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Author Visits and Events

Ask us to visit: metaphrog@metaphrog.com

Graphic Novel Workshops     |     Graphic Novel Talks

metaphrog author visits

We regularly conduct talks and workshops on comics and graphic novels around the UK.

Our visits are fun, interactive and educational, and have proved extremely popular.

Our aim is to inspire children and adults to read, draw and use libraries, and to develop interest in, and understanding of, graphic novels.

Audience: children (from age 5+), teenagers, adults and also senior groups. We enjoy talking to any size of audience (anything from 2 or 3 participants up to several hundred), and can adapt an event to the specific needs of a group.

Venues: we have visited schools, literary festivals, libraries, museums, and many other venues. We are based in Scotland but love to travel and are happy to go anywhere in or outside of the UK.

Content: we love to show the process involved in making graphic novels, and how we go about creating our own Louis books and comic stories, as well as revealing some of the secrets of character design and story development.

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

We are happy to deliver one-off sessions, or strings of several sessions where participants can get to develop their own projects and ideas.

For schools, we can tailor sessions across the curriculum, for all stages of Primary and Secondary School, pitching to specific age groups and abilities.
We can also deliver more in-depth content for more advanced stages, for colleges, universities and art schools.

In addition to our numerous appearances at festivals, conventions and conferences around the world, our work has also featured in several exhibitions.

Our fees are in accordance with the Scottish Book Trust (session costs plus expenses).

If you would like more information or wish to discuss an event:
Please contact John and Sandra on metaphrog@metaphrog.com

We reply to all emails promptly, so if you haven't heard back from us within a week, we either have not received your email, or our reply has gone missing. Please resend your email and cc it to metaphrog1@hotmail.com. Thank you.

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

Here are some examples of events:

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

Talks and CPDs on the graphic novel medium itself and graphic novel adaptations, for all levels (beginners to advanced level)

Workshops: for children and adults. The participants get to create their own characters and comics. We provide support, professional advice and feedback. The workshop content can be varied to accommodate different age groups and also a variety of session lengths

Recent venues have included: The Edinburgh International Book Festival; The National Library of Scotland; Glasgow Film Festival; WORD Festival; Glasgow School of Art; Wigtown Book Festival; Aye Write!; Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery, a virtual Glow Meet workshop with Learning Teaching Scotland, and many Primary and Secondary Schools.


Some links:

Blog about our tour of Guernsey Primary Schools for Book Week 2011
...

Read The Evening Times feature on our World Book Day 2010 school visit
...

Read the STV website feature
on our workshops at Newington
Library in Edinburgh
...

Read our guest blog for Word Up, Edinbugh City Libraries online newsletter,about some of the comics that have inspired us
...

View Photo Gallery of Events


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

Thank you again for the wonderful workshop you gave the students here in GSA Library. On a personal level it was lovely to meet with you both, and your presentation was very inspirational. I think you pitched it perfectly for our students, and they seemed to find it extremely engaging without exception.
Duncan Chappell, Glasgow School of Art

The presentation that you did for us at Vauvert was fantastic; we all thoroughly enjoyed it and learned a great deal. A couple of our teachers run a school art club and were so inspired that they have decided to change it to more of a ‘graphics’ type club for a while.
Lisa Bolton, Deputy Head, Vauvert Primary School

Just an email to say thank you so much for your workshop on Friday. The pupils have been talking non stop about it and are so excited to get their characters finished and to make a display. I think it really helped open their eyes to creation and being imaginative. Thank you for making it so relevant for them and for making this process so easy.
Jennifer Thorpe, Glenrothes High School

Thank you both so much for coming to the school and for delivering a fantastic workshop that was greatly enjoyed and appreciated by all. 
Catherine O'Brien, English Teacher, St Columba High

And some 'thank you' cards (click on images to enlarge):


Kids' Comments
:

Metaphrog was a great experience. It inspired me to draw and not worry about being bad at drawing. They were detailed in their presentation and told us about a wide range of different comic book characters, graphic novels and they were very encouraging and relaxed. The whole afternoon was very, very enjoyable.
Pupil, St Ninian High School

I enjoyed this day very much and it was very inspiring. Metaphrog were very thorough and gave a very clear image of what it would be like to be a comic writer. It was very good and very relaxed. Sandra was very,very good at drawing and John was very, very good at writing.
Pupil, St Ninian High School

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.
Primary school pupil v
ia YouTube

That's cool, heh, I saw this the other day in the cartoon workshop in the new Cardiff library, heh, it was fun.
Secondary school pupil via YouTube


Calendar

Talks

Exhibitions / Festivals Library and School Visits

World Book Night 2012

Where: Polmont Library
When: 21st April 2012

More details soon!

