YA SHOT Saturday 22 October 2016 Uxbridge (London) ya_shotYA Shot is a not-for-profit one-day literary festival involving around 70 top Young Adult and Middle Grade authors in a programme of 35 workshop, in-conversation and panel events in the centre of Uxbridge. The event is run in partnership with Hillingdon Council & Hillingdon Borough Libraries, Waterstones Uxbridge and is supported by an Arts Council Grant.   From Adventure to Historical Fiction, Fantasy to Crime, and Comedy to Sci-Fi there are events for readers of all interests, including panels on friendship, poverty, feminism in fantasy novels, the role of music in young people’s lives, and the impact of being a teen in the digital age, as well as workshops on intersectional feminism, fantasy world-building, and strong opening chapters. There are also 7 fantastic workshops from top book-vloggers and bloggers. This year’s authors include Tanya Landman (Carnegie Medal winner), Michelle Harrison (Waterstones Children’s Book Prize winner) and several authors shortlisted for the YA Book Prize (including Holly Bourne, Melinda Salisbury and Catherine Johnson), as well as many other bestselling, award-winning and critically claimed authors such as Alexia Casale, Holly Smale, Jenny McLachlan, Jenny Downham and Samantha Shannon.   The money raised from ticket sales supports a year-long Libraries-Schools Programme of up to 35 free author visits to 1-3 different library systems each year. The chosen library systems distribute the events across their libraries, which then invite in local schools (with priority going to disadvantaged schools) to enjoy the opportunity to meet a fantastic author in order to inspire a love of reading, a passion for creative writing and aspirations to a career in the Arts.   The evidence about the importance of author visits is incredibly compelling: a major survey by the Society of Authors recently showed that they have a profound and lasting impact on all areas of educational achievement and development, as well as empathy, social skills and social engagement. All pupils in schools that organised a visit were positively engaged including (and particularly) reluctant readers and those with Special Educational Needs. However, with cuts to library funding in schools and the public sector, author visits are a luxury that only some can afford – but often it’s those schools and students most in need who don’t have access. We want to help fill this gap and provide young people with the opportunity to experience a huge book event – but locally and affordably. And for those who aren’t local, we are rolling out the Libraries-Schools Programme nationally to help support libraries across the UK in the face of the swinging cuts damaging their capacity to cater for schools and people.   All-day tickets are £20 for an adult, £15 concession (including students and under 18s; minimum age 7, under 12s must be accompanied). Ticket are available direct from: www.yashot.co.uk - there are no booking, postage or other fees. ______________________________________________________________________ Get Creative Family Arts Festival - UK wide events throughout October 2016 ENTER OUR PRIZE DRAW TO WIN A BOX SET OF BOOKS FROM DAVID WALLIAMS OR MICHAEL MORPURGO GCFAF_logo The fourth edition of the Get Creative Family Arts Festival presents an extraordinary variety of activities for the whole family, suitable for all age groups during October 2016.   From site specific public art, award-winning musicals and plays, innovative performances and workshops to spectacular science shows, the festival covers activities across a wide spectrum of disciplines.   Essential listings for families wanting to experience something new can be found at www.familyartsfestival.com where you can search by postcode, date, artform or age suitability. The Family Arts Standards badge tells you that whether they’re a theatre, an art gallery, an orchestra or a dance company, the organization will be welcoming to families, with helpful staff, good facilities, considered pricing and information to help families decide what is or isn’t suitable for them and their children.   Organisations including Southbank Centre, Wigmore Hall, National Portrait Gallery, HOME, Opera North, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Battersea Arts Centre, Dance Umbrella, Black Theatre Live, Nottingham Playhouse, Victoria Art Gallery, Artes Mundi and St. David’s Hall among others, are already signed up for this year’s programme.   