There is always a time to discard hardened attitudes and recently, I have come to the conclusion that one of my overiding prejudices has to go. Ever since I started writing novels and that, dear reader is over thirty years ago, … Continue reading
Unsurprisingly, as I write for young adults I tend to read the current crop of childrens’ books. As a boy I read Biggles, Greyfriars stuff, Enid Blyton Five and Seven books and Jennings. Then there were the classics of which … Continue reading
You remember what Captain Kirk used to say? Well, I’m beginning to understand how he felt. You may have seen or at least heard of the performing dog that won the TV show Britain’s Got Talent. I didn’t see it myself … Continue reading
Phew, got an email today from the Editorial Director at Hot Key telling me she has passed the final, final, final edit on to one of her staff who will take the project on to print. That may not sound … Continue reading
Writing that is. Women have certainly dominated the business over recent years haven’t they? Read down the staff list of any agency, publisher or even your favourite magazine title and you will find that the majority of names are female. Now don’t … Continue reading
You’ve heard of the Oscars, you’ve heard of the Tonys but have you ever heard of the Edgars? No? Well let me enlighten you. The Edgars are a really prestigeous literary award in the USA and the reason I bring … Continue reading
Its the first of May so where are all the maypoles? Used to be that Pathe News always showed little children garlanded with wild flowers weaving intricate patterns with their ribbons at this time of year. Then, courtesy of the … Continue reading
I’m thinking about the Artful Dodger, the character Dickens slipped into and out of Oliver Twist without a second thought. Anthony Newley, Jack Wild, Phil Collins and Tony Robinson all portrayed him on stage and in film and there must have been dozens … Continue reading
This is the brilliant press release that went out to the industry a few days ago. Hot Key has world and film rights directly from debut author Richard Masson for BOONIE (January 2013), which the publisher discovered through the Undiscovered Voices … Continue reading
Boonie has been accepted for the Undiscovered Voices 2012 anthology. This book is published every two years by The Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and highlights the best and most promising childrens’ novels. Boonie is one of … Continue reading
