I know I’m slow to the Grumpfort praise party (It’s already been a Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month) but it’s such a joyful book that I couldn’t resist shouting about it too. Out of all the children’s books I’ve read in the last couple of years, I think this is the book fans of Small! would enjoy most.
Harvey and Mo would make great friends
While my main character Harvey struggles to master the basics of being a giant, poor old Mo is an equally hopeless Warden (a monster hunter who is expected to step up and protect the village of Bogfoss). Both start their stories with low self esteem and an equally low ability to swing axes, maces or bashing clubs. I was rooting for poor old Mo the moment I met him.
It’s got monsters galore
If you had fun meeting the giants, swamp goblins and skelephant in Small!, you’ll have a great time getting to know the monsters living in the forest around Bogfoss. But don’t believe everything you read in A Beginner’s Guide to Monsterology. Just as my giants had the wrong idea about (some) humans, the humans in Bogfoss have got monsters all wrong, too!
The Grumpfort cast of characters are utterly loveable (especially the sausage-roll-loving Snotwoggle, Bork whose keeness to make Mo his best friend gives me the same fuzzy feeling I get from writing about Harvey’s friendship with Walloping Toenail). And the book’s message about not believing everything you read, or judging every monster by the size of its teeth is deftly done all the way through.
Jamie’s illustrations are fabulous
Jamie’s writing is so immersive that everything is easy to picture. But his illustrations inject even more life into each page. In fact, they capture the action so well (especially the graphic novel-style panels and full-page spreads) that you can feel how exciting the story’s going to be before you’ve read a single page.
Me at the GLL launch event - photo courtesy of GLL
1. If you live in Greenwich, you’ll find Small! and Small Bites Back in your local library
This is a huuuge win for me. (I was always a little sad not to have any books in the libraries closest to home, but I get that shelf space and budgets are limited, so there are no guarantees you’ll find your book on a shelf…)
As the foundation covers libraries in Wandsworth, Bromley, Lincolnshire and Dudley, you could find extra copies there too. Look out for the GLL Literary Foundation sticker to spot all this year’s supported authors.
Look out for copies of my books with the GLL sticker!
2. I’ll be running more local events
I’ve only lived in Greenwich for the last two years and I’d been looking for ways to get closer to the local community. Being a GLL author is perfect for helping me do that. The libraries near me often invite whole classes in for creative sessions with authors. I ran my first one for Year 2s at Invicta Primary on World Book Week. I have a few more school events in the diary and one public arts and crafts session, too.
If you fancy creating some Stinking Sinking Swamp-inspired book gobbler bookmarks with your little ones over half term come along to:
Greenwich Centre Library 28th May 2pm
Here’s a book gobbler I made earlier
3. I’m part of a brilliant support group of authors and librarians
There are 20 GLL supported authors this year and five of us are from Greenwich. We recently had the chance to meet at a very fancy do in Battersea Library. Authors, councillors, and our local library champions (librarians who’ll be helping us run events and spread the word about our stories) all gathered to celebrate the new foundation.
As this is the foundation’s first year, we still don’t know exactly what’s in store. But we’re already being invited to awards dos and getting the chance to write articles for bookish magazines. And as well as picking up a nice little bursary to pay for events, we’ve got the chance to go on free virtual training sessions on handy things like managing author finances. Thank you GLL!
I sweated buckets over my thank you speech (complete with life advice from the world of Small). So, in what might be my most self-indulgent post ever, I thought I’d share it.
Here I am holding my award next to fellow winners Liz Flanagan and Jenny McLachlan
Thank you SO much. This might just be the most exciting thing to happen to me as an author in the history of the world, ever!
It’s partly really exciting because Small is my first book, and this is the first time it’s won an award, which makes it extra special.
It’s also really exciting because YOU voted for it. I write for lots of reasons. And I admit, I enjoy making myself laugh writing about kids who set fire to their headteachers’ trousers and giants that take up ballet dancing. But I’ve always thought that stories are better shared. So knowing that you’ve read Small and talked about it and hopefully laughed and finished it feeling excited to start your next book is just brilliant.
You’ve also made me feel like my main character Harvey in the best possible way.
If you haven’t read Small yet, it’s about a boy who’s had quite a bit of bad luck. He’s been kicked out of a few different schools. Now the only place willing to give him a chance is Madame Bogbrush’s School for Gifted Giants. There’s just one problem. Harvey’s not a giant. And giants don’t like humans. So he has to wear a daft giant disguise of stilts, fake rubber feet, extra long trousers and a top hat.
