As seen on TV

I'm all prepared should the Book Show call

There aren't many TV shows dedicated to writing and books but I have come across one or two. The best has to be 'The Book Show' on Sky Arts hosted by Mariella Frostrup.
The show usually includes around three interviews with authors, a behind-the-scenes look at where one writer works, recommended reads from a book store and finally the interviewees talking about the book they wish they had written.

I've been thinking about that by the way and my choice would be 'Carter Beats the Devil' by Glen David Gold. I have often thought about writing a book based around a travelling show with magic and circus elements. This book is not aimed at children but I think it might appeal to teenagers - it tells the life story of magican and reveals the truth about the mysterious death of a president who took part in a show just before his death.
Then there's Simply TV's (Sky channel 196) Book Zone, now rebranded as Border's Book Zone. It's appearances can be a bit irregular but it features upcoming books fiction and non-fiction from authors both famous and new. I also liked watching Crime Writers on Legal.tv but that sadly seems to have finished.
Other shows you might want to keep an eye on are the South Bank Show, Mark Lawson talks To: on BBC Four which sometimes feature writers and Clive James in the Library (Sky Arts). There are also sometimes programmes on writing shown on Open University - one repeated occaisonally features children asking questions of Jacqueline Wilson and Michael Morpurgo.

* Speaking of Sky Arts - Alex Rider series author Anthony Horowitz is taking over the channel this week with Friday Night Hijack. While Alex Rider fans can see Anthony in person on Saturday (April 12th) when he will be signing copies of 'Snakehead' the latest installment at Borders Cheshire Oaks from 9am. Anthony has written seven books about the teenage spy and has sold 10million copies worldwide - so expect a huge queue!
Don't forget to let me know about your favourite writing-related TV shows by posting a comment.

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