World Book Day Visit to Shropshire 2023: Newport Girls’ High School

I spent World Book Day itself at my old secondary school, Newport Girls’ High School, at the kind invitation of Head of English, Bethanie Lord. I gave talks to Years 7 and 8 where, among other things, we thought about what World Book Day might have been like in 1666.

At lunchtime, Susan Caroline from Shrewsbury’s independent bookshop Pengwern Books kindly came along to sell copies of The White Phoenix. I thoroughly enjoyed chatting to the girls as I signed copies of the book.

In the afternoon, I led two creative writing workshops for classes from Year 7 and 8. Thank you so much for having me. I am still trying to get over the size of the school which has grown enormously since I was there.

World Book Day Visit to Shropshire 2023: Haberdasher’s Adams School

I was delighted to return to my home county of Shropshire for the week of World Book Day 2023. It was particularly exciting to speak to the Year 8 boys at Haberdasher’s Adams School in Newport as this was the school I grew up in when my father was headmaster there.

I especially enjoyed talking with the boys about the Great Fire of Newport in 1665 – a full year before the more famous conflagration in London! Huge thanks to Olivia Whittingham, the inspiring School Librarian, and her assistant, Demi, for inviting me and making me so welcome.

Shortlisted for the Young Quills Award 2021

I was absolutely delighted that The White Phoenix was shortlisted for the Historical Association’s Young Quills Award 2021 in the 10-13 years category. The award recognises the best in historical fiction writing for children. It was a privilege to be shortlisted alongside authors such as Tom Palmer and Paul Dowswell whom I greatly admire.

The distinctive feature of this award is that the first round is judged by children themselves. You can read some of their reviews by clicking here.

In announcing the results, the judges made a special mention of The White Phoenix which they were keen to recommend as a strong book that would enhance learning in school.

Writers’ Weekend

I am delighted to announce that I will be reading extracts from The White Phoenix at this year’s Virtual Writers’ Weekend, as part of their Success Stories event on Friday 25 June. The Success Stories evening showcases authors who have found publishing success as a result of attending the Writers’ Festival/Writers’ Weekend over the past few years. Having attended the Writers’ Festival four times and learned loads from it, I am very excited to be actually taking part. It’s also a thrill to be sharing a virtual platform with friends I met through the event. The Virtual Writers’ Weekend runs from 24 – 27 June, 2021. You can find out all about it and book here www.writersweekend.uk

World Book Day 2021

I had great fun recording World Book Day virtual author visits for three schools in early March. I also did a live author visit by Zoom with Year 6 pupils at St Paul’s Catholic Primary School, Thames Ditton. It was wonderful to be able to interact with the children – they asked some very thought-provoking questions. I’m really looking forward to doing live author visits next term.

December 2020

Thrilled that the White Phoenix features on The Reader Teacher’s website on the #bookmatch list for fans of Emma Carroll.