Tuesday, December 22, 2009



News for Amy Greensters

Hi there!

First of all, Happy Christmas and have a fab New Year. Hope Santa is good to you and brings lots of moolah, vouchers, music, iphones, clothes etc etc

I’m hoping for book tokens myself – there are some great books out and I can’t wait to reading gorge over the holidays. And I’m getting back seats for my little classic Mercedes, yeah! At the moment it only has front seats so my two best friends have to fight over who gets to go in it.

Here’s a red version (above) – mine’s light blue but it’s in storage for the winter – too wet in Ireland to leave it outside. Cute, eh? I call mine Jennifer after this old telly show called Hart to Hart. Jennifer Hart drove one.


Book News

Breaking news – there are two brand new Amy Greens out in 2010, Summer Secrets and Bridesmaid Blitz.



Book 2, Amy Green, Teen Agony Queen: Summer Secrets is out in February. Set in Dublin, West Cork and Miami, it’s full of secrets, lies, arguments, drama-rama and cute boys. I know you’re going to love it.


Here’s a tiny sneak preview:

Chapter 1

‘It’s soooo unfair,’ I moan, my head on Seth’s lap. We’re lying on Killiney Beach, our special place. Seth’s my boyfriend (I love saying that – boyfriend!) and it was on this very beach I first noticed his amazing sky blue eyes, not to mention his wash board stomach.
His dog, Billy is rolling around in the sand beside us and yapping happily. Seth throws a stone into the sea and Billy races after it, lunging into the water, his tail wagging from side to side, like a windscreen wiper.
Seth winds my hair around his fingers. ‘I know, but it’s only three weeks.’
‘Only three weeks? A lot can happen in three weeks.’

And a lot does happen! You’ll have to read it to find out what.



Book 3, Bridesmaid Blitz, out in October. More about that one soon.



Other Future Book News

Candlewick have just signed up American rights to Amy Green – yeah! They will be publishing all six books in the series, starting in Autumn (Fall) 2010 and it’s mega exciting.

Oh and the first Amy Green has just come out in Polish – what fun!


Shopping

I found black urchin Annie boots (low heel, lace up) in a wee shoe shop in Blackrock and I’m delighted with them – it’s hard to find nice flat boots that don’t look like wellies on my big feet (size 6).

And then I found black knee high boots with a cuban heel in Brown Thomas (cool dept store in Dublin) that I just adored so I had to have them too. Oops. And apologies to Katie in the Walker office in London. I think she may have the same pair – I admired them so much when I was over there a few weeks and I couldn’t help myself. But as we live on the far side of the pond from each other I’m sure she won’t mind.

Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and New Year and talk to you again in February.

Much love,

Sarah XXXX

Friday, October 9, 2009

Alex Girls

Hi to all the girls in Alex - nice to meet you this morning! Keep reading.
Best, Sarah

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Meet Sarah, Judi Curtin and Marita in Oct!

Bubblegum Club Book Bash – Monster Book Fun!

Saturday 3rd October 2009 (During the Children’s Book Festival)

At the Kingston Hotel, Dun Laoghaire
12pm to 3.30pm

The first ever Irish literary lunch for children and teens. An author or book guru at every table! Come along and meet:

Derek Landy, Mr Skulduggery Pleasant himself! Winner of this year’s Irish Book Awards.
Marita Conlon McKenna, much loved and multi award winning author of Under the Hawthorne Tree
Sarah Webb, author of the hugely popular Amy Green series and bestselling author for mums and big sisters too!
Don Conroy, writer, artist and much loved Uncle Don from Den TV
Joe O’Brien, author of the Alfie Green series and other brilliant books
Judi Curtin, creator of the mega cool Alice and Megan books
Celine Kiernan, author of the Moorhawk fantasy/adventure trilogy
Claire Hennessy, teen writing sensation who started her career at age 13!
Alison Walsh, uber experienced editor Ivan O’Brien, publisher, O’Brien Press
Plus more amazing writers - David Maybury, Maeve Friel, Jane Mitchell, Roisin Meaney, and Sarah Rees Brennan. And David O’Callaghan, book guru from Eason.

A fantastic, once in a lifetime chance to talk to these amazingly talented authors.

Plus Derek Landy will entertain you with tales from the depths of his wickedly creative mind. And our crack team of book trade professionals will answer all your questions on how a book is created and how you too can get published.

