The Blog Lives! And a FEARLESS Giveaway

Hello!

A while ago, I announced I was moving this blog to Tumblr. I really like the format and the immediacy of that platform, but having dipped my toe in the water, so to speak… I've realised it's not for me. I don't have time to keep up with it – like Twitter and Facebook, you have to post and interact there regularly for it to be worthwhile. So I've decided that, just in time for Halloween, I'm bringing this blog back from the dead! [insert spooky ghost noises here] And I've given it a bit of a facelift, too - what do you think?

What have I been up to while this blog has been in stasis? Well, several exciting things have happened. I'm still sworn to secrecy about two of those things, but I'll share when I can. What I can tell you is that THE FEARLESS has been nominated for the 2015 CILIP Carnegie Medal - my second nomination in two years. To say I'm thrilled is an understatement.

I'm also working on some new book ideas, but again, they're top secret at the moment. I'm fairly superstitious about my new ideas, and always think if I talk about them too much it will jinx them, so I'm keeping quiet for now. Sorry!

In between writing and the day job, I've been doing plenty of workshops and events - this week, I ran a teen writing workshop at Wirksworth Library, and also took part in a panel discussion and author Q&A at Lincoln High Street Waterstones with Kerry Drewery and Zoe Marriott. Despite suffering from a horrible cold, I had the BEST time. Fellow authors Kendra Leighton and Rebecca Mascull came along to cheer us on and it was so lovely to meet and chat to everyone. One girl told me that THE FEARLESS made her cry all the way through, and another that ACID is the book that's made her want to write dystopian. Sometimes, when I'm struggling through my first (or second, or third, or tenth…) draft, wondering if anyone will ever want to read the words I'm trying to get onto the page, writing can feel like a lonely and frustrating business. To hear such passionate responses from readers really makes me feel like it's all worth it!

A big thank you to Giles, Kirsty and all the staff at Waterstones Lincoln for looking after us so well. BTW, they have limited amounts of signed stock AND swag from all three of us, so if you're in the area, hurry down and grab some before it sells out!

Finally, to celebrate the blog revival and Halloween, I'm giving away two signed copies of THE FEARLESS. It's dark and gruesome and simply perfect for this time of year, so if you want to win a copy, leave me a comment below and/or follow me on Twitter and tweet about this post with the hashtag #FearlessHalloweenGiveaway. The giveaway is international and entries close on Friday 14th November.

Happy Halloween!

The North East Teenage Book Award and Other Exciting News!

On Friday, I took a train up to Newcastle for the North East Teenage Book Award, which ACID had been shortlisted for along with Kerry Drewery's A DREAM OF LIGHTS, Paula Rawsthorne's BLOOD TRACKS, Alison Rattle's THE QUIETNESS, Laura Lam's PANTOMIME and Matt Whyman's THE SAVAGES.

The awards ceremony was held at Newcastle's Centre for Life. All six of us authors were able to attend along with over 200 students from 26 schools plus teachers, parents and librarians, with professional storyteller Alec Williams hosting the event. Students had been chosen to introduce each of us – my student was Lucy, who read out one of the loveliest reviews for ACID I've ever had! Then we had to each give a short speech, and answer some questions posed to us by the various schools.

And then they announced the winner…

ACID!

I was so shocked – I didn't think I was in with a chance as the rest of the shortlisted books are absolutely fantastic and all equally deserving of the award (you must read them if you haven't already!). I actually got choked up when I was saying thank you to everyone! And Kerry Drewery, who I share an agent with, won the Highly Commended award. Needless to say, we now have a very happy agent - go, Team London Independent Books!

It means so much to have won this award because the winner is voted for by the teenagers themselves – our readers. It was wonderful to meet so many of them afterwards at the book signing and chat to them. I even met some aspiring authors – I hope I'll see their books on the shelves some day!

So a HUGE thank you to everyone who voted for ACID, to Alec for being such a fantastic host and to the organisers for arranging such a great evening, especially Eileen Armstrong. Here is my winner's certificate and my trophy – a 'Geordie' mug which I will treasure.

And as if that wasn't exciting enough… ACID has been shortlisted for the Doncaster Book Award (I LOVE the reviews on ACID's post!), and longlisted for the Branford Boase Award along with several author friends including Helen Douglas, CJ Flood, Dan Smith, Emma Carroll, Fletcher Moss, Sarah Naughton and Amy McCulloch. This award also recognises the editors of the books, which makes it extra-special, as editors are often the unsung heroes of the book world.

Happy Monday, everyone!