• Doomscroll painting by Niel Bushnell

Category: Events/News


  • The Amazing Story Steps – Part II

    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…

  • My 2014 – a better year

    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…

  • A year of author events

    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…

  • FantasyCon 2014

    FantasyCon 2014

    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!

  • Filmmaking at Macmillan Academy

    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…