It gets even more exciting – every young reader will go home with a goody bag, and there will also be an Author Auction - win a writer to visit your school, or signed books by Darren Shan and other cool writers, plus a bookshop on site.

Please note tickets are limited and early demand has been unprecedented, so please book now to avoid disappointment. Children e20, adults e25 (child and adult tickets both include lunch – and child tickets include free goody bags)
All children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult

Booking: email - bubblegumclubbookbash@gmail.com
Tel: 01 2360456 or 086 2628888 or check out www.bubblegumclub.ie for details
Children’s Book Festival info: www.childrensbooksireland.ie

Monday, August 10, 2009

Meet Sarah in September 2009

Books 2009 Festival - Dublin City Centre

Sarah will be hosting a Magic Writing Workshop for all those interested in writing in the Shaw Room at the National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin at 1.30 on Sat 19th Sept. She will also talk about how she came up with the idea for Amy Green and answer questions on writing. Numbers are limited so do book asap if you'd like to join her! Age 9+
Check out the details here: www.bookevents.ieHere is the booking link: http://www.bookevents.ie/event-details.php?prod=SarahWebb

Sarah will also be appearing at the Mountains to Sea Festival in Dun Laoghaire on Sunday 13th September in Dun Laoghaire Park. The Books in the Park event starts at 1.00. Sarah will be on at around 3. Other authors include Marita Conlon-McKenna, Joe O'Brien and Oisin McGann. Check out www.mountainstosea.ie for details Admission free! No booking needed.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Sneak preview of the cover of Summer Secrets, Amy Green Book 2


Hi All,
Hope you're having a fab summer!
The lovely people at Walker Books have sent me this cover to show you - it's of the new Amy Green book which will be out next Feb.
The butterflies and hearts are silver and the green is metallic.
I love it! Hope you like it to. Do let me know what you think: sarah@askamygreen.com
SarahX

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Letters from Churchtown NS

The 6th class girls and boys at Churchtown NS in Athy, Co Kildare sent me a lovely package which I got in the post today - each of them had hand written me a thank you letter, I'd helped them write a story when they visited the Dublin writing centre called Fighting Words - www.fightingwords.ie - and their teacher had also written to me.

It's so nice to get letters in the post. A lot of the letters I get these days are via email (which I also love), but there's something really special about getting things through your letter box, isn't there!

I think snail mail reminds me of birthdays - my aunts and uncles in England and America always remember my birthday and send me a special present in the post. And some of my friends post me my birthday card as they know I love getting them.

Do you like getting post?
Hope you get lots of it if your own birthday's coming up!

SarahX

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Paris Trip - Ooh la la!




Paris
I was in Paris last weekend doing research for Amy Green book 3 and also celebrating my birthday!
The pics show me looking at the Mona Lisa with all the crowds of tourists; and then me at the top of the steps in front of the Sacre Coeur church.
It's such a beautiful and romantic city - I had a ball!
Amy and Clover visit Paris in book 3 - look out for it next year!
SarahX

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Noah's Ark

The guys at Killiney/Glenageary National School rock! They put on a production of Noah's Ark this week in school and they were amazing.

I wrote the words for the play and they really made every character come alive.
And the singing was also excellent.

It was tres weird seeing my words come to life on the stage like that - but weird in a nice way.
It's the first play I've ever written and it was fun.

Hum, wonder what the play will be next year . . .

Congrats to all the choir gang and 5th and 6th class - you're all fab!

SarahX

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Bisto Irish Book of the Year

Hi there,

Bog Child by Siobhan Dowd won the Bisto Irish Book of the Year Award yesterday. It's for teenagers and is set in Northern Ireland. I liked it, but I really wanted Eoin Colfer's Airman or Kate Thompson's Creature of the Night to win.

Eoin Colfer's an amazing writer and a lovely guy - so funny! I adore his Artemis Fowl books and Airman is an amazing book - set in Wexford - about a boy who escapes a prison island by making . . . well, I won't spoil it in case you want to read it one day.

Book awards are great for getting people talking about books, aren't they?
What's your favourite book of the year so far? Do you have one?
Do let me know - sarah@askamygreen.com

Always delighted to hear from fellow book fans!

SarahXXX

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Irish Book Awards

I was at the Irish Book Awards last night - it was great fun and a very glitzy night. Derek Landy won the children's award with his fab Skulduggery Pleasant: Playing with Fire.
His speech was so funny - I really deserve this, he said. And it's true, he does! It's a really funny book.
Read it if you get a chance, I think you'll like it . . .
SarahX

Monday, April 27, 2009

Do You Like to Write?

