‘An icy, grief-stricken story overshadowed by the twilight feel of Celtic myth…’

Author Michael Pryor asked me to write about my favourite book from childhood. Choosing a favourite book is impossible; would it be The Jungle Book or The Silver Chair, The Lord of the Rings or Harriet the Spy? In the end, I wrote about a book I realised powerfully influences my adult writing.

It’s worth checking out Michael’s website. The guest posts on favourite books are fascinating and I love that Michael feels it necessary to list his favourite dinosaur (Triceratops). He’s right, this is vital information and I’m now racking my brains for my favourite dinosaur. I think it has to be one of the many Australian ones, such as Eric the opalised plesiosaur. 

Spec Fic panel at Gloucester Writers Festival

This panel, with Rob Riel, me, Michael Pryor and Meg Mundell, was so much fun, as you can see from the photo. Judging by appreciative comments from the audience afterwards, they enjoyed it as much as we did. Thanks to Lindy Dupree for organising such a lovely and intimate festival. I felt as if Rob and Michael and Meg were instantly friends and loved meeting Lisa Heidke and Lisa Walker too. Jesse Blackadder’s talk and slideshow on Antarctica was also a highlight. Thanks everyone and especially again to Lindy and James for putting us up and looking after us.