Welcome to my site!

It’s always lovely to see the first actual copies of a new book because it is invariably a long time since it was first written so it feels very new, and shiny!

This very morning the first copies of my latest book, a Collins Big Cat Phonics book arrived.

This is what it looks like!

It is the story of a little beetle who likes to sing (but is not very good at it!) When the other little beetles send her away she is almost eaten by Harry the mouse.  But Poppy does something very brave and rescues him from sneaky Jake the snake. So they become friends instead and share their love of singing- even though neither of them can sing very well!

You can find out more about the book or buy it- here

The 2011  Edinburgh International Book Festival will begin on Saturday 13th August in Charlotte Square.

I love the fact that the green leafy city centre garden is transformed into a quite magical world of books in August every year, and a little like Brig o’ Doon it vanishes again soon after!

I am delighted that I have been invited again this year.  Below are some of the details of my events at the Book Festival.

If you are around come and say hello.

On Thursday 18th August 2011 – 5.30pm

Along with other writers, I will be reading as part of the Amnesty International Imprisoned Writers series

Friday 19th August 2011 5.00pm

I will be talking about the research I did for SPIDER and DEAD BOY TALKING

(This event is to be chaired by Philip Ardagh – I am really looking forward to that!)

On Friday 26th August 2011 – 11am

I will be running a writing workshop-

Making it as a Children’s writer

(THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT)

and finally, as part of the

Edinburgh International Book Festival Schools programme

I will be speaking to primary school children  about  Hamish McHaggis and friends on 30th  August 2011.
This is on the Schools Gala Day

( NB -The Book Festival is closed to the general public on 30th August)

Here is Hamish at a previous festival appearance, with the fabulous staff in the Author’s Yurt I wonder -did he need an author pass to get in ???)

August is fast approaching and the weather is (mostly) good and at times glorious which I hope it will be a week tomorrow on Saturday 6th August when  I will be at the Traquair Fair reading Hamish McHaggis stories.

Do come along and say hello!

The fair is on all weekend Saturday and Sunday (6th and 7th August) and has all sorts of amazing entertainment for all ages.  It sounds like it will be a great weekend.

It is also almost time for the Edinburgh International Book Festival. Back soon with more details of my events at the Edbookfest!