Seasons Greetings!

 

As we all know, it's just not Christmas until you've seen a robot in a sleigh …

What?

You're telling me that's not a thing where you're from!

Seriously?!

Just a quick post to say thanks, once again, for your support this year folks. I hope that you and yours are safe and well, and would like to wish you all the best for a the festive season. Here's hoping 2021 brings better news for everyone.

Take care and all the best,

Dave

 

Signed Books for Christmas … and beyond!

Looking for a personalised gift for the book lover in your life? Don't know what to buy for that robot-obsessed whipper snapper in the family? Well, I might just be able to help you out there …

If you'd like to buy a copy of one of my books, first of all – thank you!

Ideally, you'll have a local bookshop you can purchase from – one of those hallowed spaces where you can walk around and browse the books on the shelves while inhaling the heady scent of ink on paper … 

Sorry, where was I? Ah, that's right – bookshops. Sadly, actual bricks and mortar bookshops are an increasingly rare and endangered species, so if you don't have a local shop you can visit in person, I've outlined a few alternative options below.

ROBOT SERIES BOOKS WITH SIGNED BOOKPLATES BY ILLUSTRATOR CATALINA ECHEVERRI AND ME!

As part of an initiative to support independent bookshops in the current difficult times, Catalina Echeverri – the brilliant illustrator of the Robot Babysitter books – has designed some bespoke bookplates. Cata created and signed all the bookplates, then posted them to me in Wales, where I added my signature, then posted them on to four independent bookshops who have joined us in this venture (details below). Don't worry if you don't live locally to any of these shops, as Alligator's, Chicken and Coles all take orders online. 

 

THE ALLIGATOR'S MOUTH, Richmond TW9

thealligatorsmouth.co.uk/shop

CHICKEN AND FROG, Brentwood CM14

chickenandfrog.com

COLES BOOKS, Bicester OX26

coles-books.co.uk

 

WIMBLEDON BOOKS, London SW19

wimbledonbooks.co.uk

 

SIGNED COPIES WITH A PERSONALISED DEDICATION

I have a limited stock of the titles below and would be delighted to sign and dedicate a copy as requested. Books cost £8 each plus P&P. Please email me with the details and I'll confirm the full price including postage. Thanks.

 

BOOKSHOP.ORG

Again, in an effort to support independent bookshops I have joined the bookshop.org initiative. The copies available here are not signed, but the full profit from your order will either go to a specific local bookshop you'd like to support, or contribute to an earnings pool that will be evenly distributed among independent bookshops.

As well as copies of my own books, my bookshop page also features lists of some of my favourite books. If you're in need of some inspiration for Christmas presents, why not have a browse?

 

Thanks for your support. Enjoy the stories and have a great festive season!

 

Take care and best wishes

Dave

 

 

A VIEW OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS! Book Week Scotland 2020

As part of the 2020 Book Week Scotland celebrations I was invited to make a short film where I share "a view of my favourite things". 

I'm a bit of a hoarder, so it was tough deciding which of my favourite things to talk about! If you'd like to find out what I chose, the video is available to watch for FREE this Friday (20/11/20) by following the LINK HERE or via the Book Week Scotland website where you'll find details of lots of other great events. If you do decide to have a look, I hope you enjoy it – apologies in advance for the terrible noises! Thanks to Moira and Elaine in Dundee for inviting me to take part.

 

National Literacy Trust #FitforLit Alternative Sports Day Challenge

 

With COVID-19 set to have a disastrous impact on the literacy of the 4.6 million children living in poverty in the UK, the National Literacy Trust is raising money to fund projects to support these children.

The #FITFORLIT Alternative Sports Day challenge invites you to film or photograph yourself doing something active with a book – maybe set up a book obstacle course, or see how many books you can weight-lift!

I decided to attempt to read out loud the first chapter of A Robot Ate My Grandma while out running! Watch the video below to find out how I got on.

 

Why not have a go yourself? Challenge three friends to join in too! Visit the Literacy Trust #FitforLit website for more info and ideas for how to get involved.

If you are able to donate a few pounds it would be much appreciated and a huge help to this important project. Please visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/fitforlit or text FITFORLIT to 70085 to donate £3 (texts cost £3 plus one standard rate message). Thank you!

Thanks for reading and watching the video of my pain! Have fun with your own #FitforLit challenge.

Take care and all the best, Dave.

A Robot Ate My Grandma – 3rd story in the Robot Babysitter series OUT NOW!

Hi folks, 

I hope you're all doing OK and staying safe. 

There's not been much to celebrate these past few months, so I'm really pleased to have a small piece of good news to announce. 

