For schools, events & interviews

Imagine an audience questioning what they thought they knew, a group of writers discovering that the most ordinary object can tell an extraordinary story, or a classroom full of young detectives,

I'm Neil Bailey, an author of thrillers, environmental fiction, and children's mysteries. I bring stories to life through author visits, creative writing sessions, talks and events that encourage people to look closer, ask questions and imagine what might happen next.

I am available for:

School visits

Author talks

Creative writing sessions

Environmental storytelling

Book festivals/signings

Podcasts and interviews

FAQs

Neil Bailey author photo showing Neil sat in a chair

INVITE ME

A beautiful Striped Tiger Butterfly on a

School visits

I visit schools to talk about being an author, share my books and encourage young people to discover the fun of storytelling and creative writing. I enjoy helping young people realise that stories can begin with something as simple as an observation, an unusual question or an idea that makes them wonder, "What if?"

I can tailor sessions to different ages, from lively, humorous presentations for younger pupils to discussions about suspense, character development and the writing process for older students.

Example sessions include:

How to Become a Story Detective: Using clues, asking questions and solving mysteries, inspired by Lily and the Great Biscuit Heist.
What If...? Exploring how ordinary observations can become extraordinary story ideas.
When Nature Fights Back: Looking at environmental themes and the ideas behind The Awakening.

Suitable for: Primary and secondary schools, literacy weeks, World Book Day events and school enrichment days.

Author talks

I give talks about my books, the ideas behind them and the experiences that have shaped my writing. Rather than simply reading extracts, I enjoy exploring the questions that inspire my stories, from the science behind environmental fiction to the ways we interpret the world around us.

My talks can be adapted to suit different audiences, with opportunities for questions and discussion.

Example talks include:

Where Do Stories Come From? Exploring how a small observation or an intriguing question can develop into a novel.
What If the World Isn't What We Think It Is? Discussing perception, assumptions and the ideas behind psychological thrillers.
When Nature Becomes the Monster: Exploring ecological horror and how real environmental concerns can inspire fiction.

Suitable for: Libraries, bookshops, reading groups, literary societies, community groups and arts organisations.

Creative writing sessions

I run creative writing sessions designed to help people develop their own ideas without feeling they need to know all the rules of writing before they begin. My own approach is based on curiosity, experimentation and asking "What if?" rather than trying to force every story into a predetermined structure. I bring with me over twenty years experience of running training workshops to individuals and businesses.

My workshops offer practical activities that encourage participants to look at familiar things differently, experiment with ideas and discover where their imagination takes them.

Example sessions include:

The What If? Workshop: Turning an everyday observation into an original story idea.
Stories Without Characters: Creating a narrative through the journey of an object, such as a discarded crisp packet.
The Art of the Twist: Exploring how changing one assumption can transform a story.

Suitable for: Schools, libraries, adult education, writing groups, community arts programmes and online workshops.

School visits

Author talks

Creative writing sessions

Give it a go now. Pick one of the three prompts and see where your story takes you

Crisp Packet

A crisp packet is found in the middle of a woodland, fifty miles from the nearest town. How did it get there, and what happened along the way?

Who would be involved? What happened? What explanation could turn everything upside down?

Environmental storytelling

Book festivals/signings

Environmental storytelling

I bring together my interest in the natural world, environmental issues and creative writing to explore how nature can inspire compelling stories. Through my own ecological fiction, I look at the relationship between people and the environment, the ways landscapes carry evidence of the past and the possibilities that emerge when we question our assumptions about the natural world.

These sessions combine observation, discussion and creative thinking. Depending on the audience and setting, they can include practical writing exercises or outdoor activities that encourage participants to look more closely at their surroundings. These are best done outside in the natural environment.

Example sessions include:

The Landscape as a Character: Discovering how places can shape events, influence behaviour and become an essential part of a story.
What If Nature Fought Back? Exploring the ideas behind The Awakening and how environmental concerns can provide the starting point for speculative fiction.
Stories from the Natural World: Using observations from a woodland, garden, park or other outdoor setting to develop original stories.

