Tell the truth.

Aaaaaagh no… I’ve done that thing I told myself I wouldn’t do, which is let my blog slip, meaning I have to start with an apology and a promise to do better. Sorry! I’ll try to do better.

I thought I’d talk a little about the Green Ink Sponsored Write I did at the end of September, and what a privilege it was to take part in. The Sponsored Write is (usually) an annual event organised by Rachel Knightley, in which writers of all stripes and stages come together to create work around a topic, in order to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. On a select day we write our stories, and (after 24 hours for editing) the results are collated and emailed to our very generous sponsors as a thank you.

As the evening of the night before this year’s Sponsored Write rolled around I was feeling worried. I didn’t have a clue what I was going to write about. And, come the morning, I’d dropped my kid off at school and still didn’t know. I had a few wild ideas but nothing I felt very connected to. So I leafed desperately through my notebook and lo, found this scrawled little gem of wisdom:

Tell the truth about what it feels like to be a human being - Jacob Ross

I could be wrong, but I’m pretty sure this was scribbled down from a brilliant talk by the equally brilliant Jacob Ross (author of The Bone Readers and more), at one of TLC’s fantastic Writer’s Days. Anyway, it immediately got my brain whirring. I realised it didn’t matter what I wrote, as long as it rang true on some level to the human experience. What I ended up writing - although total fiction - ended up being deeply personal and, by the end, something I felt pretty proud of. So here’s to you, Jacob Ross and TLC, and thank you!

It really was fantastic to be able to play even just a small part in helping to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. If you are a writer and fancy taking part next time, even if you’re just starting out (you don’t have to have anything to your name: just a willingness to write!) then Rachel Knightley is the person to talk to.

I’d love to share my Sponsored Write story very soon. For now it remains with our sponsors to enjoy (and I really hope they do)!

Green Ink Sponsored Write 2019

Calling all short story lovers and good cause supporters!

This year I’m taking part in the ‘Green Ink Sponsored Write’, raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support by setting aside time to write brand new material - which will then be emailed to all sponsors who’ve supplied their contact details. Both emerging and experienced writers are taking part, and we’ll be beavering away from cafes, bookshops and sofas all over the UK to create work inspired by Macmillan’s mission: to improve the quality of life for everyone affected by cancer. This year’s theme is ‘Time Being’.

My Nan died earlier this year, which will no doubt be on my mind as I write. Perhaps I may even draw inspiration from her sparkling, rebellious, adventure-filled life.

We’ll be writing from 10.30am on the 28th September, and the resulting anthology of work will be emailed to sponsors on the 30th as a massive ‘thank you’. To be one of those sponsors, you can donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/greeninksponsoredwrite2019

And you can find out more about the organisers, Green Ink, here.

Remember to leave us your contact details so you get our stories when they’re done. And thank you!

Bookplates for Authorfy

This evening I’ve had the pleasure of signing these perfect little Walker bookplates, ready for them to go and live inside copies of Nevertell. They’re for the brilliant Authorfy, who’ll use the signed books as part of their scheme of lesson plans and teaching resources, since I’m one of their ‘authors of the term’ (have I mention that before? Have I?? I’m quite excited about it).

Anyway, please take a moment with me just to admire them in their simple, pristine, unsigned form. Aren’t they beautiful?

Please note: my table is covered (for some reason) in glitter and not crumbs. I repeat: glitter. Not crumbs.

Advance copy of Nevertell

Nevertell is my debut novel. Which means I am completely new to this process, and every stage of the journey towards publication is more or less a surprise. Which also means I had nooooooo idea I would be getting a copy of Nevertell through the post in advance of its release date in November. But in spite of my ignorance, that’s exactly what happened today.

I’ll be honest. I had a moment when I pulled it out of the envelope when I thought, am I going to cry? But then I had to remove it from my kid before he turned it into a telescope, so that soon passed. It is beautiful though. The title is coppery and shiny. SHINY, I tell you.

Needless to say I’m completely stoked, and can’t wait to see this out in the world. I hope you love it as much as I do.

Authorfy

I’m so excited to be one of Authorfy’s ‘authors of the term’ from September to December 2019, alongside the wonderful Abi Elphinstone, Guy Bass, Andy Griffiths and Jamie Littler. Authorfy are a brilliant company providing author videos and resources for schools.

Even more exciting, I hear that their ‘masterclass’ videos are going to be free on their website from September! Do check them out. You can find them on Twitter @authorfy or online at www.authorfy.com

New website, new... website

Yes, I have a website now! You know this already because you’re on it - but still.

My main aim for the site - and this blog - is to provide a place where you can find out more about me and what I write, and to offer a way for you to get in touch. Whether you have a question about my writing, want to enquire about a school visit, or something totally different, I’d love to hear from you.

I’ve got an events page too, which I’ll gradually update, and high hopes for putting up some school resources soon.

I don’t expect to write reams for the blog, but I hope it will be enough to keep you entertained and to give you a small window into my life, work and - some might say strange - brain. Of course you can also follow me on Twitter and Instagram too.

Thanks for reading - and be sure to let me know what you think of the website.

These books belonged to my nan, and I’ve used them in a lot of the banner images for the website - because the spines are so pretty, and the contents so darkly fascinating…