to final publication. They learned all about heist stories and how to craft them, and have now written their own – full of drama and suspense! Thank you, Jo – you have definitely inspired our budding authors.
Sarah Burgess, St. John’s Primary School, Wallingford
Jo’s engaging and fun virtual visit was the perfect inspiration for children to create their own mystery stories. Her clear tips and advice on writing really resonated and made for the perfect environment for imagining up daring adventures. The result was a great, well-attended and fun half-term activity for children to participate in at The Devil’s Porridge Museum.
Laura Noakes, The Devil’s Porridge Museum
Jo was a delight to work with at our recent, sold out, in store writing workshop. Her session was the perfect mix of informative, and fun, giving the children tips and advice to get started on their own writing, as well as allowing them all to feel involved in the workshop. It was wonderful to see the children so immersed in the session and so keen to share their writing. We look forward to working with Jo again in the future.
Jo Boyles, The Rocketship Bookshop
Jo Clarke 