YA, 9-12, picture books: children`s books, books read by children, chooks and bildren...
Profile
I have three children`s books published by Usborne, and a fourth was a special commission by the Stratford Upon Avon Literary Festival. My agent is Julia Churchill at The Greenhouse Agency. I teach writing at Warwick University (and elsewhere on occasion). At the moment I spend a lot of time in Italy, where my parents in law run a very affordable self-catering retreat for anyone engaged on artistic or academic work: http://wassardelea.blogspot.com/
A funny, diary-style novel, aimed at 9 - 11 year old girls.
Chips is due out in Feb 2008 from Usborne Fiction, and can be pre-ordered at Amazon - click through for a good synopsis.
Personal Blog Posts
From the Bookseller
This article in the Bookseller (the industry magazine for booksellers (duh :)) ) is depressing reading, but there's a good deal of truth in it:
http://www.thebookseller.com/news/childrens-publishing-haemorrhaging-talent.html... ( from http://thewritingden.webs.com/apps/blog/...)
Hallelujah...
I spent the last half of last year writing the first draft of a novel which I'd hoped would be taken by a certain publisher. Blimey, it was like pulling teeth. The publisher turned out not to want it after all, and though my agent was still interested... ( from http://thewritingden.webs.com/apps/blog/...)
This is the point at which I think the archaeology/ history might become a bit hard to follow. I have thought of a way to simplify it if necessary, but would really help to know if you found the history confusing.
Synopsis:
16 year old Joo Russell's life is turned upside down when her father leaves to live with another woman. She obssessively tries to get him back, and drives her friends away in the process. It is only when her Italian mother decides to go on a winter holiday to find her roots, that Joo manages to finally find closure.