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Author & Illustrator Masterclasses

‘An essential course for any writer at any stage of their author journey’
-Charissa Coulthard, author

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23 September AND 30 September

EmpathyLab activates reading to build real life empathy and partnerships with schools, authors and illustrators are vital in achieving this. A key strand of our work is to offer authors and illustrators Empathy Masterclasses so they can integrate a greater focus on empathy into any school visit or festival event.

Aims of the masterclass

  • To equip authors with the knowledge and ideas to introduce a sharper empathy focus into school and festival events
  • To explore how authors can be empathy role models for children and young people – championing the language, values and skills of empathy
  • Find out how you can be an empathy champion, with ongoing access to EmpathyLab resources and digital assets, to share widely with your audiences
  • Learn how you can get involved with EmpathyLab’s campaigns supporting schools, libraries, families and bookshops to benefit from reading for empathy

Benefits for authors & illustrators

  • Inspiration and new ideas from practical examples of author empathy-focused work (festivals/schools/libraries)
  • Understanding of the science of empathy and how book characters affect readers’ brains, building real-life empathy
  • Connecting with and inspiring a young audience who are learning about empathy
  • Doing social good by being part of a growing empathy movement
  • Learning how to weave a sharper empathy focus into existing workshops and talks
  • New event hook/different pitch to event organisers (eg. PSHE leads) by helping to develop a key social/emotional skill

Take a look at the 2026 masterclass agenda

Masterclass Agenda '26

During the National Year of Reading we are offering all published children’s authors & illustrators the opportunity at just £100. Self fund or ask your publisher to nominate you.

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Farrah Riaz talks about her experience on the masterclass