I'm meant to be concentrating on finishing two novels this year but I just can't get myself to say no to school visits and appearances in bookshops, libraries and at festivals. Here's a diary of what I'll be doing this year.
Forthcoming
LINTON CHILDREN'S BOOK FESTIVAL
11th May 2014
I shall be telling myths and legends at the Linton Children's Book Festival next year. This will be followed by a book signing and, hopefully, lots of cups of tea. Not sure yet which day I'll be on but I'll post details here as soon as I get them. This festival is a great one and I'm thrilled I've been invited to participate.
SPARKLING SUMMER STORIES
Saint Martin-On-The-Hill Church, Scarborough
14 June 2014, 3.30pm
Come to sunny Scarborough for a session of summer stories for all the family. There will be pirates, buried treasure, dolphins, and bad-ass grannies trying to get out of jail.
Price of admission includes a free sparkling drink, strawberries and shortbread. In aid of the Friends of St. Martin-on-the-Hill. Last year's Halloween performance sold out so book early.
St Martin is a pre-Raphaelite gem of a church. It boasts works by Rossetti and stained glass by none other than Burnes-Jones, so do drop by for an all-round afternoon of fun and art.
PAST EVENTS
SPOOKY SPIRES - Victorian Ghost Stories at St.Martin's Church, Scarborough
Saturday 2nd November 2013
St Martin's in Scarborough will be the setting for an afternoon of spooky Victorian stories for children and adults. Come hear the tale of the haunted monkey jacket, join in with keeping a ghost at bay in The Dark Farmhouse and find out how a team of ghostly huskies save the life of a famous explorer.
Most of the stories will be a preview of my next book, THE GHOSTS WHO DANCED.
Exact starting times still to be announced.
SOLD OUT!
RESCUE CHAIR and WRITING ACADEMY at SIMPLY BOOKS, BRAMHALL
29 August 2013
Simply Books in Bramhall run weekly storytelling sessions called The Rescue Chair and a Writing Academy throughout the summer. I'll be the visiting author for the last one this year before kids return to school next week. The theme is going to be pirates. So bring your cutlass and parrot for some educational fun on the High Seas.
Tickets for the storytelling include money off a signed copy of one of my books. The ones of the writing academy include a signed book, a Moleskin notebook, snacks and drinks and, of course, expert writing tips from me.
SIMPLY BOOKS in Bramhall
14 Febuary
Simply Books in Bramhall is one of the most awesome bookshops in the country. Every time I've been there, it's been a hive of activity, with people shopping for books and upmarket stationery, sampling goodies from the instore cafe and taking part in book-related activities.
I shall be holding two story telling sessions and a writing academy there on the 14th of February. The subject is not going to be St. Valentine but Grimm's Fairy Tales.
After the sessions I'll be signing book, and chomping on excellent cake.
World Book Day 2013
4th to 8th March 2013
World Book Day in 2012 is the 7th of March. I shall be spending the week visiting schools in North Yorkshire to help children and teachers celebrate.
In June 2012 I shall be telling and reading pirate stories at the Shout About Books Festival in Lancashire. The first two sessions are open to the public but the second two are for invited audiences, although there is no stopping anyone who's popped into the library for a book to join in. I shall be selling and signing books after each session. So drop by and say hello if you are in the area.
Here is my itinerary:
Wednesday 7th June.
LANCASTER LIBRARY, Lancaster. 10.30 to 11.30am.
MARITIME MUSEUM, Lancaster. 1.00 to 1.45pm
MARITIME MUSEUM, Lancaster. 2.15 to 3.00pm
Wednesday 13th June
INGOL LIBRARY, Preston 9.30 to 10.30am
INGOL LIBRARY, Preston 11.00am to 12.00pm