Suitable for: Wildlife trusts, environmental organisations, nature and science festivals, schools, community groups and outdoor learning programmes.

Book festivals/signings

I enjoy opportunities to share my work and discuss the ideas that drive my writing with readers, writers and fellow book lovers. I can contribute as a speaker, workshop leader or panel guest, with sessions covering everything from environmental fiction and psychological thrillers to children's mysteries and the creative process.

I'm particularly interested in exploring the questions behind stories, how real-world observations become fiction and why the most interesting ideas often begin with challenging something we take for granted.

Example appearances include:

A panel discussion about climate fiction, eco-thrillers and environmental horror.
A talk exploring the difference between what happens and what we believe happened.
A discussion about writing across genres, from children's comedy mysteries to adult psychological thrillers.
An interactive What If? session in which the audience helps turn an everyday observation into a story idea.

Suitable for: Local and regional book festivals, literary festivals, science festivals, environmental festivals and independent bookshop events.

Podcasts and interviews

I'm available for podcast appearances, radio interviews, online discussions and written interviews about my books, my writing and the ideas that inspire me. I enjoy exploring the questions behind my stories, whether that's the science behind an eco-thriller, the psychology of perception or the challenges of developing a creative practice that works for you.

I'm also happy to discuss wider subjects, including environmental storytelling, the expectations placed on authors and the relationship between curiosity, observation and imagination.

Example topics include:

How environmental concerns inspire my fiction and where I find ideas for eco-thrillers.
Writing psychological thrillers that challenge readers' assumptions about what is real.
Being a neurodivergent writer and navigating the expectations of author promotion.
Finding my own writing process and why I no longer believe every novelist needs to follow the same rules.
The science behind my fiction, from ecological change to the possibilities that inspire speculative stories.

Suitable for: Writing and publishing podcasts, nature and conservation programmes, psychology podcasts, book blogs, local radio and literary YouTube channels.

Let's work together

I'm happy to discuss adapting a talk, school visit or workshop to suit a particular audience, theme or event. Whether you're looking for an engaging author visit, a practical creative writing session or a conversation about the ideas behind my books, I'd love to hear what you have in mind.

Tell me a little about your audience, what you'd like them to take away from the event, and any ideas you've already got. We can explore the possibilities together.

Podcasts and interviews

INVITE ME

FAQs

What kinds of events do you offer?

I offer a range of events built around books, storytelling and the power of a good idea. These include school visits, author talks, creative writing workshops, environmental storytelling sessions, book festivals and podcasts or interviews. Whether you'd like to inspire young writers, explore the secrets behind a good story or discuss how the natural world can influence fiction, we can work together to find something that suits your audience.

Who can book you for an event?

I work with schools, libraries, bookshops, book festivals, community groups, writing organisations and other people who share a love of stories. I'm happy to hear from anyone looking for an author who can bring curiosity, imagination and a slightly different perspective to an event. If you've got an idea that doesn't quite fit one of the categories on this page, get in touch anyway. I'd love to hear about it.

What makes your author visits different?

I'm fascinated by the things people overlook, the assumptions we make and the difference between what we think has happened and what actually happened. I bring that curiosity into my writing and my sessions, encouraging people to look closer, ask questions and explore possibilities they might not have considered. Whether we're investigating a "what-if?", developing a story or looking at the natural world, the aim is to get people thinking for themselves and discovering just how many stories are waiting to be found.

Can you tailor an event to our audience?

Absolutely. Every audience is different, and I'd rather understand what you're hoping to achieve than turn up with a session that doesn't quite fit. Tell me about your audience, their interests and any particular themes or learning objectives you'd like to explore. We can then discuss how to shape an event around your needs, whether that's a lively mystery session, a practical writing workshop or a conversation about books and the environment.

Do you visit schools and organisations outside your local area?

I'm happy to discuss events in different locations, although what's practical will depend on the venue, the date and the travel involved. Let me know where you're based and what you've got planned, and we can work out whether a visit is possible.

