After weeks of non stop school visits I'm making the most of today's strike day in schools by catching up with some writing. At the moment I'm still busy working on my History Heroes series which is due to be published later this year but I'm itching to get on with some new stories too.
I had a great day yesterday at Coupe Green Primary School - and at Redbridge Primary School on Monday. Hello to everyone there and thank you for making me feel so welcome...
I've just stopped working to eat my lunch and to have a quick write in my diary as I thought you might like to see the finished covers for two of the History Heroes books... Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Victoria I...
The covers, and the books themselves, have been illustrated by a wonderful illustrator called Rupert Van Wyk. I know what you're thinking... The book cover says they have been illustrated by Mike Philips, but that's a mistake - "OOPS!" Mike has illustrated a couple of other books in the series. The finished books will definitely have the right names on the front.
Here's a BIG HELLO to everyone at St Anne's RC Primary School in Coventry... Looking forward to seeing you all in the morning.
Since I last wrote in my diary I've been busy, busy, busy - working on my History Heroes books. I've just finished the first draft of the 3rd book - all about Queen Elizabeth I, and I'm on with book 4 - Queen Victoria. The books are due to be published later this year so I'd better get a move on.
Last week I received a large envelope through the post containing the first completed roughs of the Columbus book... It's looking really good and I can't wait to see more.
Here's a BIG HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone reading my diary... We've had a lovely Christmas and hope you have too.
I haven't made any New Year resolutions (have you?) but I am planning to be far more organised with my writing work. I've got quite a few things on the go at the moment, including a longer novel for older readers - Year 4 and above I think. So far I think it will be at least 17,000 words in length - so a lot longer than anything I've written before. I've written a few chapters of the book but the rest is on hold at the moment as I'm busy working on a little series of non-fiction books. I've written the first two in the series - one about Christopher Columbus and one about Neil Armstrong... I will tell you more about those and show you some picture as soon as I can. Right now the pictures are still being drawn so I haven't even seen them myself. Today I'm busy writing book 3 which is all about Queen Elizabeth I.
Today sees the publication of my very latest book - Smelly Socks and Terrible Tangles. HURRAH! I haven't seen the finished book yet but I'm hoping the postman will be delivering a couple of copies to me very soon.
Next week I will be visiting Minera Primary School in Wrexham - my first visit of the New Year and I can't wait... See you all soon...
