YOUNGEST REVIEWER'S POEM OF DRAGONSTONE

Thank you very much to Grace, aged 7, for writing this! It very much made my day :)

GREAT NEWS - SCHOOL VISIT

I am delighted to confirm that I will be going to Middleton School on the 10th of June.

The visit is at the request of the school and involves re-visiting the pupils' who were at the Wollaton library event.

I am really pleased to hear that they are all enjoying my novel and I look forward to their feeback. I am also really looking forward to listening to what the pupils' stories and the projects they have in mind

All the best for the day.

James

NEXT EVENTS FOR DRAGONSTONE

Onwards with Dragonstone!

Monday 20th May, I will be making a guest appearance at the following venues: 10.30 - 12.00am at Dunkirk Primary, followed by, Hyson Green St Mary's, between 1.30 - 3.00pm.

I am really looking forward to meeting with the teaching staff and pupils.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Warm Regards
James

FURTHER WOLLATON LIBRARY EVENT FEEDBACK! FANTASTIC!

Received this today:

Dear James,

I understand that Summah in my class was unable to to buy a book at the Wollaton library event recently.  Please let me know when you have new stock. You are welcome to into school any time to deliver them. The children would love to see you again and would very much like to share their own writing if you ever have time.

I was sorry not to be there - I had to stay at School with the rest of the year 5 children.  The class are happily and enjoying their Dragonstone books, so many thanks for your time.  It was a wonderful experience for them.

Many thanks,
Lucy

(Not return email response) Thanks Lucy for this - this is fantastic   I look forward to visiting the school. It is great to hear that so many children are enjoying Dragonstone.

REVIEW BY GRACE AGED 7

This is really sweet and has made my day. Thank you Grace! 

Hi James

My name is grace and mummy said to let you know about me reading your book.

Anyway I really loved the book. Amanda was my favourite - I am thinking I would like to be like her. What do you think? Charlie is brave. Right from the start fighting the bullies that was amazing . I don't like bullies but we'd don't get any really at my school., I love school. I think my school is a bit like dragon stone . My school is bilton grange z . Have a look at the pictures and tell me if you think it's like dragon stone. I liked the book a lot. I do like adventures stories and I read quite a lot of them. There were some hard words. It didn't matter though . Will you do another book ? At school we did a poem about our favourite book and I picked this. But Mrs turner can't find it at the moment but she will have it somewhere

Love grace xxxxx

WOLLATON LIBRARY -THE REPORT

First, I would like to thank Judith Fox for organising the book event for me on Monday, 29th of May.

The outcome to an event can never be successfully or accurately be predicted, so it is with great pleasure to report that the local library event went beyond the library's and my, expectations. This was made possible by the large attendance of the Middleton Primary School, based in Wollaton.

The event was attended by enthusiastic, intelligent and quick witted 9/10 year olds, all of who made valuable contributions to the morning. One pupil opened the questioning with: 'Where do you see yourself in ten years time?' a brilliant, yet unexpected question that got ME thinking! I politely retorted with, 'I can see myself writing novels' as well as dearly enjoying the Dragonstone books being converted into films/movies.' (I felt a confident answer was the best approach here). A series of superbly formed and probing questions ensued, which carried the morning in a different direction to that which I had planned. These questions enriched the session, rather than diminished it.

After exploring the book's concepts and artistry, a surprising and orderly queue/line formed to purchase Dragonstone. All were sold, much to the disappointment of a [very] tearful  young lady, but was reassured that a copy would be made available to her, her peers that had missed out, as well as the winner of the raffle, which took place in the absence of the sold-out copies. 

I hope to receive some photos of the event that were taken by the school staff to show you all, though  permissions need to be provided first.

A sincere thanks to the staff and pupils' of Middleton Primary, for helping to make for memorable and enjoyable morning.  I was pleased to have further inspired some of the youngsters to continue on their quest to become authors. 

I greatly look forward to the next event.

Kind Regards

James

GREAT NEWS: FINAL EVENT CONFIRMATION

Hi all,

I know it is a while to go yet, though I have received final, final confirmation of Dragonstone being accepted to represent Nottingham authors at the Robin Hood Festival. This is amazing news as there will a lot of coverage at the event and hopefully some international media coverage, too.

If you would like to meet me in person, purchase a book or get your book signed, you can catch me there on:

Monday, 5th of August, (opening ceremony) and again on, Saturday 10th of August, (when all the pageantry happens).

I have yet to receive times and exact location, though I will update you all as soon as I hear.

Kind Regards,

James