Christian Darkin gets asked to do impossible things most days – whether it’s bringing dinosaurs back to life, or building alien spaceships, or just looking after two of the world’s most surprising children. Sometimes, on a really good day, when all the impossible things have been done, and there’s a little time left, he writes.

He is the author of the Act Normal chapter books for children, and for older readers, his credits include two young adult novels, The Skull (published by Bloomsbury) and a detective technothriller, @thelogician. He has also written two science documentaries, a Doctor Who spin-off film starring the sixth Doctor, and articles for dozens of magazines newspapers.

His illustration work can be found in children’s books and grown-up titles. He also works as an animator, creating an entire series for BBC CBeebies as well as special effects for film and TV.

christiandarkin.wordpress.com/

Beverley’s Song Beneath the Tides is an Africa-set ghost story, love story and thriller. She’s written 57 books, novels, picture books, biographies and retellings, and been longlisted for the Carnegie Medal, shortlisted for UK and international awards. Novels include Rift, The Keeper of the Gate (both Africa-set), the ghost story Sea Hawk Sea Moon, and the Italy-set thriller The Night of the Fire Lilies. Recent picture books are Turtle’s Party in the Clouds, Greedy Anansi’s Three Cunning Plans and Frankenstein.

www.beverleybirch.co.uk
Twitter: @bevbirchauthor
Instagram: @bevbirchauthor
Facebook: facebook.com/BeverleyBirchAuthor

Nicholas published his first book, The Hefty Fairy in 1989.  Since then he has been a full-time writer and illustrator. Many of his books are bestsellers, including The Queen’s Knickers, Father Christmas Needs a Wee, Jesus’ Christmas Party, Cinderella’s Bum, Heaven, and Where Willy Went.

His books have won awards and been translated into twenty languages. The King’s Pants has been shortlisted for the British Book Award for Illustrated Children’s Book. In 2024, The King’s Pants was adapted into an opera, performed in London and provinces.

He is also the author of Hilltop Hospital, a book that has been adapted into a BAFTA-winning television series for CITV. The series has been shown in over forty countries. His books have been adapted into West End musicals, including The Queen’s Knickers, The Giant’s Loo Roll, and Father Christmas Needs A Wee, the latter touring annually.

Nicholas has been the Chairman of the Society of Authors’ Children’s Group and is currently the Patron of the Isle of Wight Children’s Literary Festival. He has made many appearances on television and radio (see below). He is also the author of The Complete Guide To Gatecrashing and one novel The First Time.

Website: www.nicholasallan.co.uk

Sara Grant writes and edits fiction for children and teens. Her new series Chasing Danger is an action-adventure series for tweens. Dark Parties, her first young adult novel, won the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Crystal Kite Award for Europe. As a freelance editor of series fiction, she has worked on twelve different series and edited nearly 100 books. She also consults for Storymix, an inclusive fiction studio. She has taught master’s courses on writing for children/teens at Goldsmiths University and the University of Winchester. She has given writing workshops in the US, UK and Europe. She co-founded Undiscovered Voices – which has launched the writing careers of nearly fifty authors and illustrators, who now have published more than 400 children’s books. (www.undiscoveredvoices.com)

Sara was born and raised in Washington, Indiana. She graduated from Indiana University with degrees in journalism and psychology, and later she earned a master’s degree in creative and life writing at Goldsmiths College, University of London. She lives in London.

Website : www.sara-grant.com

Twitter: @authorsaragrant

Bridget is a bilingual award-winning illustrator and author of over two dozen picture books published in many countries.  Her new picture book,  MO’s BEST FRIEND, A STONE-AGE STORY (Otter Barry Books 2024)  is a fictional story with some inspiring Stone-Age facts, in which little Mo overcomes her fear and her family’s and introduces a first dog into our human family.  YOU, ME and OUR WHOLE WIDE WORLD (Walker Books UK 2022) explores all that we many different humans share in common, including growing.

She uses a variety of books including Tiz & Ott’s Big Draw (Tate UK) to inspire children to empathise with the characters they draw to create stories.  She also runs colour mixing and painting workshops inspired by her art school teaching.   Bridget believes in the power of pens, pencils, and paints – and picture books – to open our minds and share all that we have in common.

www.bridgetmarzo.com
Twitter: @bridgetmarzo
Instagram: @bridgtmarzo

Twitter: @sarahmussi

Mo O’Hara is the New York Times bestselling author of the My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish series. She writes picture books like More People to Love Me and Romeosaurus and Juliet Rex and also writes the graphic novel series Agent Moose with Jess Bradley as illustrator.

Mo’s newest series for 5-8 year olds, Honey’s Hive is out now with Anderson Press .  Mo lives in London with her husband, two cats and two teenage kids and loves travelling around the country (and around the world) telling stories, leading writing workshops, and talking about books with kids.

Website: www.moohara.co.uk
Twitter: @Mo_OHara

Instagram: mo_ohara_

Karen Owen’s latest junior fiction books are the Major and Mynah series, which follow the exploits of two secret detectives and a clever mynah bird called Bo. Published by Firefly Press, they have been acclaimed for inclusivity and diverse characters. Other books include As Quiet As A Mouse, which was a lunchtime read on CBeebies, and I Could Be, You Could Be, which was chosen as a Summer Reading Challenge title in UK libraries. She hosts creative writing workshops and author events at schools, libraries and festivals.

www.karenowen.co.uk
Twitter: @AuthorKarenOwen
Instagram: @karenowenwrites

Loretta has illustrated lots of picture books and young fiction titles, including the fabulously funny Fairytales for the Fearless books and the magical Luma and the Pet Dragon Series. Her debut title as both author and illustrator, The Legend of Ghastly Jack Crowheart, is a swashbuckling historical adventure, for readers 8+. She enjoys visiting schools, libraries and festivals, working with children from Early Years through Primary and Secondary. 

You can find out more about her books and school visits on her website: www.lorettaschauer.com

Twitter:  @Loretta_Schauer
Instagram: @lorettaschauer