Cathy Cassidy

HAPPY/SAD CHRISTMAS...

First of all, I want to wish a very Happy Christmas to all my readers… enjoy every minute. Christmas is a magical time, so make sure you spread some happiness… and take time out to be with family and friends.

My Christmas is not shaping up too well this year. A few days ago, my lovely dad died unexpectedly. He had a stroke, a little like Jude’s gran in Sundae Girl, and just didn’t get through it. I’m hurting so much right now, and missing him terribly.

Readers often ask who inspired me to write, or who was my hero, and the answer to those questions has always been my dad. He shared my love of art and writing and gave me enthusiasm, determination and love of life. He showed me how to dream big and how to do my very best to make the dreams happen, and he always, always believed in me, even when others did not.

Things are still very raw for me and it might be a while before I am able to reply to my emails, so please be patient. I know you will understand, because you’re the best, most loyal readers ever. There’s one thing I would love you to do for me this Christmas… if you are lucky enough to have a family, go and hug them right now and tell them you love them. After all, that’s what Christmas is all about.

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SCARLETT'S A WINNER!

SCARLETT has been voted winner (older readers section) of the Royal Mail Scottish Children’s Book Award... woo!!!! I was so surprised at the fabby awards ceremony in Glasgow I didn’t know what to say – but THANK YOU to everyone who took part and voted for me!!!!

It’s a real honour to receive an award like this, especially one that is voted for by kids – it makes all the hard work worthwhile. Cool to see such great reviews from boys as well as girls, too! Special thanks to the group of kids who acted out an extract from Scarlett for the audience – you were all amazing!!!!

More exciting news… SUNDAE GIRL has been shortlisted for the Coventry Inspiration Book Awards! This is special to me too, as I grew up in Coventry and SUNDAE GIRL is set there. Voting for this award is open to kids everywhere, so if you’d like to get involved and cast a vote, just go to www.myvotescoventry.org and click on the READ IT OR ELSE section, which is where you’ll find SUNDAE GIRL. If you do decide to vote – thank you in advance!!!!

Last but not least, I have finally finished the first draft of my next book Ginger Snaps and will be working on the finishing touches over the next few weeks… phew!!!!! Watch out for Ginger Snaps in July 2008.

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WRITING COMP NEWS....

The winners of the Song Title Writing Comp are online now… check them out, and take a look at our brand new writing comp to create a cool character…. go to the YOU section and click WRITER’S WORKSHOP for more info! Well done to EVERYONE who entered, I wish all of you could be winners!

As for me, I am working hard to finish off my 7th book Ginger Snaps… almost there! My Editor says I’m ‘grounded’ until it’s all done, oops!!!! I still have a yukky cold after all that touring around, too.

One thing that cheered me up was seeing the entries for the My Best Friend Rocks South Africa comp – you can see the finalists online at the MBFR link now. It’s great to see that readers all around the world are loving the books – and the comps!

So, don’t let the dark nights and cold weather get you down… check out the WRITER’S WORKSHOP page and start daydreaming!!!
Cathy Cassidy x

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WRITE AWAY....

I’m home again for a while after weeks of touring about… time to get on and finish Gingersnaps! I’m REALLY excited that my book Sundae Girl has been picked as a Richard & Judy Recommended Read…. wow! I’ll be doing a special event in DUDLEY, W. Midlands, with other shortlisted authors, on 30th October, so I’ll maybe see some of you there! Check the Cathy’s Camper page for more details.
I had a brilliant time in London, Bath and Ireland…. thanks to all the fab kids who came to my events in Meath, Louth and Monaghan, especially those who sneaked out of school specially to see me! Thanks too to their teachers, for being so understanding – meeting an author is educational, after all! I have some fab memories of Ireland and a whole bunch of inspiration, too!
Watch out for the results of the Song Titles Story Comp coming very soon. I’ve started judging, but there’s an avalanche of fab entries to get through… and it’s hard to pick out just a few winners! Meanwhile I’m getting on with my new book, Gingersnaps… promise!

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