Do you like writing? If so you must enter the special Write Up My Street writing competition. There are lots of great prizes, including the chance to have your story published in a special book.

For more details see the write up my street website - londiswriteupmystreet dot com

I'm one of the judges and I'll also be visiting the winning school as part of the prize - yeah! I do love meeting readers.

Best of luck if you enter.

Sarah X

PS I'm rather fond of funny stories!

Friday, April 17, 2009

Writer's Retreat and Summer Secrets

Hi,

I'm off on a writer's retreat tomorrow - for a whole week. I hope to finish Amy Green 2 - Summer Secrets - and start no. 3 - Bridesmaid Blitz. So fingers crossed for me.

Talk when I get back.

Or check out http://www.bebo.com/askamygreen to say hi while I'm away.

Sarah X

Friday, April 3, 2009

Happy Easter Holidays!

My gang get their Easter holidays from school today - 2 whole weeks.
We are off to West Cork for Easter egg hunts, catching up with friends, and hopefully some sailing if the weather holds. And I intend to curl up and read my new Sarah Dessen book - can't wait!
Have a very happy Easter and enjoy the holidays.
Hope you get lots of Easter eggs!
More news when I get back.
Sarah X

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

New Bebo Site

Hi,

My new Amy Green Bebo site is now up and running - check it out -

www.bebo.com/askamygreen

You can post your stories or reviews there too if you like.

I do love making new friends!

Sarah X

Monday, March 30, 2009

Where the Wild Things Are Movie


Hi All,


Where the Wild Things are by Maurice Sendak is one of my fave books of all time - and the film will be out on 16th Oct - I can't wait. Here is a sneak preview - from You Tube -




It's one of the greatest picture books ever!


Enjoy. Great song too - Arcade Fire I think.


Sarah X

Monday, March 23, 2009

New Video of My Study

Hi,

A sneak video look at my study - it's never been so tidy I should point out! I cleaned up just that day - so the camera gang wouldn't think I was a terrible slob.

Here's the link: it's from a special primary school website - just click the box -

http://www.fisbookclub.com/

Hope you enjoy it!

Sarah X

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Visiting St Clare's Primary School on Friday

I'm off to St Clare's Primary School in Harold's Cross on Friday to do a writing workshop with 5th and 6th class. I have been to 16 schools during Feb and March so far and it's been great fun.
I have a trip to Co Mayo next week for 2 days to visit lots of different schools, and then I have to get my head down and finish editing Amy Green book 2 - Summer Secrets.
It's got a brand new cover - a beautiful sky blue background with tiny silver butterflies - and as soon as I can post it here, you'll be the first to see it.
I hope the sun's out where you are too! That truly will bring out the real butterflies.
Sarah X

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Castleknock National School

Another school visit today - Castleknock National School - fab pupils, lovely teachers. I spoke to 4th, 5th and 6th class and once again, they all asked great questions.
Hi to all the gang in there.
Best, Sarah X

Monday, March 9, 2009

Hi to all at St Damien's School in Walkinstown

This is Derek Landy - author of Skulduggery Pleasant - one of my Irish writer friends.

Hi to the gang at St Damien's in Walkinstown. I visited 5th and 6th class this morning and had great fun talking to the boys and girls about writing, books and um, cars and dog breeds!


I hope you all enjoyed it too. I will of course say hi to my friend, Derek Landy for you on Friday as requested - I'll see him at the special Friday 13th event in Eason's O'Connell Street, Dublin. Should be spookily good!


Derek's new book - out in April - is fab - watch out for it in the shops. Skulduggery Pleasant: The Faceless Ones.


Sarah X

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Happy World Book Day!


Happy World Book Day to everyone. I celebrated today with Griffeen Valley Educate Together and the gang from Children's Books Ireland - we had a tea party - how fun is that!?

This is a pic of me at the tea party. I'm the one in the hat - I borrowed it from 'Jessie from Toy Story 2' - who is sitting beside me with 'Judy Moody'. All the pupils were dressed up as book characters, isn't that cool?

Sarah X

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Hi to all the girls in Rathdown School

I visited a school called Rathdown today - it's just down the road from me in Glenageary. One of the girls in 2nd year - Kate - helps me with my Amy Green books (she's thanked on the first page in fact) and I promised I'd visit her school to say thank you.

