Author In Your Classroom

A new take on a classic tale, with Michael Morpurgo

One of the nation’s best-loved storytellers, Michael Morpurgo, joins presenter Helen Mulley to discuss where his stories come from (hint: he doesn’t conjure them out of nowhere), and why it’s so important for him to write about what really matters, especially when the world is looking strange and uncomfortable.  
A free resources pack, including teaching notes, planning sheets, working wall elements and more is available to support this episode at bit.ly/AIYCMMresourcepack.
This episode is divided into three sections, which can be listened to in one go, as a sequence spread over several days, or in isolation. If you only have time to listen to one, we recommend section 2, which includes the author reading from their own work.
Section 1 starts at 00:00
Section 2 starts at 11:05
Section 3 starts at 25:40
Join the Plazoom community by signing up to our newsletter for free resources and special offers at plazoom.com!

Using humour in non-fiction writing, with Dara Ó Briain

Stand-up comedian, TV presenter, author and massive space-geek Dara Ó Briain has some fantastic advice for children about finding their passion and then explaining it to others with enthusiasm, clarity and some very well-chosen jokes... 
A resources pack, including teaching notes, planning sheets, working wall elements and more is available to support this episode at bit.ly/AIYCDOBresourcepack. 
This episode is divided into three sections, which can be listened to in one go, as a sequence spread over several days, or in isolation. If you only have time to listen to one, we recommend section 2, which includes the author reading from their own work. 
Section 1 starts at 00:00 
Section 2 starts at 08:50 
Section 3 starts at 22:30 
Join the Plazoom community by signing up to our newsletter for free resources and special offers at plazoom.com! 
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Using research to write great stories, with Dermot O’Leary

DJ, TV presenter and author of the wildly popular Toto the Ninja Cat series of books for children joins the podcast to talk about how good research can inspire truly outstanding stories, sharing plenty of anecdotes and writing advice along the way! 
A resources pack, including teaching notes, planning sheets, working wall elements and more is available to support this episode at bit.ly/AIYCDOLresourcepack.
This episode is divided into three sections, which can be listened to in one go, as a sequence spread over several days, or in isolation. If you only have time to listen to one, we recommend section 2, which includes the author reading from their own work.
Section 1 starts at 00:00
Section 2 starts at 9:17
Section 3 starts at 24:04
Join the Plazoom community by signing up to our newsletter for free resources and special offers at plazoom.com! 
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Writing compelling non-fiction, with Professor Robert Winston

Doctor, scientist, TV presenter and author Professor Robert Winston discusses his latest book for young readers, Inventors: Incredible Stories of the World’s Most Ingenious Inventions – and offers advice for children on how they can produce really engaging non-fiction writing… and why they really, really, don’t want to be a ‘genius’!
A resources pack, including teaching notes, planning sheets, working wall elements and more is available to support this episode at bit.ly/AIYCRWresourcepack. 
This episode is divided into three sections, which can be listened to in one go, as a sequence spread over several days, or in isolation. If you only have time to listen to one, we recommend section 2, which includes the author reading from their own work.
Section 1 starts at 00:00
Section 2 starts at 07:56
Section 3 starts at 18:55 
Join the Plazoom community by signing up to our newsletter for free resources and special offers at plazoom.com! 
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Creating magical creatures, with Cressida Cowell

Legendary writer Cressida Cowell – creator of the How to Train Your Dragon and Wizards of Once series, and current Children’s Laureate – shares inspiring and motivational advice for children about the power of creativity, and why magic is at its most believable when based on the real wonders of nature! Will young listeners accept her challenge to create a magical creature of their own, supported by the free resources pack available at bit.ly/AIYCCCresourcepack? 
This episode is divided into three sections, which can be listened to in one go, as a sequence spread over several days, or in isolation. If you only have time to listen to one, we recommend section 2, which includes the author reading from her own work. 
Section 1 starts at 00:00 
Section 2 starts at 11.30 
Section 3 starts at 31:30 
Join the Plazoom community by signing up to our newsletter for free resources and special offers at plazoom.com! 
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Building suspense, with Struan Murray

