NORTHERN HIGHLIGHT Josette Reeves Why did you become a children’s writer? I remember writing a lot when I was little but I never really thought of writing as a job that I, an “ordinary” person, might be able to do. And aside from the occasional terrible poem at university, I didn’t really write until I was in my thirties. I fell in love with children’s books again while picking out presents for my little nephew, and decided to give it a go.   Once I started I found it quite addictive. The thought that you might be creating something which children are going to read, hopefully over and over again, is incredibly humbling and motivating. My first picture book, ‘Got to Dance’, illustrated by Annabel Tempest, was published earlier this year by Storyhouse, a fabulous new indie publisher based in Bath. People are now sending me photos of their children reading our book, which feels bizarre and completely wonderful. Those pictures really motivate me to keep going in those (num...

Guest Northern Highlight Edinburgh City of Literature Sian Bevan   When did Edinburgh become a UNESCO City of Literature? Edinburgh became a City of Literature in 2004 - the world’s first UNESCO Creative City.    What are your aims for Edinburgh City of Literature? Currently, we’re working on three main aims… - developing a Literature House for Edinburgh - sharing and celebrating our city’s literary story - ensuring as many people as possible within our city benefit from the UNESCO Creative Cities network.  Tell us about the wonderful libraries in Edinburgh. Where to start? There’s the dramatic National Library of Scotland, which spans 15 floors (10 of which are below street level), and the beautiful Central Library right opposite, which was the first public library in the city and which is home to a fantastic Children’s Library - a beautifully designed space for younger readers. And then there are the local libraries, which are hidden gems a...

 NORTHERN HIGHLIGHT Robin Scott-Elliot Why did you become a children’s writer? Because of my children, Iona and Torrin. I’d written an adult novel and my kids made me promise I’d write them a story while that was out on submission. I’d always told them stories, usually a mix of Scottish legends/tales I’d read when young or my mum had told me, but as I could only half remember them I would make the other half up. Which is effectively what my books are now - part based around real events, part made up. Anyway, nobody wanted my adult manuscript – a what-if historical fiction of Glasgow erupting in revolution in 1919, if anyone’s interested! – but something clicked with writing for children, I loved it. I love storytelling. I still run all my ideas past my kids first – if they don’t like it, they’re not afraid to say so! Tell us about where you live. In Helensburgh, a small town up the Firth of Clyde from Glasgow. It’s 10 minutes from Loch Lomond and beyond that you’re in the Highlands...

Northern Highlight Leah McDowell Why did you want to work in the children's book industry? I saw it as a unique opportunity to be part of the creation of engaging design and illustration for a deserving audience. Working for Floris Books specifically, I get to be part of projects about Scotland and its people that reflect young Scottish readers, which is particularly special. I grew up in Belfast in Northern Ireland, and the books I loved as a child were never based in my country, never mind my city. Recognising the place you call home in a book has the potential to be a really powerful experience, so that brings me a lot of motivation. Tell us about where you live. I live in Edinburgh, right next to the beautiful Water of Leith. Edinburgh has the best of both worlds: you can access brilliant museums, night life and gigs in the city centre, but at the same time you’re never more than a 30 minute drive from quiet forests and countryside. I’ve lived in Scotland since 2008, and I felt...

Guest Northern Highlight Alison Brumwell and Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medal Judges Youth Libraries Group Alison Brumwell and Jake Hope Can you tell us about YLG? YLG (Youth Libraries Group) is one of CILIP’s several special interest groups. We were formed nearly 75 years ago, and our focus is upon supporting children’s reading development. We provide training and CPD opportunities for our membership of just over 1400 librarians/library workers. While these are mainly derived from school and public library settings, we also have members from 17 other library and information sectors; including amongst them, prison, academic and health. What unites us is a shared passion for books, ensuring that children and young people have access to stories and information in a range of diverse formats, and that their own voices and lived experiences are reflected. YLG also administers the prestigious CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals, which are in their 84th and 64th years, respectively. How...

 NORTHERN HIGHLIGHT AMY McCAW 1. Why did you become a children’s writer? I've wanted to be an author for as long as I can remember. I've still got notebooks crammed with neatly joined handwriting and animal illustrations, as well as any scrap of paper I could lay my hands on. By my teens, I was desperate to write a dark, entertaining book like the ones by my favourite authors. I've tried writing books for different ages, from young children to adults, but I always come back to YA. Those are the books I love to read, and for now they're all I want to write. 2. Tell us about where you live.   I live in a South Yorkshire town called Doncaster, which is known for its market and horse racing. I've always like the fact that the countryside is only a short drive away, as well as numerous castles, ruined abbeys and other buildings with fascinating histories.  3. Where do you write? Lately, I write on the sofa with a laptop balanced on my knees while my baby is asleep. When ...