Dave9000 presents Robot Babysitter LIVE at the Edinburgh International Book Festival!

Regular visitors to the blog will know that my new book My Babysitter is a Robot lurched robotically into bookshops, scaring staff and dislodging celebrity biographies from the shelves, last month. So far nobody has asked for their money back and I've had some lovely reviews and responses from readers.

Furthermore, on Monday (12th) my robot will be clanking onto the stage of the Baillie Gifford Imagination Lab at this year's Edinburgh International Book Festival. If you're in the area and would like an hour of robot inspired shenanigans you'd be very welcome to join us. You might even catch the odd useful writing or drawing tip! 

To secure a seat for this showcase of futuristic storytelling, point your web navigation device here. Transmission will begin at 10am on Monday (12th August). I'd be delighted to see you there …

Best wishes, 
The Dave9000 – your robot storyteller for the future

Event News: Linton Children's Book Festival 19-20th May

Hi folks! If you're anywhere near Cambridge this weekend and feel like a FREE book festival, why not drop by Linton Children's Book Festival? 

Linton Village College is hosting a full weekend of events with some fantastic authors, poets and illustrators giving talks and workshops. Did I mention it was FREE!?

I'll be there on Sunday, running a couple of drawing and writing workshops. For further details of the full line up and booking info, click here. 

It would be great to see you there!

Cheers
Dave

Gosforth Community Book Festival 2017

Hi folks!

I hope all's well, and that those of you taking part in the recent World Book Day celebrations had a good one. I'm almost at the end of my current WBD 'tour', so a big shout out to everyone I met over the past couple of weeks—you guys ROCK!

This is just a quick post to tell you about a public event I'm taking part in this weekend. If you live anywhere hear Newcastle, and feel like some book-based fun on Saturday, why not come along to the GOSFORTH COMMUNITY BOOK FESTIVAL!

There will be some great authors appearing, including Andy Briggs, Chris Callaghan, Tom Palmer, Hannah Russell, Holly Sterling, and me!

As well as the author events, there will be activities throughout the day—arts and crafts, creative writing, plus the chance to purchase books from the Seven Stories Book Shop and get them signed by the authors. I did hear rumours of tea and cake too . . .

The festival is at Newcastle School for Boys, The Grove, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 1NH on Saturday 18th March, and runs from 10am to 3pm, with talks staggered throughout the day. Entry is FREE!

It would be great to see you there.

Cheers for now,
Dave

Authors for Refugees Auction

Hi folks!

Just a quick one to let you know about the Authors for Refugees Auction currently running at https://authorsforrefugees.wordpress.com/

It's live now, and will stay open for bids until 8PM MONDAY (26 Sept). 

There are some amazing items up for grabs, from signed books to manuscript reviews and author school visits. And most importantly, it's all to raise money for a very important cause.

Thanks for your support.

Cheers for now,
Dave

Charlie Merrick's Misfits and more at Brentwood Children's Literary Festival

Hey folks! If anyone lives near Brentwood and is looking for summer holiday activities for the youngsters, check out what's on at the Brentwood Children's Literary Festival (22-30 July). Full details here.

If you're really stuck for something to do, I'll be at Brentwood Theatre on Thursday 28th, to talk about writing, drawing and how to survive should you meet a bear! 

The event starts at 3pm and tickets are only £3 per person. 

Click here for more info and tickets.

It would be great to see you there!

Cheers

Dave

On The Road for World Book Day 2016

I'm heading out on the road again for a bunch of events around World Book Day. Wish I still had this van—and the hair! 

For more World Book Day 2016 info check out the official site.

Plus the special World Book Day Teen Fest events on the 2nd and 3rd of March.

Have a good one y'all. Maybe see you on my travels.

Charlie Merrick's Misfits at The Book Nut Bookshop, Billericay

I've been invited along to the Book Nut Bookshop in Billericay on Saturday (28th November 2015). 

At 1pm I'll be under the Story Tree to talk a bit about Charlie Merrick's Misfits, before reading a couple of extracts, answering questions and signing books. 

The event is FREE and open to the public. Do come along and say hello if you're in the area.

The Book Nut can be found in Studio 54, Barleylands Craft Village, Billericay, Essex CM11 2UD.

For further information visit the Book Nut website.

Gosforth Book Festival and Beyond!