The third book in the Robot Babysitter series I've been doing for Stripes/Little Tiger Press comes out today! 

A ROBOT ATE MY GRANDMA finds the gang in another mess of trouble – this time with a mystery to solve. When Grandma goes missing and appears to have been replaced by a mechanical version of herself (AKA RoboGran), the twins' robot babysitter Robin activates his built-in detective mode and gets on the case (with Digby the dog as Dr Watson!). Unfortunately, Robin starts malfunctioning, and then a pair of strange and unexpected visitors arrive. Will they provide what the gang needs to solve the mystery or make things even worse? Only time will tell …

I had a lot of fun writing this one and, as always, Catalina has produced some fantastic illustrations to bring the characters and the action alive on the page. 

If you'd like a sneak preview, there's a video of me reading chapter one at the top of the page – I hope you enjoy it.

Take care and all the best
Dave

PS. If you'd like a sample of the second story in the series, you can watch Is My Teacher a Robot? here.

The first two stories in the series are also available as audiobooks, read by the excellent Peter Kenny.

Is My Teacher a Robot? Video extract

Hi folks,

I hope all is well with you and yours.

Is My Teacher a Robot? – the second story in the 'Robot Babysitter' series came out back in February and I've been meaning to record an extract ever since. 

With schools closed and events cancelled or postponed, I've put the unexpected free time to good use and finally put the above video together.

It's me reading the start of the story accompanied by Catalina Echeverri's excellent illustrations from the book. Those of a certain age will spot that I'm channeling a 1970s Jackanory vibe here with the somewhat shoogly animation! Anyway, I hope you enjoy it. I'm thinking Rhubarb and Custard for the next one …?

Take care and all the best,
Dave 

Book at Bedtime? Robot Audiobooks Out Now!

Hi folks,

I hope all is well with you and yours.

I'm currently in self-imposed lockdown in my shed and not allowed out until I've finished my new book! When it's done, this will be the fourth story in the series about twins Jake and Jess and their accident-prone robot. I've had a lot of fun writing these and it's been great to hear that readers are enjoying them too!

I'm very happy to announce that the first two stories are now available as audiobooks, read by the brilliant Peter Kenny. 

It's great hearing someone else read the story – almost like listening to someone else's book! I found myself laughing out loud, which to be honest, feels a bit weird when it's your own stuff – but with someone else reading it … well, I decided it was OK. Anyway, if you're looking for a bedtime story or something to raise a smile on a wet Wednesday afternoon, why not have a listen?

Both audiobooks should be available via your local library. Alternatively you can download from Audible, here:

MY BABYSITTER IS A ROBOT

IS MY TEACHER A ROBOT?

Oh, and while we're on the subject … the next instalment of robot mayhem – A ROBOT ATE MY GRANDMA! should be out over the summer. Watch this space!

Look after yourselves …
All the best
Dave

Writing Prompt – May The Fourth Be With You!

In honour of the day, today's writing prompt challenge is to write a story or draw a comic set in space! 

Anybody who has heard me talk will know that one of my earliest ambitions was to be an astronaut. I even wrote to NASA asking how to join. (They wrote back!) 

My favourite song was Space Oddity by David Bowie and I spent many hours dressed in my makeshift spacesuit and an old crash-helmet, moon-walking round the house. 

Anyway, back to the prompt … This is quite a wide brief – an opportunity for you to boldly go where ever your imagination decides to drag you!

However, if the vast expanse of space leaves you feeling overwhelmed, here are a few ideas that might spark something:

– Your story could be set in a galaxy faraway (like Star Wars, Futurama, Final Space …)

– Imagine it's years into the future – with Earth's resources dwindling, humans have begun the colonisation of another planet (maybe Mars or the Moon*) *Not actually a planet. What would life be like living in one of these new colonies? A different kind of isolation, perhaps? Your current experiences might be useful here.

– Imagine taking one of the first tourist flights into space. Billed as "The experience of a lifetime!" But what if something went wrong?

– If you like scary stories, what about a space monster story? One of my favourite films is about the crew of space ship who find themselves trapped with an alien on board! Or what about an alien invasion? (To give it a twist, what if humans were the aliens doing the invading!)

– Or maybe you get to live my dream and become an astronaut. What would that be like? Again, spending weeks on a space station might have quite a few similarities with your current lockdown isolation – there would certainly be restrictions on going outside!

These are just a few ideas – I'm sure you can think of something much better. There's a LOT of space out there. Have fun with it!

