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!
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!
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!
In my last post, I revealed that all the photographs used in my new book PICTURE HIM were taken by me. Below you can find some of my favourites. Many thanks to Grace Wilcox for being such a willing zombie princess, and to mum Helen Moulford who costumed her so spectacularly! These photos were taken … More The photographs in Picture Him
Like many others, I’m frustrated and saddened by the stories of so many refugees stuck in camps, ignored by governments and battered by grief and the elements. My author pal Fiona Dunbar has set up a fantastic auction where you can bid on all kinds of amazing book-related things (not just for children!), and I … More Win the chance to have your name in my next book!
It would have been a packed six weeks anyway: a family holiday, three festivals, holiday courses for the kids…but this summer has been extra packed because I’ve had a mountain of writing to do! Just before the end of the summer term, I delivered the manuscript of ELECTRIGIRL 3 (title still under wraps for now!) … More What I Did On My Summer Holidays #3: Writing
This summer, in the space of three weeks, I attended and took part in three festivals: the Edinburgh Book Festival, the Just So Festival and the Stroud Fringe. They were all a lot of fun! Leaving my family on the Isle of Wight (see previous post), I flew up to Edinburgh for three days. I’ve … More What I Did On My Summer Holidays #2: Festivals!
What’s the time? How many minutes have I got before I have to go do the school run? Is it worth trying to squeeze in 500 words on my work-in-progress, or should I reply to the school librarian who’s just sent me an email about my visit next week? Or should I BLOG?! Writing is … More Waaaahh! Busy panic mode! LOADS of books coming!
Jo Cotterill 