This year I return to novel writing but I shall make time for a few visits, including:
- Kenya in March for the Caine Prize for African Writing workshop; Greensteds/Nakuru High School; International School of Kenya, Nairobi; return visits to library projects in Mathare and Kayole…. and some exploring!
- Schools including St Michael’s Middle, Wimborne; The Green School and Teddington School, Teddington; Copthall School and Queen Elizabeth Girls’ School, Barnet; St Olave’s, Orpington; Newton Prep, London; Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School, Marlow, Buckinghamshire; De Ferrers School, Burton-on-Trent; Brayton College, Selby;Farleigh School, Hampshire; The Langton School, Canterbury; Sherborne School, Dorset; Lycée Français, London.
- Book Aid International Bookcrossing launch! See www.bookaid.org. On 18th April authors across the UK show support for Book Aid International’s great work by leaving books in public places. We hope our books will be freely read and passed on. I shall leave a copy of Journey to Jo’burg (now 20 years old!) under the bust of Nelson Mandela on The South Bank in London. Who knows where it will travel?
- Cambridge Wordfest, 22 April 2005 www.cambridgewordfest.co.uk
- ‘Divided Communities’ with Theresa Breslin and Kate Maclachlan, Children’s Books Ireland Adult Summer School, 14 May www.childrensbooksireland.com
- Cambridge Secondary English Conference, 6 June
- CILIP Umbrella Conference, Talk: Viewing the World: The Power of ‘If’ for Young and Old, Manchester, 1 July
- Southwark Reading Groups, London, 4 July
- Education Extra, The Guardian News Room, 30 September
- International School of Geneva, Switzerland 5-7 October
- Portsmouth School Library Service; Farnham School Library Service, October
- African Visions 2005 Festival, British Library, London, 15-16 October
- De Montfort University, Bedford, 16 November
- The Barbican London Children’s Film Festival, 16 November