Struan Murray – lecturer in biochemistry turned children’s author – talks to presenter Helen Mulley about his debut novel, Orphans of the Tide; a real page-turner, packed with drama and cliffhangers, and threaded through with deep emotional resonance. He has some great advice for young writers about how to keep readers gripped from page one, as well as an interesting take on the worlds of ‘art’ and ‘science’, and how they're not actually so different after all! Download a FREE resources pack to go with this episode at https://www.plazoom.com/resource/author-in-your-classroom-building-suspense-with-struan-murray-series-one-episode-four. 
This episode is divided into three sections, which can be listened to in one go, as a sequence spread over several days, or in isolation. If you only have time to listen to one, we recommend section 2, which includes the author reading from their own work. 
Section 1 starts at 00:00
Section 2 starts at 12:25
Section 3 starts at 31:30
Join the Plazoom community by signing up to our newsletter for free resources and special offers at plazoom.com!
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Building fantasy worlds, with Jamie Littler

The brilliant Jamie Littler joins presenter Helen Mulley to talk about his first book as both author and illustrator, Frostheart – a thrilling adventure set in a fantasy world of snow, ice, monsters and music – with plenty of tips for young listeners on creating their own literary worlds, and never giving up their writing dreams, along the way. Download a FREE resources pack to go with this episode at https://bit.ly/plazoomJLittler. 
This episode is divided into three sections, which can be listened to in one go, as a sequence spread over several days, or in isolation. If you only have time to listen to one, we recommend section 2, which includes the author reading from their own work. 
Section 1 starts at 00:00 
Section 2 starts at 15:22 
Section 3 starts at 27:51 
Join the Plazoom community by signing up to our newsletter for free resources and special offers at plazoom.com! 
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ⓕ https://www.facebook.com/Plazoom-648739442272915 
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Creating characters, with Sam Copeland

In this episode, Sam Copeland – author of the hilarious ‘Charlie McGuffin’ books, about an ordinary nine-year-old boy with an extraordinary superpower – discusses how to create memorable characters, why certain jokes work (and others don’t), and the importance of empathy when you’re telling a story. Download a FREE resources pack to go with this episode at https://bit.ly/plazoomsamcopeland.
This episode is divided into three sections, which can be listened to in one go, as a sequence spread over several days, or in isolation. If you only have time to listen to one, we recommend section 2, which includes the author reading from their own work.
Section 1 starts at 00:00
Section 2 starts at 09:33
Section 3 starts at 20:22
Join the Plazoom community by signing up to our newsletter for free resources and special offers at plazoom.com! 
ⓣ https://twitter.com/plazoomshop 
ⓕ https://www.facebook.com/Plazoom-648739442272915 
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Plotting and planning, with Robin Stevens

Robin Stevens – best known for her brilliant Murder Most Unladylike series of books, in which two young girls form a detective agency and solve a succession of grisly crimes – joins presenter Helen Mulley to talk about how to plan plots, edit your own writing and deal with those times when the words just won’t come! 
Don’t forget to download your free resources pack for this episode at bit.ly/AIYCRobinresources, including a teaching guide, PowerPoint, book extracts and planning sheets, all from from Plazoom – where we are passionate about making great literacy lessons easy!
Murder Most Unladylike is suitable for readers aged 9–12, and the resources pack based around this episode has been designed to be used primarily with Years 5 and 6 or equivalent. Download the pack, for free, at bit.ly/AIYCRobinresources – whether you’re a teacher, a parent, or anyone who cares about inspiring the magic of writing in young people! 
This episode is divided into three sections, which can be listened to in one go, as a sequence spread over several days, or in isolation. If you only have time to listen to one, we recommend section 2, which includes the author reading from their own work. 
Section 1 starts at 00:00
Section 2 starts at 16:03
Section 3 starts at 25:17
Join the Plazoom community by signing up to our newsletter for free resources and special offers at plazoom.com! 
ⓣ https://twitter.com/plazoomshop 
ⓕ https://www.facebook.com/Plazoom-648739442272915  
ⓟ https://www.pinterest.co.uk/plazoom 

Welcome to Author In Your Classroom!

Welcome to the podcast for teachers where we speak to the writers your children love, about everything that goes into the stories they make happen. From why one word is better than another, to creating characters and planning plots, we ask the questions that will unlock the secrets of really brilliant writing, so your pupils can add a touch of professionalism – and magic! – to their own work.
We know how much impact author visits can have in schools, and we also know just how hard it can be host them as often as teachers would like, so our aim with this podcast is to bring amazing children’s writers into your classroom at a time that suits you, for no cost whatsoever, and all supported by free resources on plazoom.com! Most of all, it’s a celebration of wonderful books, unforgettable characters, and the kinds of stories that can stay with readers for a lifetime!
We want to reach as many classrooms as possible, so please do spread the word; to subscribe to the podcast completely free, search for 'Author in Your Classroom', from Plazoom, wherever you get your podcasts!