I’ve just got in from a lovely evening of two events with Burford School, at which I am Patron of Reading. The first was a prize-giving thingy for their annual short story competition, which I judged last November. It was held in Burford public library, which is a beautiful little cosy nook of a place, … More Hurrah for young writers and speedy readers – er, is that right?
I’m angry today. I don’t often get angry. Not properly want-to-hit-something angry. But something that is guaranteed to tip me into anger is deliberate spite from people in a position of power. In the last couple of days, it seemed that The Sun had decided to change their Page 3 display. Since 1970, a topless woman … More The Sun behind another cloud
I love the OBAs. I’ve been gatecrashing them for at least three years now. The 2014 ceremony in November had to be postponed, so it took place on Friday instead and I gatecrashed again – only THIS time I felt slightly more justified because Looking at the Stars is actually on the longlist for the … More Oxfordshire Book Awards Niceness
Yesterday, I watched something that BLEW MY MIND. Totally. One of those ‘WHOA’ moments. Thanks to the awesome author/illustrator Sarah McIntyre for posting this on Facebook: It’s quite long. You might not have time (or interest) to watch it. So I’ll explain what it was that made me see things in a new way. Different … More Creativity: an Idea of Reality?
Someone posted on Facebook the other day that she had been feeling ‘old’, and then a friend had asked, ‘Do you really think your best years are behind you?’ I think this is a great question. We spend a lot of time not living in the present: looking back and regretting stuff, or looking forward and worrying … More Dancing on air at Christmas
A few weeks ago I hinted at some good news that I couldn’t share yet. And THEN I had some MORE good news, and frankly it’s all just been SO NICE. I’m so thrilled that I can finally spill the beans! I am absolutely over the moon to announce that OUP will be publishing my … More Finally I can spill the beans: two book deals!
We take so much for granted. Well, it’s natural, isn’t it? You can’t spend every minute of every day going, ‘Gosh, aren’t I lucky to have a roof over my head? Food in my fridge? Money to pay for the heating? A car that I can drive? Education that means I don’t struggle to read … More I (and some friends) launch the Blackwells Giving Tree in Oxford
The half term break is always welcome in the autumn because the term is just too damn long, isn’t it? My family and I went away this time; to a holiday park called Mill Rythe, on Hayling Island. A perfect 2 hours away – just far enough to feel you’re on holiday but not so … More What I Did On My Holidays
I read and LOVED the first Lockwood & Co book earlier this year, so I was really, properly excited to get my hands on the second in Jonathan Stroud’s series, The Whispering Skull. Lucy Carlyle is fast becoming one of my favourite heroines ever, with her courage, talent and general awesomeness. Having said that, I … More Lockwood & Co: The Whispering Skull – review
Last Saturday I popped into Blackwells in Oxford – a lovely bookshop with loads of character and wonderful staff. Books Are My Bag is an annual event that aims to raise the profile of local bookshops and show people just what treasure troves they really are. My friends Susie Day, Sally Nicholls and Julia Golding … More Books Are Definitely My Bag!
Jo Cotterill 