I am going to start writing Football Detective 3 tomorrow. Or the planning.
This is the best bit. Anything is possible. The book is perfect in my head: because it's not on paper.
Part of the book is set in Ghana, home of the legendary footballer, Tony Yeboah, who I saw many times at Leeds in the nineties. If you want to see something amazing look on You Tube at his two goals against Liverpool and Wimbledon, both within a week, for Leeds. Awesome.
Today - after taking advice from Naomi - I booked my flights. To Ghana. I have to admit to being nervous. But that's part of the thrill of writing books. I was nervous going to Moscow to research the last book. But it was one of the best trips I've ever been on. And it means the book (Dead Ball, out in August this year) is more realistic, and hopefully better.
Naomi is sending me a list of Ghanaian novelists to read. I start to work out the plot tomorrow. Then lots of reading.
I love being an author. I love it.
Thursday, 16 April 2009
Tuesday, 7 April 2009
Prizes
I am thrilled to say I've been put on another shortlist for a book prize: the Cheshire Schools Book Award. So thank you to them.
I missed out on the Blue Peter Book Award and the Stockton Children's Book Award last month. But being on the sshort lists was great - as was meeting the other authors. I very much enjoyed talking to the other authors in Stockport.
I missed out on the Blue Peter Book Award and the Stockton Children's Book Award last month. But being on the sshort lists was great - as was meeting the other authors. I very much enjoyed talking to the other authors in Stockport.
Football Academy
My new series, Football Academy is out this week. Two books: Boys United and Striking Out. It's great to see them on the shelves.
The series focuses on a Premier League under-twelve side. Each book is about a different boy and his progress at United. But each book also includes all the fourteen members of the squad.
I did a lot of research to get the books right. I went to Burnley FC to meet their academy players, parents and coaches. They were very helpful. I also talked to people at the FA.
Each story - I hope - shows what it is like to be an eleven-year-old playing at a Premier League academy. If you've ever fancied knowing what it's like, then it might be for you. It's not all fame and money. That's what I found out when I was researching the books.
The series focuses on a Premier League under-twelve side. Each book is about a different boy and his progress at United. But each book also includes all the fourteen members of the squad.
I did a lot of research to get the books right. I went to Burnley FC to meet their academy players, parents and coaches. They were very helpful. I also talked to people at the FA.
Each story - I hope - shows what it is like to be an eleven-year-old playing at a Premier League academy. If you've ever fancied knowing what it's like, then it might be for you. It's not all fame and money. That's what I found out when I was researching the books.
Thursday, 5 March 2009
Blue Peter Award
I didn't win the Blue Peter Award this week. But being on the shortlist was amazing. Unbelievable. I was really happy to see the short film they made of one of the scenes.
And the book that won it - by Matt Haig - is very good. So are the books by Andy Stanton and Jeremy Strong. Just to be in their company was a real thrill.
There's some good stuff on the Blue Peter wesbite about the award. Try out http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/bluepeter/central/bookclub/#/lb/central/bookclub/exclusives/tipsputdown to hear writing tips from Matt Haig, Berlie Doherty and me.
Congratulations to Matt Haig, anyway. We're up against each other for the Calderdale Book Award too, so maybe I'll get the chance to equalise. Or maybe not...
And the book that won it - by Matt Haig - is very good. So are the books by Andy Stanton and Jeremy Strong. Just to be in their company was a real thrill.
There's some good stuff on the Blue Peter wesbite about the award. Try out http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/bluepeter/central/bookclub/#/lb/central/bookclub/exclusives/tipsputdown to hear writing tips from Matt Haig, Berlie Doherty and me.
Congratulations to Matt Haig, anyway. We're up against each other for the Calderdale Book Award too, so maybe I'll get the chance to equalise. Or maybe not...
Thursday, 19 February 2009
Good Books
I've read two great books this week.
Joe Rat by Mark Barratt
It's based in Victorian London and about a boy who makes a living finding valuables in the sewers. It's a grim start for any character. But it gets worse. Once he's out of the sewers a gang try to rob him of what he's found before he can sell it. But Joe is a great hero and the book is wonderful. If you like drama, danger and brilliant characters, this is for you. Really. I can't recommend it highly enough.
There's Only One Danny Ogle by Helena Pielechaty
A story about a boy who moves from the town to the country and tries to get a football team going at his new school. It's about friends, enemies, family and football. I read it one sitting. I have read dozens of football stories. This is the best short one (i.e. under 15000 words) so far. Five stars.
Joe Rat by Mark Barratt
It's based in Victorian London and about a boy who makes a living finding valuables in the sewers. It's a grim start for any character. But it gets worse. Once he's out of the sewers a gang try to rob him of what he's found before he can sell it. But Joe is a great hero and the book is wonderful. If you like drama, danger and brilliant characters, this is for you. Really. I can't recommend it highly enough.
There's Only One Danny Ogle by Helena Pielechaty
A story about a boy who moves from the town to the country and tries to get a football team going at his new school. It's about friends, enemies, family and football. I read it one sitting. I have read dozens of football stories. This is the best short one (i.e. under 15000 words) so far. Five stars.
Saturday, 7 February 2009
Bearkeeper by Josh Lacey
Just finished Bearkeeper by Josh Lacey. What a story!
