I write books for young people, including LOOKING AT THE STARS, A LIBRARY OF LEMONS, and the ELECTRIGIRL series.
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
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
