(Content warming: suicide) I originally wrote this post (and shared it in my enewsletter) close to the start of the school year, when a tragedy struck my small town: A teenager had disappeared and was found dead. It had a huge impact on everyone in my community, even those of us who didn’t know the… Read more »
My Books
Libraries and Bookshop Runs
Books are crucial in Secret of the Shadow Beasts. They provide an essential escape for Nora and the Order of the Hawk whilst they’re on duty, but also during training. Library time is an important part of every day, and Nora often uses this time to read up on her new world and try to learn. Midway… Read more »
Outtake 1: Secret of the Shadow Beast
“Everyone talks about my first battle when I became a Legendary. I was only seventeen, but no one got bit. I was so used to fighting out there with them as their senior knight, and then there I was, sitting in the car, telling them how to manage, but not out there with them, which…” [long… Read more »
World Read Aloud Day is Coming!
I’m so excited to once again be offering virtual visits for World Read Aloud Day: Wednesday, February 1, 2023! It’s been a joy each year to meet your wonderful classrooms and connect with your students. I have a full-time job, so I can’t afford a complete day of visits, but I’m taking a bit of time… Read more »
Secret of the Shadow Beasts: Teachers’ Guide!
On this busy weekend, I’ve been getting a lot done. As well as the trailer for Secret of the Shadow Beasts (see this post), I’ve finally managed to finish up my Teachers’ Guide for the book: I decided to do something a bit different this time around. Secret of the Shadow Beasts is packed with themes—so… Read more »
Secret of the Shadow Beasts Trailer
I never got around to pulling a trailer together before Secret of the Shadow Beasts was out (too much going on in all parts of my life!), but at last I had a free morning (and afternoon) where I could work for five hours straight on this! These vids certainly take some time. But I’m… Read more »
Secret of the Shadow Beasts Launch Events!
I can hardly believe that my third book is about to come out, but in just three weeks, it will be here! To celebrate in this time of the pandemic, I’m holding just two launch events: one Zoom, and one in-person but outside (during which I’ll be masked anytime I’m remotely near anyone). Expect to… Read more »
Spinning the Yarn of Action, Depth, and Meaning
I’ve always loved layering timely topics in the action of my fast-past novels. For the last four years or so, however, I’ve been thinking about how to do even more. Not just weave one timely topic into a story, but many; or to weave one in are a very deep core. I like the analogy… Read more »
Do Strong Fictional Kids Need Help? Maybe.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how we children’s authors depict the children in our books: almost always capable and independent (a combination that prepares them for the adventures we throw at them). For instance, the kids in Secret of the Shadow Beasts are especially capable, and the adults put a lot on their… Read more »
Cover Reveal: Secret of the Shadow Beasts!!
I’ve already revealed Secret of the Shadow Beasts‘s cover on Twitter and the wonderful MG Book Village, but what kind of author would I be if I didn’t reveal it here as well? Here it is, with art by the incredible Vivienne To: For fans of Dragon Pearl and the Lockwood & Co. series comes a swift-moving contemporary… Read more »
Flora is just utterly beautiful in any pose she takes. And she hardly knows it!
#catsofinstagram
I took this pic to figure out what kind of furry visitor I had, and it’s so pretty I need to share. Meet my new friend, a tiger moth caterpillar, which, with luck, will transform soon into a gorgeous moth!
#caterpillar #garden #nature