The London Library & Pen to Print Masterclass: Writing for Children with Maz Evans

The London Library & Pen to Print Masterclass: Writing for Children with Maz Evans

Pen to Print and The London Library are joining forces for the fourth year, to bring you a series of workshops designed to take you through different creative writing processes, including writing poetry, writing for children, introduction to Screenwriting and how to publish your own work. The workshops all take place at the atmospheric London Library and are open to aspiring writers in any genre.

In this workshop, award-winning children’s author Maz Evans will introduce the craft of writing for young readers. Drawing on her experience as the creator of bestselling middle-grade fiction, Maz will explore how stories for children are structured, how character and voice shape a narrative, and how writers can balance humour, pace and emotion to keep young audiences engaged.

Through discussion and practical exercises, participants will gain insight into narrative structure, developing story ideas, and shaping them into compelling stories for younger readers.

There will be time to write, reflect, and share work in a supportive environment, with opportunities to receive positive and constructive feedback. .

There will be an opportunity to ask questions about the sessions afterwards.

Maz Evans is the author of the bestselling WHO LET THE GODS OUT?, VI SPY and SCARLETT FIFE series, which have collectively sold over half a million copies to 22 countries worldwide. They have received over 30 award nominations, including the Carnegie Medal, Branford Boase, Books Are My Bag, Waterstone’s Children’s Book of the Year, Indie Children’s Book of the Year and CrimeFest Best Children’s Book. She narrates the audiobooks for the series and her acclaimed live events have featured at Hay, Imagine, Edinburgh, Bath, Cheltenham, Bestival, Wilderness, CarFest and countless literary festivals and primary schools around the UK. Her debut adult novel, OVER MY DEAD BODY will be published with Headline in August 2023.

Maz has contributed to RETURN TO WONDERLAND, THE BOOK OF HOPES and SWALLOWED BY A WHALE and her children’s poetry has been published in Caterpillar magazine. Her career began as a TV journalist, writing for The Daily Telegraph and TV Times magazine and she still regularly broadcasts her views on anything from politics to parenthood on BBC Radio 2 and the bus.

As a scriptwriter, her original musical H. R. HAITCH (with composer Luke Bateman) was produced at the Union Theatre, London in 2018. She has previously had shows produced at the Actors’ Church Covent Garden, Southend Palace Theatre and Bryanston Arts Centre and she was awarded places in the Holby City and Casualty BBC Shadow schemes.

As a songwriter, Maz won the Iris Theatre song writing award three years in succession (with Luke Bateman) and her cabaret songs are regularly performed in the West End and beyond. As an author, she has won the hearts of thousands of children and as a nuclear physicist, she has frankly been completely rubbish.

The workshop will run from 11am to 1pm at the Library and all participants will receive a complimentary London Library day ticket (worth £30) so that you can continue writing or using the Library until it closes at 5.30pm. A guided tour of the Library will be on offer after the workshop for anyone who wants to explore. Tea and coffee will be provided throughout the workshop.

Pen to Print is an organisation established in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham and operating within the borough’s library service. Built on the belief that everybody should have a chance to tell their story, the organisation creates a network of expertise and support for aspiring writers.

The London Library is a unique literary oasis in the heart of London. Founded in 1841, it is steeped in literary history, holds an unrivalled collection of over a million books, hosts a vibrant events programme and is a home for anyone who loves the written word.

Important to Know

This event will take place in person at The London Library. Please see our Event Access Guidelines before you arrive.

Attendees will be able to access The London Library from 10.45am ahead of the event starting at 11am. Please let us know if you are unable to attend so that we can reallocate your ticket. If you have any questions, email samia.djilli@londonlibrary.co.uk.

London Library events are subject to Terms & Conditions