Our final masterclass of 2016 took place on December 3rd with Alex Wheatle MBE, who challenged us to write outside our comfort zones and drew some strong, angry writing out of the five Megaphone participants. Alex recently won the Guardian Children’s Fiction prize for Crongton Knights, his second YA novel. With Patrice Lawrence recently shortlisted for the Costa children’s book award, and established children’s authors Lee Weatherly, Catherine Johnson and Candy Gourlay also leading masterclasses throughout the year, Megaphone participants will have had the opportunity to learn from the very best writers working in children’s and YA literature today. In 2017, masterclasses will focus on the industry, beginning with a masterclass from literary agent Julia Churchill, who represents (among many other excellent authors) the Carnegie-winning Sarah Crossan. Can’t wait!