I'm looking forward to heading out on the road again for a number of events up and down the country—stopping off in Cambridge, Newcastle, Corby, Wellingborough and London. 

On Saturday (17th October) I'll be taking part in the Gosforth Community Book Festival. The event runs from 10am to 3pm, and is being hosted by Newcastle School for Boys in Gosforth, NE3. 

As well as a great line up of authors giving talks and book signings, there will be arts and crafts activities, Flowing Tales creative writing workshops, plus the chance to purchase books from the Seven Stories book shop, and—most important of all—a cafe running throughout the day! 

All events are OPEN TO THE PUBLIC and Admission is FREE! So, if you're in the area, please come along—it would be great to see you!

Here's a quick outline of the programme of events:

AUTHORS (Times listed are the start of each session)
Hannah Russell—all day (The Hall)
Tom Palmer—10.30 & 12.30 (Room 6)
Simon Bartram—10.30 & 12.30 (Room 18)
Jason Beresford—11.30 & 1.30 (Room 18)
Dave Cousins—11.30 & 1.30 (Room 6)
Dan Smith—2.00 (Room 5)

ACTIVITIES (open all day)
Seven Stories Bookshop and Book Signing (The Hall)
Flowing Tales Writing Workshop (I.T. Room)
Arts & Crafts (The Hall)
Coffee Shop (The Hall)

For more information please 
email: enquiries@newcastleschool.co.uk 
or telephone 0191 255 9300.

Hope to see you there!

Grampian Children's Book Award 2015 & Aberdeenshire Schools Tour

Self portrait on Stonehaven beach.

Back in the attic after a fantastic week in Scotland for the Grampian Children's Book Award, plus a tour of schools in and around Aberdeenshire. It's the third year I've been lucky enough to be shortlisted for the award (last year Waiting for Gonzo actually won!) and my third Scottish tour. I always have a great time visiting 'The Shire' and this year was one of the best yet.

GCBA posters by students at Bridge of Don Academy.

The GCBA award ceremony at Aberdeen University on Wednesday was attended by nearly six hundred staff and students from schools all over the region, some of whom had travelled long distances to be there. Cathy MacPhail was a great host, and I was honoured to be sharing the stage with her, and fellow shortlisted authors, Kevin Brooks and James Dawson. 

The students had all read the books, written reviews, drawn posters (see pic above) and made book trailers for the shortlisted titles. Congratulations to James Dawson, whose chiller thriller Say Her Name was voted the winner. 

As always at these events, it was really inspiring to be in a room with so many enthusiastic young readers (and writers). Respect and thanks to the students and staff at all the schools, and to the GCBA team for making it all possible.

My GCBA books haul, including the winning title "Say Her Name".

I'd also like to take the opportunity to say a few thank yous to the staff and students at the schools I visited on my tour. S1, Gill and Liz at Bridge of Don Academy, who kicked things off on Tuesday morning; Jan, Kerry and Linda, and S1 students at Torry; Mandy, Karen, Jenny, Sarah and S2 students—who produced some great work during our workshop—at Northfield Academy. Thanks to Mandy and S3 at Ellon Academy; Katie, Kerry and S1 at The Gordon Schools, and Jackie at Alford. Finally, thanks to Jill and her team at Mearns in Laurencekirk, plus a special thanks to Daniel who was at the workshop I ran during my first visit to Mearns in 2013. (see pic) I was really chuffed that he took the time to stop by in the library to say hello.

Daniel (far left), me, and Mearns' students in our younger days!

At the risk of the thanks being longer than the tour, much appreciation also to Marion for organising EVERYTHING, and to Liz, Jan, Katrina, Marion, Katie, Jackie and Jill for taking turns to drive the tour bus—thanks all for your company. Apologies if I've missed anyone.

When visiting places, I like to sample the local cuisine.
I didn't actually try the deep fried Mars, but the fish supper was grand!

As was this ROWIE. Thanks to Jan at Torry for
treating me to this traditional Aberdeenshire delicacy.

North Herts Book Award 2015

Great morning at the North Herts Book Award yesterday. Students from nine schools across North Herts met for a discussion day and voting at Nobel School, and I was invited along to give a talk and announce the winners. It was great to meet so many enthusiastic readers and hear them argue—sorry, discuss—the merits of their favourite books on the two shortlists!

Nikki Sheehan's excellent WHO FRAMED KLARIS CLIFF? won the younger category, while James Dawson's SAY HER NAME fought off strong competition to win the older section. 

