The I Am Wolf Book Tour!
It was Indie Bookshop Week last week, and I got to spend it visiting bookshops and schools in the south of England, chatting about my new book I Am Wolf and meeting hundreds of future writers, story creators and (I hope) science fiction fans!
I Am Wolf is an adventure about giant mechanical beasts roaming the land, fighting for territory, and about a boy named Coll who finds himself stranded by his crew and has to make his way back. It's a tale of triablism, acceptance, and, in the end, about finding your own crew. I couldn't wait to share it!
I started in Worthing, visiting West Park Primary school with bookseller Godrun of Steyning Books, and then on to The Windmills Junior school in Hassocks (which was particularly nice because I got to meet a long-time sci-fi supporter, Rebecca the Reader. Many well-thumbed copies of Adam-2 in the library!)
Then Louise of Chiltern Bookshops took me to Woodside Junior School in Amersham, where I got to do something that never stops being exciting – opening a school library! The parents and teachers have worked incredibly hard to transform their old space into something exciting and fresh, and the Mayor of Amersham visited to mark the occasion. You can read about us in the Bucks Free Press!
The next day it was the wonderful Alligator's Mouth bookshop where I met Hannah, and read some really excellent review articles from her junior reviewer, Titchy!
Then on to Christ's School in Richmond to chat to the Year-7s and sign many copies…
On Thursday we started at Langford Primary School, then to the lovely Chocolit Bookshop in Fulham…
My final session was at Herbert Morrison Primary School, where I heard my favourite quote from the tour from Art, a pupil, who was very excited at the thought of writing a book. Art says: “you just need one idea and then you can get carried away by your pen!” – isn't that great?
“You just need one idea and then you can get carried away by your pen”
And to round off a great week, I got to crash J.J. Arcanjo's Crookhaven Launch Party, and meet up with some fellow authors!
It's been a fantastic tour, thanks to the efforts of independent bookshops with strong community ties, and enthusiastic school support encouraging pupils to find stories they love. Thank you so much to all the adults – and of course to the pupils themselves for their brilliant responses and welcome. I hope I get to visit again soon!