I’ve been all over the place again – a couple of weeks ago I spent two fab days in Shrewsbury, courtesy of the Shrewsbury Bookfest, for which A Storm of Strawberries was shortlisted last year. I visited five schools over the two days and was BLOWN AWAY by the amazing stuff I saw!! Look at … More Manic March!
Whew! It’s been a busy couple of weeks. I’m really lucky to be able to get out and about to do events in schools full of amazing kids and staff. A huge THANK YOU to the following for hosting me recently: Hinckley Academy, Leicester St Nicolas Junior School, Newbury Ducklington Primary, Witney Prestfelde School,Shrewsbury Hounslow … More World Book Day Week
The lovely peeps at Oxford University Press Education interviewed me during half term about Looking at the Stars, Electrigirl, which characters I identify with, how to write a 500 word story, and what inspires me creatively. I’m not quite sure why the video insists on starting at 2 mins in but I can’t seem to … More Interviewed!
I’ve been putting off writing this new post because it feels a bit like starting 2019 with a downer, even though I see it as a Positive Decision. Thing is, I’ve given myself permission not to try to write a new children’s novel this year. The past couple of years have been tough going, personally … More New year, new direction, painting and Guernsey
Over the past week I’ve attended two events voluntarily: the Kids’ Lit Quiz regional heat in my area, and the Young Muslim Writers Awards, held in Senate House, London. As an author, I get asked to do lots of things, but I mostly love to give my time (when I can) to events like these … More It’s all about the kids
I’ve been terribly slack…but then, you see, I haven’t actually been writing! I KNOW. Shock, horror, etc. Thing is, I got a bit tired out, and my creative drive dwindled, and there’s no point forcing yourself to do something that doesn’t come smoothly if you just need a bit of a rest. So instead, I … More Autumn update!
I’ve recently read three new books that I really enjoyed. The Boy Who Grew Dragons, by Andy Shepherd with illustrations by Sara Ogilvie, is a LOT of fun. Dragon fruit are of course a real thing, and the name simply BEGS to be used in a story like this. The fruit on Tomas’s grandfather’s tree … More Reviews – dragons, death and keeping secrets
It’s autumn! What happened?! I had a lovely summer, not writing a book! That feels really strange and alarming to write, but it has been SO nice having proper time off this summer. Last year I was struggling to start Jelly, and the year before I was doing a complete rewrite of Electrigirl and the … More Summer round-up!
Isn’t this gorgeous? It’s by Charlotte Taylor, who came second in the Shrewsbury Bookfest 2018 art competition. It’s a picture of Darby, my main character in A Storm of Strawberries (which was shortlisted for the award) as she goes out looking for her sister in the middle of the night… I love the bright red … More Strawberry fan art!
Wait. That should be “Welcome to the world, Jelly!” but actually, it works this way round too 🙂 I’m so, so thrilled that JELLY is finally out there, in the world, getting to readers. I honestly think it’s one of my best books so far, and I hope so much that readers agree with me. … More Welcome to the Jelly World…!
