Flow: A Pair of New Masterclasses for Writers
Exciting news! For 2019 I am embarking on a new teaching project with the bestselling writer, Michelle Lovric (The Book of Human Skin, My Sister Milly). This March and April,Continue Reading
After the Election – a response to President-Elect Trump
I have thought long and hard about posting this, but we who are writers must stand up and be counted. Above all, we must call to account the ones whoContinue Reading
CHOSEN is nearly here!
I’ve just put up the website page for the continuation of Cleo’s adventures – my newest teen novel, Chosen, which will be out on 10th March. It’s got another amazingContinue Reading
OUT NOW: Chosen
“I didn’t expect to see an LGBT theme in a book like this (I don’t know why…), but it was really refreshing and felt natural. This is a great sequelContinue Reading
The Joy of Creative Napping
I posted this on another blog some years ago. Someone asked me about it just now, and it has been something that other writers have found very useful when I’veContinue Reading
It’s #UKYADAY – Win a CLEO Mug to celebrate!
COMPETITION NOW CLOSED It’s #UKYADAY, organised by the amazing @LucyTheReader over on Twitter. To celebrate, I’m giving away one of my fantabulous CLEO mugs. All you have to do is toContinue Reading
The UKYA Easter Egg Hunt
THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED! THE WINNER WILL BE NOTIFIED SHORTLY! Welcome to the UKYA Easter Egg Hunt! One very lucky winner will win a HUGE grand prize of signed booksContinue Reading
Young Reader Love for Beasts of Olympus
I love getting reviews from young readers, and I was so happy to receive two recent ones about my Beasts of Olympus series – from a five year-old and aContinue Reading
OUT NOW: The Little Green Drum (Early Reader)
Published by Orion Children’s Books (May 2015) Samia’s dad is very important. Every Ramadan he wakes the whole village up in time for breakfast. But this year, things are differentContinue Reading
The CLEO cover reveal!
I am SO excited to reveal the brand-new and shiny cover for CLEO, book one of my Young Cleopatra YA novel series. I absolutely love it, and think the OrchardContinue Reading
My Love Letter to Scotland
I had to write this. However you feel, whichever side of the #IndyRef vote you are on, please take it in the spirit with which it is meant. Love. DearContinue Reading
Piccadilly Press to Publish Beasts of Olympus series
I am absolutely delighted to announce that Piccadilly Press will be publishing my brand-new Beasts of Olympus series in the UK from January 2015 onwards. The announcement was made in today’sContinue Reading
Over on An Awfully Big Blog Adventure…
I have blogged about the first ever Young Adult Literature Convention (YALC) – and the Brilliance of Book Bloggers! Do go and have a read HERE.
Upcoming Events Calendar
You can book me for events by contacting me through my schools page or via my publishers. I do get very booked up around World Book Week in March, soContinue Reading
Writing tips 1: How to Work with Myths and Legends
Since I am this mad mythology-obsessed writer, I thought I’d kick off my series of occasional writing tips and tricks with brief ‘useful guide’ for those of you who mightContinue Reading
New Beginnings
Thanks for visiting, and welcome to my brand-new website and blog, created by the brilliant Andrew and Rebecca Brown of Design for Writers. I’m so happy with it that IContinue Reading
OUT NOW: Cleo
‘[a] sparkling thriller packed with historical intrigue, humour, loyalty and poison.’ Amanda Craig, New Statesman ‘A fascinating book with its well realised characters, depiction of religious faith and unblinking descriptions of the desperateContinue Reading
OUT NOW: Beasts of Olympus series
Starred review for Beast Keeper from Publishers Weekly USA ‘In this rippingly funny first book in the Beasts of Olympus series, readers get an alternate perspective on classic GreekContinue Reading
Captain Beastlie’s Pirate Party
Illustrated by Chris Mould published by Nosy Crow and coming in the USA from Candlewick Press in October 2014 Who’s the grubbiest pirate on the high seas? Why, it’s CaptainContinue Reading
Bear’s Best Friend
Illustrated by Sarah Dyer published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books Bear has lots of friends, but he doesn’t have a best friend. No matter how hard he looks, he just can’t find one. Until,Continue Reading
Atticus the Storyteller’s 100 Greek Myths
Illustrated by Anthony Lewis published by Orion Children’s Books Shortlisted for 2004 BBC Blue Peter Book Award Atticus the Storyteller leaves his home in Crete and sets out on anContinue Reading
Greek Beasts and Heroes – 12-Book Series
Illustrated by Anthony Lewis published by Orion Children’s Books Embark on a journey through the ancient world and enjoy the greatest stories ever told! The original Atticus the Storyteller’s 100 GreekContinue Reading
Coll the Storyteller’s Tales of Enchantment
Illustrated by Anthony Lewis published by Orion Children’s Publishing Summary Save now the Treasures all hidden. Warriors fight in lands forbidden and fire and danger ring the Merlin’s nest. BeforeContinue Reading
Hootcat Hill: A Novel
Published by Orion Children’s Books Why I loved writing this book Hootcat Hill really started with my son’s obsession with owls. We were doing some research on a project together,Continue Reading
Down in the Daisies
Illustrated by Emily Bolam published by Orion Children’s Books A first counting book in rhyme, which takes in weather and different baby animals all around the world. See how theContinue Reading
King Ocean’s Flute
Illustrated by Peter Malone published by Orion Children’s Books Paulo the shepherd boy drives his family mad with his humming, so his grandfather gives him an old flute to distractContinue Reading
First Rhymes
Illustrated by Selina Young A book of new rhymes, games and songs for 3-6 When the paperback of One Hungry Baby was published, I was asked to do a new version ofContinue Reading
One Hungry Baby
A bedtime counting book for 2+ Illustrated by Sue Hellard This was my first-ever picture book, and it starts like this: “One hungry baby, two front teeth, three dribbly chinsContinue Reading
One Smiling Sister
Illustrated by Emily Bolam A rhyming counting book for nursery school age all about going to school. How many children can you count? Published by Dorling Kindersley 2000 Now sadlyContinue Reading
Nigel’s Numberless World
Illustrated by Neal Layton Nigel (or Neil in the USA) can’t understand why numbers are so important. But then he gets a magic watch for his birthday and WHIZZ! BANG!Continue Reading
Rosie Rabbit Books
Illustrated by Patrick Yee Two pre-school lift-the-flap books about a little rabbit. Published 1996 by Orchard Books. Now out-of-print, but can sometimes be found in the Welsh edition in onlineContinue Reading
Retellings and Anthologies
I like doing retellings. You can find some of my non-Greek and Celtic myth retellings, and also some of my original short stories in the books below. I have threeContinue Reading