I write books for young people, including LOOKING AT THE STARS, JELLY, A LIBRARY OF LEMONS, and the series ELECTRIGIRL and THE STARLIGHT STABLES GANG.
I do quite a few school visits. Not as many as some authors, who are almost constantly on the road. But since my first book was published in 2004, I’ve been to quite a lot of schools now, primary and secondary, independent and state, inner-city and rural, etc etc. Last Thursday I visited Wyvern College … More My most unusual school visit…
Wheeee! *flump* That’s the sound of me coming back down to earth after an AMAZING two weeks visiting schools. Today is the first day I’ve been at my desk for ten days, so there’s a whole pile of stuff for me to catch up on, but here is a quick round-up of where I’ve been … More My World Book Day Whirlwind!
Oh, yesterday was so much fun! I’d been invited to be the guest speaker for the Berkshire Book Awards, who were announcing their shortlist after several months of voting on the fifteen-strong longlist. The BBAs are unusual in that all the books on the list are nominated by children. Something like 90 schools are involved (imagine the … More Launching the Berkshire Book Awards shortlist
Really thrilled to announce that ELECTRIGIRL has been shortlisted for the Leicester Libraries Our Best Book award, for primary schools! Look at this fantastic shortlist (my daughter is a HUGE Evil Emperor Penguin fan; her allegiance will be split!). Congratulations to all my fellow nominees Joseph Delaney, Laura Ellen Anderson, Tom McLaughlin, Swapna Haddow and … More Electrigirl is shortlisted!
Winter’s here, and that means the nicest thing you can do (or I can, anyway) is to snuggle up on a sofa with a big blanket and a hot chocolate and read a book. And as it happens, this is the perfect book with which to do it. The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart is … More The Dragon With A Chocolate Heart – review
Last Thursday I took a trip into London to meet up with my editor Fliss. Fliss has edited my book A STORM OF STRAWBERRIES but last week was the first time we’d actually met. Editors and authors don’t always get to meet, but it really helps what has to be a trusting creative partnership, so … More Empathy, Excursions, and Exciting New Books
Now that term is properly under way, I’ve recovered from the holidays and am getting back into the swing of writing. And remembering just WHY my job is so flipping awesome 🙂 This week so far (it’s only Wednesday), I have done the following: downloaded Windows Movie Maker, taught myself how to use it, and … More What I’m Working On This Week
In many ways, 2016 was a real stinker. But on a personal level, I had a good one, with lots of writing work, and fun with my family. 2017 is going to be my busiest publishing year to date, however, and this is what kept me so busy in 2016, writing all of these…! This … More Hello 2017! and new books out this year!
Karen McCombie’s latest book, St Grizzle’s School for Girls, Goats and Random Boys, is a highly enjoyable romp through ‘alternative’ education. Dani’s mum is a zoologist, and when she’s offered the opportunity of her career, studying penguins’ bums in the Antarctic, it means putting Dani in boarding school. Dani isn’t at all pleased by this, … More St Grizzle’s School for Girls, Goats and Random Boys – review
Lizard Radio, by Pat Schmatz, is a book I wouldn’t have picked up of my own accord. But one of the great things about social networks is that other authors recommend books and make them sound so intriguing that you seek them out. And I’m so glad I did! Lizard Radio is an ‘alternate contemporary’ … More Lizard Radio – review
Jo Cotterill 