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Edinburgh International Book Festival 2011

edinburgh book festival

Masterclass with Shaun Tan chaired by metaphrog

THE WORLD BETWEEN WORDS AND PICTURES

Where: RBS Corner Theatre, Charlotte Square
When: August 23rd 2011, 7pm-8pm

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Talk at Merchant City Festival

Where: Plan B Books, Glasgow
When: 23rd July 2011, 2-3 pm

Free

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Talk at Growing Bolder
Intergenerational Arts

Glasgow's Active Ageing Week 2011

As part of an event exploring different creative approaches to working across generations, we will discuss the creation of our new work, The Photographs, an artistic response commissioned by Glasgow Life.

Where: CCA, Glasgow
When: 7th June 2011, 2-4 pm

Free

Booking: Glasgow Arts 0141 287 5810

Glasgow Life

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The Tramway Family Day:
Alice in Wonderland theme

Graphic Novel workshops for 5 - 8 years and 8 -12 years

Where: The Tramway, Glasgow
When: 8th May 2011, 1130 - 1230 (5-8 years) and 1500-1600 (8-12 years)

www.tramway.org

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Cardiff Central Library

Comic Book/ Graphic Novel workshops for 9-14 years

Where: Cardiff Central Library
When: 27th April 2011, 1030-1130 and 1400-1500

Cardiff Central Library Workshops

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Graphic Novel workshops for 12-16 years

Where: Newington Library, Edinburgh
When: 19th March 2011, 1000-1300 and 1345-1645

See photos on the Tales of One City Blog photostream!

Read the STV website feature about it!

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Glasgow School of Art

Talk followed by workshop (closed event)

Where: Glasgow School of Art
When: 8th March 2011, 1600 to 1800

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Glasgow Film Festival

Talk on Graphic Novel Adaptations

Where: CCA 5, Glasgow
When: 24th February 2011, 1430

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CCA Words Across the Water:
Scottish /French Book Fair

Talk about our new graphic novel and the creative process

Where: CCA, Glasgow
When: 26th November 2010, 1500-1530
£5 for full day of events

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CPD on graphic novels
(closed event for teachers only)

Where: Aird Education Centre, Stranraer
When: 24th November 2010, 1600-1700

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Thought Bubble Festival

Talk about our new graphic novel and the creative process + book signing

Where: Saviles Hall, Leeds
When: 20th Nov 2010, 1515-1550

Free to Thought Bubble visitors

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SPX 2010

Comics for Younger Readers
(panel)

Book-length comics for younger readers are increasingly following graphic novels for adults into the bookstore and library shelves. Johanna Draper Carlson discussed the pleasures and challenges of creating comics for younger readers with the collaborative duo Metaphrog, Aaron Renier, Raina Telgemeier, and Drew Weing

Where: Marriott Hotel, Brookside Conference RoomBethesda, USA

When: 11th Sept 2010, 1700

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Bishop Fox's School Conference Day

Talk, followed by a series of comic workshops

Where: Bishop Fox's School, Somerset
When: 28th Apr 2010 from 0900

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Talk about our work and the creative process

Open to the public

Where: Forfar Library
When: 30th March 2010, 18.00
Admission: Free

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Scottish Book Trust Online Teachers in Residence

Talk on Graphic Novel Adaptations

Where: Inveralmond Community High School, Livingston
When: 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

Virtual comic Workshop

When: 3rd March 2010, 13.00

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Dundee Literary Festival Comics Day

The Making of the Louis Graphic Novels

Where:
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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National Library of Scotland graphic novel events

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: May 23rd 2008 2.30 pm

View photos

workshop flyer

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'Biff! Bam!! Crikey!!!: Comics As Design and Entertainment' conference

Meeting with Metaphrog

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

When: May 25th 2008, 3pmAs 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

Aye Write! Book Festival 2012

Returning for the third year in a row!

Schools Programme

Where: Mitchell Library, Glasgow
When: 15th March 2012

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Thought Bubble Festival 2011

Launching and signing copies of Louis - Red Letter Day!

Where: Saviles Hall, Leeds
When: 19th-20th Nov 2011

Leeds Graphic Novel Awards Ceremony

Where: Leeds Central Library
When:
18th Nov 2011

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Edinburgh International Book Festival 2011

edinburgh book festival

Creating Graphic Novels
Workshops for age 12-15

Where: RBS Story Box, Charlotte Square
When: August 26th 2011, 4pm-5pm
Where: RBS Imagination Lab, Charlotte Square
When: August 28th 2011, 3.30pm-4.30pm

SOLD OUT

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Aye Write! Book Festival 2011

Schools Programme

Comic workshop:

Where: Mitchell Library, Glasgow
When: 8th March 2011, 1030 - 1130 and 1330 - 1430

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London Print Studio

That's novel! Lifting comics from the page!!!

