#Electrigirl fan art!
April 26, 2017
How cool is this?! Grace Sargent, aged 7, read ELECTRIGIRL AND THE DEADLY SWARM recently and decided to make her own piskie out of craft materials! Awesome work, Grace!
Month: April 2017
Nostalgia and Maggots at the Haringey Book Awards
April 26, 2017
School librarians work SO hard. Every year, there are regional awards for children’s books, and they’re all organised by a cohort of passionate and dedicated librarians. On Monday, I took several train journeys to Wood Green, which was a real trip of nostalgia because it’s where I lived in halls of residence in my first … More Nostalgia and Maggots at the Haringey Book Awards
I bought a piece of art
April 22, 2017
So here’s a writerly confession: I’ve hardly ever made any money from royalties. Most of my books (over thirty now, since 2004) have never earned out their advances. This is the money you get paid up front – no matter how well or badly the book does, that money is yours. But if the book … More I bought a piece of art
A Storm of Strawberries COVER REVEAL!
April 12, 2017
Publishing on 29th June, here’s the absolutely gorgeous cover for A STORM OF STRAWBERRIES! It’s been souped-up from the versions currently online (and we now have a really lovely quote from Miranda McKearney from EmpathyLab, which is such an honour) and I think the colours really zing! I can’t wait for this to be published … More A Storm of Strawberries COVER REVEAL!
Strawberry Fun With the Federation of Children’s Book Groups
April 10, 2017
It sounds awfully serious, doesn’t it, the Federation of Children’s Book Groups? On the one hand, it has a very serious purpose indeed – to share great books for children – but on the other hand…well, we all like a bit of a party, don’t we? I was invited to speak at the FCBG conference … More Strawberry Fun With the Federation of Children’s Book Groups
Hopewell High publishes today!
April 6, 2017
Today I have a double book birthday! The first two books in my series HOPEWELL HIGH are published: ALL TOO MUCH and STAGE FRIGHT. This is part of Bloomsbury Education’s hi-lo collection, and the Hopewell High books (a set of four, the second two publishing in September) are aimed at readers of 12 upwards with … More Hopewell High publishes today!
Taking the Day Off
April 4, 2017
It’s been a busy couple of weeks. Over the weekend, we hosted a birthday party for my youngest daughter, and so come Monday, I was feeling very washed out and completely lacking in motivation. The sun was shining, and my brain went ‘DON’T WANT TO WORK’, so I rebelled. I took a mat into the garden … More Taking the Day Off
A Library of Lemons wins the Oxfordshire Book Award!
April 4, 2017
I’m really, really thrilled to announce that A LIBRARY OF LEMONS has won the secondary category in the Oxfordshire Book Awards 2017! Huge thanks to the children of the participating schools – you rock! The OBA is my favourite award because it’s right on my doorstep and I grew up here. Two years ago I … More A Library of Lemons wins the Oxfordshire Book Award!
Mountains to Seas and Pupil Librarians
April 1, 2017
I have got sooo behind with my blog posts – and there’s so much to report, too! First off, the Pupil Library Assistant of the Year Award, which was held at the House of Commons two weeks ago. A really lovely, uplifting experience, reminding us just how many young people are dedicated, enthusiastic and encouraging … More Mountains to Seas and Pupil Librarians
