Interesting interviews
I recently had the privilege of interviewing Jodie Ounsley (Gladiator FURY). We chatted all about her children’s books, Keep Smashing It (a really inspirational book) and Strong Girls (so empowering), both co-written with sports journalist Becky Grey.
Jodie is a brilliant role model, a superb athlete, and a true champion of deaf and disabled representation in sports.
I loved meeting her and seeing hundreds of children so excited to get their books signed by their hero!
Also – how cool was it that our trainers matched her book jackets!
I really enjoyed interviewing Speaker of the house, Lindsay Hoyle.
If you would like to book me in my capacity as an interviewer, you can get in touch here.
Interesting author events
I was honoured to support Jeff Kinney, author-illustrator of The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series of books, on his UK tour.
If you would like to book me as a support act(!) get in touch here.
It was great to participate in an author extravaganza at Ebb & Flo bookshop recently.
Pictured from left to right: uber talented and extra-lovely Kerri Cunningham (Murphy’s Sketches); Sarah Harrison, brilliant author of School of Doom; Amazing poet, author and moon-fan, Dom Conlon; me; and Emily Coxhead, bubbly and bright creator of Find Your Happy.
I really enjoyed taking part in the ‘Funny Fiction’ panel at the YLG conference in Glasgow recently. Chaired by super-librarian, Jenny Hawke (centre), the panel included, from left to right: Nathaneal Lessore – amazingly talented author of Steady for This, Pamela Butchart – super-funny author of the Izzy series of books, Martin Stewart, multi-talented author of The Bridget Vanderpuff series, and me!
If you would like to book me as a speaker at an event, please get in touch here.
Interesting writing project
I was delighted to be invited to write a short story based on the workshops delivered with Jade Class at Richmond Hill, a child-centred forward thinking primary special school for pupils with severe and complex needs.
The children’s story ideas were imaginative and wonderful and the title they wanted was: Jess Teress and the Ninety-Two Strangers.
The finished story was performed at a celebration event in Luton on Saturday 11th May which, in a highly inclusive way, showcased local children’s story-writing talents.
This project was facilitated by Luton Literature C.I.C. Do pop by their website to read, or listen to readings of, all the stories written as part of this project: Luton Literature Storytelling project.
If you would like to discuss a writing project, please get in touch here.
Interesting videos
I was honoured to be part of Empathy Lab’s 2023 #EmpathyDayLive. Challenged to complete MISSION EMPATHY 360, here’s a link to my video. (There are loads of brilliant author/illustrator videos on Empathy Lab‘s YouTube channel – why not take a look?)
Here’s a video of me having a chat with the wonderful Katie Kirby, author-illustrator of the Lottie Brooks books, and Annie Everall, the marvellous person behind Authors Aloud UK.
Interesting translations
Look at these covers for some of the foreign editions of my books! Can you work out which country they’re for?
Interesting awards
Here’s a video I made for the Spark Children’s Book Award. It felt so special to be short-listed and AMAZING to win!
Interesting cover reveals
Third Book SISTER ACT – COVER REVEAL!
Second book – BASICALLY FAMOUS – trailer!
Interesting blogs
I love this blog piece by Year three at Boundary Primary School. (Yes, I have a question – what is my mouth doing?)
If you would like to book me for a school visit, you can find out more here.
I recently wrote a guest blog on the brilliant BOOKS FOR TOPICS site all about the importance of representing foster families in children’s books. You can read it by clicking on the picture above.
I wrote a very short guest blog for Caritas care on the importance of representation in children’s books.
I wrote an article for BookTrust about how books can strengthen bonds between parents and adopted children. You can read it here.
https://www.caritascare.org.uk/representation-matters-by-childrens-author-jen-carney/
I’ve answered lots of questions in some fun interviews! Want to know what my nickname was at school? And why I need to heed my own writing advice? Have a read of this by Stoomio
Interesting podcasts
I loved chatting to Richard from DRAKE THE BOOKSHOP in Stockton-on-Tees for his Quacked Spines podcast (all about children’s books) recently. You can listen to our very interesting chat by clicking HERE!
I LOVED taking part in the Puffin Podcast: Mission Imagination
I had a lovely chat with Nikki Gamble on the JUST IMAGINE podcast. You can catch up here. We talk about the importance of representing adopted children in funny fiction, biscuits, colours and all things BUG!
I had a lovely chat with Authorfy – you can hear me read a chapter of The Accidental Diary of B.U.G. here!
Talking to The 2 Mr Ps in a Pod(cast) was great fun. You can listen here.
Why is representation of different families so important in children’s books? Marina Fogle and I discuss this here.