Geraldine McCaughrean
Geraldine McCaughrean is a prize-winning author who has written about 140 books over 20 years. Winner of numerous awards including the Whitbread Children’s Book Award, the Carniege Medal and the Guardian Prize, she has also written 50 short plays for schools as well as a radio play.
Read Geraldine’s thoughts on our theme of ‘One World’ and her own idea for a short story
Alan Gibbons
Award-winning writer Alan Gibbons has been writing children’s books for seventeen years. Winner of the Blue Peter Book Award, Alan has also won the Catalyst Award, the Leicester Book of the Year, the Angus Book of the Year, the Stockport Book Award and the Salford Librarians' Special Award.
Joyce Dunbar
Joyce Dunbar has written over seventy books for children, including picture books, a series of short funny novels and the Mouse and Mole stories which have been animated for television. Her books are translated into many languages, including Japanese, Zulu and Hebrew.
Beth Webb
Beth Webb is an experienced writer and illustrator of children’s books, whose stories are mostly based on real places or events, intertwined with traditional folk legends. Beth has published thirteen books for children including the popular Fleabag series – three stories about a mangy, three-legged, street-wise cat and his friends.
Read Beth’s inspirational hints for writing on the theme of ‘One World’
Brian Keaney
Brian Keaney has worked for the last 21 years as a children’s and educational writer. He has written thirteen novels for children, which have been translated into six languages, of which the most recent are ‘Where Mermaids Sing’ and ‘Jacob’s Ladder’ (Orchard Books). He is Royal Literary Fund fellow at City and Guilds Art School in South London, where he also lives.
Read Brian’s ‘starting points’ that will help you decide what to write about
Rebecca Lisle
Rebecca Lisle was born in Yorkshire, studied Botany at Newcastle University and trained as a teacher before writing her first children’s novel ‘Sparks will Fly’ in 1998. Rebecca has written several children’s novels since, including ‘Copper’ and its sequel ‘Amethyst’, ‘The Toad Prince’ and ‘Dogs Don’t Do Dishes.’ As well as writing novels, she regularly visits schools to give talks on writing.
Caroline Pitcher
Prolific children’s writer Caroline Pitcher has written between sixty and seventy books for children of all ages. Her first novel `Diamond' received the Kathleen Fidler Award and `Kevin the Blue' was the first Independent Story of the Year. She has also received an Arts Council Writer's Award, an East Midlands Arts Award and been shortlisted for the Children's Book Award and Portsmouth Award, as well as nominated for the Greenaway Award and the Carnegie Medal.
Read Caroline’s story-starters for top tips on how to get writing
Chris d'Lacey
Best-selling author Chris d'Lacey was born in Malta. He has published twenty-two books, including nine novels. His books have been widely translated and his first children's novel, Fly, Cherokee, Fly, was highly commended for the Carnegie Medal. Other titles include The Salt Pirates of Skegness, A Break in the Chain, and From E to You.
Read Chris’ top tips on how to write stories and how to get published!
Meg Harper
Experienced English and Drama teacher Meg Harper is a versatile author whose books range from hilarious, contemporary stories to convincing, compelling realism. Some of her most famous books include the My Mum series - four humorous stories of Kate and her embarrassing mum - and the recent Saint Jenni series - in which 8-year-old Jenni tries her very hardest to be a saint. As well as writing Meg provides creative writing and drama workshops in schools.