Reading Matters

With details of Bradford's young war poet, volunteer opportunities and more, here is the latest Reading Matters newsletter:

Our latest Impact Report shows the vital difference made by 1:1 reading support   As this new term begins, we are delighted to share the results of our latest Impact Report which shows the vital difference that tailored one to one support makes to children and young people who struggle with reading. One to one intervention is a great way to help children catch up quickly. It provides an opportunity to get to know a child, understand their particular difficulty with reading as well as what interests and motivates them and then choose appropriate reading resources to encourage and inspire them. During the last academic year Reading Matters has supported a fantastic total of 6497 children and young people in schools and other settings with reading, communication and confidence so that they can reach their potential and enjoy better chances in life. On average, after just 10 hours of support (two reading sessions lasting 30 minutes every week for a 10 week period) the reading age of a child helped by a Reading Matters' Reading Mentor or Reading Leader improved by 13 months, and in many cases by much more. In addition, 98% of children who were helped by one of our interventions demonstrated a marked improvement in reading ability and 90% said that their confidence and self-esteem had improved. One girl from year 7 who had previously always found reading difficult explained how working in partnership with a Reading Mentor really helped her: "I feel a lot more confident in class now that I can read correctly and I enjoy reading different sorts of books and want to read more and more!". Our Impact report is compiled at the end of each academic year using assessment data provided by Reading Matters’ Reading Mentors and Reading Leaders who are specially trained to get the best out of their one to one reading sessions with children and young people. During 2016-17 there was a substantial increase in the number of Reading Leaders we trained in primary schools. Reading Leaders are older pupils who act as positive role models for younger pupils who need extra support with literacy. The scheme is a great way of improving confidence and self-esteem as well as reading and communication skills. In secondary schools the scheme is accredited, enabling those aged 14 and over to gain a level 2 accreditation in recognition of their commitment to helping younger children. There are still a few places available this autumn term to train Reading Leaders, Reading Mentors, Reading Teams and Reading Families. Please contact Reading Matters on 01274 692219 or info@readingmatters.org.uk if you would like more information about any of our programmes.   We are working with Kirkgate Shopping to find Bradford's Young War Poet  Rachel Kelly of Reading Matters, Taurean Evans and Catherine Riley, Centre Manager of Kirkgate Shopping We are excited to be working in partnership with Kirkgate Shopping in Bradford to help find this year's 'Young War Poet'. The poetry competition, which encourages children to read about war history and write an original poem on the topic of war, was launched on the 9th of September and will be judged by well-known spoken word artist, writer and author Anthony Anaxagorou. All entries should be sent to press@kirkgateshopping.co.uk before the 1st of November 2017. The three winning entrants will perform their poem live at the shopping centre on Armistice Day, Saturday the 11th of November, beside the Royal British Legion. Prizes include an iPad, tickets to see War Horse at the Alhambra Theatre and Kirkgate Shopping vouchers. Rachel Kelly, Reading Matters' Chief Executive commented, "Last year in England over 63,000 children left primary school unable to read to the expected level so we really appreciate Kirkgate Shopping's commitment to this competition which recognises the importance of literacy."   Volunteers needed in Doncaster We need dedicated and enthusiastic adult volunteers to support children with reading in Doncaster. Volunteers need to be available for a couple of hours each week and be keen to share their love of reading with young people for whom it is currently a challenge. If you would like to find out more about becoming a Reading Mentor please contact us on 01274 692219 or info@readingmatters.org.uk. Happy Reading! From the team at Reading Matters   Find us on Twiiter View our Facebook Page Visit our Website Copyright © 2017 Reading Matters, All rights reserved.             Our mailing address is: Reading Matters Western House, Western Way Halifax Road Bradford, West Yorkshire BD6 2SZ United Kingdom

