Happy World Book Day!

I was fortunate enough to celebrate World Book Day a day early yesterday, with a visit to my alma mater, King Edward's Junior School in Bath, as one of their Book Week guest authors. I spent the morning talking to Years 5 and 6 about Fighting Fantasy gamebooks, and in the afternoon I spoke to Years 3 and 4 about how a book is made and also about characterisation, using Moshi Monsters as an example. I even had the privilege of speaking to the whole school during assembly.

I was made to feel very welcome by both the children and the staff, one of whom, Mr Orchard, inspired me with his history lessons when I was a pupil at the school! All I can say is that he must have only just qualified as a teacher when he taught me back in the 1980s. Lunch was spent in the very pleasant company of Head Boy Ben and Head Girl Grace.

Thank you to Mrs Macfarlan, who arranged my visit, and Mr Mac for allowing me to take over his drama room for the day. I had a great time, and I hope the children did too.

The room ready for the first session. 

 Year 6 being inspired by Fighting Fantasy monsters.

Year 5's turn to be inspired by the possibilities offered by adventure gamebooks.

If you're celebrating World Book Day today, why not treat yourself to a free download? 1853, from Pandemonium Fiction, is free to owners of Kobo eReaders (and less that £1/$1 for other eReaders) and features three, short, slightly alternate histories - all set in the same fateful year..

Marc Aplin sends a gunslinger to China and poses him an impossible question, Laura Graham writes of an Edinburgh overshadowed by more than factory smoke, while I raise an ancient and hungry evil in Mexico City. Enjoy!

Available for download now!