Isn’t this gorgeous? It’s by Charlotte Taylor, who came second in the Shrewsbury Bookfest 2018 art competition. It’s a picture of Darby, my main character in A Storm of Strawberries (which was shortlisted for the award) as she goes out looking for her sister in the middle of the night… I love the bright red … More Strawberry fan art!
It’s been another busy week, with a visit to Beachborough School in Brackley on Tuesday (hello, Anna! Hello, brilliant kids!) followed by a drive up to Leicester for a day with the organisation Whatever It Takes (WiT), part of the Schools’ Development Support Agency. Cerrie Burnell (latterly of CBeebies) and David Harmer and I all … More Whatever It Takes…Leicester to Libraries!
Last night, Blackwells in Oxford was once again host for my latest launch party. If any Oxfordshire authors are wondering which venue to choose for their launch, look no further! Hannah and Beth and Ryan at the shop are always so incredibly efficient and helpful and accommodating – this time they didn’t bat an eye … More Launching Strawberries and Chocolate
Whew! It’s been a busy and very exciting week! So this is what’s been happening… Last Tuesday, I travelled to Norfolk to SEE MY NEW BOOK BEING PRINTED. That deserves capitals because it was SO exciting! Authors very rarely get to see their book actually rolling off the presses, and so I need to say … More Strawberries, Empathy, Electrigirl and Music!
Publishing on 29th June, here’s the absolutely gorgeous cover for A STORM OF STRAWBERRIES! It’s been souped-up from the versions currently online (and we now have a really lovely quote from Miranda McKearney from EmpathyLab, which is such an honour) and I think the colours really zing! I can’t wait for this to be published … More A Storm of Strawberries COVER REVEAL!
It sounds awfully serious, doesn’t it, the Federation of Children’s Book Groups? On the one hand, it has a very serious purpose indeed – to share great books for children – but on the other hand…well, we all like a bit of a party, don’t we? I was invited to speak at the FCBG conference … More Strawberry Fun With the Federation of Children’s Book Groups
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
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!
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
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!
Jo Cotterill 