Reading Matters travels to The Hague to train international Reading Leaders   We were delighted to return to The International School of The Hague in the Netherlands recently to train a group of their sixth form pupils to be Reading Leaders. The pupils, all currently in year 12, who took part in the training day spoke multiple languages. The school has students with a wide variety of nationalities and first languages and intends to use its newly trained Reading Leaders to support the reading development of primary pupils who are currently less confident with English. Reading Leaders are older pupils trained to become reading role models for younger children and support their reading development in regular one-to-one sessions. The training is available in both secondary and primary schools and young people aged 14 and over can gain a level two accreditation in recognition of their valuable work. The programme improves the literacy skills and confidence of children on both sides of the partnership and encourages the older child to use initiative, be organised and enjoy helping others. Children who have been supported by a Reading Leader benefit from an average improvement in reading age of 13 months and from raised self-esteem. The feedback from the training was really positive. One student said "Thank you for coming all this way to train us, I am really excited now and eager to get started as a Reading Leader and put to use everything that I have learnt today". Contact us today to find out how you could use Reading Leaders to support reading development in your school.   Reading Leaders in more schools thanks to new grants Since the start of the new academic year we have received some fantastic support for our Reading Leaders programme from several grant making trusts and foundations who recognise the value of the scheme which trains older pupils to support younger ones with reading.  The Scurrah Wainright Charity is supporting Reading Leaders programmes in the Yorkshire area. The Prince of Wales' Charitable Foundation is helping us to train more Reading Leaders nationwide and the James Neil Trust is funding Reading Leaders training in a Sheffield school.  We are extremely grateful to each of these funders for their crucial support which enables us to improve the reading skills of children and young people and change their lives for the better.     Help us to find Bradford's Young War Poet We are excited to be working in partnership with Kirkgate Shopping in Bradford to help find this year's 'Young War Poet'. The poetry competition, which encourages children to read about war history and write an original poem on the topic of war, was launched on the 9th of September and will be judged by well-known spoken word artist, writer and author Anthony Anaxagorou. All entries should be sent to press@kirkgateshopping.co.uk before the 1st of November 2017. The three winning entrants will perform their poem live at the shopping centre on Armistice Day, Saturday the 11th of November, beside the Royal British Legion. Prizes include an iPad, tickets to see War Horse at the Alhambra Theatre and Kirkgate Shopping vouchers. Rachel Kelly, Reading Matters' Chief Executive commented, "Last year in England over 63,000 children left primary school unable to read to the expected level so we really appreciate Kirkgate Shopping's commitment to this competition which recognises the importance of literacy." Ilkley Literature Festival starts tomorrow It's that time of year again, when the summer is over and you need something to look forward to, so thank goodness for Ilkley Literature Festival! The largest literature festival in the north runs from Friday the 29th of September until Sunday the 15th of October with a packed programme of over 250 events including Alan Bennett, Sarah Millican, Richard Osman, Shami Chakrabarti, Judy Murray, Richard Dawkins and many more! The Children’s Festival is headlined by BBC Radio 1’s Greg James and Chris Smith and includes fantastic events for anyone ages 3-12 including Ben Faulks, Nadia Shireen, Robin Stevens and Festival favourites tutti frutti. Young People have the chance to meet some of their favourite authors including Alex Wheatle and Samantha Shannon. Plus there are workshops and masterclasses with leading writers and the Festival Fringe. Follow this link for full details of all the festival's events. Happy Reading! From the team at Reading Matters   Find us on Twiiter View our Facebook Page Visit our Website     Copyright © 2017 Reading Matters, All rights reserved.              Our mailing address is: Reading Matters Western House, Western Way Halifax Road Bradford, West Yorkshire BD6 2SZ United Kingdom Add us to your address book

Writer's Digest Vermont TV Writing Retreat and Festival 11 - 15 October & Novel Writing Conference, Pasadena California, 27-29 October

For those of my followers who live in or near the U.S., the Writer's Digest Novel Writing Conference is coming up in October, full details below:

Walk through each step of the novel writing process in this acclaimed boot camp.