The girls were great - very into books and reading. They loved authors like Jackie Wilson, Cathy Cassidy, Sarah Dessen (yeah, I love Sarah Dessen - Truth About Forever rocks!), and of course Twilight, surprise, surprise.

They asked some fab questions and gave me a purple orchid to say thanks for talking to them - sweet. And they asked me back in a few months to talk to them again. Suckers for punishment I say!

I was in Skerries Community College last week - 4th, 5th and 6th class - mixed school this time - and they were also great. 6th year were huge - loads of 6 footers - they made me feel like teeny-tiny woman - I'm only 5 foot something and I'm convinced I'm shrinking.

I do love visiting schools - I've done loads of school visits over Feb - but I'm going back to the writing now - full steam ahead! I have to get the second Amy Green book edited and ready for all you eager beaver readers.

Thanks for all the lovely emails by the way - so nice to hear from you all and I'm thrilled that you like the first Amy Green book.

Keep reading!

Sarah X

(PS special hi to the fellow Harriet the Spy fan out there - I do adore Harriet!!!)

Friday, February 27, 2009

Judy Moody in Dublin


Judy Moody's lovely creator, Megan McDonald, was in Dublin yesterday to celebrate the launch of her new book, Judy Moody Goes to College.


I met her in a tres chic restaurant called 'The Saddle Club' in the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin city centre. She was wearing a blue shirt and darling blue and pink earrings and she has such a lovely warm smile I instantly liked her.


She's even read Amy Green, isn't that amazing?!


Her new book, The Sister Club is out in May - look out for it, I've just started reading it and it's fab. Just like Megan.


I do love being a children's reviewer - it's sooooooooooooo much fun!!! I'll post a sneak preview review of The Sister Club really soon.


Sarah X

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Congratulations to Orla Heatley

Huge congrats to Orla Heatley who has won the World Book Day writing competition. Orla's story will be published in a special book and she's one of only 3 Irish children to win.

I'm presenting her with her prize tomorrow in Wicklow where she goes to school - I can't wait to meet her - her story is fab. All about a school with no rules.

I'm always blown away by the story and book ideas you guys have - some of them are truly brilliant. Keep up the writing. And look out for some writing tips on the Amy Green site soon. Oh, and a brand new Bebo site - stay tuned for more info.

Happy Pancake Day!

Sarah X

Monday, February 23, 2009

Judy Moody in Dublin on Thursday - Hurrah!

And guess who I'm meeting on Thursday evening - Judy Moody herself, Megan McDonald - how exciting is that?! I can't wait - I looovvveee Judy Moody.
Sarah X

Can You Keep a Secret?


Pssst. I want to tell you a secret.

Are you listening carefully?

Any Cathy Hopkins or Darren Shan fans out there?

Well - they're going to be in Ireland soon for a very special event.

And you'll be the very first to know.

More details soon - but I can tell you this - it's over the summer hols and it's going to be fab!

Sarah X


School Visits

Hi,
This week I'm visiting Killiney/Glenageary National School - 5th and 6th class - hi guys! That's my daughter's school.
I'm also visiting a school in Wicklow to give a young writer an award for her work - more about that on Thurs.
And finally Skerries Community College to talk to 5th and 6th years (17 and 18) - who will all be taller than me I'd say - I'm a bit teeny - 5ft 3 just about.
I'll let you know how all the visits go - and give a shout out to all the readers I meet along the way.
Sarah X

Friday, February 20, 2009

Mothers and Daughters' Book Club

The book club went really well last night. First we had a quiz - how well do you know your mother/daughter? It was good fun and everyone found out lots of things about their mum or their daughter.

A photographer from the Fingal Independent came to take snaps of all the girls and their mums.

Then we talked about favourite books, favourite characters and why they liked them. All the girls loved Jacqueline Wilson and the club decided the next book they would read would be Jacky Daydream, her autobiography. None of the mums have ever read Jacqueline's books and I think they'll really enjoy reading it.

Lots of the girls brought copies of Amy Green along so I signed them and talked a little about the background to writing it.

It was fun! Thanks to eveyone who attended. Happy reading!

Sarah X

PS Do you know your mum's favourite flower? Or her favourite band when she was teenager? Or who she'd like to meet more than anyone else in the world?
Ask her and find out!!!

