LOOKING FORWARDISH TO THE NORTHEAST BOOK AWARD

On Friday this week I'll be heading off to Newcastle for the award ceremony for the North East Teenage Book Award. With mixed feelings.

On the plus side:

1. It's amazing to be shortlisted and I'm very proud of that.
2. I am looking forward to meeting the other authors, some of whom I know (Anne Cassidy and Keren David) and others I haven't met.
3. The NEBA is a brilliantly organised event and I've been before, with Fleshmarket. It's one of the best awards in the children's book world.
4. Some of the pupils have interviewed me on Twitter and I'm really looking forward to meeting them. Here's a link to the interview.
5. One of them has written a Wasted rap and they will perform it!
6. There's a party. There might be chocolate.

On the minus side:

1. I get quite stressed being the centre of attention. It's exciting but tiring.
2. I've damaged my voice and have been told not to speak loudly or much. I will have to speak loudly and much.

Because of that last point, I have a special plan! And I'm not saying what it is until I get there but one person in the room is going to be very, very lucky....

I will come back next week and tell you what happened!