It's about a boy who goes to London to search for his missing (maybe dead) father - and to avenge a wrong. But he gets caught up in the world of London and its dark side. And then with bears. And dogs. And murderers. And actors.
I don't want to give too much away, but the bear scenes are amazing. One almost too sad to read. Then others brilliant and uplifting.
This is a cracking story that barely* lets up, always something happening. It's frightening. Horrible. Moving. Everything. I'd really recommend it.
* no pun intended!
It's about a boy who goes to London to search for his missing (maybe dead) father - and to avenge a wrong. But he gets caught up in the world of London and its dark side. And then with bears. And dogs. And murderers. And actors.
I don't want to give too much away, but the bear scenes are amazing. One almost too sad to read. Then others brilliant and uplifting.
This is a cracking story that barely* lets up, always something happening. It's frightening. Horrible. Moving. Everything. I'd really recommend it.
* no pun intended!
Wednesday, 4 February 2009
News
It's been a good day for news.
My agent rang to say the BBC are going to do an audio tape of Foul Play - and they want to do a large print version too. I'm really pleased.
Also, two TV things.
Blue Peter are doing a short interview with me for their show in the first week of March. I'm going in next week to answer their questions. It airs on World Book Day - 5th March - I think.
Plus, there's a docmentary on BBC4 on 9th Feb (at 9pm) called Why Reading Matters. I think I'm on it. They came and interviewed me then to see an event I did at Sowerby Bridge Library in Yorkshire.
My agent rang to say the BBC are going to do an audio tape of Foul Play - and they want to do a large print version too. I'm really pleased.
Also, two TV things.
Blue Peter are doing a short interview with me for their show in the first week of March. I'm going in next week to answer their questions. It airs on World Book Day - 5th March - I think.
Plus, there's a docmentary on BBC4 on 9th Feb (at 9pm) called Why Reading Matters. I think I'm on it. They came and interviewed me then to see an event I did at Sowerby Bridge Library in Yorkshire.
Week Off
I was meant to do school events all week. Monday in Warrington. Tuesday in London. Wednesday in Birmingham. Thursday and Friday in Port Talbot.
But they've all cancelled: except one today in Birmingham. All because of snow.
The school today was great. From Kings Norton. They asked some brilliant questions.
There was one girl at the back who must have asked six questions about what it's like being a writer. She said she wants to be a writer. I think she will be.
So I'm glad I made it there.
Now I've got a week without an event. So I'm going to write. A lot.
But they've all cancelled: except one today in Birmingham. All because of snow.
The school today was great. From Kings Norton. They asked some brilliant questions.
There was one girl at the back who must have asked six questions about what it's like being a writer. She said she wants to be a writer. I think she will be.
So I'm glad I made it there.
Now I've got a week without an event. So I'm going to write. A lot.
Tuesday, 3 February 2009
Stockton Children's Book Prize
I'm up for the Stockton Children's Book prize next month. With four other authors. We have a day of events in Stockton, then there's a prize ceremony in the evening. It'll be the first time I've done something like that, so I'm really looking forward to it. Win or lose.
I went to my local library to get the other four books out. To see what they were like. Weigh up my chances. All four were in stock. Pretty good!
The first one I read - and still am - is Bearkeeper by Josh Lacey. And...
... it's brilliant.
A really good story about a boy who wants to be a fighter like his (missing) dad. But he doesn't quite know how to find his dad. He lives on the edge of a forest, but has to go to London. It's really well written, has great characters and makes you want to keep reading. Top marks.
It'll be good to go back to Stockton. My best mate lived there for years. Still does. I know parts of the town pretty well.
I went to my local library to get the other four books out. To see what they were like. Weigh up my chances. All four were in stock. Pretty good!
The first one I read - and still am - is Bearkeeper by Josh Lacey. And...
... it's brilliant.
A really good story about a boy who wants to be a fighter like his (missing) dad. But he doesn't quite know how to find his dad. He lives on the edge of a forest, but has to go to London. It's really well written, has great characters and makes you want to keep reading. Top marks.
It'll be good to go back to Stockton. My best mate lived there for years. Still does. I know parts of the town pretty well.
Snowed In
I've been snowed in for two days. Like lots of people.
I was meant to be in schools in Warrington (Monday) and London (Tuesday). But our valley ground to a halt.
The upside is that I've finished the sixth and last book (so far) of the Football Academy series, which is out in two months. It feels good. I think I should celebrate. Do something. I reckon I'll take my wife and daughter out for a meal. And a film. And bowling. Something like that.
I think I'm not easy to live with when I'm doing a book. I come downstairs in a dream and can barely have a conversation - after hours in the attic. So they deserve something better than that.
I went sledging yesterday with my wife, daughter and her friends. There's a decent hill near out house, which is not surprising seeing as we live in the Pennines. That was pretty good.
I was meant to be in schools in Warrington (Monday) and London (Tuesday). But our valley ground to a halt.
The upside is that I've finished the sixth and last book (so far) of the Football Academy series, which is out in two months. It feels good. I think I should celebrate. Do something. I reckon I'll take my wife and daughter out for a meal. And a film. And bowling. Something like that.
I think I'm not easy to live with when I'm doing a book. I come downstairs in a dream and can barely have a conversation - after hours in the attic. So they deserve something better than that.
I went sledging yesterday with my wife, daughter and her friends. There's a decent hill near out house, which is not surprising seeing as we live in the Pennines. That was pretty good.
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