Ages 8 17, an Hour/Whatever Your Schedule Allows
BOOKING DAVE
I’m delighted that you’re considering booking me for an event. These are the general events I offer but if you have something specific in mind, let me know and I can adapt!
AUTHOR TALK
(ages 8 – 17, an hour/whatever your schedule allows)
A fast-paced and fun talk about Knights of the Borrowed Dark, beards, crisps and how I ended up being a writer. I also do readings from KOTBD, offer writing tips and give insights into the editing and cover process. This talk has been performed for over two hundred audiences from class-size to over five hundred children. It requires a projector, speakers and (depending on the room) a mic.
WORKSHOP
(ages 8 – 17, an hour/90 minutes)
A class focusing on idea generation, plot structure, editing and how to motivate yourself to take those first steps on the path to becoming a writer. This class also involves a reading from KOTBD with a breakdown as to the origin of each idea in the scene. This is a class-size workshop. I can accommodate groups as large as fifty, but 20 – 40 is usually preferred. This event requires a flipchart & pens and paper for the children.
MASTERCLASS
(ages 10 +, including adults, either 90 min, half-day or full-day)
This class is for the dedicated young writer. It is fun and challenging, with a focus on what they need, as opposed to what I know. We make a mission statement at the start so I can tailor it to exactly the areas they want to cover, and there is a focus on sharing and editing each other’s work. This event works best with small groups – anywhere between 5 and 20 is preferred – and for any age (including adults) This event requires a flipchart & pens and paper for the students.
THE SCIENCE OF MAGIC
(ages 10 +, including adults, either 90 min, half-day or full-day)
This is a workshop focusing specifically on the tools one needs to write fantasy - world-building, magic systems, creating a plausible and airtight universe for your story to play out. Students will make their own magic systems, learn how to avoid cliché and examine the art of exposition. This event works best when the numbers are small – anywhere between 5 and 20 is preferred. This event requires a flipchart & pens and paper for the children.
LEAVING CERTIFICATE PAPER 1 MASTERCLASS
(5th/6th Year, 1 hr, 90 minutes, half-day or full day)
As a former Leaving Certificate English Teacher, I offer a class for 5th/6th Years focusing on Paper 1. We run through how to deliver on content, cohesion, language and mechanics, offering an insight into the marking scheme, handy brainstorming techniques and structure blueprints. This is a class event. The students will require pen and paper, and I will need a flipchart.
APPEARANCES, PANELS & READINGS
I am delighted to appear on or chair panels, having done so for Electric Picnic, Body & Soul, DeptCon 2, the Irish Booksellers’ Conference and more. I am also available for short readings, appearances and MC work. Tell me what you want, and we’ll make it work.
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All events come with a Q & A and signing opportunity, and I always offer a free signed copy of Knights of the Borrowed Dark for the best and most original question. It is usually about my beard. I can also bring books for sale at 8e, but this is not a requirement. Students do not need to be familiar with my work.
I do charge for events, as they take me away from my desk and take time to prepare. My fees are as follows -
One event – 200e (plus VAT & travel)
Two events/half-day workshop – 350e (plus VAT & travel)
Three events – 480e (plus VAT & travel)
I’m Dublin-based but happy to travel, and if you’re considering booking me I recommend getting some more classes involved or even booking a large venue as I’m happy to talk to as many kids as possible at once to keep your costs low.
If you do wish to organise an event but the above prices are above what you can afford - let me know and we can have a chat. I’d rather do an event than not do an event.
I look forward to working with you!
TESTIMONIALS
‘Dave uses his skills as a storyteller, actor and teacher and combines them all into the perfect session for children. It is fun, energetic and highly entertaining. We were all very impressed with his ability to act out an entire scene from Knights of the Borrowed Dark from memory. He interacts really well with the children and pitches his talk just right. He was a pleasure to work with.’
- Maedhbh Rogan-McCann, Meath County Executive Librarian
"Dave Rudden is a sensational author to have in school. He doesn't read from his book - he fully acts it out as a piece of drama. He is energetic, entertaining, well pitched, and intelligent. Success for me is always that the students come up afterwards and want to borrow the book, and with Dave I've had to go out and buy more copies - despite the fact that all the ones he brought with him sold out! His talk in our school was to a large group of 2nd year boys and girls and they were all enthralled and fully engaged. Even the teachers were fully entertained. We are all waiting with baited breath for book two!"
- Joan Kelly, Librarian at King’s Hospital, Palmerstown
‘It's been quite some time since I have been part of such a spellbound audience.’
- Jean Keegan, Mary Queen of Angels N.S.
‘Great storytelling by a talented speaker, nice touch with drawings the kids’ ideas as well. Really great interaction and energy with the kids.’
- Parent at Coolock Library
‘Dave's workshop was a full house attracting kids of all ages.
As we couldn't fully control the age group that booked their seats, it was a an unexpected mish mash of abilities and reading levels but Dave handled them all with equal enthusiasm and attention. The kids shared story ideas and brain stormed characters and plot lines without any one child holding the other back. Dave was also highly entertaining with giggles rippling around the room and eager hands-up throughout. We look forward to welcoming Dave back to ‘Something Wicked’ as our guest and repeat host, anytime he wishes.’
- Fiona Byrne, Organiser, the Something Wicked Crime Festival, Malahide