Write Away reader and writer development website for teachers. http://www.writeaway.org.uk Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:40:35 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.writeaway.org.uk/images/M_images/joomla_rss.png http://www.writeaway.org.uk Write Away reader and writer development website for teachers. http://www.writeaway.org.uk/content/view/592/ JOSH LACEY, author of BEARKEEPER, will be giving a live forum on the Write Away website, this Thursday 17th July from 7.30 - 8.30. We will be discussing Josh's book and this month's theme, Shakespeare in Children's Literature. All are welcome. Our forum has public read access but you will need to register (free) if you want to post a comment.Bearkeeper synopsis: A fearless boy with a fierce friend Pip is a blacksmith's apprentice - but he longs to be a famous knife-fighter like his dead father. Alone in London, he meets great danger...and two odd allies. One is hairy and hungry. The other is William Shakespeare. Pip's extraordinary adventures have begun.Read Mat Tobin's review (component/option,com_mtree/task,viewlink/link_id,3463/Itemid,99999999/) http://www.joshlacey.com/ (http://www.joshlacey.com/) News - Latest Tue, 15 Jul 2008 09:46:13 +0100 http://www.writeaway.org.uk/content/view/566/ A new novel from Keith Gray (http://keith-gray.com/) is always something to look forward to and Ostrich Boys (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0099456575/writeaway-21), published this week, is one of his best. Gray is one of a handful of authors who write with understanding about teenage boys' emotional vulnerability, loyalty and sense of justice, without sacrificing adventure, pace. and humour.It's been three years since Gray's last novel but Ostrich Boys is worth the wait,. Highly recommended.Keith is currently virtual writer in residence at Scottish Booktrust. (http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/) and has produced a sequence of excellent videos (http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/node/18078) about story writing which are available for free download. Not to be missed.Read Ostrich Boys? Viewed the creative writing class? Leave a comment. News - Latest Sun, 06 Jul 2008 20:03:15 +0100 http://www.writeaway.org.uk/content/view/563/ The winners of the Highlands Book Award were announced last week at a ceremony attended by shortlisted authors and 142 pupils from the 45 primary and secondary schools involved in reading, reviewing and voting for their favourite books. Winner of the top prize for the Picture Book category was Jackie Morris (http://www.jackiemorris.co.uk/) with The Snow Leopard. Winner of the 8+ category was Chris Riddell (http://www.chrisriddell.com/) with Ottoline and the Yellow Cat and the 12+ award went to Pauline Francis (http://www.paulinefrancis.co.uk/) with Raven Queen. Principal School Librarian Stephanie Hoyle said: “The third year of the book awards has proven to be the biggest yet with more authors and schools attending than ever before. We have also been able to organise extra events in schools which has allowed us to spread the message that reading is fun. Once again pupils taking part have been able to share their... News - Book Awards Sun, 06 Jul 2008 14:57:04 +0100 http://www.writeaway.org.uk/content/view/562/ A new award set up in memory of Frances Lincoln is launched on Friday 4th July. DIVERSE VOICES will take positive steps to increase the representation of people writing from or about different cultural perspectives in Britain today. It will specifically promote new writing for children by or about people whose culture and voice is currently under-represented. The award recognises the importance of chiildren's books in shaping perceptions of the world and the contribution that books and reading can make to social and cultural tolerance. DIVERSE VOICES will support the process of writing rather than promote publication. To this end the award will be given to a manuscript that celebrates cultural diversity. A monetary prize of £1,500 will be given to the winner plus the option for Frances Lincoln to publish the novel. The panel of judges comprises Trevor Philips, Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission;... News - Book Awards Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:31:52 +0100 http://www.writeaway.org.uk/content/view/561/ On the hottest day of the year so far, poets, teachers, librarians, and reviewers flocked to the Royal Festival Hall to hear the announcement of the RED hot poetry book of 2008. Chair of Judges. Margaret Meek Spencer introduced the panel of judges, poet Ian McMillan (http://www.uktouring.org.uk/ian-mcmillan/) , anthologist Fiona Waters (http://www.thepageplace.com/fiona.htm) and last year's winner Julie Johnstone (http://www.essencepress.co.uk/juliejohnstone.htm) . Speaking on behalf of the judges, McMillan talked about the high standard of this year's shorllist and the optimism that this might indicate a turn in fortune for the publishing of children's poetry. In spite of the strong shortlist, there was a clear winner and from the enthusiastic applause and cheers when the announcment was made, it was clear that Jackie Kay (http://www.poetryarchive.org/poetryarchive/singlePoet.do?poetId=5682) was a popular choice.The 2008 CLPE Poetry Award was given to Jackie Kay for Red, Cherry Red (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0747589798/writeaway-21) Following... News - Book Awards Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:42:33 +0100