New Writers for Old Tales

We want your stories! School’s out and parents and guardians looking for creative inspiration need look no further! We are looking for young authors to write a story of about 500 words creating an imaginative twist on a well-known nursery rhyme or tale in the competition staged by South Kesteven District Council with Deepings Literary Festival. The competition is for two age groups, 5-8 and 9-15 years.

Deepings Literary Festival Committee Member, Ros Rendle, said: ‘We want children and young people to really use their imaginations by taking a popular tale and giving it an unusual spin. Perhaps the wolf in the three little pigs was simply misunderstood? Or maybe the witch in Hansel and Gretel was just lonely? The possibilities are endless. We hope the initiative will encourage children to revisit some of their favourite stories and look to retell them in unusual and entertaining ways.’ Elly Griffiths

Fresh from judging the Chris Evans 500-words story competition, Lynda Hall will be one of the judges for New Writers for Old Tales. A shortlist of the best entries will go to Festival Patron and international best-selling author Elly Griffiths and wellknown local children’s author, Hannah Gold, to decide the overall winner.

The first prize will be a £50 voucher and signed copies of children’s books by the judges and book prizes for 2nd and 3rd places too. Lynda Hall

For more details and to submit entries email: enquiries@deepingsliteraryfestival.co.uk by: 31st March 2021.

World Book Day

Author of ‘Thirteenrh’ series of books Georgia Twynham will be attending a Zoom session at 7.00pm on 4th March World Book Day and talking about her writing experience and handing down some tips for your New Writers for Old Tales story

Zoom Details ID 82421772054 Passcode 666416

Deeping Literary Festival Committee member and award winning Book Blogger, Linda Hill talks to author and Competition Judge Hannah Gold

Welcome to I’d Rather Be in Deeping, Hannah. You’re a local author so would you introduce yourself briefly please?

So obviously my name is Hannah Gold and I live in Stamford with my husband, cat and tortoise. I’m not a local lass as I was actually born in Hertfordshire, and ended up here in 2012 (via 10 years abroad in southern Spain) when I met my lovely husband, Chris. And because we love it so much here, now my parents and my brother and his girlfriend also live in Stamford too! Hannah Gold

Your debut children’s book for middle grade readers, The Last Bear, will be published by Harper Collins on 18th February. Could you tell us a bit about the book?

The Last Bear is the story of 11-year-old April who accompanies her scientist father to this remote Arctic island. There are supposedly no polar bears left but one endless summer’s night April spots something distinctly bear-shaped loping across the horizon. He is starving, lonely and a long way from home. Determined to save him, so begins the most important journey of April’s life.

HarperCollins (my wonderful publisher) describe it as a celebration of the love between a child and an animal, a battle cry for the environment and an irresistible adventure with a heart as big as a bear’s. (I always love that last line!)

Why did you choose this subject?

The Last Bear is a book very close to my heart and is basically about everything I love most in the world – nature, the planet and that unique, instinctive bond that especially exists between children and animals. I think when you’re starting out as a writer, you can fall into the trap of following trends or trying to write something you think will be popular. I’ve tried that and it didn’t work. This book, I just really wanted to be 100% true to myself and write about subjects that made my heart sing. Fundamentally for me, this book is my own personal quest to make a difference.

You’ve made The Last Bear ultimately optimistic. What do you think those of us living in the Deepings can do on an individual level to help the planet?

At the time of writing this book, there was a lot of dystopian middle-grade and young adult fiction on the market – and a lot of it is very good. But I wanted to write something which was set in the here and now, and instilled the message that it’s not too late. I think the world can be a frightening place for children particularly and I prefer to leave them feeling hopeful and inspired rather than disengaged and feeling as if it’s too late. If we’re talking dream author goals, then I would really love to see my book in schools, libraries and even on the curriculum to inspire and empower children (and grown-ups) that no-one is too small to make a difference.

Renowned children’s author Michael Morpurgo has said that The Last Bear is ‘an important first novel, important for us, for polar bears, for the planet. It is deeply moving, beautifully told, quite unforgettable.’ How did that endorsement make you feel?

I cried! Seriously, Michael Morpurgo has been my author hero for quite some time and someone whose books I deeply admire. So, when my editor sent me the email (it was a Friday afternoon) I opened it and was just so unbelievably happy.

The Last Bear has glorious illustrations by award-winning artist Levi Pinfold. How important was it to you to have the right kind of image in your book?

For a start, I’m just lucky to have an illustrator at all! It’s not a given that a middle-grade book will have an illustrator, especially one of his calibre. I know I’m biased, but the cover is quite simply one of the best I’ve ever seen and I can’t quite believe that’s my book!

You’ve very kindly agreed to help judge The Deepings Literary Festival children’s writing competition alongside festival Patron, Elly Griffiths. Why did you accept that challenge?

I am a huge advocate for reading and writing for pleasure – so children can throw off the shackles of grammar and trying to get it ‘right’ and instead just enjoy the artistry and imagination of creativity. I’ve been a judge on the BBC’s 500 Short Story Competition and love what zany ideas children come up with!

You can find out more about Hannah at www.hannahgold.world or follow her on social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHannahGold; Twitter: @HGold_author; Instagram: @hannahgold_author