The percentage of books for under 11s that feature racially minoritised characters dropped in 2023. Centre for Literacy in Primary Education began measuring the number (and quality) of representations of racially minoritised characters in UK books published for under 11 year olds, in 2017. In 2017 a mere 4% of books featured ANY racially minoritisedContinue reading “Reflecting Realities? not this year…”
Author Archives: megaphonewrite
Former mentee succeeds in FAB prize!
Munira Jannath, who was a Megaphone mentee in 2020 – 2021, has won the Publishers’ Text category of the FAB prize 2024. Congratulations Munira! Follow the link to her blog about the story that got her a place on the Megaphone scheme. We loved her warm, funny, child-centred writing even then and it’s so excitingContinue reading “Former mentee succeeds in FAB prize!”
How to solve a problem like Jamie?
Jamie Oliver’s publisher has rightly removed his children’s book from sale. But how did it get to the shelves in the first place? Why is this still happening, in 2024? Who, or more likely what, is to blame?
Watch: ‘YOU are the hero!’ a conversation with Ian Livingstone
You can now watch back our former mentee, Iqbal Hussain’s interview with Ian Livingstone, the author of the well-loved and extraordinarily successful Fighting Fantasy gamebook series. This was a special one-off webinar in collaboration with Unbound, who publish both MAGIC REALMS, a collection of the iconic Fighting Fantasy artwork, and NORTHERN BOY, Iqbal’s funny andContinue reading “Watch: ‘YOU are the hero!’ a conversation with Ian Livingstone”
Free webinar with creator of Fighting Fantasy books!
We’re excited to say that we’re hosting a special, one-off webinar with the author of the Fighting Fantasy game books, Sir Ian Livingstone. He will be interviewed by our 2020 mentee, Iqbal Hussain, who is now the debut author of NORTHERN BOY. Iqbal is a big fan of Fighting Fantasy, as am I – manyContinue reading “Free webinar with creator of Fighting Fantasy books!”
Reba Khatun interviewed by Suad Kamardeen
It was lovely to see Reba’s inspiring and insightful interview here on Suad’s substack – both really fantastic writers and members of Megaphone Community. In Conversation with: Reba Khatun, author of Zaynab’s Tiger Day by Suad Kamardeen
Nazima Pathan’s DREAM HUNTERS proof is here!
And it looks absolutely amazing! Pre-order at Amazon or Waterstones or any bookshop of your choice. I'm so proud to see @NP_author 's debut fantasy book DREAM HUNTERS become a reality. I knew it was going to be brilliant when I read it as part of @MegaphoneWrite a couple of years ago. Nazima was myContinue reading “Nazima Pathan’s DREAM HUNTERS proof is here!”
Update: Asli Jensen wins agent; replaced as mentee by Ayesha Khan
We’d like to warmly congratulate Asli Jensen on winning the Chicken House/ Lime Pictures award, which comes with an offer of agent representation. We are not at all surprised as her writing is exceptional! As the mentoring scheme is only for un-agented writers, the process in this situation (when a mentee leaves the scheme forContinue reading “Update: Asli Jensen wins agent; replaced as mentee by Ayesha Khan”
Book Review: The Boy In The Smoke
Occasionally we review books here – this is the second novel by our wonderful mentor, Rachel Faturoti. You can read more about Rachel on her own website: https://www.rachelfaturoti.com/about Title: The Boy In The Smoke Author: Rachel Faturoti Suggested readership: ages 9 to 11 Themes and topics: history, workhouses, friendship, young carers, hidden poverty, time-slip, 19thContinue reading “Book Review: The Boy In The Smoke”
Reflections on the application stage: what did we learn?
It seems incredible that it has been seven years since Megaphone Mentoring opened for applications for the very first time. Since then we have mentored 13 brilliantly talented mentees in total, of whom 7 are now either published or signed with literary agents. Our wonderful judging team of editors has now selected our 8 menteesContinue reading “Reflections on the application stage: what did we learn?”