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!
I have a new book out! PICTURE HIM is the story of Aliya, a girl who prefers taking photos to talking to people. Aliya has a stammer, and apart from to her best friend Zoe, she doesn’t talk much. Aliya’s a talented photographer, and it’s only gradually that she realises there’s something odd going on…in … More New book klaxon! Picture Him – for teen reluctant readers
On Wednesday, I spent an absolutely wonderful morning in company of nearly 500 Y9 pupils and their school librarians as I picked up my award for Looking at the Stars. The ceremony was held in the impressive Town Hall, which was packed right up to the balcony! The awards are organised and run by the … More Heavenly Hampshire Book Awards!
Today I emailed the first draft of a New Book to my editor. This is A STORM OF STRAWBERRIES, to be published by Piccadilly Press next summer. It’s not a sequel to A LIBRARY OF LEMONS, but it’s for the same kind of age group (9-12) and features another girl in an unusual family situation. … More The Strawberries Have Left The Building
I picked up a proof copy of Nothing Tastes As Good by Claire Hennessy at a publishing event earlier in the year. It’s the story of Annabel, a girl who’s died from heart failure brought on by anorexia but who narrates the story from whatever spirit dimension she’s trapped in. Annabel wants to give her … More Nothing Tastes As Good – review
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!
Whew! It’s been a busy ol’ time this summer. I honestly, honestly, have not had time to blog. And when I’ve finished writing these posts, you’ll see why! Three big things have taken up my summer holidays: a trip away with my family, three festivals, and a whole load of writing! But today I’m just … More What I Did On My Summer Holidays #1: The Isle of Wight
Jo Cotterill 