Do you offer online events as well as in-person visits?

Yes, I'm happy to deliver online talks, interviews and workshops and highly experienced in doing so. Get in touch with details of your event, your audience and the format you're considering, and we can explore what's possible.

How far in advance should we book?

The earlier you get in touch, the more likely we are to find a date that works for everyone, particularly if you're planning a school visit, festival or event tied to a particular date. I also have a day-job so need to work around that. That said, it's always worth asking about availability, even if your event is coming up soon. Send me the details and I'll let you know what might be possible.

How do we enquire about availability and fees?

The easiest way is to use my contact form - 'invite me'. Tell me a little about your organisation, the type of event you're planning, your preferred date, your location and the audience you'd like to reach. I'll then be able to discuss availability, fees and the practical details with you.

Can we try one of your writing challenges before booking?

Of course. Have a look at the writing challenge on this page and give one of the prompts a try. You might be asked to build a story around an ordinary object, investigate a puzzling event or imagine an unexpected explanation for something you've observed. There's no single correct answer. The point is to see where your imagination takes you. If you enjoy the challenge, get in touch to find out more about the creative writing sessions and activities I can offer.

Which age groups do you work with?

My sessions can be shaped around different audiences, although the most suitable format will depend on the age group and the activity you're considering. From children's mystery writing to discussions about storytelling, suspense and the environment, there are plenty of possibilities. Tell me the ages of your pupils and what you'd like them to get out of the visit, and we can discuss an appropriate session.

What happens during a school visit?

A school visit should be more than an author standing at the front talking about books. I like to get people thinking, asking questions and becoming involved in the ideas behind stories. Depending on the session, we might explore how authors develop ideas, investigate clues, create believable characters or turn an ordinary observation into an unexpected adventure. The format can be adapted to suit your pupils and the time available.

Can you support our English or creative writing curriculum?

I'd be delighted to discuss how a session could complement your teaching. Storytelling offers opportunities to explore character, plot, setting, suspense, inference and the way writers use language to influence what readers think. We could also look at how to develop original ideas, build tension or create an ending that makes a reader rethink everything that came before. Let me know which skills or topics you'd like to focus on, and we can discuss a suitable approach.

Do pupils need to have read your books beforehand?

No, not necessarily. A session can be built around storytelling, imagination and creative activities without pupils having read one of my books. If they've already read a book, however, that can give us a useful starting point for discussing characters, clues, plot twists and the decisions a writer makes. I'm happy to discuss whichever approach works best for your school.

Can you run workshops for whole year groups or smaller classes?

The best format will depend on the activity, the age of the pupils and the size of the group. Some sessions work well as larger presentations, while practical writing activities may benefit from a smaller group. Tell me how many pupils you'd like to involve and what you're hoping to achieve, and we can discuss the most suitable arrangement.

Do pupils get the opportunity to ask questions?

Yes, I want pupils to have the opportunity to ask questions and share their ideas. I'm all about interaction not just talking-at people. Questions can be just as interesting as answers, particularly when we're talking about how stories work or where ideas come from. I'm always interested in hearing what young readers think, including the theories and explanations I might never have considered myself.

Do you provide writing activities that pupils can continue in class?

We can discuss activities that teachers can use to extend the session afterwards. A good writing challenge shouldn't necessarily end when the visit does. It might begin with an unusual object, a puzzling event or a simple "what if?" question, then develop into a story pupils can continue exploring in their own time. I can help you identify a suitable starting point for your class.

What happens in a creative writing workshop?

A creative writing workshop is about discovering possibilities and learning how to turn an idea into a story. We might start with an ordinary object, an unusual observation or a question that leads somewhere unexpected. From there, we can explore characters, settings, conflicts, clues and plot twists. My aim is to help participants develop their own ideas and discover that a story can begin almost anywhere.

Do participants need to be confident writers?