Harvey looks like a giant. But he doesn’t feel like one.
Well, I’ve always called myself a writer. I’ve been writing since I was big enough to hold a pen. When I was little, I mostly wrote rhymes and looked for ever more creative ways to tell my brother he smells. As I got older, I found jobs where I could write. But I was always writing very serious things, like the messages your grown ups might get from the bank saying they owe someone money. The problem with writing very serious things for grown ups is that they almost never let you include stories about swamp flapper birds pooing on your shoes … or giants who wear tutus.
So I called myself a writer of serious things, but never a children’s author. Becoming a children’s author was my dream. It was also scary because there were already so many brilliant books and children’s authors already out there. Could I really do it?
Even when I found a publisher and even when my book was on the shelves in shops and libraries I still didn’t completely feel like an author.
Putting stories out into the world feels a lot like being a kid on stilts, pretending to be a giant and hoping no one will see through the disguise.
Putting stories out into the world feels a lot like being a kid on stilts, pretending to be a giant and hoping no one will see through the disguise.
Being shortlisted for the Lancashire School Libraries Fantastic Book Award and waiting nervously for the results felt a lot like being Harvey, leaping from his stilts to escape a deadly swamp sink pit and not knowing if his best giant friend would catch him … or if he’d be eaten by swamp goblins.
Thank you so so much for reading Small, for voting for it, and for catching me. I’ve never felt more like a real children’s author.
I’ll finish on one thought. Think for a moment about a big dream you have. Things you want to do, whether that’s a school club or team you’re thinking of joining or something you want to do when you’re grown up. When you think about that dream, it might make you a bit scared. Perhaps it feels too hard or you think you won’t fit in or someone will laugh at you. Well, I have a secret. Most of us (especially grown-ups) feel like we’re walking around on stilts most of the time. We’re all just hoping no one will spot our disguise.
So if you have a big dream, even if it seems scary, my best advice, is to be brave like Harvey and leap!
Thank you so much again. Keep reading. Keep sharing stories. This really is the most exciting day in the history of the world ever. Thank you.
First, an apology: when I wrote Small! I didn’t think about the World Book Day costume implications of creating a character who wears stilts for an entire book. (Unless the young readers in your life go to circus school, please don’t encourage them to try it.)
Luckily, there are lots of safe ways for fans of SMALL! and SMALL BITES BACK to dress as characters from the books.
Here are some printable props you can use to become Walloping Toenail, Ms Sugar Plum or Clot the vampire dentist apprentice on World Book Day.
Walloping Toenail
Walloping’s my favourite giant. If you love him too, copy his style by:
writing the word MAPS on a piece of paper, then rolling it up and sticking it down one sock
printing out this cover for The Big Book For Explorers
cutting around the dotted line and wrapping it over another book for the day.
Cover any book to make your own Big Book for Explorers
If you have a leftover vampire costume from Halloween, you could be any of the vampire dentists in Small Bites Back. Just remember to carry a toothbrush wherever you go!
Clot also loves carrying her pet bat Fruity on her wrist. Download the template and follow the instructions to make your own flying bat wristband.
Ms Sugar Plum, the tutting, clipboard-wielding Beastly School Inspector
Fancy being a Beastly School Board inspector? Then grab a clipboard (or use the side of a cereal box and a paperclip) and print off your very own inspection report! Spend the day tutting loudly and scoring your school.
Add any extra fairy touches to your costume that you have at home, too – like wings or a sparkly tiara. You could also print and colour these wings and stick them onto the back of your outfit.
Have a brilliant World Book Day! If you dress as any Small characters, don’t forget to share your pics with me (I’m @MissDePlume on all the social media channels) 😄
I loved reading Libby and the Parisian Puzzle last year. This cosy mystery for kids was exactly the kind of book 7-year-old me would have devoured. So I can’t wait to see what mysteries Libby will have to unravel next as she heads to Scotland to visit her new friend, Connie.
Luckily, I don’t have long to wait. Libby and the Highland Heist is out on 19th January. Pre-order at Waterstones (or head to your local indie to bag a copy).
2.Villains Academy
Ryan Hammond
Unsurpisingly, I’m a sucker for stories set in unusual schools. So I’m really looking forward to visiting Villain’s Academy in February.
Has Bram the werewolf really got what it takes to be a proper villain? I’ll be first in the queue to dive into this silly (and spooky) story to find out!
Michael the sausage dog has a rare talent: he can read minds. But is it enough to turn him into the su-paw-star of his dreams?
