I’m fascinated by the intersection of character & setting. It’s the nature vs. nurture phenomenon of shaping compelling characters, begging the question does the setting shape the character or does the character exist independently of the place? Think of some of your favourite characters from books or films, they are inextricably linked to their place… Luke Skywalker […]
“Don’t judge a book by its cover.” That’s what we’re told. And yet, what do people actually do? Of course they do. We’re visual thinkers and take cues from book jackets to guide our decision making. Books are actually a lot like fashion (or a fashion accessory); readers have to want to be seen reading […]
I played my first Hay Festival this week! If you don’t know, Hay is like the Glastonbury for books…or the ComicCon for literature. It’s a huge festival in a tiny town. The organizers (who must be super organised) set up a tent city in a field, complete with bookshops, bars, restaurants, a swishy green-room, and […]
So here’s some great news, there’s more ‘Neurotic Zombie’ on the way! I’ve just come off an epic book tour, introducing OCD zombie Adam Meltzer to the masses and my publisher Faber has asked for a follow-up book! I’ve actually been working away on sequel story since the Spring, but it looks like it’ll come out […]
Today I made the pilgrimage to the annual August mecca of literature, the Edinburgh Book Festival. Today was a very special part of the festival, the Baillie Gifford Gala Day, when the kids take over! I arrived to sunny skies, which I was (contractually) assured was the norm for Scotland. I made my way […]
Today I became a zombie. Well, technically I put on fake flesh wounds and grey make up and commuted (yes, via tube & train) to my first book tour event for ‘Memoirs of a Neurotic Zombie.’ Commuting in London rush hour this morning, I half expected a few people to at least blink, and even […]
I must admit, I feel a bit like George McFly today at the end of ‘Back to the Future’… It’s one of my favourite films, and you probably recall the sequence when Marty awakes to find his home life so much better than how he left it. The town bully, Biff, is now buffing his […]
With just over one month to go until OCD-suffering twelve-year-old Adam Meltzer climbs out of his grave in ‘Memoirs of a Neurotic Zombie’, I’m delighted to share that the book is part of a goodreads giveaway! Enter now for your chance to win one of 5 copies (UK only)! Goodreads Book Giveaway Memoirs of a Neurotic […]
With just over two months until OCD-suffering Adam Meltzer rises from the grave to appear on bookshelves, I’m delighted to reveal the cover for my new book MEMOIRS OF A NEUROTIC ZOMBIE. This book has been a true labour of love and I’m so excited that the Faber team has embraced it and given it […]
Today my new book debuts to the world….well, to the publishing world at least. The real world still has to wait until the 7th of August. Right now, in Bologna, Italy, the children’s publishing world is meeting up for the annual Bologna Children’s Book Fair. And my publisher, Faber, is showcasing their new and upcoming titles…including my […]
