June News

I am continuing to blog every Monday on the Book Trust site as Writer In Residence.

http://www.booktrust.org.uk/books/writing/online-writer-in-residence/blog/875/

Next Monday I will be reflecting on my travels to the Hay Festival for events with Macmillan Children's Books and Barrington Stoke.

Helen Bray ( Editor Macmillan Children's Books and I on the beautiful traveller's caravan sat Hay Festival)

'Red Leaves' has been shortlisted for the Satffordshire Book Award in some lovely company. Especially pleasing as it's the beautiful county in which I got married!

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http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/leisure/librariesnew/whatsavailable/childrenteens/YTF/staffordshireyoungteenfictionbookaward.aspx

I am also delighted that 'Red Leaves' has been shortlisted for The Redbridge Book Award on the Teen Shortlist.

It's always a treat to receive a copy of your books published in different countries. I have never been to Rio De Janeiro but 'Artichoke Hearts' has! Here is the lovely cover.

A picture every author wants to see....

You sit in a room all day and write because you hope your stories are going to be read, enjoyed, and speak to people These photos sent to me on twitter by Imogen Russell @ImogenRW will spur me on. I am now writing my next book for Macmillan Children's Books and I can't tell you how heartening it is to keep these pictures of a well thumbed copy of  'Red Leaves' in mind. and heart as I write....  

Yesterday I began a project with illustrator Jane Ray at a refugee project where those who are  experiencing Aisha's journey in 'Red Leaves' also held this book. What makes writing such a transformative process is to move from the need to tell a story...the imagination, research and hours at a desk crafting words and worlds... to then have that potent distillation published and placed into the hands of young readers... in this reality...is a kind of magic.    

Red Leaves is endorsed by Amnesty International UK as a book with a Human Rights heart.