Third masterclass: Patrice Lawrence

Yesterday we were really happy to welcome Patrice Lawrence, whose first YA novel, Orangeboy, has just been published by Hodder. Patrice delivered the third masterclass, a wide ranging session where we discussed trusting yourself to write, finding a structure and using the wealth of our own diverse backgrounds to develop characters. We also talked about theContinue reading “Third masterclass: Patrice Lawrence”

Bias & representation – links

This fantastic speech delivered by Nikesh Shukla recognises the importance of representation in children’s books. I’ve heard people (white people, inevitably) dismiss those concerned with better, wider representation in children’s books as ‘worthy’. As a mixed race person like Nikesh’s daughter, I can assure you that worthy is not a description that’s ever occurred to me. EssentialContinue reading “Bias & representation – links”

Second masterclass: hook, cake, hake.

We were really pleased to welcome Catherine Johnson (and her cake) to the Writing West Midlands’ meeting room for the second masterclass of Megaphone. Catherine focused on story: from your first chapter, can the reader tell what the story is about or  not? She brought us back again and again to the fact that aContinue reading “Second masterclass: hook, cake, hake.”

Kirkus: unmaking the White default

Kirkus reviews, for those who don’t know, is a highly influential, USA based body of reviewers. A starred Kirkus review is something that authors fling their hats in the air, squee and dance about. So I was really interested to read this: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/features/unmaking-white-default/   I think it’s a good move. I also like the fact that they’veContinue reading “Kirkus: unmaking the White default”

London Book Fair 2016

I was at #LBF16 today to talk about diversity and writing for children and teenagers, with Peter Kalu and Tariq Mehmood, authors at HopeRoad Publishing, run by Rosemarie Hudson. I was only there briefly before having to run off to another meeting, but as usual wished I’d arranged to stay longer! Notable moments: the Bonnier dinosaurContinue reading “London Book Fair 2016”

Meet Tina, Megaphone Participant

  Leila: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your writing life so far? Have you been writing long, and what drew you to writing for children and teenagers? Tina: About me? Well, that is quite a story in itself but I’m not sure I have enough room to fit everything in, soContinue reading “Meet Tina, Megaphone Participant”

Megaphone first masterclass!

The first Megaphone masterclass took place on Saturday 02/04/2016 at Writing West Midlands’ meeting room in the Custard Factory, Digbeth, Birmingham (venue kindly provided as in-kind funding by Writing West Midlands). I didn’t notice the graffiti outside the window when I was taking this but it’s quite funny! We looked at book, story, plot pointsContinue reading “Megaphone first masterclass!”

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