Thanks to the staff and students from all the schools for making me so welcome. Special thanks to Ros and her team at Nobel, and to Linda for inviting me.

I then spent a very enjoyable afternoon with year 9 students at nearby St. Christopher School, taking about books, music and football! Thanks again to Linda and everyone at the school.

Now, it's back to some serious word wrangling . . . 

On the Edge with Herts Lit Fest at Rickmansworth Library!

Me and my shadow getting edgy down at the library …

Earlier this week I joined fellow Edge author Sara Grant for a Herts Lit Fest event at Rickmansworth Library with year 7 pupils from nearby St. Joan of Arc School. Here are a few photos from the day …

Karen Stephens introduces the students to all the
amazing FREE services on offer at the library.

Sara reading from her brilliant dystopian thriller HALF LIVES.

Thanks to Judi for this great graffiti wall.

After Sara and I had given the students a brief introduction to our books and a couple of readings, we reconvened for the Edge Graffiti Wall Panel. We were joined by librarians Judi and Melanie, and St Joan of Arc students Ella and Arfred to answer questions from the wall and the audience. 

We started by asking each panelist for a book recommendation. It was such an interesting and varied list, I thought I'd share it here:

Arfred: Russian Roulette (Alex Rider) by Anthony Horowitz 

Dave: Riot by Sara Mussi

Ella: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Sara: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Melanie: Jane, the Fox and Me by Fanny Britt

Judi: Trash by Andy Mulligan

The panel was a lot of fun, with some tricky questions and unexpected answers. Huge thanks to everyone involved, especially Ella and Arfred—it's always great (and valuable to us as writers) to hear young readers' opinions, especially their thoughts on books. 

Thanks also to Miss Turner and Miss Ryan for bringing the students to the library for the event; Karen Stephens for making it all happen; librarians Diane, Judi and Melanie, and Rickmansworth Library for being such welcoming hosts.

Finally, a special thank you to Melanie and the TRG (Teenage Reading Group) at the library who have been reading my novel Waiting for Gonzo and made these fantastic bookmarks. 

For more information, or to book The Edge for an event, please visit the Edge blog.

Look Hoo's Talking … About Books!

The Marquee at Luton Hoo Walled Garden, the venue for the event.

Author Jon Mayhew and I had a great time at the Hoo's Kids Book Fest "Look Hoo's Talking … about Books" Award event on Friday. 

Students from eight local schools spent the day discussing (and arguing!) the merits of each book on the shortlist, before settling down for a workshop by Jon, and a talk from me.

Congratulations to Phil Earle whose excellent book The Bubble Wrap Boy was chosen by the students as the winner. It was a real privilege to be in a room full of young people so passionate about books, and to hear their presentations for each of the shortlisted titles. 

Thanks to all the staff and students from Parmiter's School, Icknield High, Stopsley High, Hemel Hempstead School, Francis Combe Academy, Sacred Heart Primary and Tennyson Road Primary. 

Huge thanks also to Charlotte Cassella, Jayne Truran, Charmian Allwright, Liz Stratton, Bela Brown, Ellen Krajewski and Chorleywood Bookshop for making it all happen!

World Book Day Teen Fest Twitter Takeover!

I'm looking forward to lots of events over the next couple of weeks, as schools up and down the country celebrate World Book Week. This year the World Book Day organisers are holding a special WBD Teen Fest on Wednesday 4th and Thursday 5th of March, with lots of special online events—have a look at the website for full details. 

Over the course of the two evenings, the @WDBTeenFest Twitter account will be taken over by eight authors (see schedule above for times). Readers will be able to tweet questions, and chat to the authors directly while they're online. 

I was delighted to be invited to take part, and will be online on Thursday, between 19:35 and 19:55 (UK/GMT). 

Simply tweet @WBDTeenFest with the hashtag #askDC9000 to ask me a question. You can tweet questions in advance and I'll answer then during my takeover slot, or tweet me live on Thursday night. 

Should be fun—hope to see you there!

German Visit Photo Diary!

On Tuesday of last week, I left the slightly snowy shores of England and headed East to Frankfurt in Germany.

I had been invited to talk to students at two European Schools in Frankfurt and nearby Bad Vilbel. 

I arrived at my hotel in the dark, and was somewhat surprised to find a frozen lake outside the window next morning!