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Mothers and Daughters' Book Club Tonight

I'm hosting a Mother and Daughters' Book Club tonight in Balbriggan Library in Dublin. I hope it goes well. Cross your fingers and toes for me. I'll report back on it tomorrow.

Sarah X

If you want to find out more, there was an article on the club in The Irish Times this week - here's the link:
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/health/2009/0217/1224241278397.html

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Meeting Writers

One of the lovely things about being a reviewer (I review children's books for the Irish Independent) is meeting new authors.
Last night I was at a tres swish dinner in Roly's in Ballsbridge with the fab Sarah Rees Brennan. Her book is called The Demon's Lexicon and it's out in June. It's quite a dark tale, with lots of creepy happenings, very Twilight indeed.
Sarah is very smart and very bubbly and it was a real pleasure to meet her.

And next week I'm out to dinner again - with the amazing Megan McDonald, author of the Judy Moody books.I'm one lucky girl!

Have a good day.

Sarah X

Monday, February 16, 2009

Aine in Gorey

Final post of the day! A big hi to Aine in Gorey who's been telling all her friends about Amy Green. I met Aine last year when I did a writing workshop with her class and she's a great reader and very good at the old writing too. A future star in the making.
Right, better get the kids to bed now! It's their half term so they are having a ball.
Until tomorrow . . .
Sarah X
Hi to Sophie and all the girls I met on my book signing day last Friday. I met Sophie and her friends in Dundrum shopping centre (also featured in Amy Green - fab place for shopping!). I also met a very talented young writer called Ciara in Liffey Valley shopping centre. You girls have such brilliant ideas for stories - I'm in awe!

I'll post some writing tips on the site soon - as I know some of you are very interested in writing.

And thanks for all the lovely emails, girls, keep them coming!

Best, Sarah X

Lucan and Joe - Writing Magic

I was at Lucan Library this morning doing a 'Writing Magic' Workshop with Lucan Educate Together and Joe. We wrote a story together called 'Mmmmmmm Vanilla', about a little fairy called Vanilla who loved ice-cream and was afraid of humans.

Hi to all the gang - you were great - loved the ideas. And what clever questions also!

Here's the story:

Mmmmmmmmm Vanilla
By Lucan Educate Together and Joe (with Sarah)
16th Feb 2009



Vanilla the Fairy was trying to get vanilla ice-cream because if she didn’t she would explode.

She was looking for ice-cream in Big Boy’s fridge.

Big Boy was the local farmer who made ice-cream out of the milk from his special cows. He was the size of a cow, with huge purple teeth from drinking too much blackcurrant.

Big Boy walked into the kitchen and saw a tub of ice-cream floating in the air.

‘Holy ice-cream!’ he said. ‘Why is my ice-cream floating in the air?’

Vanilla got such a fright that she dropped the carton on his head and knocked him out. She felt so sorry for the farmer that she hid in an egg cup and stuck her head over the edge to watch and make sure he was all right.

Big Boy woke up and there was melted ice-cream running down his head. He was cold and shivering. The knock on the head has paralysed him and he couldn’t move his arms or legs.

‘Help!’ he shouted.

His wife, Big Girl, was upstairs in the bath. ‘Don’t bother me,’ she said. ‘You’re a big boy now, deal with it yourself. It’s not as if you’re paralysed or anything.’

‘But I am,’ he said. ‘I got knocked out by floating ice-cream.’

‘You’re crazy,’ she said. And she didn’t go to help him.

By this stage Vanilla was feeling very guilty and wanted to help him even though she was afraid of him. So she flew down . . .

Continue this story and tell me how Vanilla the Fairy saved the day!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Hi to all the Clondalkin Gang

I visited Clondalkin Library to do a writing magic workshop this evening. There were 20 girls and boys (but mainly girls!) at the event and they were brilliant at coming up with characters and plots.

We wrote a story together about vampire twins - called Touch of Blood - and then each person added his or her own ending to the story.

I'll post Tara's ending and picture tomorrow as it's cool - and well done to everyone at the workshop for your brilliant stories!

Here's the story we wrote together:

A Touch of Blood

By the Clondalkin Library Gang
Feb 2009

One day the vampire twins, Jordan and Cian were out trying to steal blood from the blood bank when they bumped into two girls, Chloe and Kate. They were there to give blood.

‘What are you doing?’ Kate asked Jordan.

