NORTHERN HIGHLIGHT REBECCA COLBY Why did you become a writer? The short answer is because it was always part of my composition. The long answer is because when my eldest was a baby, she was a little monkey and wouldn’t let me sleep! She woke me five or six times a night, and while I fed her, I would write.    I’d always written things, but I didn’t see writing as a viable profession. Nor did I think I could eventually write a full-sized book. Then this baby came along. I read picture books to her before she understood them—from the point when all she wanted to do was chew on their corners. And the more I read to her, the more I told myself that I could write these short books. So I did. Short books are very deceptive. They aren’t as easy to write as I thought, but seven years and approximately 140 rejections later... an agent and a publisher took a chance on me. Published by Kelpies. Illustrated by Kate McLelland           I have s...

SPECIAL GUEST NORTHERN HIGHLIGHT Becky Swain, Director of Manchester Poetry Library, Manchester Metropolitan University Can you tell us about the North West’s first public poetry library?  Well, the power of poetry and libraries combined. I always have to take a moment to breathe in and out when I think of the infinite possibilities.  Manchester Poetry Library is home to a poetry collection of over 10,000 titles and a year-round public programme. We have had such a positive response to creating the library. Working with people across and beyond the region, we want to ensure that poetry from over 200 of Manchester’s community languages is represented within the collection. It will be open to everyone, with visitors able to enjoy and borrow from the collection of contemporary poetry; written, spoken and on film. If you think of anything that you feel we ought to have in our collection, then let us know. Although we are not able to open the physical doors to the library...

NORTHERN HIGHLIGHT Marie Basting     Why did you become a writer? I’ve always loved writing but I let go of that dream when, at fifteen, I was told by a careers advisor that "girls like me" don’t become writers. I rallied against this at first but, after attending the Guardian Student Media Awards, I decided she was right... working class girls like me didn’t move in those circles.  It was only with a bit of life experience, I realised just how wrong that careers advisor was to put children in boxes and essentially close the lid. After becoming a mum, I felt I owed it to my son to show him that girls like me and boys like him can do anything they want. I set to writing Princess BMX. Although I didn’t realise it when I was drafting the story, defying limits and smashing stereotypes are key themes of the book.  Cover illustration - Flavia Sorrentino. Cover Design - Studio Helen . Images - Martyn Ode St Oswalds Tell us about where you live. I live in Chorlton in Sout...

  CHILDREN'S BOOKS NORTH 2021 MENTOR SCHEME  We are delighted to be launching our first Children's Books North Mentor Scheme. One of CBN’s aims is to increase regional diversity in the children’s book industry. There is so much talent that we want to encourage, nurture and retain here, so CBN is launching a mentor scheme for would-be children’s book industry professionals living in the North of England and Scotland. The co-founders of CBN – Emma, Liz and Tilda – are offering to be mentors each year, for  three aspiring publishing professionals looking to beginning a career working within a UK publisher. Mentoring will work on a 1:1 basis. Applications are open to anyone interested in beginning a career in publishing.  No previous experience is needed.  What is involved? An introductory 1-hour meeting (face-to-face or via Zoom, Teams, etc.) f ollowed by four 1-hour meetings focused on: Improving your CV & social media profile The importance of networki...