Writer for Animation, Film, Television, Books, Comics and Audio
Regular visitors to my blog might recall my post last year about the Amazing Story Steps at the District CE Primary School in Newton-le-Willows. I’m Patron of Reading there and I’m honoured to be included on their steps. It’s such a simple, clever way to promote reading and I couldn’t wait to see it for myself …
Years have a funny way of creeping up on us, don’t they? We think we know exactly where they are then some time around August they hide behind our backs, jump out and whack us in the face with a fist full of December. BAM! The year’s out. Done and dusted. And all those ambitions …
As the year draws to a close I’m about to complete my last school event of 2014. I’ve done lots of talks, workshops and signings this year so I thought I’d share some highlights with you. MacMillan Academy, Middlesbrough. I spent a week at the MacMillan Academy helping the pupils develop and write a script for …
I had a great time at FantasyCon in York last weekend. It’s the first time I’ve been along to this sort of convention but it was a good opportunity to meet up with lots of author friends and catch up!
Had a great week working with the pupils from Macmillan Academy in Middlesbrough with Mark Jobe from Quay Animation. Together we helped the pupils write, design and animate a short film about climate change and the effects of flooding. Former Macmillan pupil and BBC Breakfast business reporter Steph McGovern dropped in to see what we …
It’s hard to believe it’s over already! Yesterday was my last Read Regional event, at a library in Thorne near Doncaster. And what a great way to finish; the pupils from King Edward School were attentive, engaging and asked some great questions. I’ve enjoyed all of the events I’ve done in very different ways. They’ve …
Last year I was lucky enough to be asked by New Writing North to go to the Gothenburg Book Fair in Sweden. I had a great time and made some new friends, including Jan Smedh from The English Bookshop in Uppsala, Sweden. Since then Jan and I have stayed in touch and he was kind enough …
To celebrate the publication of Timesmith last week the nice people at Waterstones Middlesbrough arranged for me to do a signing event in their store. Apart from the launch event for Sorrowline, which was a different sort of event, it’s the first time I’ve done a book shop appearance. When I do school events the …
It’s here at last! My second book is officially published today and it feel so much different to when my first book, Sorrowline, came out. Last year we marked the day with a trip to York and champagne in First Class – I even bought myself a ukulele! That was January last year. This time …