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Laura Darling

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: Dundee
Languages: English
Author type: Illustrator
Laura Darling's headshot

I'm an illustrator and I live in Dundee where I work in a shed at the bottom of my garden. I tell stories through pictures, and sometimes words too. My work is guided by looking and noticing, and my projects begin life in a sketchbook as collections of drawings, notes and lists. The illustrations I create are playful and vibrant and full of little details to spot. I draw with pencils, ink, paint and paper, and use digital tools to bring everything together.

My books include picturebook The Great Highland Games Chase by Kate Abernethy, graphic novel In the Garden at Hospitalfield, and In/Visible, an anthology of creative writing for the Mental Health Foundation.

I love working with people of all ages and abilities, sharing my enthusiasm for drawing and storytelling through talks, presentations and/or workshops. Activities can include zine-making, experimental drawing and artist books. And if you’d like to discuss another idea, I’m happy to hear from you!

Websites featuring the author

Local authorities will visit

Aberdeen City; Aberdeenshire; Angus; Dundee; Edinburgh City; Fife; Glasgow City; Perth and Kinross; Scottish Borders; Stirling

Events will deliver

Live drawing; Mentoring; Panel event; Residency; Talk; Workshop

Audience will work with

Adult learners; English as an additional language (EAL); Intergenerational learning; Adults with additional support needs; People experiencing mental health problems; Vulnerable young people (under 18); Vulnerable adults; Young people in the community (e.g. Youth clubs, Guides, Scouts)

Topics of work

Adventure; Animals; Biography & memoir; Childhood; Coasts, seas & oceans; Comedy, humour & funny books; Emigration & immigration; Environment & climate; Fairy tales, folklore & mythology; Family; Food; Gender equality; Health including mental health & wellbeing; History; Loneliness & isolation; Nature; Picture books; Science; Seasonal books; Travel writing; Vehicles

Age groups published for

Children; Teens; Adults

Age groups will work with

3-5; 6-8; 9-11; 12-14; 15-18; 18+

Audience size

0-10; 11-30; 31-100