Members' News February

First in our news round-up today, I've been catching up with Helen Larder, whose YA thriller HIDDEN TOXINS was published last October.

Hidden Toxins features six very different teenagers. How did you manage a large cast of characters? And which character was your favourite to write? 

I'm incredibly lucky because the characters I create 'talk' to me in my head and 'perform' their own scenes. Like films streaming in my mind. Once I've decided on the details of the plot, it feels like the characters take off on their own! It helps that in real life, I'm constantly listening to passing conversations, to help me write authentic sounding dialogue. I think the character who was the most engaging to write was Cedar because he's a risk taker, driving the action. I can only wish to be half as as brave as the young people in this novel. 

This is your third novel. How do you keep the ideas coming? Where did the idea for Hidden Toxins come from? 

I started writing stories when I was five and I've never stopped. Ideas constantly interrupt what I'm doing and I have trouble keeping up with them. The starting point for this young adult thriller came from two real life incidents. The first was related to news I read about a corrupt group of men in politics, who were charged with fraud. The second was from my own experience, working in a toxic environment where individuals at the top of the hierarchy were abusing their power. I made a conscious decision to write a diverse thriller for young adults. I'm part of the LGBTQ+ community and everything I write includes a diverse cast of characters. 

What's your writing process like? Do you have a favourite time and place to write? Any special rituals? 

I'm definitely old school. Pen and notebook for my first drafts. I can write much faster than I can type. I only transfer chunks of writing to my laptop when I'm mostly happy with it. Then I edit, edit, edit, over and over again and feel huge gratitude for editing tools like find and replace. I have most energy in the morning, so that's when I try to cram in as much writing as possible. 

I love the video trailer. Tell us a bit about how that was made. 

My lovely nephew is a brilliant filmmaker. I asked him if he'd be interested in making a book trailer and I was very grateful when he took it on, alongside all his other film work for his own company, https://www.reframe.studio We talked through the plot and characters and some of the dramatic scenes and he worked his magic. 

What are you working on now? 

I have a whole cupboard full of notebooks and writing which I have to do something with. A novel for adults which needs editing, short stories that I'd like to find a home for and a screenplay that I'm just finishing. That will keep me busy, unless I'm chased and caught by a new idea. 

Next, some lovely news from Miriam Halahmy. It's so wonderful to see children's books changing lives.

My new book, Pomegranates For Peace, has started the National Year of Reading 2026 really well, with school visits to Portsmouth Charter Academy, Y8 and Y9. and to the Manchester Library Service, where I spoke to Y5 - Y8 in two sessions. The students really enjoyed my PowerPoint which has photos of Peace organisations in Israel with Jews and Muslims as well as Peace activities in Gaza.

I read an extract which describes a peace club in Israel for Jewish and Muslim kids and the things they do together such as chess. This was very well received. The feedback was inspirational and I feel that my message of Peace is reaching around the country.

"A realistic, touching book about how hope can be found in what seems a hopeless situation." Sammy 13 yrs.

"Miriam is an outstanding communicator... and had her audience ( young teens) engaged, and keen to participate and contribute to the discussion." Librarian, Ark Charter Academy, Portsmouth.

"Miriam explained the situation in an age appropriate way... the students LOVE  the cover and can't wait to read the book. They had lots of questions about being a Peace Activist."
Teacher, Manchester High School.

 New book news: Congratulations, Elen Caldecott! WRITING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE: CRITICAL READINGS AND DISCUSSIONS ON CRAFT is published by Bloomsbury Academic.

Sassies' Events

A fantastic time was had by all at the Folly Farm winter warmer retreat. We wrote picture books and poetry, tried our hand at painting, walked in the wet, wet woods and enjoyed great food and company. The next winter warmer will taken place in January 2027.

Finally, you should have received an email about the zoom spotlights, organised by Camilla Chester. The next one is on the 20th February and will tackle self-publishing. It's open to all Scattered Authors members. Check your in-boxes for the link.

Please send your news items for March to Claire Fayers.