News
Hot Key/Guardian Writing Competition
Posted: 4th May 2012
I'm very pleased and excited to be invited to be a judge on the new Hot Key/Guardian Young Writer competition. I'm certainly looking forward to arguing with the other judges over some quality stories! Do pass on the link to anyone you think might want to enter:
Latest Book Cover
Posted: 21st February 2012
How lovely is this!? Linzie Hunter has done another cracking job on the cover of my latest book. The Mystery of Wickworth Manor is the story of two children who are thrown together on a school trip. They find a hidden painting. They have very different reasons for wanting to discover why the painting was hidden and who it depicts. But they are both determined to get to the truth. This story is an adventure, a mystery, a ghost story, but at heart it's about finding out who our friends are. It will be available in bookshops from July 2012. Hurray!More Award News
Posted: 30th November 2011
Operation Eiffel Tower has been shortlisted for the Calderdale Book Award and the Cumbrian Spellbinding Book Award. Woo-hoo! Best get my party frock on!Operation Solihull!
Posted: 7th November 2011
Top-est exciting news - Operation Eiffel Tower has been shortlisted for the 2012 Solihull Children's Book Award. The other two books on the list are Divine Freaks and Sky Hawk; both of which are fab, so it will be tough competition! Still, fingers crossed for the award ceremony in April.
Now on Facebook!
Posted: 20th July 2011
I now have a Facebook fan page. If you would like to follow me there, click on the Facebook logo.
Hillingdon Book of the Year
Posted: 24th June 2011
Some lovely - and surprising! - news came yesterday. How Ali Ferguson Saved Houdini had won the Hillingdon Book of the Year (in the primary section). This is surprising because I didn't know it had been shortlisted! So, thank you to the librarians, teachers and young readers of Hillingdon for making my day.
I'm also pleased today because copies of my new book Operation Eiffel Tower have been spotted in shops, even though the official release date isn't until 4th July. So, anyone who has pre-ordered a copy, it might come early!
Win 'Operation Eiffel Tower'
Posted: 23rd June 2011
On 9th and 10th July, I'll be taking part in the very first online literary festival organised by children's writers. At An Awfully Big Bog Adventure there will be two days of tips, gossip, stories and competitions...including a giveaway of 'Operation Eiffel Tower'! Join us on 9th and 10th July for a weekend of book fun!
Warwickshire Junior Book Award
Posted: 9th May 2011
I have just heard that the wonderful librarians at the Warwickshire Junior Book Award have nominated How Ali Ferguson Saved Houdini for the prize. This is the first year of the award, so I'm extra pleased that Ali can say he was there at the beginning. Thank you, Warwickshire!
I heart Southwark
Posted: 1st April 2011
The lovely people in Southwark have shortlisted How Ali Ferguson Saved Houdini for their annual Book Award. Thank you! I especially love them because How Kirsty Jenkins Stole the Elephant was shortlisted for the same award last year. You can find more information on the award website, with a full list of all the books up for the prize. Yay, Southwark!Authors For Japan Auction
Posted: 15th March 2011
W
e've all been shocked and horrified by the images coming out of Japan over these last few days. I cannot imagine how the survivors feel. My heart goes out to the people who have lost so much. Yesterday I heard that there was going to be an auction of donated items to help raise money for the disaster relief. The result is 'Authors For Japan'. Please take a look at the things for sale, they include signed books, critiques of work, your name in the author's next book...all kinds of great items. All the money raised will go to the British Red Cross in Japan, though you don't neeed to be based in Britain to take part. I am donating a submission critique and a signed copy of 'How Ali Ferguson Saved Houdini'. The auction closes on Sunday 20th March.
Events
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Writers Squad Hay Festival
Thu 7th Jun 2012
The Writer's Squad is a fantastic initiative that I've been involved with in the past. I'm really looking forward to helping the children visiting the Hay Festival as part of the scheme. We'll be cooking up some great story ideas!
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Wychwood Festival
Sat 9th Jun 2012
This summer is looking festival-tastic. Best air my tent! I'll be at the Wychwood Festival in Cheltenham in June. More details to follow.
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Dinefwr Literary Festival
Fri 29th Jun - Sun 1st Jul 2012
I'll be appearing at the very first Dinefwr Literary Festival. It's a new venture that will include music, comedy and cinema as well as literature. The festival takes place in Llandeilo and has a great line-up of artists taking part. I'll be performing on Sunday 1st July. For tickets and to see the full programme, go to www.dinefwrliteraturefestival.co.uk or call Ticketline on: 0844 888 9991.
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Just So Festival
Sat 18th Aug 2012
More festival fun in Cheshire this year when I'll be running a workshop at the Just So Festival. Lovely!