‘I’m parking my guilt’: confessions of a celebrity children’s book ghost writer

As an author whose own books never find their way to supermarket shelves, it’s frustrating work – but it puts food on my family’s tableOnce a rare species, celebrity authored children’s books have become stalwarts of supermarket books aisles. Perfect for a grandparent hunting a last-minute Christmas gift, or a parent looking for something that will appeal to a child reluctant to read, books by stars have become the go-to for many. Those buying them might have it in the back of their minds that these “authors” might not have done much of the writing. But that doesn’t matter, does it? As long as the kids are reading, that’s what counts.For children’s authors who do write their own stuff, it’s a little galling. They’d give their hind teeth for a spot on that shelf – and surely they are no less deserving of exposure and recognition. As a writer of children’s fiction, I’ve been known to turn a shade of green, too. But I’m conflicted, because in addition to writing original and mostly unrecognised books for young readers, I also work as a ghost writer. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2022-12-16 10:41:27 UTC ]
News tagged with: #ghost writer #young readers #children’s book

Other Publishing stories related to: '‘I’m parking my guilt’: confessions of a celebrity children’s book ghost writer'


8 Books by Queer Writers Who Came of Age in the 90s

The ’90s are back, as if they could ever truly peace out. Between Fear Street and Captain Marvel and the Alanis Morissette musical, the last mostly-offline decade is getting a gargantuan nostalgia polish. For my memoir Sticker—an exploration of my childhood in Charlottesville, Virginia via 20... Continue reading at Electric Literature

[ Electric Literature | 2022-01-14 12:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #electric literature #memoir


Petty joins Blair Partnership from Macmillan Children's Books

The Blair Partnership has appointed Macmillan Children's Books (MCB) editorial director Rachel Petty as agent, heading up its children’s and YA list. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2022-01-04 08:08:25 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #macmillan children #blair partnership #ya list #macmillan


Kibworth Books raises more than £2k for hospitalised Leicester children

Independent bookshop Kibworth Books has raised more than £2,000, to gift books to children being treated in Leicester Royal Infirmary over Christmas. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-12-24 11:27:47 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #gift books #independent bookshop


Looking for a seasonal tale of mystery, murder and ghosts? Here are 9 books just for you.

You can’t beat Holmes for the holidays. Also, Victorian Christmas ghost stories for those cozy nights by the fire. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2021-12-15 13:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Welbeck Flame lands Scott Whyte's children's comedy in two-book deal

Welbeck Flame has acquired The Asparagus Bunch, a "fresh, irreverent" children’s novel by debut author Jessica Scott Whyte, secured in a two-book deal.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-12-12 18:19:43 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #welbeck flame #debut author


Festival for Working Class Writers calls for book club titles

The Festival for Working-Class Writers' team are on the lookout for books to promote as part of their new book club, which launches in 2022. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-12-08 23:43:53 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #working-class writers #book club


A Behind-The-Scenes Look Into Judging A Children’s Book Award

Here's what it's really like to judge a children's book award, including the surprising best part of the process (it's not the free books!) Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2021-12-08 11:33:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book award #free books #children's book #children’s book


11 Must-Read December Children’s Book Releases

The crisp weather makes it the perfect time to snuggle up with a little one and read these 11 December children's book releases. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2021-12-06 11:39:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book releases #perfect time #children's book #children’s book


Ventorros launches Kickstarter to create books for terminally ill children

A children's publisher has launched a Kickstarter fundraising campaign to create personalised books for terminally ill children. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-11-28 04:17:10 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #children's publisher


At Guadalajara: Bologna Children’s Book Fair Makes Its Next Stop

At the upcoming Guadalajara International Book Fair, the Bologna Children's Book Fair stages programming aimed at illustrators. The post At Guadalajara: Bologna Children’s Book Fair Makes Its Next Stop appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2021-11-24 19:08:50 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #bologna children #children's book #bologna children’s book fair


Sheikh Zayed Book Award Longlists: Young Author and Children’s Literature

Based in Abu Dhabi, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award releases the first two of its eight longlists showcasing Arabic literature, scholarship, and writing. The post Sheikh Zayed Book Award Longlists: Young Author and Children’s Literature appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2021-11-18 01:57:08 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #literature appeared #young author #abu dhabi #zayed book


Ant & Dec release first children's book with Farshore to raise money for NSPCC

TV hosts Ant & Dec, a.k.a. Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, are releasing their debut children's book next year to raise money for the NSPCC. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-11-09 13:59:39 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #debut children #raise money #declan donnelly #children's book


Shanghai International Children's Book Fair postponed until March 2022 due to Covid

The Shanghai International Children's Book Fair (CCBF) has been postponed from this month to March 2022 because of the situation with Covid-19 in China and will now coincide with the Bologna Children's Book Fair (BCBF). Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-11-09 00:00:04 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #bologna children #children's book


Report shows fourfold rise in minority ethnic characters in UK children’s books

The Centre for Literacy in Primary Education welcomes steep increase in representation, but warns there are ‘no quick fixes’The proportion of children’s books featuring a minority ethnic character has almost quadrupled in the last four years, according to a new survey – but researchers say “we... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2021-11-04 14:36:37 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #books featuring #picture books #quick fixes


How to Pick Children’s Books About Gender

Just because a kids' book focuses on gender identity doesn't mean it's a GOOD children's book about gender. Here's how to find the best ones. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2021-11-03 10:32:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book focuses #children's book


12 Must-Read November Children’s Book Releases

From new books by Jason Reynolds and Andrea Beaty to powerful books about Black history, November children's book releases have lots of gems! Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2021-11-02 10:35:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book releases #jason reynolds #andrea beaty #black history #november children #children's book #children’s book


Children's book on Governor General's Literary Award short list a win for Indigenous publishing, author says

A children's book shortlisted for a 2021 Governor General's Literary Award was written by a University of Guelph associate professor who specializes in the history of Indigenous Peoples and illustrated by an Ojibway multidisciplinary artist. ... Continue reading at CBC

[ CBC | 2021-11-02 08:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #governor general #indigenous peoples #children's book #literary award


How did our national parks come to be? A new book explores their rocky start.

Dennis Drabelle’s “The Power of Scenery” chronicles Frederick Law Olmsted’s role in creating gems like Yosemite Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2021-10-29 11:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #national parks #book explores #rocky start


Did you know that Sylvia Plath wrote a rhyming children’s book about silly beds?

Sylvia Plath was born 89 years ago today. A published writer from age at, she left behind a vast catalogue of poetry and prose, especially given her short life. One of her most charming works was a rhyming children’s book written in 1959 (before either of her children were born) and published in... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2021-10-27 17:44:35 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book written #sylvia plath #vast catalogue #short life #children’s book


HarperCollins Children's signs four-book deal with Chichester Clark

HarperCollins Children's Books has signed a new four-book deal with picture book creator Emma Chichester Clark. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-10-26 17:42:17 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #harpercollins children #chichester clark #four-book deal #picture book #harpercollins