I write books for young people, including LOOKING AT THE STARS, A LIBRARY OF LEMONS, and the ELECTRIGIRL series.
I haven’t written my blog for ages, and there’s a big reason for that: I’ve been considering giving up writing. From the outside, I’m an extremely successful children’s author: I’ve published over 40 books; I’ve won awards; children across the country (and in other countries!) read and study my books in lessons and produce amazing … More Hello, I’m back!
I bin around again! From 12th-15th November I was up in beautiful Newcastle, scurrying from school to school as part of the Northern Children’s Book Festival. Then last week I visited the wonderful Discovery Academy, a special school in Nuneaton, before driving on to Shrewsbury to speak at their Bookfest conference: Unlocking the Power of … More North! West! South(ish)! and vote please
One of the unexpected delights of being a published author is seeing your book translated into other languages. I confess, when I started out as a writer, I was really only concerned with getting the book published in English; it never occurred to me to think of it leaving the UK! A Library of Lemons … More Romanian Lemons
That’s the Doctor Who theme music, by the way, just in case you didn’t recognise it. And it’s going round and round my head today because an advance copy of DOCTOR WHO: STAR TALES arrived at my house today – and I’m in it! Yes – I’ve written an actual Doctor Who short story (well, … More OooEEEEOOOOOhh…
Keisha is a total science geek. She loves space, physics, engineering, chemistry – you name it, she’s fascinated by it. She’s also obsessed with boyband On The Up, whose dreamy good looks are the hot topic of her friends’ conversations. Two amazing things coincide to make one terrible dilemma. On The Up has agreed to … More Geeks Can’t Dance (oh yes they can)
It’s been buuuuusy. Again! Despite my decision to take on less work this term. Not quite sure where the days are going. Since my last blog post, I’ve done events at: three schools in Chipping Norton area for the fantastic Chiplitfest Oxford Literary Festival with fellow author Cath Howe for EmpathyLab Stratford Literary Festival Bloxham … More I am a rock god
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
