At the beginning of 2024, I set myself the challenge of trying to write a longer form story. 365 days and 102475 words later (almost double my targeted word count)... #writing #kitlit #mg #firstdraft

So, you've finished a manuscript and you're keen to make sure it's polished before you proceed to the next step on your writing journey. What to do next? Here are 6 suggested steps for self-editing your first draft (as usual, by Kesia Lupo):

Last night, we announced the winners of the Action! Prize on the Faber stand at Bologna. Congratulations to Theo Malings, who landed first place for her sensational YA sci-fi fantasy thriller, The Red Twilight 🏆 Read more here: faber.co.uk/journal/faber-…

Me: “We’ve got loads of time before football training, let’s pop into the café beside the pitch.” My kids: “Cool, we’ll eat these sausages atom by atom.” So now we've missed the class and my kids literally stopped eating the second it was too late to go. Wonderful.

My kids wanted to put on a 'show' this afternoon. Usually this involves 20 minutes of 'rehersals' before playing music, singing & dancing. I should have realised the 'rehersals' were too quiet. The show was an indoor slip'n'slide, with soap & water on the floor. Its towel time

MG writing journey so far: Step 1: Write a book Step 2: Accidentally come 2nd in the Faber Action! Prize Step 3: Somehow get repped by the brilliant Hellie Ogden at WME Step 4: try to act cool about Steps 1-3 now for Step 5: Surviving parenthood whilst editing! #KidLit #AmWriting

This is the single easiest way to become a better storyteller? Consume all the stories you can. Read books, articles, and short stories. Watch TV shows, films, and plays. Listen to narrative podcasts and audiobooks. Here's why 🧵

Writing a book is 10% typing and 90% lying awake at night thinking about that one scene that just won’t cooperate. #writingcommunity #amwriting #amquerying

Spent a bit of time last night and this morning trying to refine the overarching narrative of several books in a series. What software do people use & recommend for this?! #amwriting #WritingCommunity #WritingAdvice #WritingTips #WritingProcess

Such an amazing collection of poems about bereavement. Mark Bird (DreamBeastPoems) The Klangaroo Out Now! - well done and thank you. For Amani and Zayn. ❤️

Love advice like this!

Can't wait to get the incredibly talented Emma Clarke's debut picturebook! There's 25% off pre-orders until Friday!