April 2008 Archives

I remember reading Roald Dahl's The Twits as a class at primary school and like thousands of children - I loved it (especially the horrible bits like the glass eye and the worm spaghetti.) It's naughty and not too long with great illustrations by Quentin Blake - bare bums! Now there's a chance to see the story brought to life

My Dr Midas series is aimed at children aged 8-12 and whenever I approach an agent or publisher that is one detail I always include. Publishers also publish their children's books in these catagories and visitor to Waterstones or WH Smith or Borders will also be used to seeing similar groupings used.

The BBC is reporting that this Colossal Squid will be defrosted in New Zealand soon.

I enjoyed watching 'What Killed the Mega Beasts' at the weekend - all about huge extinct animals like the moa and the giant sloth, but of course there is one place where enormous creatures still exist - the ocean.
Coincidentally the BBC is running a story about the Colossal Squid - which I just know is going to feature in my next Dr Midas book - I had planned on giant squids but these sound even scarier!

There are just a few days left to enter the 2008-2009 Commonwealth Short Story Competition but luckily you can email your story which must be no more than 600words.

Charlie Higson has talked to the BBC about the possibility of more Young Bond books

I am a fan of Charlie Higson's Young Bond books so I was pleased to here he is considering writing more - but aimed at an older audience.

The Big Bad Read logo

Who is top of your list of best children's books villain? Well Bloomsbury's Big Bad Read has been asking people to vote and now the results are in.

I rediscovered Writers' Forum magazine last year - it has been revamped and the layout is a lot better than it used to be. They run a monthly competition for short stories and I've decided to send one of mine off called ninety eight and a half per cent.

Last year I entered an interesting short story competition run by The Writers' Advice Centre on the subject 'Diversity' and I was delighted and surprised when I received an email saying I'd won! Now the 2008 competition is underway.

As promised today I'm running a Writer's Block competition. The prize is a paperback copy of Jacqueline Wilson's autobiography - Jacky Daydream. The book is ideal for both fans and writers - especially youngsters. I'm also including a Paperchase mini mutants A6 notebook and pen in the prize in the hope that you'll be inspired to get writing.

Xingu a Double-Nosed Andean tiger hound.

One of the characters in my book is Sniffer, a robotic dog with an ability to smell trouble and evil with his large nose. I was pretty certain of his appearance - just like a real bloodhound with convincing fake fur - until I saw the photo above.