 

Some of the students at ES Frankfurt had been writing stories based on 15 Days Without a Head. It was fascinating to see the different directions in which they had taken the story. There were some great ideas here that I wish I'd had when I was writing the book!

In action at ES Frankfurt being watched over by my old bandmates including my younger hirsute self!

photo Bärbel McWilliams

Signing postcards and chatting to the students at ES Frankfurt.

photo Bärbel McWilliams

Next, a short trip north to Bad Vilbel, to talk to students at ES RheinMain.

photo by Ute Arias

photo by Ute Arias

photo by Ute Arias

photo by Ute Arias

Reading (and acting out!) a scene from
15 Days Without a Head.

photo by Ute Arias

Shining an imaginary torch onto my copy of
Waiting for Gonzo.

photo by Ute Arias

Signing postcards and books for students at ES RheinMain. 

(Note the special pencil case!)

photo by Ute Arias

I couldn't go home without visiting a local café for tea and cake! Thanks to Elizabeth for her time and company on a very cold but enjoyable whistle-stop tour of Frankfurt before I headed to the airport and my flight home.

Huge thanks to all the staff and students at Europäische Schule Frankfurt and Europäische Schule RheinMain for making me so welcome. Special thanks to Renate Kirmse, Bärbel McWilliams, Ute Arias, Samantha Malmberg, Elizabeth and Silke Scrivener for their company, and to Peter, Rene and Samantha for driving me to and from schools, airports and hotels!

Thanks to Bärbel McWilliams and Ute Arias for the photos. Used with permission.

Edinburgh International Book Festival & Inheritance Books on Radio 4 Extra

Well—it's all happening this week!

On Thursday I'll be on the radio. The 4 O'Clock Show on BBC Radio 4 Extra invited me along to talk about Charlie Merrick's Misfits and some of my favourite stories, as part of their Inheritance Books series. Of course, I made it as difficult as possible, and decided to talk about a comic strip and a graphic novel—not the ideal medium for radio! If you want to find out how I got on, you can catch the broadcast at 4pm (Thurs 21 Aug) or Listen Again here. 

Next, I'm off to Scotland for the Edinburgh International Book Festival. On Friday I'll be visiting libraries in Dundee to meet students from local schools as part of the EIBF Schools Outreach Programme. Then, on Saturday, I'll be back in Edinburgh for a 1:30 event at the festival site. Maybe see you there! 

On the Edge at Hemel Hempstead Library for Herts Lit Fest

A couple of weeks ago I joined fellow Edge Author Sara Grant at Hemel Hempstead Library, for a morning of book-inspired edginess as part of the Hertfordshire Literary Festival. Sixty year seven students and staff from The Hemel Hempstead School made it through a Spring downpour to spend the morning at the library.

With Sara Grant and Hemel Hempstead School students at Herts Lit Fest.
Thanks to Tom for the photo.

Read the full story here …

Pop Up and Sit Down with a Book! (or, How Pop Up Gets Young People Reading)

Why pick up a book? I mean, there are so many other things you could be doing: watching TV, hanging out with your mates, playing a game, tweeting, texting, sharing pictures on Instagram, surfing YouTube … Why switch off all that multicoloured, moving, bleeping, tweeting interactive fun and sit down quietly with a book? 

Tricky one that. It’s a question parents, teachers, librarians, book-sellers, writers and publishers have been wrestling with for years. 

One of the tenets of writing is “SHOW, don’t TELL” and that could also apply in this case. When I visit schools, I try to avoid telling young people that they SHOULD be reading. Sure, I’ll explain how important books have been to me, share my enthusiasm for some of my favourites, but then I read something—SHOW them what I mean—in the hope they’ll be inspired to give books another go themselves. 

The programme of literature festivals and events offered by London's Pop Up organisation takes this idea even further. Pop Up Director Dylan Calder explains: “The children read a book, meet the author of the book, then experience a workshop around that book to create creative responses.”

Earlier in the year, I took part in a number of Pop Up Booklinks events. When I arrived at the schools, the entire class had already read 15 Days Without a Head and produced work based on the story, including hot-seating, where students would take it in turns to interview each other as one of the characters. The teachers said the pupils’ enthusiasm for the project was evident in the way they had approached the tasks and the quality of work produced. The video below shows a small sample of film posters students produced having been tasked with casting and promoting a movie of the book.