Commencing countdown. 
10
9
8 …

Writing Prompt (First Line Series #1)

First lines are important. A great first line can hook a reader into a story, so they HAVE to read on and find out what happens.

A good first line can also take a story in many different directions.

This week I'm going to post a series a first line prompts. I won't claim that they're all going to be killer hooks, but I'm hoping they'll spark an idea to get you writing.

So, here we go …

A couple of quick tips:
These six words give you lots to work with. I've mentioned before that asking questions is a great way to spark ideas. For instance, there are four obvious questions that spring to mind here.

1. WHO is delivering the line of dialogue?
2. WHO are they talking to? 
3. WHAT is the "that" being denied entry?
4. WHERE is the "here"?

Just answering those questions should get you started.
There are more questions that naturally follow. For example:

5. WHY is the protagonist (possibly the narrator themselves) trying to take the THING into the PLACE?
6. What will happen if they are denied access? What is at STAKE here?
7. What will happen if they get past the person denying them access, or find another way in?

Once you start writing I'm sure lots more questions will occur. Follow the answers and see where they lead you …

Good luck. Have fun.

PS. I'm going to be working on the next draft of my new book for the next few weeks. I'll keep posting prompts, but it may just be a couple a week as I'm going to be busy wrangling my own words for a while!

Writing Prompt (Title Series #4) – Unexpected Item in Bagging Area

I went to the supermarket for supplies yesterday. As directed, I used one of the automatic checkout machines. I followed the on-screen instructions and everything was going fine.

Please swipe an item. Check.
Place the item in your bag. Check. 

I was getting into it, picking up some speed, getting a good rhythm … and then the following message flashed up on the screen.

I looked at the bunch of bananas I'd just put in my bag. There was still a picture of them on the screen. The robot checkout had just told me to put them in there! How unexpected could they be???!

I won't bore you with what happened next – it's not a great story. BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN! On the way home I started thinking – what is the most unexpected item you could find in the bagging area? What if you found something REALLY weird? There could be a story in that, I thought.

So this is your challenge for today! Write a story, or a poem, about finding something REALLY UNEXPECTED in the bagging area at your local supermarket. 

What's the weirdest thing you can think of? A baby? An elephant?! A surface-to-air rocket launcher? What's the funniest thing you can imagine finding? What's it doing there and what are you going to do about it?

This one might be good for a cartoon, or a picture. What's the strangest object you can draw, waiting in the bagging area? Design a weird and wonderful object so people have to try and work out what it is, what it's for and how it got there!

OK, I realise I said at the start of the week that I wouldn't give any hints for these prompts – but hey, it's Friday and I'm a generous kind of fella … so you're very welcome.

Have a great weekend. Y'all stay safe now!

Writing Prompt (Title Series #3) – LOST!

Today's title prompt is LOST!

You could be lost … in the dark, in the woods, in a strange unfamiliar city. Or maybe you've lost something important. What would be the WORST thing you could lose?

Or perhaps something, or someone, that WAS lost is found … by you. What happens next?

P.S. I wanted to do a picture for this one and thought of a lost pet poster – which got me thinking about cats, which of course led me to my favourite cartoon feline – HOBBES, the tiger from Calvin and Hobbes. I attempted the above in respectful homage to the brilliant Bill Watterson. If you've never read any Calvin and Hobbes – seriously, go and check it out. NOW!!!

Writing Prompt (Title Series #2) – I Laughed So Much I Cried!

When was the last time you did this? Write about something funny that happened, or make up something that might!

Continuing the series of title prompts – just a single word or phrase to spark an idea.

Write a short story, a poem, a song, draw a comic, make a film, weave flowers into an ornate tapestry of hilarity – it's totally up to you. (PS. If anyone does that last one, please post a picture!)

Good luck. See if you can have a laugh with this one …

Writing Prompt – Big Up The Small Things! (In honour of National Tea Day)

Poet John Cooper Clarke said that you can “underline the importance of everyday things when you big them up in a poem … the kind of things that people (usually) ignore”.

Today’s challenge is to write a poem about something that people don’t normally give a second thought to. 

Life has changed a lot for everyone recently, and that can affect how we see things. Stuff we took for granted suddenly becomes important. Is there something apparently small and insignificant that means a lot to you, especially now? Maybe it’s something you really miss that you took for granted before.

In honour of National Tea Day, I've had a go at writing something about one of my most favourite "small things" …

Me with a beloved brew!
(And, no that's not a tea cosy on my head … What? It's cold in the shed. Shut up!)

LIFE TASTES BETTER WITH TEA! 

