View this blog as the Author’s electronic diary…
Continue reading for updates on events James has been to, books he’s read, and reviews on both!
Edinburgh International Book Festival
Upcoming Events / Agenda
15.08.23
Is This a Good Time to Be Writing For Children?
19.08.23
Kiran Millwood Hargrave & Katherine Rundell: Power, Knowledge and Love
20.08.23
Robin Stevens: Ministry, Mystery and Murder
22.08.23
Thrilling and Killing: Building Suspense with Naomi Gibson and Ravena Guron
25.08.23
Yvonne Banham: Uncanny Encounters
Creating Magical Worlds with Chris Riddell
27.08.23
Cressida Cowell: Hic Hic Hooray!
Authenticity and Diversity in Children’s Books with Nadine Kaadan & Harry Woodgate
28.08.23
What’s on Your Picture Book Shelf?
Venue
Spark Theatre
Date
19.08.23
Time
15:30 - 16:30
Robin Stevens: Ministry, Mystery and Murder.
If you want to write your own murder mystery, then this event was most certainly for you! I joined award-winning author, Robin Stevens, as she uncovered how to write the perfect murder and introduced her new murder mystery series, The Ministry of Unladylike Activity.
I loved how accessible this event was (I live streamed it from home), and how engaging the slides were - Robin touched upon personal topics which I loved. She started writing when she was 7, and grew up in an unusual setting - she lived in the college where her dad worked - that inspired the setting in many of her very popular book series, Murder Most Unladylike. She also said when growing up, she loved reading and solving murder mystery books before the ending. This put her on the path of writing her own!
She touched upon how to plot a murder mystery, and used prompts (a scarf, sunglasses and a medal) that the audience had to use to develop leads of a murder case with! So much fun was had!
Venue
Spark Theatre
Date
19.08.23
Time
15:30 - 16:30
‘Kiran Millwood Hargrave & Katherine Rundell: Power, Knowledge and Love’
In the Shadow of the Wolf Queen by Kiran, and Impossible Creatures by Katherine, mark the start of two epic fantasy trilogies from these award-winning queens of fiction. Chaired by Hannah Lavery, I joined them for a very personal discussion on their new stories which touch upon themes of power, knowledge and love. They spoke about how they built their magical worlds and created the creatures and characters that inhabit them. The crowd were spoilt with a private reading (by them) from each of their books - we were captivated!
Both Kiran and Katherine had a really good sense of humour, added thought and detail to their questions, engaged with the audience well and were so kind during their book signing!
Finnegan was lucky enough to come too (without paying for a ticket)!
Venue
Baillie Gifford Creation Station
Date
15.08.23
Time
18:30 - 19:30
‘Is This a Good Time to Be Writing For Children?’
I joined Sally Polson of Floris Books, Alan Windram of Little Door Books, and Lindsay Fraser of Fraser Ross Associates Literary Agency, for an illuminating panel discussion. It was chaired by network organiser for SCBWI Scotland, Caroline Deacon.
They discussed what Scottish publishers are looking for in children’s books today, and what authors and illustrators can do to stand out against their ever-growing list of manuscript submissions.
Their discussion was highly engaging and very informative. I managed to speak to Alan Windram after - an incredibly kind man (and talented author of One Button Benny) - who gave me advice from his own experience on writing and publishing.
As a teacher, I’ve read his book, One Button Benny, with a lower years class and used the resource on it, below:
One Button Benny activity sheets (squarespace.com)
We also made our own robots inspired by the book, using loose materials gathered from home!
The most beautiful library!
This newly built library (not too far from my house) has a very modern yet striking exterior, constructed with warm tones of wood. The inside is white and minimal, apart from it’s collection of colourful books and plants! The view outside is just as spectacular - cuddled by a landscape rolling hills, huddled trees and expressive skies, there’s no place I’d rather be with my favourite book!