events 2025

25th June - National Literary Trust, Doncaster

12th June - Barnes Children's Book Festival - Schools Programme

16th April - 24th April - Shanghai and Beijing School Tour with Author's Abroad

18th March - National Literacy Trust, Manchester

10th March - Hockerill School, online

5th - 6th March - World Book Day school events, London

2nd Feb - Day Dreams Bookshop, Milngavie

Work with Maisie

School Author Talks & Workshops

I love going to schools and talking to children and inspiring a love of reading. Reading for pleasure (and knowledge) is one of the great equalisers in society. My books have STEAM, mythology, reflect realities, working class families, young carers, humour, resilient children, crime stories for kids, Comic Cons, popular culture, untold histories, and more!

Interactive Author Talks - KS1 (P2-P3) and KS2 (P4-P6)
Creative Writing and Drawing Workshops - linked to my books
Assemblies - reading for pleasure, my writing journey, etc

I can be flexible depending on need. Get in touch for fees.

U.K. school events (in-person or virtual) - contact Maisie

International school events - contact Authors Abroad

I have a Scottish DBS and PVG but should have an adult present at all times in schools. Scottish school can apply for LIVE LITERATURE funding from Scottish Book Trust for part funding of author events. Other ways to pay for an author visit - PTA fundraising, local indie bookshops might offer free visits in exchange for book sales, libraries or educational organisations (festival school programmes) might offer free or subsidised author talks. Do check with your local library service.

Get in touch

Testimonials:

'Maisie was a delight from start to finish - she really connected with our cohort, and even added in a part to the presentation (while she was mid flow) to allow our minority students to feel seen. During the writing workshop, Maisie really created a fun buzz and connected with the students over their work.' K. MacLeod, Milne High School

'Maisie worked with all of the children in the Lower school, from 4 to 11 year-olds, and all of them engaged enthusiastically in her workshops. They loved finding out about her own reading journey, the special people that inspired the characters in her books and exploring these characters in more depth. They listedn attentively as she read excerpts from the Tiger Warrior series, Danny Chung and Lizzie Chu. The children delighted in creating their own characters and left her workhops excited and enthused about reading. It was a brilliant start to our World Book Day celebrations.' R. Gonin, teacher ACS Egham International School

Festivals, Talks and KeyNote Speaker

I have been a guest speaker multiple times at Edinburgh International Book Festival and for many organisations and am grateful to have appeared at many other festivals including: Birmingham Literature Festival, Islay Book Festival, Stoke Newington Book Festival, Southbank Imagine Festival, Hong Kong Book Festival, Northern Children's Book Festival, Wigtown's Big DOG, Wee Write, as well as many more. I have given talks for World Book Day's at Matilda the musical alongside Cressida Cowell, Greg James and Chris Smith and worked with the British Library educational outreach department. Plus I've been the keynotes at Cheltenham's Festival's Reading Teachers Reading Pupils Conference, CLPE's Reflecting Realities, and the ESEA AUTHOR LITFEST 2024 at SOAS.

I can do solo talks or be part of panel talks. Please contact my PR person for the appropriate book.

Get in touch

Working with writers, Commissions & Mentoring

Helping others be creative has also been a passion of mine. I've lead creative writing workshops for adults with Arvon, Scottish Book Trust, Writing West Midlands, All Stories, Megaphone, Ayr Writer's Group, and more.

I've worked with various writers on their early draft manuscripts such as Sunday Times bestselling fantasy author Eliza Chan, Lui Sit, Nazima Pathan and Taslin Pollock. I am currently working with Helen Crevel on her middle grade novel (funded by Arts Council England). I've mentored for Scottish Book Trust's New Writer's Award, Megaphone CIC and Write Mentor. I am currently an Royal Literary Fund Fellow at the University of Strathclyde and help students with their academic writing. I have a BA (American Studies), Mphil (Film) and a PgDip in Writing.

I also mentor privately depending on my workload. You might just want one session to talk about your path, or you might want up to six sessions over a year. I mentor holistically, which means I ask about your circumstances, how to fit writing into your life. Writing a book isn't just about the editorial work, it's often a mental and emotional journey too.

Get in touch

Testimonials:

'I am so thankful to Maisie for her support at critical time for the story and for myself as am emerging writer. Her generosity, belief and experience were crucial to my development and I consider myself very fortunate to have been taken under her wing.' Lui Sit, Land of the Last Wildcat (Macmillan)

'We are so happy we invited Maisie Chan as a guest speaker. She gave our members a fascinating taste of the world of children's fiction. Her talk and presentation were professional, informative and entertaining. We've no doubt she sparker our members' imagination and has inspired them to write for younger readers.' Linda and Carrie, Ayr Writers Club, Presidents.

' I love to read in bed! I didn't grow up in a house full of books, but my mum took me to the library!' - maisie chan