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!
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
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!
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
I tweeted Jonathan Stroud yesterday to tell him that I would be doing my usual over-the-top fawning review of his latest Lockwood book, THE CREEPING SHADOW. I may have spoken of my love for this series before…but there’s one thing I have to praise right at the start of this review and it’s got nothing to … More Lockwood & Co: The Creeping Shadow – review
I ran a writing workshop on Tuesday – all day, with the same group of kids, aged 7-12. It was fun and exhausting and unexpected and frustrating and all the things that you get when you are trying to teach something or reach something in people. My stand-out moment of the day came when we … More Why children are more fun than grown-ups
This morning I woke to some (to me) unwelcome news: that the UK had voted itself out of the EU. This afternoon, I drove to Coventry to pick up my Inspiration Award for Looking at the Stars (in the Hooked On Books category for ages 9-12). It was a lovely event, with lots of amazing … More To the children of Coventry – thank you, and sorry
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!
It’s been such an exciting few days; I hardly know where to start! Last Friday, I wrote a guest post on the wonderful blog Serendipity Reviews. It’s a Letter To My Ten-Year-Old Self, and you can read it here. Lots of people tweeted me to say how much they enjoyed the post – and THEN, … More Wychwood, Winning and Wondrous Things!
Jo Cotterill 