I was lucky enough to read an early draft of Michael’s memoirs, so I already know his journey to Hollywoof is heartwarming and hilarious. And his sidekick, Stanley Big Dog might just be one of my all-time favourite supporting characters. I can’t wait for the rest of the world to fall head-over-paw for this fabulous story.
Michael The Amazing Mind-Reading Sausage Dog is out on 8th June 2022. Give your future-self a treat and pre-order now.
Which books are you looking forward to reading in 2023? Let me know in the comments 🙂
2022 was my book’s debut year and I was determined to enjoy it! Sometimes, there were big things to cheer about – like being The Bookseller’s One toWatch or The Sunday Times’ Children’s Book of the Week. (I’m well aware how lucky I am that my little book had such a great start, and I’ll be eternally grateful to my publisher for working so hard to get SMALL! in front of the right people.)
But I celebrated the quieter moments just as much. The first bookshop to share pre-order links for SMALL! (Thank you Rocketship Bookshop!). The Instagram message from a mum telling me how much her daughter loved my book. My first school assembly. Running a ‘create a swamp creature’ workshop for three boys who didn’t want to leave. And, very occasionally, readers coming to my workshops on purpose. I’ll be honest, I usually roped in any children who happened to be nearby when I was about to start.
This year has been full of little wins and whether you’re publishing your first book or fifty-seventh, holding on to those moments will make every late night editing push or plot-hole-panic worth it.
Here I am celebrating SMALL! being in the window of Waterstones Salisbury
2. Take joy in other authors acing it
I feel there’s one rule that all authors who want happy lives should follow: don’t compare yourself to other authors. If someone else has more sales, is on more shortlists or takes home more prizes, cheer for them. When a few authors in my debut group were nominated for the Carnegie, I genuinely squealed over my breakfast. One of the biggest joys I’ve had this year is seeing so many brilliant debut children’s authors doing brilliantly. And a win for any one of them feels like a win for all of us, as it shows children, teachers, booksellers and librarians are giving new, non-celebrity books a chance. That’s got to be worth cheering, right?
3. Give and share where you can
Giving your time as an author isn’t entirely selfless. When I write letters to schools, do I hope a few pupils might buy my book? Of course. When I create downloadable games and activities on my website, do I hope they’ll encourage teachers to use SMALL! in the classroom? Yup. And when I run events in bookshops, do I hope a few of the families that come will also buy my book? Absolutely.
As an author, there’s an obvious benefit to giving your time. But those little acts aren’t selling copies for me in the thousands, hundreds or even the tens most of the time. Instead, I hope they’re getting a few children excited about reading, as well as writing their own stories.
I had no idea just how much time promoting a book takes. This might vary a bit depending on the kind of marketing budget you have and whether there’s a team making resources for you. But if you’re eager to do things yourself, you could lose days:
making a website – if you’re building your own, leave lots of time for it
visiting bookshops
visiting schools
writing letters to schools
blogging, tweeting, TikToking etc
creating activities to go with your book
agonising about any of the things on that list you haven’t done yet.
I’ve loved promoting SMALL! But I’ve also struggled to get the balance between writing and promoting right. The result is that I almost always feel guilty about the things I’m not doing.
That guilt extends to the many fab books I know I’m not reading and shouting about, too. My TBR pile has never been bigger.
Going into 2023, I’ve promised to be kinder to myself and accept I can’t do everything. I’ll also try not to use promoting as an excuse to avoid the harder job of actually writing a new book…
5. Pick a good signing pen
In Goldilocks style, it took me three goes to find mine.
My first pen looked nice but the ink blotted into the pages.
My second pen didn’t blot, but the nib was too thick for my handwriting.
The third pen (a fineline version of pen two) is perfect. Here’s a pic of my Ultra Fine Sharpie in all its glory.
Third time lucky: my favourite Ultra Fine Sharpie
6. Ask for reviews
Amazon reviews – if you get over the magic 50 – help more people find your book. Even though loads of people have said lovely things about SMALL! I’m nowhere near that number.
I’ve posted occasional tweets asking for reviews and reminding everyone that you can buy SMALL! from Waterstones or your local indie and still review it on Amazon. But I’m fairly sure I’m asking in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The problem is that reviewing isn’t on most people’s radars. Before getting a book deal, I don’t think I’d ever left an Amazon review – even for books I LOVED. Looking back, I reckon my best chance to get reviews would have been to ask the parents at my events. It’s something I’ll try and do more of next year.
In the meantine, if you’re looking for a gift for me(!) or another author in your life this festive season, head to Amazon and leave a review. It won’t cost you a penny and it’ll mean the world to them.