 
The fact that pupils know they are going to be meeting the author creates an extra dimension to their reading experience and associated work. The opportunity to both question the author, and share their own responses, brings them closer to the book and makes reading a much more inclusive process. Working with the author on the students’ own creative project further breaks down barriers between reader and creator, and provides an important channel for self-expression. 

My overriding impression from the classrooms I visited was one of great enthusiasm. Dylan Calder sums it up perfectly: “Children should come away from Pop Up wanting to read more because they had such a great experience.” Maybe that answers our question.

Below are links to a couple of short films showcasing recent Pop Up events in June 2013, run in partnership with London museums and galleries. See if you can spot me!

Pop Up Secondary Film

Pop Up Primary Film

If you’d like a Pop Up Education programme in your learning community email: education@pop-up.org.uk

Thank You Video for Bicester Community College

Last month I visited Bicester Community College with Cole's Bookstore, to talk to students from years 7, 8 and 9 about my route to becoming an author. A couple of weeks later I was delighted to receive an envelope full of letters thanking me for the visit. I recorded this video message to say "thank you" in return.

The Grampian Children's Book Award and Writing with the Students at Mearns Academy

At the beginning of May I was invited to the Grampian Children's Book Award ceremony as 15 Days Without a Head was one of the shortlisted titles. The event, at Aberdeen University, was attended by around six hundred students, teachers and librarians from schools all over Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen City and Moray. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness scooped the prize, but I had a great day and got to meet many enthusiastic readers and a few authors too!

Mark Lowery, Cathy MacPhail, Debbie Leslie,
some bald fella and Barry Hutchinson

The award was the start of a mini tour of the area for me …

taking in Ellon and Northfield, where
I met Frankie – Guardian of the Library!

Heading north up to Elgin and Speyside …

Then back down to Torry.

On the final day of the tour, after sessions at Aboyne and Mackie, I found myself taking Laurence and Jay to Laurencekirk, and crossing the line …

After a quick introduction to my journey to becoming an author and the background to 15 Days, I started the group at Mearns Academy on a workshop I call "Crossing the Line." I've done this exercise with a number of groups and I'm always impressed by the ideas the students come up with – some very funny, others filled with real drama and emotion – and often find myself thinking: I wish I'd thought of that! This group were no exception and I was particularly struck by how much writing they achieved in the short time available.

Daniel, that bald bloke again, John, Connor and Scott
– in the library at Mearns.

A week or so after returning to the attic, I received an email from Mr Paterson, the librarian at Mearns, telling me that the group had finished off the workshop in their next English lesson. I was delighted when he sent me some pictures and few extracts of the students' work.

Chloe wrote a gripping piece set in the moments after her character had been forced to kill. The writing was full of vivid description with some lovely delicate touches – "His soft fur moved smoothly through my fingers".

Andrew's extract was from the point of view of soldier forced into his first kill, and the horror and shame he feels afterwards. His writing was urgent and hard, but there was some real empathy in the piece too. The soldier thinks of his victim: "He probably hadn't signed up for this either." A great piece of writing.

Some of the students' writing
on display in the library

Ryan's story had a fantastic opening line: "The eyes of the cartoon dog were burning holes in the side of my head as they watched me eat the dog food …" It was a good image, it made me smile. I was expecting a comic scenario, then found myself facing some real horror a paragraph later. Changing mood effectively like this is not an easy technique, but one Ryan handled very well. 

Millie has a good ear for authentic dialogue and her writing pulled me right into the action. The scene was set in the children's ward of a hospital and Millie managed to capture the essence of the location superbly – "most of the kids were full of energy, bouncing about and having fun with their friends. My little brother was in a room by himself. He looked helpless and lonely." A really poignant and heart-felt piece of writing.

Thanks again to all the students for their great work and to Mr Paterson and Mrs Donald for sharing the results with me. 

I had a great time at all the schools I visited in Scotland. Much appreciation to all the staff and students for making me so welcome. Special mentions to Marion, Katie, Fiona, Rosie and Neil, and my publisher Oxford University Press for their support. 

15 Days at Pop-Up Festival Booklinks

A few weeks ago I visited two schools in East London as part of the Pop-Up Festival Booklinks Project. 

Here are a few highlights from the day …

Thanks to all the staff and students at Our Lady's Convent High School and Clapton Girls' Academy.