I'm a Finalist!

It's true - my new book, Darna's Sky, about a girl born in secret in the underbelly of a Singapore hotel, reached the final five in the highly competitive Mslexia Children's Novel Competition 2019. The news is a really big deal and will hopefully open lots of doors for me. This is how I'm celebrating being a finalist.

NB: Kids - if you want to celebrate with me, substitute the champers (a drink you will hate until you're older) with a sparkling one of your own choice. You might like to select pink lemonade that was served at the launch of Thirteenth Wish, for example. Keep the face mask though - there's no age restrictions on that - and silly hair dos are obligatory (as in you MUST have one).  

OK, so I know that I didn't actually win, but the final five is REALLY good.

However, if I'm being completely honest, there is a slight feeling of deja vu. Let's not forget that my debut,  Jarred Dreams was also shortlisted in 2015 by the National Literacy Trust when I entered into their New Author competition. Even one of the judges is the same this time round - the amazing Katherine Rundell, author of Rooftoppers and The Explorers.

BTW I am going to meet Katherine Rundell next week as she is doing a talk at David's Bookshop in Letchworth. I think there's still some tickets if you want to go? Click on this link to find out more: Davids Bookshop Events. I'm really looking forward to meeting her - I just hope I don't get star struck. She writes so well, and her books are very popular - she's like a rockstar! 

The above photo is genuine proof that I'm a finalist. I think I probably needed to point to the bit about my book just to convince myself that it's true and here I am sharing it with you. It is a wonderful thing and I can't wait to see where it might lead me next. Now off you go and get your face masks on.