One of the most exciting and rewarding parts of being an author is getting to meet your readers. I met an awesome class full of them in January, at Preshute Primary near Marlborough in Wiltshire. It was a special event, because these children have grown up with the very same rivers, woods and forests that inspired some of the scenes in my books.

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It was fantastic getting to know the class. We spoke about spooky places, creating atmosphere and using your own experiences to bring your writing to life. Then they started to dig deeper – asking some wonderfully soul-searching questions, including ‘If you could rewrite any part of your book, what would you change?!’
So a huge thank you to Mary, Claire and Year 6. Good luck with your own writing! The class are taking part in Radio 2’s excellent 500 Words Competition: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5G1mLBNBWkQMwdwD2S82YLx/500-words-the-finals.

And a special shout-out to Isla and Sasha, who drew these amazing pictures, inspired by the books and by Andrea Kearney’s stunning cover art. 

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It’s a busy start to the summer in the House of Moss. I grew up in Wiltshire – and when I wasn’t playing evil doctors with my BFF, I was free to roam the countryside. The magic of its rivers and woods has never left me and always seem to find a way into my books! So you can imagine how thrilled I am to be doing these very special events:

Octavia’s Bookshop, Cirencester Book Week. Wednesday 27th July, 2.30pm. The wonderful people at Octavia’s Bookshop are letting me loose among the books to talk Tudor animals! Discover how the real-life story of a polar bear locked in the Tower of London inspired RIVER DAUGHTER. Children will be able to take part in my Tudor animal quiz for a star prize and there will be plenty of time for questions. http://www.octaviasbookshop.co.uk/2016/05/10/2-30pm-wednesday-27th-july-jane-hardstaff-9-12-years/

Check out the rest of this amazing book festival – Lauren St John, Abi Elphinstone, Mark Lowery, Christopher Edge… it’s going to be brilliant. http://www.octaviasbookshop.co.uk/events/

Tuesday Tales, Salisbury Museum. Tuesday 9th August, 11.30am & 2.30pm. From 11.30am – 12.30pm I’ll be revealing some of the spine-tingling secrets of THE EXECUTIONER’S DAUGHTER. Then at 2.30-3.30pm, I’ll be talking polar bears, RIVER DAUGHTER and the real life story of the exotic animals kept in the Tower of London. Both sessions will be fun and interactive, with lots of audience participation and the chance to win a replica gold Tudor coin! http://www.salisburymuseum.org.uk/whats-on/families/tuesday-tales-jane-hardstaff

And look at this… the very next week, there’s fun and chills with Emma Carroll, who’ll be discussing the dark faeries of IN DARKLING WOOD and and her fabulously Gothic children’s novel, STRANGE STAR. http://www.salisburymuseum.org.uk/whats-on/families/tuesday-tales-emma-carroll

Waterstones Bookshop, High Street, Salisbury. Tuesday 9th August, 6pm. In the evening I’ll be at one of my favourite bookshops – Waterstones Salisbury, where ace bookseller Jo will be chatting to me about bears, crocodiles and some of the incredible stories behind the Tower of London’s exotic animal collection – the inspiration for RIVER DAUGHTER.

Really hope to see you there. Have a fantastic summer!