Bring a virtual author visit into your classroom with Justin Somper, bestselling author of the Vampirates series. In this inspiring writing unit, pupils explore how Somper combines two much-loved imaginative worlds – pirates and vampires – drawing on pirate history and vampire mythology to create a gripping fictional universe.

Using extracts from Demons of the Ocean, and audio clips from the Author in Your Classroom podcast, children gain insight into the creative process of a professional author. They explore how ideas are developed, how characters are shaped through backstory, and how dialogue is used to reveal personality and move the story forward.

Across the teaching sequence, pupils combine their own imaginative worlds, create a compelling main character, and plan and write a story set in an original setting. With structured planning sheets, discussion opportunities and suggested podcast extracts, this comprehensive literacy resource helps children connect their writing to authentic author practice while building confidence, creativity and ambition as young writers.

Teaching overview

Across a clear four-session teaching sequence, pupils will:

• Investigate how authors combine different worlds to create original story settings
• Create a main character and develop a detailed backstory
• Explore how dialogue reveals character and advances the plot
• Plan, write and edit a complete story set in an imaginative, combined world

The resource supports narrative composition, character development and spoken language through discussion and role play.

Resource pack contents

• A ready-to-use PowerPoint
• Extracts from Demons of the Ocean
• Four differentiated planning sheets
• Working wall images and author quotes

Perfect for whole-class teaching, enrichment weeks or linking reading and writing, this unit helps pupils understand how stories are crafted while inspiring them to read more fantasy fiction. It also works well alongside a class novel study of Demons of the Ocean.

How to listen

Search for Author In Your Classroom wherever you get your podcasts. A free resources pack is available with every episode.

Subscribe to hear more brilliant children’s authors share insider tips that help pupils write with confidence, purpose and flair.

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