Welcome
Welcome, finally, to my website. Here's info on me, my books and other writings, what I'm up to, and the inevitable deeply self-absorbed blog. Visit, graze, leave a comment, then go out into the sunshine and read.
September 2009 Archives
Just a quick note to say that I've had a few of the pages on the site refreshed (by Ralph Cowling, the original programmer, who did some difficult tech stuff behind the scenes, too; cheers, Ralph!), so feel free to poke around again, particularly the Books and Journo pages.
I've also changed the Contact page to clear some things up that seemed to be causing needless confusion (my fault!). But I do want to emphasise that I do indeed read every comment that gets made on the Visitors page.
And I LOVE hearing from people! I really do, it's great (so thank you to the recent batch: Poppy, Charlie, Amanda, Kevin, Kate, Tee and Erin).
And, if I can, I'm happy to answer your questions, too. Like Kate asking about the accents in the books. My idea behind that was thinking how different accents would evolve on another planet, so to my mind, Todd sounds neither British nor American (nor Irish nor Australian nor South African...), but a mix of all those (if you can imagine it).
But I also think the reader brings important things to a book. And however you're hearing Todd in your own head, well, that's how he sounds, seriously. He's your character just as much as mine.
Here's one! In Bristol Temple Meads Station. Keep your eyes peeled for others.
It was announced today that The Ask and the Answer was shortlisted for the Booktrust Teenage Prize. Which is great! I won it last year, so a very nice surprise to be shortlisted again. And there's a nice thing in the Guardian where they interviewed me about it. Good stuff!
Also good, starting today there are meant to be whacking great posters on train stations around the country for both The Knife of Never Letting Go and The Ask and the Answer. I haven't seen one yet, but they were supposed to put one in my local station so I'm going out in a minute to check...
I've been reviewed in the Wall Street Journal, and really well, too! Who knew they did kids' books? Pretty cool. Also in the Chicago Tribune, so a good week for the US!
I've also posted my very last blog as the Booktrust Writer In Residence. A hardworking and very fulfilling six months. Great good luck to Nii Parkes, the new guy!
More soon.
I was away. You may have noticed. But I'm back now. With news...
First up, The Ask and the Answer is out in the US! Hoorah! I know you've been rather annoyed that the UK version has been out for a bit, but at last, you can buy it in the US. Which is where I've been, coincidentally. So enjoy. Let me know what you think.
In addition, the paperback for The Ask and the Answer is out in the UK! So all of you who were waiting, here's your chance.
I've also had a couple nice reviews of Ask, including a really prized starred review in Publisher's Weekly, which is great.
I'll also be appearing at the Bath Children's Literature Festival in 10 days' time with Meg Rosoff, and you can book tickets here.
There's actually more to report, but that'll have to do for now. Updates soon!
