A lovely blog here about an inspirational teacher, a boy and a book. It makes me so happy to read this sort of thing – makes it all worthwhile.
Pushing Boundaries
Any one coming to Salford On Saturday 21st March? I’m giving the keynote speech at the Pushing Boundaries YA Conference. Plus Nicola Morgan and many others.
See you there!
Arvon in May
I’m tutoring an Arvon Course in May at The Hurst, with the wonderful Lucy Christopher and there’s still some places AND grants towards the cost left.
There’s definitely a bit of magic about Arvon – it’s one week of talking, thinking, writing for children and YA, and it’s guaranteed to bring your writing on like nothing else can. I’ve seen so many people go on to publish, but at the very least it will help you move forward, meet some great people working or trying to work in the same area as you … and generally have a good time.
The Hurst is John Osbourne’s old house – a really beautiful old Georgian place that’s just been done up, in 25 acres of beautiful grounds. I just came back from a course for schools and it was full to bursting with snowdrops – really lovely!
As Osbourne said … “the best view in England.”
Writerly Quartet
At Huddersfield Uni last week with First Story North West, who do such great work getting writers into schools, and getting young people to produce wonderful compilations – one of the very few chances students get to work over a long period with writers, which shows in the work, incidentally …!
You can find out more about First Story here – and do get in touch if you’re in the North west and are interested. Meanwhile, here’s a bit of Phone camera fun – myself with Ian McMillan, Lemn Sissay, who gave the keynote speech, and Andy McMilla – with Kevin Duffy, publisher at Bluemoose Books, lurking in the background. Nice day out!
This was the first time I heard Lemn give one of his legendary presentations. Great stuff!
Edinburgh and Bath
I’m in Bath on 5th October with – this is a beauty – David Almond, Mal Peet and David Fickling. How can you bear to miss it? And on the same day, talking about the Andersen Press anthology War Girls with Sally Nichols and Rowena House.