Author Visits and Events


Please click here to view calendar of events

We regularly conduct talks and deliver workshops on comics and graphic novels for adults, teens and children at libraries, schools, book festivals and other venues.

We enjoy talking to any size of audience, and can adapt an event to the specific needs of a group.

During these events, we generally show the process involved in the making of graphic novels, and how we go about creating our own Louis books and comic stories.

Our talks and workshops are usually illustrated, and we like to finish up by showing our short Louis animation.

Here are some examples of events we have done:

  • Talks: to children or adults about how we became comic creators and how we work together as a writer/illustrator team, with Q and A session
  • Workshops: to children or adults. The participants get to create their own character, develop a story, make mini-comics, experiment with jam comics... We give tips on character design and story-telling techniques as well as professional advice and feedback. The workshop content can be varied to accommodate different age groups and a variety of session lengths
  • Recent events have included The Edinburgh International Book Festival, The National Library of Scotland and Wigtown Book Festival among others

Our fees are in accordance with the Scottish Book Trust (session costs plus expenses). If you would like more info or wish to discuss an event, please contact John and Sandra on metaphrog@metaphrog.com

We do reply to all emails, so: if you have not heard back from us within a week we may not have received your email, or else our reply has possibly gone missing or been filtered, so please resend your message and also cc it to metaphrog1@hotmail.com Thank you.

We are based in Scotland but are very happy to travel anywhere in the UK (or even outside of the UK).

In addition to our appearances at festivals, conventions and conferences, our work has also been featured in various exhibitions.

We are part of the Scottish Book Trust's Live Literature Scheme and BRAW network.

Some Comments:

Metaphrog enthralled children from Year 7 at Fitzalan High School with a lively demonstration creating comic book characters and effects. All the children created their own cartoons and enthusiastically shared their drawings which showed an impressive range of humour and skills. We’d love Metaphrog to come back and visit again. Heather Noble, Children’s Library Services Manager, Cardiff Central Library

Metaphrog were back with us through popular demand...All of the sessions were full and the kids really enjoy it. Amazing stuff! Check out the Louis books, WE'RE ALL FANS! Anne Louise Anglim, West Dunbartonshire Libraries


View Photo Gallery of Events

Kids Comments:

'I thought the presentation was very good. The job they do seemed very interesting. The ‘Louis’ comic was extremely good, and the artwork was fantastic.'' Pupil, Clydebank High School
'I've met Metaphrog, I got their autograph :) And they showed us this [the Louis animation], it took Sandra 5 months to make.' via You Tube

'Thats cool, heh, I saw this the other day in the cartoon workshop in the new Cardiff library, heh, it was fun.' via You Tube

Leave your own feedback, email metaphrog@metaphrog.com

 

 

Talks

Talk about our work and the creative process

Open to the public

Where: Forfar Library
When: Tuesday 30th March 2010, 18.00

Admission: Free

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Talk on Graphic Novel Adaptations:
Scottish Book Trust Online Teachers in Residence

Where: Inveralmond Community High School, Livingston
When: Wednesday 10th March 2010, 16.00-17.30

CPD for teachers only

www.scottishbooktrust.com/otir

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Live Glow Meet with Learning and Teaching Scotland (Comic Workshop)

Where: virtual
When: Wednesday 3rd March 2010, 13.00

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The Making of the Louis Graphic Novels

Where: Dundee Literary Festival Comics Day
When: June 22nd 2008, 3.45pm

Other talks included Paul Gravett, Roger Sabin, Chris Murray, Bryan Talbot, Ilya and Jim Glen.

Comics Day cost - £10 for the full day or £5 per half day.

view photos

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In conversation with metaphrog
Chaired by Lisa Otty, Graduate School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures, University of Edinburgh

Where: National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EW.
When: April 23rd 2008, 7pm.
Free

More detail...

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Create your own comics
Workshop for ages 8-12

Where: National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EW.
When: Friday May 23rd 2008 2.30 pm.

View photos

workshop flyer

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Meeting with Metaphrog
at the 'Biff! Bam!! Crikey!!!: Comics As Design and Entertainment' conference

Where: D'Arcy Thompson Lecture Theatre,
Tower Building, University of Dundee, UK.