Not at all. You don't need to be an experienced writer to have a good idea, and you certainly don't need to know how a story will end before you begin. Curiosity is a useful starting point, and some of the most interesting stories come from asking questions that initially seem a little ridiculous. The sessions are about exploring possibilities and finding your own way into a story, rather than getting everything right first time. Depending on the location and time available we can even creatively story tell without any writing at all.

Can you help people who struggle to come up with story ideas?

Absolutely. Getting started can be one of the hardest parts of writing, particularly when you feel you're expected to produce a brilliant idea out of nowhere. I like to begin with things people can observe, questions they can ask or situations they can imagine. A discarded object, an unexplained event or a small detail that doesn't quite fit can become the starting point for something much bigger. Often, the trick isn't to search harder for an idea but to look at something familiar in a different way.

Do you offer activities suitable for reluctant writers?

I'd be very happy to discuss activities for people who find writing difficult or intimidating. Starting with a puzzle, a strange situation or a question can be less daunting than being told to write a story from scratch. We can explore characters, clues and possibilities before worrying about producing a finished piece of writing. The aim is to make storytelling feel accessible and give participants a way into the creative process that works for them.

Can you run a workshop around a particular theme?

Yes, we can discuss a theme that suits your group or event. Possibilities include mystery, suspense, horror, imagination, the natural world, environmental change and the way people interpret what they see. If you've got a particular topic in mind, let me know. We can explore how to turn it into an engaging writing activity or discussion.

Do you offer workshops for adults as well as children?

Absolutely, my workshops are great for adult groups, including writing groups, community organisations and people who are curious about storytelling. The activities and approach would depend on the group and what you'd like to achieve. Whether you're developing your writing or simply want to explore how stories are constructed, we can discuss a format that suits you.

Can participants share and discuss their stories?

That depends on the format and the preferences of the group. Sharing ideas can be a useful way to discover how differently people approach the same starting point, and discussion can help writers see possibilities they hadn't considered. I also recognise that not everyone wants to read their work aloud, so any sharing activity can be discussed beforehand and adapted to the group.

What is environmental storytelling?

For me, environmental storytelling is about exploring the stories that exist in the relationship between people and the natural world. A woodland, a fallen tree, a changing landscape or an everyday object left behind can all prompt questions about what has happened, why it happened and what might happen next. These observations can become the starting point for fiction, discussion and creative writing, helping us see the environment as more than just a backdrop.

Can you combine creative writing with nature and conservation?

Yes. I'm particularly interested in how the natural world, human behaviour and environmental change can inspire stories. We might use observations of wildlife, habitats or landscapes to develop characters and plots, or explore how small human actions can have consequences far beyond what we initially expect. The aim isn't simply to write about nature, but to use it as a starting point for curiosity, imagination and a deeper exploration of our relationship with the world around us.

Do environmental storytelling sessions need to take place outdoors?

Not necessarily. Although being outdoors can provide wonderful opportunities for observation, environmental storytelling can work just as well in a classroom, library or community venue. We can use photographs, objects, descriptions and imaginative prompts to explore the natural world and develop stories inspired by it. If you'd prefer an outdoor session, let me know the setting and what you're hoping to achieve so we can discuss the practicalities.

Can sessions be adapted for an outdoor learning day?

Potentially, yes. Environmental storytelling can provide a creative addition to an outdoor learning day, encouraging participants to observe their surroundings and use what they notice as inspiration for stories. We could explore a habitat, investigate details in the landscape or develop a narrative based on what participants discover. The format would depend on the venue, the group and the activities you'd like to include, so it's worth discussing your plans in advance.

How do you use environmental themes in your novels?

The environment often provides much more than a setting for my stories. I'm interested in how human behaviour affects the natural world, how ecosystems respond to change and how scientific possibilities can inspire unsettling questions. In The Awakening, for example, the relationship between humanity and the natural world becomes central to the story. I enjoy exploring what might happen if we looked at familiar environmental problems from an unexpected perspective, then followed the consequences through to their most dramatic possibilities.

What subjects can you talk about?