Jordan said ‘We’re part-time surgeons.’

‘That’s so cool,’ Rosie said. ‘But why are you holding that blood in your hand?’

‘Um, I’m just in from an operation,’ he said, ‘and this blood is from my patient – I’m donating it to the blood bank.’

Just then the sun went down and it began to get dark outside. The boys felt themselves turn into vampires.

They hadn’t eaten for days – they’d both had bad report cards and their dad locked all their blood in the dungeon. Then he’d locked the boys in the shed but they got out through their secret trap door.

Cian bit into the bag of blood and it gushed out everywhere.

Rosie said ‘Oh my God, what are you doing eating that blood?’
When the blood hit her she started to turn into a werewolf.

Then a tall man walked out of the surgery and glared at the twins and the girls. He was tall with pale skin. He had an evil grin.

‘What are you doing here boys? I thought I’d locked you up in the shed.’ It was the boys’ father.

‘How could you lock them up you evil man?’ Kate said. ‘You’re a bad father.’

‘Don’t tell me what to do with my sons,’ he said. ‘You’re just a stupid werewolf.’

‘Who are you calling a stupid werewolf, you ignorant vampire?

Each of the gang added their own ending here – why don’t you see if you can write a good ending? Send it to me if you like – sarah@askamygreen.com – and I’ll post it here on The Goss.

Happy writing! Bye, Sarah X

Monday, February 9, 2009

Hi to all at Rathfarnham National School

Hi to 6th class from Rathfarnham National School - what a fab bunch of lads and lasses. We wrote a story together this morning about Evan who wanted to be in a rock band and Evalina who was Simon Cowell's god-daughter and the judge of a rock band competition.

All the suggestions were brilliant and I really liked some of the endings the students wrote.

We all agreed that the best books and stories were exciting and interesting, had brilliant characters and lots of action. Some people liked their books to be scary or sad, and everyone liked funny books.

Rathfarnham's own story was certainly most of those things - it was a cracker.

Do you like writing stories too?

Best, Sarah X

Friday, February 6, 2009

Thanks, Girls

Hi to Jess and Aine and Ella and Helen and everyone else who has contacted me, and thanks so much for your emails. I'll answer them all over the weekend, I promise! It's so lovely to hear from readers - keep them coming - sarah@askamygreen.com

And thanks so much for all the fab comments on the book - it means a lot to me!

Sarah X

Chicklish

The lovely Luisa at Chicklish interviewed me for her great website - check it out:
http://keris.typepad.com/chicklet/2009/02/interview-sarah-webb.html

Chicklish is a fab website - lots of reviews of fab books for girls - plus competitions and author interviews.

Sarah X

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Amy Green Party

I had a lovely Amy Green launch dinner last night - lucky me! It was fun to see some old friends and also to meet some new ones too, like Sarah, editor of Kiss magazine (Hi, Sarah!), and lovely Alice from Walker Books who is my pr guru person.

Poor Alice was stuck in Gatwick for hours 'cause of the snow - boo! But she still managed to make it to Dublin - hurrah!

I'll post some pics of the dinner tomorrow.

I was on Seoige this afternoon - RTE telly - and I'll be on again in the morning (it's repeated). Did you catch me? I was talking about some of my favourite books, including Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume. Fab book. Read it if you get a chance.

That's all for now.

Sarah X

Monday, February 2, 2009

Snow in Dublin!


Ah, yes well you may have to tilt your head to see my family's little snowmen on the gravel in the back garden - oops!
I can't believe it - a few days ago I was complaining at the lack of snow - and boom - snow! See my igloo photo for proof. As Scooby Doo would say 'Spooky'!
I hope you are enjoying the snow wherever you are. Keep cosy.
Sarah

Friday, January 30, 2009

Events Coming Up

I just thought I'd list some of the events coming up from now until mid February case you'd like to come along - some are school visits but I'll mark the open, library events in bold - like this.

Thurs 5th Feb
Castletymon Library (school visit)

Monday 9th Feb
Ballyroan Library (school visit)

Wed 11th Feb
Loreto Bray (school visit)

Thurs 12th Feb
Open visit to Clondalkin Library - 5.15 to 7.30
I'm giving a Writing Magic Workshop - to book a place, ring 01 4593315

Monday 16th Feb
Open visit to Lucan Library - 10.30 to 12.30
Another Writing Magic Workshop - to book a place, ring 01 6216422

Wed 18th Feb
St Damien's (school visit)

Thurs 19th Feb
Open event - Mums and Daughters' Book Club - Balbriggan Library
6.30 to 8.00 - to book a place for you and your mum, ring 01 8704401

More events to come! I'll keep you posted.