Authors, what do you wish you’d known before you published your debut? Share your wisdom for other debuts in the replies.
The Rocketship Bookshop will always hold a special place in my heart. It was the first shop to post pre-order links for SMALL! months before anyone else was even talking about it. And it was the first shop I visited to sign copies, which was another pinch-me moment.
Jo, the owner really knows her stuff. She hosts all kinds of events and does gorgeous picturebook readings. And, oh, the wrapping! Order online and she’ll wrap your books beautifully – often with paper and bows that colour-cordinate with your chosen bookcovers.
If you’re looking for the perfect children’s book, Jo will find it.
I’ve visited lots of branches of Waterstones in the last few months (and have loads more on my list) but Emma Pullar in the Ashford branch is extra special. She’s been the biggest champion of SMALL! but also of so many children’s authors I love. She posts great recommendations on Instagram and Twitter and has a packed calendar of book events in her branch.
I was thrilled to run one of my first ‘Create a Swamp Ceature’ sessions for SMALL! with her. And because she’d worked so hard to tell young readers about the book beforehand, I met my first bookworm who’d already read it. (As a debut, I’m used to drumming up event interest from children and grown ups who happen to be in the store when I’m there. The idea of children coming to meet me … on purpose still feels extraordinary.)
Huge thanks also go to the other Waterstones branches who’ve hosted events with me, including Harrow (twice!), Salisbury and Worcester. And Filipa and the Trafalgar Square team hosted the most fabulous launch for SMALL! too.
Should you decide to move house based on whether or not moving means you’ll get a local children’s bookshop at the end of the road?
I think so.
I’m a creature of habit and felt seriously wobbly about leaving the one-bed flat my husband and I were in for the last nine years. Even though the whole working, eating, cooking, living in the same room thing had lost it’s charm about a week into the pandemic.
So was getting an extra room to write in what clinched the move for me? Nope (although now I have it, its amazing). It was Ottie and the Bea. It’s an absolutely delightful bookshop and toy shop a short walk from my new home. It stocks plenty of children’s books – including signed copies of SMALL! – as well as an adorable range of traditional toys that would make perfect Christmas pressies for little ones. The moment I saw it I thought, yes, I could live here. (The area, not the shop, although if the owner, Julia were willing…😁)
Proof copy for Loki: A Bad God’s Guide to Being Good
1. It’s a diary, done differently
Play with form
Who doesn’t love a diary? They’re the perfect place to enjoy the comedy antics of unreliable or naive narrators. (Emer Stamp’s, The Unbelievable Top Secret Diary of Pig is another of my all-time comedy favourites for that reason.) But what’s so smart about Loki’s diary is that he’s not allowed to lie. Every time he tries, the diary ‘helpfully’ writes back with its own corrections. It’s a brilliant device. And it’s a great reminder that no matter how familiar your format, there’s always a way to twist it and make it your own.
2. It’s funny because it’s true
Find the funny in front of you
As an outsider to the modern world, Loki is the perfect observational comedian. He’s constantly questioning the absurdity in the everyday, giving us his views on everything from work, school and shopping to crisps and – my favourite – museums. Loki can’t believe how boldly museums display their stolen goods (he’s far too sneaky to make his own wrongdoings so obvious).
Loki’s insights into life cracked me up and got me thinking. Mostly, they reminded me of the GK Chesterton quote that funny doesn’t have to be the opposite of serious. Loki’s comedy definitely has a serious side.
Funny is the opposite of not funny, and nothing else.
GK Chesterton
3. It brings new life to old stories
Build on what we know
We get a few specific nods to the original Norse myths, but Louie mostly uses them as a springboard for fresh silliness. I especially enjoyed Thor (who’s on Earth as Loki’s brother to keep an eye on him) wanting to spend his weekends admiring hammers in the DIY shops.
Using things we already know (or learn in the first couple of pages) sets the stakes high from the start. Will Loki, the misbehaving trickster god, ever manage to live a virtuous life? Or will Odin punish him to an eternity in a chamber filled with snakes?
This isn’t a retelling of the myths. It’s dropping familiar characters into new settings and asking the question that gets all the best stories going: ‘What if..?’ It’s also a brilliant way to go from a blank page to a fresh, funny and completely original new story.
I was rooting for Loki from the start. I’m sure everyone else will, too.
Loki: A Bad God’s Guide to Being Good publishes with Walker Books in February 2022. Pre-order yours now. (That’s my Bookshop.org page, but I’m sure you can order it in your local indie, too.) #BeLessLoki
Hannah Moffatt, word wrangler 