Category Archives: Uncategorized

2 weeks left to apply for #WriteNowLive London!

A reminder of this great scheme just came into my inbox. Apply apply! Events in London, Birmingham and Manchester. Penguin Random House wants to find, mentor and publish new writers with different stories to tell. Writers from communities under-represented on the nation’s bookshelves. Are you the next Malorie Blackman? Or Wolverhampton’s answer to James Patterson? Are youContinue reading “2 weeks left to apply for #WriteNowLive London!”

My First Draft: Bryony Pearce

Bryony Pearce is the author of several novels for children and young adults. Her most recent publication, Windrunner’s Daughter, is also the first book she ever wrote! For a free copy, seeAmazon.com this weekend. Here, she writes about the momentous occasion she first wrote The End – and how that momentous occasion was by noContinue reading “My First Draft: Bryony Pearce”

The mainstream is diverse; the literature industry isn’t.

There is so much to think about and talk over, following the recent A Place at The Table conference on diversity in children’s literature.Author  Catherine Johnson’s article about the conference is here, with a mention for Megaphone: http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2016/jun/17/childrens-books-diversity-change-inclusive-minds?CMP=share_btn_fb#_=_ She certainly speaks for me when she writes: I think a lot of people – me includedContinue reading “The mainstream is diverse; the literature industry isn’t.”

#APATT #EverybodyIn

Yesterday I attended A Place at the Table, a half day session of discussion, talks and networking for people interested in making British children’s literature a better, more diverse and inclusive place. It was organised by Inclusive Minds. It was great to meet like-minded people, and hear how others are trying to bring diversity mainstream.Continue reading “#APATT #EverybodyIn”

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”

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”