Zombie! Trailer
Posted by Tommy | Filed under Links, Writing
While I had my undead glad rags on recently, I figured I should make a trailer for Zombie! – my first book to be published by Barrington Stoke.
Here it is…
Poster Boys
Posted by Tommy | Filed under Links, Writing
Do your classroom or library walls suffer from blandness and boring areas? Do you yearn for something to look at other than that tattered old picture of Duran Duran? Then panic no more – the Poster Boys are here…
At Write2Excite – www.write2excite.co.uk – you can claim your FREE set of four posters, featuring best-selling children’s authors Andy Briggs, Joe Craig, Tommy Donbavand and GP Taylor!
So, what are you waiting for? Pin us up today!
Tommy
National Literacy Trust Interview
Posted by Tommy | Filed under Personal, Scream Street, Writing
I was recently interviewed by the National Literacy Trust for their newsletter – covering topics such as getting boys gripped by books, authors being vetted prior to class visits and even what I would change about schools if I got the chance! To find out what I think about these important matters and more – simply click here to read the interview.
Zombie!
Posted by Tommy | Filed under Writing
I’m proud to show you the cover for Zombie! - my forthcoming book from utterly brilliant publisher, Barrington Stoke.
Zombie! tells the story of schoolboy Nathan and his sister Olivia who, on one of their regular visits to the local cemetery to visit their granddad’s grave, discover that one of the other corpses buried there is a little more lively than they would have expected…
For those who don’t know, Barrington Stoke produce books for dyslexic and struggling readers – and I’m very proud to have written something for them.
Zombie! will be published in September.
That’s The Plan!
Posted by Tommy | Filed under Scream Street, Writing
A wonderful morning at Parklands School in Liverpool today where pupils from year 8, along with those from Bluecoat School, spent time creating story plans.
As I often say, a blank page or computer screen can be scarier than anything I write about in my books – so it’s always a good idea to plan your story out in advance: invent a setting, create unique, three-dimensional characters and devise a gripping, action-packed plot.
If you’d like your school to invite me in, why not download and print off the images below? These are postcards I’m currently having printed to send around to head teachers for the next school year, and explain everything your school needs to know about my story plan workshop, The Write Stuff.
With thanks to top author, Barry Hutchison, who designed the cards for me after I waxed on and on about how much I liked his!
New Children’s Laureate
Posted by Tommy | Filed under Personal, Writing
Congratulations to fellow Walker author, Anthony Browne, on becoming the new children’s laureate. I’m looking forward to seeing how he continues the wonderful work of Michael Rosen.
For more information on the role of the children’s laureate, visit the website here: http://www.childrenslaureate.org.uk
(Dark) Summer Lovin’
Posted by Tommy | Filed under Personal, Writing
OK, so there are plenty of disadvantages to being stuck in a cave and guarded by foul-smelling monsters (www.trappedbymonsters.com). The rotten food is one, Joe’s snoring is another – but I’ve recently discovered a plus point, too…
As authors, we’re still writing and, as our books come close to release, our various publishers produce something called uncorrected proofs of our books. Basically a ‘proof’ is the story in basic book form so that readers and reviewers can enjoy the story before it hits the shelves. That’s why new book releases already have glowing reviews by the time they hit the shelves.
I’ve been honoured to read two of these proofs over this last week, and will blog about them separately – starting with Dark Summer by Ali Sparkes…
What can I say? I went to bed last night with the intention of reading a chapter or two but literally could not put the book down. I finished at 3.10am knowing that I had read possibly the best children’s book, ever. That might sound like a cliche but, trust me, it’s not. This is a GREAT book!
Without giving too much away, Dark Summer tells the tale of Eddie – an intelligent if slightly sensitive boy who is forced to spend the summer with his aunt and cousins near the Wooky Hole caves. But, what begins as a bog-standard family day out to the tourist attraction, turns into so much more and changes not only Eddie’s life, but that of an arthritic distant uncle and several never-seen-before characters.
Dark Summer isn’t out until July, but I urge you to go out and pre-order a copy. Books rarely get better than this.
Crisis Coming Soon…
Posted by Tommy | Filed under Writing
Somehow, I occasionally find time to write a book other than one set in Scream Street – such as this tome of loveliness, due to be published on 21st April by Network Continuum.
Making a Drama out of a Crisis is packed with dozens of exciting new drama games and exercises designed to help teachers control bad behaviour in the classroom. There are drama activities to help with problems such as use of bad language, pushing and shoving, poor attention skills and speaking out of turn. To encourage pupils to work together as a team, there is also a complete script for the pantomime, Aladdin, plus details on how to make scenery, costumes, cast and direct the show, and much more.
The book is available to pre-order at amazon.co.uk right now!
Tommy