(AKA MY TEA RANT!)


it’s a cup of tea
for me
a mug’s better
actually
no messing about with saucers
and you get more tea in a mug!

a cuppa
a brew
a mash up
one lump or two?

you want to know the secret
for making a perfect cuppa?
I’m a generous fella
So I’ll tell ya

for a start
YOU DON’T PUT THE MILK IN FIRST!

boiling water
from a kettle
(not one of those satanic urns
that constantly churns
simmering until the water tastes like tin
and your tea’s only fit for the bin)

tea bag
in mug
boiling water
then give the bag a bit of a stir
GENTLY!
don’t bludgeon the poor thing to death

tea needs time
                                 and space
       to bloom
you need to coax those tannin textures
set free the earthy delights
exotic notes from the far flung fields of Hebden Bridge

tea should be the colour of beer
not lager (another travesty to the taste buds)
then put the milk in while the bag is still brewing
and give it a stir

then check the colour
and if you need to confer
a Pantone Colour Matching Chart
can be a useful aid
available online
expensive
but a worthwhile addition to your shopping cart

bag in the recycle bin
and then you’re done

now for me
tea tastes best out of doors
but take yours where it belongs

purists will tell you
that the only way to make proper tea
is with leaves and I’d probably agree
but if I started on that
this poor excuse for a poem
would become epic

we’re here today to talk about the small things
and as my mother always told me
if you can’t be good
be brief

(failed again, Ma!)


I think I've earned a cuppa after that! Sure you can do much better too. Have fun. Post your poems in the comments below! Now, I wonder if there's any biscuits left …


PS. Normal service and the Title Prompt Series I started yesterday will continue tomorrow. I couldn't ignore National Tea Day!

Writing Prompt – LIAR!

Hi folks, Hope everyone is doing OK.

This week I’m going to post a series of titles – a single word or a phrase. No hints or examples, just a set-up that will hopefully spark an idea.

Today’s title prompt is just one word:

As it’s Monday, and we all need a bit of help to get going, I've drafted a few questions below that might get you thinking. 


I find that writing stuff down really helps when I’m trying to come up with an idea. I can sit and chew my pen staring into space for hours trying to THINK up an idea. But if I write out what I’m thinking – a few questions to answer – before I know it, I’m writing! I call it THINKING WITH YOUR HANDS! Give it a go, you might be pleasantly surprised.


For this prompt you might write questions like:

– WHO IS THE LIAR? Is it YOU, the narrator? If so, can we believe anything you write?

– WHY DO YOU LIE? Can you simply not help yourself? Do you lie to be kind or to get your own way, or to stay out of trouble? Can you simply not help yourself? 

– OR IS IT A BIGGER LIE? Are you hiding a huge secret that means your entire life is a lie?!!

– WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO GAIN BY LYING?

– DO YOU FEEL BAD ABOUT LYING TO PEOPLE?

– WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF YOU TOLD THE TRUTH?

– WHAT TROUBLE WILL THE LIES GET YOU INTO? This is the best one. Remember: Stories get good when things go wrong for the characters!

Good luck! Have fun. Let me know how you get on.

 

Writing Prompt – FEAR! Writing Out Our Worries.

Everyone gets worried or scared from time to time. The way things are at the moment means there is more than usual to worry about! Often it helps to distract yourself by doing something you like, but sometimes that doesn’t work and the only thing to do is to face those fears and acknowledge them. 

I find that the simple act of writing down what’s bothering me can help. It’s almost as if some of the worry is actually transferred from my head onto the page! OK, I know that probably sounds hard to believe, but give it a go – you might be pleasantly surprised.

Another thing you could try, is to write a story or poem, or draw a comic strip, about a character who is afraid. Sometimes it’s easier to give your feelings to someone else and help them to work it out.

When we watch a film or read a story about someone going through a scary experience – we share their anxiety and fear. But when we see the character survive and emerge stronger for the experience, we realise that it's possible to get through these things and can feel more able to deal with our own fear.

TIP – Stories get good when things go bad for the main character! 

So, in this story your character should find themselves in a situation where they are forced to face their greatest fear. This will give you instant TENSION and CONFLICT – two essential ingredients for a story that will keep readers turning the page.

Remember Indiana Jones in the film Raiders of the Lost Ark? He suffers from ophidiophobia – a fear of snakes. So when Indy finally finds the location of the Lost Ark and is lowered into the chamber, what does he find? Snakes – of course! But Indy keeps going, he gets past the snakes and survives.

One final thought – not being afraid doesn’t mean we’re brave. Courage is when we face our fears, despite being scared.

Good luck and take care.

Best wishes

Dave