Young Writers Conference

Are you a Young Writer? If so you may be interested in a conference the Scottish Book Trust are hosting...

"The day will be a fantastic opportunity for young writers aged 14-17 to develop their creative writing skills in a variety of workshops and learn more about the publishing industry.

We have a fantastic list of speakers lined up including the award-winning author of Skellig, David Almond, playwright Douglas Maxwell, teen author Gillian Philip and poet Elspeth Murray."

Event details:

When: Saturday 12th November 2011, 10am-4.30pm

Where: Scottish Book Trust, Sandeman House, Trunk's Close, 55 High St., Edinburgh, EH1 1SR

Tickets: Booking essential, cost £6 (including lunch)

More details here Young Writers Conference

Scottish Children's Book Awards 2011

The 2011 Scottish Children's Book Awards were launched on the 6th September and I was lucky enough to be invited along to the Scottish Storytelling Centre for the ceremony.  The awards allow children and young people across Scotland to vote for their favourite children’s books across three categories:

Bookbug Readers (0-7 years)
Younger Readers (8-11 years)
Older Readers (12-16 years)

This year I was a member of the shortlisting panel which involved reading the 50+ books submitted by publishers and then deciding with my fellow judges which books deserved to be shortlisted.  It was really difficult to only shortlist 3 books in each catergory with so many great books being submitted.  In the end however we agreed on the following...

Bookbug Readers (0-7 years)
- DEAR VAMPA by Ross Collins
- THE LOON ON THE MOON by Chae Strathie and Emily Golden
- APPLE PIE ABC by Alison Murray

Younger Readers (8-11 years)

- ZAC AND THE DREAM PIRATES by Ross MacKenzie
- THERE'S A HAMSTER IN MY POCKET! by Franzeska G Ewart
- THE CASE OF THE LONDON DRAGONFISH by Joan Lennon

Older Readers (12-16 years)
- WASTED by Nicola Morgan
- THE BLACKHOPE ENIGMA by Teresa Flavin
- THE PRISONER OF THE INQUISITION by Theresa Breslin
 
To find out how to get involved in the awards please visit the Scottish Book Trust website Scottish Childrens Book Awards

Here are the authors and their books...

The World of Norm

Edinburgh author Jonathan Meres has launched his new book today and anyone who liked the 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' series is sure to love it. It's called 'World of Norm: May Contain Nuts.'  Here is the trailer about the book...Copies available in the SMC Library soon.