Some festival highlights:   Snowdogs by the Sea kids-festivalUnquestionably one of the most joyful festival attractions, these playful sculptures are so much more than a public art trail adorning Brighton and Hove’s streets, parks and surprise locations. Inspired by the animated short film The Snowman and The Snowdog, which is based on the book by Raymond Briggs, each of the 40 giant Snowdogs has its own, unique character and is specially decorated by artists. A pack of Snowdog puppy sculptures, designed by school children, will also join the art trail at Brighton Museum, Hove Museum and Jubilee library throughout the event.   To infinity and beyond! Family Arts Festival in space… With astronaut Tim Peake having reignited our passion for space exploration, the festival offers some educational, inspiring and quirky cosmic treats. Internationally acclaimed beat-boxer Shlomo retells how studying astrophysics led him to become a performer, TV astronomer and author Mark Thompson promises to bring the Universe a little closer with his Spectacular Science show, while The Ministry of Science Live is looking at the inventors who shaped the modern world we live in. At the same time, The Courtyard Centre for Arts in Hereford is organising an unpredictable Space Jam including aerial performances, dance shows, storytelling from the Space and the essential lightsaber combat workshop for Star Wars fans. The boy who climbed into the moon, based on the book by David Almond and adapted by Daniel Jamieson, the acclaimed production of Alfie White Space Explorer, Underneath a Magical Moon by leading playwright Mike Kenny, and the multimedia solo performance The Unparalleled Adventure of one Hans Pfaall all exploring the fascinating worlds of outer space.   Theatre delights BAFTA award-winning presenter Justin Fletcher, AKA Mr Tumble, is stepping into the role of Stationmaster Mr Perks for one month only, making the popular stage adaptation of E. Nesbit’s classic novel The Railway Children. Another festival ‘must-see’ event will be Chittty Chitty Bang Bang with an all-star cast including Jason Manford as Caractacus Potts, Claire Sweeney as Baroness Bomburst and Phill Jupitus as Lord Scrumptious.   Continuing its relationship with award-winning author and former Patron Michael Morpurgo, the festival is proud to include in its programme The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips, a “life-affirming” tender story of war and prejudice, and Why the whales came an enchanting tale brought to life by award-winning performer and storyteller Danyah Miller. War Horse: The Story in Concert, features Michael Morpurgo as narrator, accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra performing a specially arranged score. Drawing live on stage Olivier, Tony and OBIE award-winning British designer Rae Smith will create animated illustrations of the book.   There are six events in the festival dedicated to the Shakespeare 400 anniversary celebrations. The bard’s greatest tragedy Hamlet is presented by an all black cast, for the first time in Britain, under the direction of Jeffery Kissoon. Adapted especially for young audiences, Macbeth (Blood Will Have Blood) re-tells the timeless story of ambition, greed and abuse of power, while the productions of The Tempest, Bardolph’s Box and Romeo and Juliet make Shakespeare’s work accessible to toddlers and kids.   Inspirational people The Wondercrump World of Roald Dahl. Embark on a magical and interactive journey and discover the secrets of a writer beloved by children of all ages. Learn about Roald Dahl's extraordinary life and the surprising inspiration for his most famous characters and stories. The tour features unique items from the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre archives. Bear Hunt, Chocolate Cake and Bad Things is a brand-new exhibition about Michael Rosen’s most popular books. Through hidden rooms and brilliant clues families can discover what inspired the author’s writing. “This exhibition is one of the most exciting things to have happened in my writing career… I am so looking forward to it.” Steve Backshall’s Wild World. Wildlife TV Presenter, adventurer, naturalist and children's author, Steve Backshall, takes you on a tour of the real life expeditions that have inspired his books The Falcon Chronicles and his new novel in the series, Shark Seas.   Click here to enter our free prize draw: we have a BOX SET OF DAVID WALLIAMS BOOKS and a SELECTION OF 6 MICHAEL MORPURGO BOOKS to give away courtesy of the Family Arts Festival. Please note that this draw is open only for UK residents and is free to enter. Multiple entries from the same email address will only be counted once and the prize cannot be exchanged for cash and does not include transport or accommodation. Draw closes on Friday 30 September. The winners will be chosen randomly from all entrants and will be notified by 5 October 2016.   For more information and to search for events near you visit: www.familyartsfestival.com