When: May 25th 2008, 3pm

As part of the Six Cities Design Festival

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Lost in Translation: Do Comics Need Language?
Panel with metaphrog, Paul Gravett, Marc Baines, Arne Bellstorf

Where: The Alliance Française / Goethe Institute Glasgow - UK
When: Nov 3rd 2007

Workshop (conducted with Marc Baines)

Where: The Alliance Française / Goethe Institute Glasgow - UK
When:
Nov 3rd 2007

 

 

 

Exhibitions / Festivals:

Aye Write! Book FestivalSchools Programme

Comic Workshop:

Where: Mitchell Library, Glasgow
When: Monday 8th March 2010, 10.30-11.30 and 13.30-14.30

www.ayewrite.com

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Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Create Your Own Comics: graphic novel workshop for 12-17

Where: Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow
When: Sunday 31st January 2010, 1.00pm - 4.00pm
Admission: Free
www.glasgowmuseums.com

Read blog report and view photos here

 

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Wigtown Book Festival WESTword Festival

Where: Wigtown Book Festival, Festival Marquee, Upper Secondary School event.
When: October 1st 2009, 11.30am-11.50am

Where: Douglas Ewart High School
When: October 2nd 2009, 11am-11.50am and 1.30pm-2.20pm

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Edinburgh International Book Festival 2009

Design Your Own Comic
For Teens

Where: RBS Workshop Tent, Charlotte Square
When: August 26th 2009, 5pm-6pm

SOLD OUT

For more info, please go to the festival website: http://www.edbookfest.co.uk

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Bristol International Comic Expo and Small Press Expo

Where: The Ramada Hotel and Mercure Hotel, Bristol
When: May 9th - 10th 2009

Admission prices:
Comic Expo: from £7.00 for adults and from £3 for children. Free for under 11.
SPExpo only: £2
Day Ticket for Comic Expo & SPExpo: £7

Acknowledgement: We wish to thank the Scottish Arts Council for providing funding for our trip.

Blog report and photos

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BICS: Birmingham International Comics Show

Where: Thinktank Millennium Point, Birmingham.
When: October 4th-5th 2008
, 10.30am - 5.30 pm

Admission prices from £10 adults, £5 children, family discount available.

Acknowledgement: We wish to thank the Scottish Arts Council for providing funding for our trip to BICS.

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Local Heroes - The Art of the Graphic Novel Exhibition

Where: National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EW
When: May 4th - June 1st 2008

view photos

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'Biff! Bam!! Crikey!!!: Comics As Design and Entertainment' Conference and Exhibition

Where: Lamb Gallery, Tower Building, University of Dundee, UK
When: April 4rd 2007 - June 1st 2007

As part of the Six Cities Design Festival

View photos...

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ROAR Exhibition

An exhibition of original pages of art, comics and graphic novel work by Scotland based creators

Where: DGP Studio and Space, Glasgow
When: May 6th 2005 - June 2nd 2005


 

Library and School Visits

Comic Workshop

Where: Carnoustie Library for Carnoustie High School pupils
When: Tuesday 30th March 2010, 14.00-15.00

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Comic Workshop

Where: Liberton High School, Edinburgh
When: Wednesday 17th March 2010, 13.30-14.30, 14.30-15.25

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Comic Workshop

Where: Queensferry High School, Edinburgh
When: Thursday 11th March 2010, 14.50-15.45

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WORLD BOOK DAY
Comic Workshop

Where: Springburn Academy, Glasgow
When: Thursday 4th March 2010, 11.45-12.35

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WORLD BOOK DAY
Talk and Workshop

Where: Knightswood Primary, Glasgow
When:Thursday 4th March 2010, 13.30-15.00

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Booxfactor! Festival

Comic Workshop

Where: Braehead Primary, Dumbarton
When: Monday 7th December 2009, 11.00am-12.00noon

Where: Clydebank High, Clydebank
When: Monday 7th December 2009, 1.40-2.30pm

View the pupils' drawings here!

Read feedback on the West Dunbartonshire website!

