Hello

I'm Laura: welcome! I love words, whether in print or spoken (or chanted, or sung) out loud. I write books, tell stories, perform in plays, and sing songs in all kinds of places - anywhere there's a willing audience.

storytelling

I'm always looking for fresh and unusual ways to tell traditional stories. My repertoire - packed with rhythm, chant, strange events and big emotions - comes from all over the world ... but especially Japan, the Caribbean, and the rich strange myth and folklore of my home, the UK.Recently I've run storytelling sessions at Young V&A (Japanese stories), Hounslow Festival of Culture (Indian stories, with kathak dancer Vaishali Raithatha), libraries across East London (Caribbean stories), Rich Mix London and the All Good Bookshop.Schools projects include Story Seed (Newham, Yr 5), and Mindful Soundscapes, a story-technology collaboration with Conductive Music CIC and A New Direction,Upcoming Project: March 2025 - Mindful Soundscapes (schools across London)

THEATRE

In 2019, I also started performing, and sometimes co-devising, family theatre shows. Companies I've worked with include Polka Theatre, Discover Children's Story Centre, Rebel Tales, and Pakiki Theatre.Most Recent Performances: In October, Rebel Tales' latest show WINDRUSH ADVENTURE toured childrens' theatres and community venues in London, Birmingham and the Black Country.

writing

I love writing and reading as much as speaking and listening. My first book, ENCHANTED TALES, was published in 2023, and has been translated into nine languages! I'm currently working on a second book, MYTHICAL TALES, to be published in 2025. I enjoy giving author events in libraries, schools and other venues, and am available for bookings from early 2025 onward.For my own work, but also for others', I also enjoy running creative workshops for children. Recent workshop partners include Pop up Projects (Kent), Conductive Music CIC and Discover Children's Story Centre (Newham).Buy ENCHANTED TALES: It's available in most bookshops, but my favourite place to get it online - in English - is HIVE.
For other languages - including Hungarian, French, Vietnamese, Croatian, Bulgarian, Greek, Romanian and Czech - please contact the publisher, Templar, directly.

about/Contact

I've always loved stories, and enjoy working with people of all ages. I have a degree in English Literature, experience as a literary agent, a MA in Japanese Studies, plus current DBS and full driving licence. I've worked in person and online with groups of children from 3 to 17 years old. I also make work for adult audiences - more details on my main website (link below).I'm based in London, UK, but I've worked all over the British Isles, as well as in Europe and further afield. To find out more about what I do, to organise a performance, workshop or author event, or discuss a new commission, please contact me by email, phone or social media.Speak soon, I hope!