My talks can cover the writing process, developing story ideas, environmental storytelling and the relationship between fiction and the real world. I'm also interested in how people make assumptions and arrive at different conclusions about the same events. If you've got a particular theme in mind, get in touch and we can discuss whether it's a good fit.

Can you take part in author panels and audience Q&A sessions?

Yes, I'd be happy to discuss taking part in panels, audience discussions and question-and-answer sessions. I enjoy exploring the ideas behind stories, how writers approach their work and the unexpected routes that can lead from an initial question to a finished book. Tell me about your event, the other participants and the subjects you'd like to cover, and we can discuss the possibilities.

Are you available for podcasts, radio interviews and online discussions?

I'm interested in conversations about writing, books, creativity and the ideas behind my work. Topics might include children's fiction, psychological thrillers, environmental themes, the creative process or the challenges of bringing a story to life. If you're planning a podcast, radio interview or online discussion, send me a little information about your programme, your audience and the topics you'd like to explore.

Can you discuss where your story ideas come from?

One of the things I enjoy most about writing is discovering how an idea develops. A story might begin with an observation, a question, an environmental issue or a possibility that refuses to leave me alone. I'm particularly interested in asking "what if?" and following the answer to see where it leads. I'm often less interested in the obvious explanation than in the alternative that makes us reconsider what we thought we knew.

Do you have talks suitable for book clubs and reading groups?

I'd be happy to discuss an event for a book club or reading group. We could explore the ideas behind a novel, the decisions involved in constructing a story, the development of characters or the ways readers can interpret the same events differently. If your group has read one of my books, that provides a natural starting point for a conversation about the story, its themes and the choices that shaped it.

How long does a typical session last?

The length of a session will depend on the type of event, the audience and what you'd like to achieve. A short author talk will have different requirements from a practical creative writing workshop, and school visits may need to fit around the timetable. Let me know what you're planning and how much time you've got available, and we can discuss a suitable format.

What equipment or facilities do you need?

Requirements will depend on the session. Some events may need little more than a suitable space and an audience ready to get involved, while others might benefit from presentation equipment, a whiteboard or materials for writing activities. Once we've discussed your event, I'll let you know what would be useful and what, if anything, you'll need to provide.

What are your fees for visits and events?

Fees depend on the type of event, its duration, the location and any preparation involved. Once I know a little more about what you're planning, I can discuss the arrangements and provide the relevant details. Please include your venue, preferred date and the kind of session you're interested in when you get in touch.

Do you charge for travel?

Travel arrangements will depend on the location and the type of event. When you enquire, please include the venue or postcode so that I can take the journey into account when discussing the booking and any associated costs. Any travel costs would be charged at cost not for profit.

Can you book more than one session in a day?

That may be possible, depending on the type of sessions, the venue, the timetable and the travel involved. Schools, for example, may wish to arrange sessions for different classes during the same visit. Tell me how many groups you'd like to accommodate and what you'd like each session to cover, and we can discuss a practical arrangement.

What happens if we need to change the date?

If your plans change, please get in touch as soon as possible so we can discuss the options. Any changes will depend on availability and the arrangements agreed when the booking was confirmed. I'll make sure we're clear about the details when we arrange the event.

How do we confirm a booking?

Start by sending me the details of your proposed event, including the date, location, audience and the type of session you're interested in. We'll then discuss availability, fees and any practical requirements. Once we've agreed the arrangements, I'll confirm the booking and the details we'll need to make the event work well.

For schools, events & interviews

School visits

Author talks

Creative writing sessions

Give it a go now. Pick one of the three prompts and see where your story takes you

Crisp Packet

Environmental storytelling

Book festivals/signings

Podcasts and interviews

Let's work together

FAQs

What kinds of events do you offer?

Who can book you for an event?

What makes your author visits different?

Can you tailor an event to our audience?

Do you visit schools and organisations outside your local area?

Do you offer online events as well as in-person visits?

How far in advance should we book?

How do we enquire about availability and fees?

​Can we try one of your writing challenges before booking?

Can we try one of your writing challenges before booking?