THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN
The World Turned Upside Down - my Stratford upon Avon Literary Festival novel - was launched the other evening. Here's a photo of me and the 16 year old cover designer, Alex Pritchard. Alex won a competition to design the cover - his design is really eye-catching.
And the book has a mention in the Los Angeles Times online. How cool is that?!
WRITING SQUADS
If you're aged 8 - 16, live in the West Midlands and love to write, there's some very exciting news - you can now join a Writing Squad!
Organised by the Birmingham Book Festival, the squads meet every month
in Birmingham Central Library. They're led by three professional writers: myself, David Calcutt and Jo Bell.
The
squads are a club for young writers, a place where you can get support
with your writing, meet other people who love writing (and reading) as
much as you do,and of course, talk to and learn from professional
writers. The Squad sessions aren't like school, so don't expect lessons
- they're more like elite training for writers.
MANY CONGRATULATIONS to the winners of the Usborne Young Writers' Award competition. I had a wonderful day with the five highly talented young writers - Zachary, Anita, Anna, Toby and Isaac - and the other Usborne authors.
Click here to read the stories and see the winners
If you entered, but didn't win, don't be downhearted. Keep on writing and keep on reading, and try again next year.
CHIPS, BEANS AND LIMOUSINES has been shortlisted for the Explore Book Award - wow, thank you, Wigan!
CHIPS, BEANS AND LIMOUSINES is a Red House Award read of the year for 2009
SOCKS, SHOCKS AND SECRETS is included on Writeaway.org.uk's 'diaries and journals' reading list.
DOUGHNUTS, DREAMS AND DRAMA QUEENS: Out now!
(Don't be fooled by the cute appearance of the little dog Bathsheba is holding. He's a canine terror!)