Steve appears on TV, does radio chat, and spends 25-plus days each year keeping in touch with readers, by giving talks, workshops and other events. These are held in schools, libraries, bookstores and similar centres, usually as part of a book week, reading day, library celebration or science festival.

The events are based around information books and how they are conceived, planned, researched, written, edited, designed, illustrated and printed – but not always in that order. The emphasis at events is on information, interactivity, flexibility and fun.

Topics for focus can usually be chosen from Steve’s author list, to fit with subjects currently being studied at school, fromhuman digestion or the nature of light, to the latestnews on gorillas, cloning or interplanetary probes.

Special emphasis is placed on teamwork, genesis of ideas and approach, planning, and how information is gathered, sifted, assessed and presented. Also writing techniques for different purposes and reading levels are demonstrated, along with the roles of graphic designers, illustrators, photography, printing, controlling the finances and overall team management.