I'll also be at the West Cork Literary Festival in Bantry on Wed 8th July with Judi Curtin. Darren Shan and Cathy Hopkins are also speaking so it should be a great week if you're in that part of the world.


Best,

Sarah

Hi to all the St Andrew's gang

This morning I visited my old school, St Andrew's College in Blackrock, Co Dublin. I talked to a packed gym hall of 4th to 6th classers and they were all lovely. A big happy birthday to Evita - it's her birthday today.

Someone asked me had the school changed much since I was there (20+ years ago!), and I have to say, not really. The roof still leaks a bit, some of the teachers I had are still there (hello Miss Cooper and Mrs West!), and it still has the same smell - kind of a musky, warm smell - but that may have been 'cause of the rain and the heating!

I'll post some pics of me when I was in school next week.

Until then, have a great weekend - and keep out of the rain!

Sarah X

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Valentine's Day Mystery











It's just over two weeks to Valentine's Day. Here is my first 'real' Valentine's card - from a boy and not from my dad! To this day I have no idea who sent it. As it was posted 25 years ago, that's a long mystery, isn't it?




But it's quite nice to have a secret admirer - looking at the card still makes me smile.




Why not send a card to your best friend - anonymously of course - you might just make her day!




Sarah X

Tuesday, January 27, 2009



I was chatting to my mum at the weekend about snow. I love snow and I was complaining that we never get any decent snow in Ireland. But look what she found - an old photo of me and my little sister, Emma in an igloo we'd built in the back garden. Isn't it cool? We had so much fun building it - I think it took 2 or 3 days - and my friend, Wendy and her brother helped too.

I'm the one in the red hat!

Emma is four years younger than me and I also have a sister called Kate who's in the middle. I'm the bossy big sister. They used to call me 'Granny' in fact. And they didn't mean it in a nice way.

We used to fight a lot, but now we're the best of friends. Sisters, gotta love them!

Right, I'd better get back to work. Enjoy your day.

Sarah X

Monday, January 26, 2009

Sunny Monday

I'm looking out the window of my study (avoiding work!) and it's actually sunny! Yeah! Where have you been, sun? I've missed you soooo much. Please stay and hang out. It hasn't been the same without you.

I'm travelling to Belfast on Wed to read to people at Belfast Central Train Station - how weird is that? Writers have to do the strangest things sometimes. I'll be there between 11.30 and 12.30 in case you're from Belfast.

No 1 weirdest book thing I ever had to do - let me see: it has to be pumpkin carving in Limerick - true story - went down to sign books in a shop and ended up carving pumpkins (which I'm actually ok at, so it wasn't a total disaster). Bet Jackie Wilson never had to pull out the slimey entrails of a pumpkin though!!! Or maybe she did - must remember to ask her sometime. (I also work as a children's reviewer and bookseller - so I get to meet fab writers all the time - isn't that jammy - most famous is prob JK Rowling.)

And I'm talking at my old school on Thursday and Friday - St Andrew's College in Dublin. Which will be tres weird also. Some of the teachers are the same - 20 years on. Yikes!

I'll let you know how I get on. Did I like school? Sometimes. I made some great friends there, friends I still have now.

Better go and do some work - Amy Green 2 is waiting . . .

If you've read Amy Green, 1 - Boy Trouble - let me know what you think: sarah@askamygreen.com

Talk soon,

Sarah XXX

Monday, January 19, 2009

Welcome!

Hi,

My first The Goss blog – how exciting is that? And imagine having your very own website – cool, isn’t it? I’m so lucky. I do hope you like it, I think it’s fab.

I have to admit, this week I’m in bits. My nails are a state – I’m a terrible nail biter – a girl has to have her vices. The first book in the Amy Green series – Boy Trouble – has just hit the shops and I’m a nervous wreck. I sooooo hope readers will like it. My fingers and toes are all crossed.

It’s always such a thrill seeing a book with your name on it on the shelves in a bookshop. Being a writer is extra special for me – I couldn’t read on my own ‘till I was 9. It just goes to show, if you want something badly enough, and work hard, dreams really can come true.

Keep dreaming!

All the best,

Sarah XXX