News…
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July 2026
Canterbury Children’s Lit Festival
I worked with a mixed group of years 7‒9 at Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys, writing Manifesto Poetry. We explored climate fiction as a way of engaging with climate change. An inspiring morning ‒ the poems the children produced were beautiful.
June 2026
Uttlesford Big Green Festival
It was an honour to be invited to run a children’s writing workshop as part of the Big Green Festival. We explored how storytelling can help when facing change. No voices are too small.
May 2026
Linton Children’s Book Festival
I had great fun taking the Terra Electrica roadshow to Linton Book Festival, also hosted by the amazing Norfolk Children’s Book Centre. I ran a drop-in activity and talked books and reading with children and parents and other visiting authors.
March 2026
World Book Day, Twyford School
A delightful visit to Twyford School to celebrate World Book Day, joining forces with Head of English extraordinaire Ms Iliffe! Workshops with Years 6, 7 and 8 ‒ generating fantasy food, finding guardian animals and building stories…
October 2025
Norwich Book Festival
An exciting gig! Part of the Imaginarium at the Norwich Book Festival - talking all things Arctic and helping young readers find their very own guardian animal.
March 2025
World Book Day, Alameda Middle School
‘It was a pleasure to welcome author Antonia Maxwell to Alameda. It was great to hear about her career in editing and her journey to becoming a published author. Antonia’s inspiration of the natural world and influences from climate change in her story Terra Electrica align with the excellent work our school, led by our eco-council, continue to undertake this year. After the talks, some pupils were also invited to a writing workshop where they looked at the use of the five senses and perspective when developing their narrative writing.’
March 2025
Climate fiction talk, Saffron Walden County High
‘As part of World Book Week, on Wednesday lunch time, the Learning Centre hosted a highly informative and entertaining talk on Climate Fiction, presented by author Antonia Maxwell. Using her debut novel Terra Electrica as an example, lower school students learnt about how the genre can help young people to consider environmental issues through imagined environments and help them navigate a rapidly changing world.
Following the talk, there was an opportunity for students to take part in a discussion about how they felt about climate issues and how they could play their part in shaping the future in a positive way.’
February 2025
Terra Electrica writing competition
Following writing workshops in character worldbuilding, students from year 7 and 8 were invited to write 500 words for an introduction or key scene in an adventure story.
January 2025
Haberdashers’ Girls’ School
‘Earlier in the month, Habs Girls were lucky to welcome author Antonia Maxwell, who shared her journey and the powerful message behind Terra Electrica. Her visit reminded us how books can spark imagination and drive change.’
December 2024
Spark Book Awards 9+ Longlist
‘A gripping story of courage & survival set in a dystopian future. We loved Mani’s quiet strength and the combination of edge-of-your-seat adventure with her inner journey into the spirit world.’ #SparkLonglist
Saffron Walden County High School: Creative Writing Workshops Year 7, October 2024
Character and Worldbuilding
What the students said…
Summer 2024
Launch party, Hart’s Books, Saffron Walden
Terra Electrica!
Original song by Vince Taylor
Listen here!
Cambridge Waterstones
Book talkand signing
Saffron Walden Library
Book talk and signing
Radio Essex, Interview with Akylah Rodriguez
Pre-launch interview
Cambridge Community Arts
Teaching Writing for Children
Summer Course
St Neots Waterstones
Book talk and ‘Find Your Spirit Animal’ activity
Cambridge Libraries
Cambourne and Great Shelford
Mask Making activities to support Marvellous Makers Summer Reaching Challenge