Curated by Paul Gravett

Discover the latest, greatest and up-to-datest in comics by leading international innovators and the British cutting Edge

Including work by metaphrog, Charlie Adlard, Savage Pencil, Carlos Nine, Darryl Cunningham and many more!

When: October 22nd 2010 - December 18 2010
Where: London Print Studio
Opening party: October 21st 2010 1800-1900

Free

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Thought Bubble Festival 2010

Where: Saviles Hall, Leeds
When: 20th Saturday November 2010

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Imprint Book Festival

Where: Burns Monument Centre, Kilmarnock
When: 9th November 2010, 1730 - 1830
Free

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Eildon Tree Festival

Talk followed by comic workshop

Where: Tower Mill, Hawick
When: Saturday 30th October 2010, 1600 -1800

Tickets: £5
Weekend tickets (limited numbers!): £15

See full festival programme

Box Office: 01450 360 688 / In Person: VisitScotland Box Office in Tower Mill

For further information please visit: www.heartofhawick.co.uk

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Word 2010 Festival

Comic Workshop for S1-S6 pupils

Where: Transition Extreme, Links Road, Queens Links, Aberdeen
When: 12th May 2010, 1700 – 1800

Comic Workshop (closed event)

Where: Marathon Oil Family Event, Linklater Rooms, King’s College, University of Aberdeen
When: 15th May 2010, 1300 – 1400

Secrets of the Comic Book Makers

Where: Storytelling Theatre, King’s College, University of Aberdeen
When: 15th May 2010,1430 – 1530

Bookings: Word Festival

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Aye Write! Book Festival 2010

Schools Programme

Comic workshop:

Where: Mitchell Library, Glasgow
When: 8th March 2010, 1030 - 1130 and 1330 - 1430

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Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Create Your Own Comics: graphic novel workshop for 12-17Where: Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow
When: 31st January 2010, 1.00pm - 4.00pm

Admission: Free

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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

edinburgh book festival

Design Your Own Comic
For Teens

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

SOLD OUT

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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

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

scottish arts council logo

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 fundingfor our trip to BICS

scottish arts council logo

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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

Bishop Fox's School Conference Day

Returning for the third year in a row!

Talk, followed by a series of comic workshops

Where: Bishop Fox's School, Somerset
When: 27th Apr 2012

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Comic Workshop

Where: Serenity Cafe, Edinburgh
When: 16th March 2012

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Comic Workshops

Where: Banchory Academy
When: 8th March 2012

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Comic Workshop

Where: Mearns Academy
When: 2nd March 2012

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Comic Workshops

Where: ABE Bathgate
When: 1st + 3rd March 2012

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Comic Workshop

Where: Lornshill Academy
When: 23rd Feb 2012

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Comic Workshops

Where: Newport
When: 20th-21st Feb 2012

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Comic Workshop

Where: Barlinnie
When: 9th Feb 2012

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Comic Workshop

Where: Wallace High, Stirling
When: 3rd Feb 2012

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Comic Workshop

Where: Airdrie Library
When: 28th Jan 2012

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Comic Workshop

Where: St Columba's RC High, Dunfermline
When: 12th Jan 2012

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Comic Workshop

Where: John Paul Academy
When: 16th Dec 2011

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Comic Workshop

Where: Lochend Community High School
When: 9th Dec 2011

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Comic Workshop

Where: Hillpark Secondary
When: 7th Dec 2011

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Comic Workshop

Where: Springburn Academy
When: 7th Dec 2011

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Comic Workshop

Where: Perth Academy
When: 10th Nov 2011

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Comic Workshops

Where: Calderglen High, East Kilbride
When: 9th Nov 2011

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Comic Workshops

Where: Fraserburgh Academy
When: 4th Nov 2011

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Guernsey Book Week 2011

16 illustrated talks/workshops in 5 days, talking to over 1500 KS2 pupils!

Where: 14 different primary schools in Guernsey
When: 3rd - 7th Oct 2011

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Comic Workshops

Where: Portlethen Academy
When: 16th Sept 2011

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Summer School Comic Workshops

Where: Carnforth High
When: 28th July 2011

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Comic Workshop

Where: Forfar Academy
When: 24th June 2011

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Comic Workshop

Where: Glenrothes High School
When: 17th June 2011

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Comic Workshop

Where: Kirkcudbright Academy
When: 3rd June 2011

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Comic Workshop for S2

Where: St Margaret Mary’s, Castlemilk
When: 19 May 2011

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Comic Workshop

Where: St Columba's RC High, Dunfermline
When: 18 May 2011

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Comic Workshops
Booked! Festival

