Looking for more in Author Directory?

Alan Dapré

All of the information on this page has been provided by the author. If you need an author to have specialist skills, experience or knowledge please ask for more information about this ahead of booking them for an event. Please note that Scottish Book Trust cannot carry out Disclosure checks on Live Literature authors for most events. It is the responsibility of the person organising the event to carry out the appropriate Disclosure checks.
Contact: [email protected]
Local authority: North Ayrshire
Languages: English
Author type: Playwright, Radio Dramatist, Writer
Alan Dapré's headshot

I'm the author of 60 books for children. My stories and plays have been broadcast on BBC Radio & published for use in schools. A former TV scriptwriter whose work was BAFTA nominated, I now write funny stories for young readers.Reviewers have picked up on the pacy plotting, inventive wordplay & quirky humour in my work. I don't write for boys or girls. I write for all children because stories are for everyone. My latest series is written with gender equality in mind. It stars Isla and Ross, equally resourceful twins.

During a turbulent childhood in children's homes, I took comfort from stories. I see books as awesome black holes with infinite possibilities that suck you in and transport you to new worlds. I love their universal appeal.

I also enjoy doing fun-filled sessions for festivals, schools & libraries. I offer a range of lively sessions: a pun-filled wordplay workshop (any age), a colourful character creation class for P1-4, and a board game making session for P4-7. I also do an assembly-style event for as many children as you like. It features lots of props, volunteering and humour, plus extracts from my Porridge the Tartan Cat Books.

Websites featuring the author

Local authorities will visit

Aberdeen City; Aberdeenshire; Angus; Argyll and Bute; Clackmannanshire; Dumfries and Galloway; Dundee; East Ayrshire; East Dunbartonshire; East Lothian; East Renfrewshire; Edinburgh City; Falkirk; Fife; Glasgow City; Highland; Inverclyde; Midlothian; Moray; Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles); North Ayrshire; North Lanarkshire; Orkney Islands; Perth and Kinross; Renfrewshire; Scottish Borders; Shetland; South Ayrshire; South Lanarkshire; Stirling; West Dunbartonshire; West Lothian

Events will deliver

Chairing events; Mentoring; Panel event; Performance; Professional development, CLPL or CPD; Reading; Residency; Talk; Workshop

Audience will work with

Care-experienced people; Reluctant readers; Vulnerable young people (under 18)

Topics of work

Adventure; Animals; Care experience; Childhood; Comedy, humour & funny books; Editing & editing your own work; Family; First experiences for younger readers; Friendship; Gender equality; Picture books; Publishing & getting published

Age groups published for

Children; Teens

Age groups will work with

3-5; 6-8; 9-11

Audience size

0-10; 11-30; 31-100; 100-500; 500+