This just in! Instructor Gabriela Pereira will lead her renowned, information-packed boot camp DIY MFA Novel-Writing Boot Camp at the Writer’s Digest Novel Writing Conference on Thursday, Oct. 26 in Pasadena. About the Boot Camp Gabriela Pereira—author, speaker and self-proclaimed “word nerd”—will walk you through her signature seven-step method to help you start, finish and revise your novel. Her mission: to help you transform your novel from average to awesome, and make it submission-ready. Here’s what you’ll learn during this full-day boot camp: Step 1: Start Strong with Good Habits. Learn a game-changing approach that will let you create efficient and effective writing habits. Step 2: Craft a Compelling Main Character. Discover your “Storytelling Superpower” and craft a protagonist that resonates with your readers. Step 3: Bring the Character to Life. Using Gabriela’s “Character Compass” technique, learn how to make your character come alive on the page. Step 4: Send the Character on a Journey. Find out how to start your novel with a bang and hook your readers from the very first page, using Gabriela’s super-secret, easy-peasy, storytelling formula. Step 5: Muddle Through the Middle. Uncover tools and techniques to help you get through that sagging middle and sustain your story’s momentum. Step 6: Sprint to the Finish Line. Map out your story and develop a writing plan and roadmap so you can continue your momentum after this boot camp is over. Step 7: Revise Your Book Like a Boss! Use Gabriela’s signature “Revision Pyramid” method to revise your book until it sparkles. The boot camp costs $149 as a standalone program, or just $99 if you add it on to your existing NWC registration, and it all takes place from 9 AM to 5 PM on Thursday, Oct. 26. Seats WILL fill up fast, so reserve yours before it’s too late! GET TALKING: #NWC17 This is a special offer for our readers from our trusted partner. Join Jacob Krueger Studio at our 2nd Annual TV Writing Retreat in Manchester, VT, October 11th-15th This October, Jacob Krueger Studio and thousands of TV execs and filmmakers will descend on Vermont for one of the largest independent TV festivals in the world: ITVfest! Attend the festival with Jacob Krueger Studio and combine a world-class writing education with VIP festival access. Peep autumn leaves and TV's brightest stars as you study with professional writers every morning and then watch screenings and attend festival events every night. Over five days, our distinguished faculty will help you develop your TV show and craft your pitch and then you hit the festival to use what you've learned by networking with the best in the television industry. Retreat Faculty Jerome Perzigian,the former showrunner of Married With Children, The Jeffersons & The Golden Girls Stephen Molton, a Pulitzer Prize Nominee, acclaimed writer and former Showtime and HBO executive. Jacob Krueger, Jacob Krueger Studio founder and WGA Paul Selvin Award Winner. Jessica Hinds, Meditative Writing & Craft guru and Senior Faculty Member at Jacob Krueger Studio. Karin Partin Wells, Indie-TV & Web Series Writer, Finalist at Sundance, Scriptapalooza, Screencraft and Austin Film Festival, and nominee to the prestigious Sundance Television Lab. Plus Special Industry Guests & Panelists! Throw down with the JKS community while pitching your show to the pros at our exclusive Secret Producer Pitch Party!  You'll be in the room, talking about your show and sharing ideas with festival goers and TV executives on the hunt for new talent. Your retreat includes a free one-on-one pitch consultation with a professional writer to develop your project and your pitch. ($300 value) Plus you'll get a VIP Content Creator Pass that gives you full access to festival events, screenings, panels, private parties and more! ($500 value) So join in the fun, and take advantage of this amazing opportunity to up your game. Develop your TV Comedy, TV Drama or Web Series with World Class Writers & Showrunners Experience a Real TV Writers Room Environment Master The Art of the TV Pitch Learn Advanced Networking Skills Create a Logline, Pitch & TV Bible For Your Show Pitch Your Show To Real Producers at Our Culminating Pitch Party Event Book Now ONLY $975 ***PAYMENT PLANS AVAILABLE*** To speak with us about attending the retreat or signing up for one of our classes, call 917-464-3594 or email info@writeyourscreenplay.com