Skandar Series Author A.F. Steadman to Host Special Event in St Austell

A.F. Steadman’s St Austell Visit Announced

Bestselling author A.F. Steadman is set to visit St Austell during the October half-term as part of the St Austell Festival of Children’s Literature. The author, known for her Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling Skandar series, will be in town on Sunday, 27th October 2024, to meet readers and sign copies of her latest book, Skandar and the Skeleton Curse.

An Afternoon with A.F. Steadman

The event, titled An Audience with A.F. Steadman, will take place at St Mary’s Methodist Church on Bodmin Road. Doors open at 3pm, with activities including face-painting, elemental-themed treats and drinks, and Skandar-inspired games planned for the afternoon. Attendees are encouraged to wear elemental green to mark the occasion. A.F. Steadman will take the stage at 5pm, where she will talk about her fourth book and answer questions from fans.

Supporting the Festival and Promoting Reading for Pleasure

This family-friendly event aims to reignite children’s passion for reading while raising funds to help the St Austell Children’s Book Festival return in 2025. The festival’s importance comes as studies from the OECD show a decline in children reading for pleasure, dropping from 38% in 2012 to just 23% in 2021.

Festival Director Simon Pollard expressed excitement about bringing A.F. Steadman to St Austell, saying her support as a patron aligns with the festival’s mission to spread the joy of reading across families and the local community.

Tickets for the event are priced at £5.00 and can be purchased through Reading Rocks.