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Graphic Novel Workshop for Teenagers

Where: St-Thomas of Aquin's High School, Edinburgh
When: Friday 6th November 2009, 10.30-11.30 am

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Graphic Novel Workshop for Teenagers

Where: Kirkliston Library
When: Friday 23rd October 2009, 2.30-3.30 pm

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Wigtown Book Festival WESTword Festival

Where: Stranraer Academy
When: September 30th 2009, 1.30pm- 2.30pm
and 2.30pm-3.30pm

Where: Wigtown Book Festival
When: October 1st 2009, 12.45
am-1.45pm

Where: Douglas Ewart High School
When: October 2nd 2009, 11.50am- 12.50pm and 2.30pm
-3.30pm

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Graphic Novel Workshops for Primary 6/7

Where: Cultural Centre Library, Bellshill ML4 1RJ
When: Sept 21st 2009, 10.00-11.00am and 1.30-2.30pm

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Create Your Own Comics: a series of summer workshops for 8-14

Where: Dalmuir Library, Clydebank
When: July 7th 2009, 1.00 - 2.00pm

Where: Parkhall Library, Clydebank
When: July 7th 2009, 3.00 - 4.00pm

Where: Balloch Library, Balloch
When: July 8th 2009, 1.00 - 2.00pm

Where: Alexandria Library, Alexandria
When: July 8th 2009, 3.00 - 4.00pm

Where: Dumbarton Library, Dumbarton
When: July 9th 2009, 1.00 - 2.00pm

Where: Clydebank Library, Clydebank
When: July 9th 2009, 3.00 - 4.00pm

Free! To book a place or pick up a ticket, please phone the libraries direct.
Libraries summer programme online: click here.

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Graphic Novel Workshop for Teens

Where: 'Book Week', Hillpark Secondary School, Glasgow
When: June 19th 2009, 1.30 - 2.30pm

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Graphic Novel Workshops for Primary 7

Where: 'Booked!' West Dunbartonshire Festival of Words, Alexandria Library, Alexandria
When: May 15th 2009, 10.30am-11.30am

Where: 'Booked!' West Dunbartonshire Festival of Words,, Duntocher Library, Duntocher
When: May 15th 2009, 1.30pm-2.30pm

Blog report and photos

West Dunbartonshire Council events report

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Graphic Novel Workshop

Where: Cardiff Central Library
When: May 8th 2009, 9.30am-10.30am and 1.15pm-2.15pm

Blog report and photos

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Graphic Novel Workshop for Young Teens

Where: Johnstone Library, Renfrewshire
When: March 26th 2009, 3.45 - 4.45pm

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Graphic Novel Workshop for Teens

Where: 'Big Book Bonanza', Perth High School
When: March 6th 2009, 1.55 - 2.55pm

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Graphic Novel Workshop for Teens

Where: Bridge of Don Academy, Aberdeen
When: January 30th 2009, 2.30 - 3.30pm

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Graphic Novel Workshop for Teens

Where: Oldmachar Academy & Harlaw Academy, Aberdeen
When: January 16th 2009, 11-12pm & 1:30-2:22pm

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Graphic Novel Workshop for Teens

Where: 'Booxfactor' Festival, West Dunbartonshire, St Columba's High School, Clydebank.
When: Dec 4th 2008, 11am-12.00 and 13.35-14.30

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Graphic Novel Workshop for Young Teens

Where: Imprint Book Festival, The Dick Institute, Kilmarnock
When: Nov 12th 2008,
4.30 - 6pm
Free but ticketed.


We'd like to thank all the participants for creating great monsters during this session!
You can view their work here!

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Comic Workshop for Teens

Where: Howdenhall Centre, Edinburgh
When: Nov. 10th and Nov. 17th 2008

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Comic Workshop for Teens

Where: St Katharine's Centre, Edinburgh
When: Nov 10th and Nov 17th 2008

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Comic Workshop for Teens

Where: Wellington School, Edinburgh
When: Nov 19th and Nov 26th 2008

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Workshop for Young Teens

Where: Storytelling Festival, Milngavie Youth Café
When: October 14th 2008, 2-4pm

See some the drawings the teenagers came up with at this workshop.