Writing for Children

As in writing stories for children to read, not how children should write.

Two events:

Writing for Teenagers - Cathy Hopkins & Jenny Valentine

Part of the 2008 Children’s Book Festival. Cathy Hopkins (series include Mates, Dates and Truth, Dare) and Jenny Valentine (Finding Violet Park, winner of the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize, and Broken Soup) will debate their very different approaches to writing for teenagers with Dr Patricia Kennon, co-editor of Inis magazine. This event promises to be one of the highlights of the CBF programme and is open to both interested adults and young fans

Pearse Street Library, Dublin 2
Monday October 20th 2008 – 6.30pm

Booking essential - Please contact CBI 01 8727475, info@childrensbooksireland.ie

Everything you Ever Wanted to Know about Writing for Children - Irish Pen

What age group should I be writing for?
What do children actually want to read these days?
How many words are in a novel for 9 year olds?
How can I catch the attention of a children’s editor?
These questions and more will be answered at the special Irish Pen Night on Thursday 9th October at 8.00

Booking essential: 087 9660770
Admittance - €3 for Irish pen members, €5 for non-members
Expert Panel:
Children’s Editor, Helen Carr
Helen is an experienced editor at O’Brien Press. Helen has worked with children’s books for all age groups and is always on the look out for new Irish (and international) talent.

Children’s Advocate, Mags Walsh
Mags is the Director of Children’s Books Ireland.

Children’s Writer, Oisin McGann
Oisin writes for many different age groups, and is also an illustrator. His latest books are Silent Scream (Corgi) and Wired Teeth (O’Brien Press).

Chair: Sarah Webb
Sarah worked as a children’s buyer and marketing manager for many years for Eason and other book companies. She is now a children’s consultant and her new young teen book, Amy Green, Teen Agony Queen, will be published in February 2009.