Where: Dunbartonshire, schools
When: 12th May 2011

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Bishop Fox's School Conference Day

Talk, followed by a series of comic workshops

Where: Bishop Fox's School, Somerset
When: 28th Apr 2011

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Comic Workshops

Where: Carnforth High School
When: 26th Apr 2011

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Comic Workshops
East Renfrewshire Festival

Where: Williamwood High and St Ninian's High
When: 28th March 2011

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Comic Workshops

Where: Balfron High School
When: 24th March 2011

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Comic Workshops

Where: Arbroath High School
When: 14th March 2011

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WORLD BOOK DAY 2011
Comic Workshops

Where: Edinburgh Academy
When: 3rd March 2011

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Comic Workshops
Arts Across Learning Festival

Where: Aberdeen
When: 28th Feb and 1st March 2011

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Comic Workshops

Where: Balerno High School
When: 11th Feb 2011

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Comic Workshops

Where: Alness Academy
When: 10th Feb 2011

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Talk to a whole school, and a series of 9 comic workshops to P5 pupils

Where: Belmont Primary, Stranraer
When: 22nd-24th Nov 2010

Read the blog report here

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Comic Workshops

Where: Northfield Academy, Aberdeen
When: 5th, Nov 2010

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Comic Workshop for Adults

Where: An Lanntair Arts Centre, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis
When: 29th Oct 2010

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Comic Workshops

Where: Nicolson Institute, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis
When: 28th Oct 2010

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Shout About Books Festival

Where: Upholland Library, Lostock Hall Library, Lancaster Library, Lancashire
When: Five sessions running on 20th - 21st Oct 2010

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Comic Workshop

Where: Caldew School, Dalston, Cumbria
When: 16th June 2010

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Comic Workshop

Where: Northfield Academy, Aberdeen
When: 13th May 2010.

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Comic Workshop

Where: Dyce Academy, Aberdeen
When: 13th May 2010.

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Comic Workshop

Where: Carnoustie Library for Carnoustie High School pupils
When: 30th March 2010

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Comic Workshop

Where: Liberton High School, Edinburgh
When: 17th March 2010

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Comic Workshop

Where: Queensferry High School, Edinburgh
When: 11th March 2010

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WORLD BOOK DAY
Comic Workshop

Where: Springburn Academy, Glasgow
When: 4th March 2010

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WORLD BOOK DAY 2010
Comic Workshop

Where: Knightswood Primary, Glasgow
When: 4th March 2010

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Booxfactor! Festival Comic Workshop

Where: Braehead Primary, Dumbarton
When: 7th Dec 2009

Where: Clydebank High, Clydebank
When: 7th Dec 2009

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: 6th Nov 2009

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Graphic Novel Workshop for Teenagers

Where: Kirkliston Library
When: 23rd Oct2009

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Wigtown Book Festival WESTword Festival

Where: Stranraer Academy
When: Sept 30th 2009

Where: Wigtown Book Festival
When: Oct 1st 2009

Where: Douglas Ewart High School
When: Oct 2nd 2009

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Graphic Novel Workshops for Primary 6/7

Where: Cultural Centre Library, Bellshill ML4 1RJ
When: Sept 21st 2009

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Create Your Own Comics: a series of summer workshops for 8-12

Where: Dalmuir Library, Clydebank
When: July 7th 2009

Where: Parkhall Library, Clydebank
When: July 7th 2009

Where: Balloch Library, Balloch
When: July 8th 2009

Where: Alexandria Library, Alexandria
When: July 8th 2009

Where: Dumbarton Library, Dumbarton
When: July 9th 2009

Where: Clydebank Library, Clydebank
When: July 9th 2009 3

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

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Graphic Novel Workshops for Primary 7

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

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

Blog report and photos

West Dunbartonshire Council events report

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Graphic Novel Workshop Where: Cardiff Central Library
When: May 8th 2009

Blog report and photos

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Graphic Novel Workshop for Young Teens

Where: Johnstone Library, Renfrewshire
When: March 26th 2009.

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Graphic Novel Workshop for Teens

Where: 'Big Book Bonanza', Perth High School
When: March 6th 2009.

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Graphic Novel Workshop for Teens

Where: Bridge of Don Academy, Aberdeen
When: January 30th 2009

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Graphic Novel Workshop for Teens

Where: Oldmachar Academy & Harlaw Academy, Aberdeen
When: January 16th 2009

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Graphic Novel Workshop for Teens

Where: 'Booxfactor' Festival, West Dunbartonshire, St Columba's High School, Clydebank.
When: Dec 4th 2008

-

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Graphic Novel Workshop for Young Teens

Where: Imprint Book Festival, The Dick Institute, Kilmarnock
When: Nov 12th 2008.
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

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

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