Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/208710
35 maltatoday, THIS WEEK SUNDAY, 10 NOVEMBER 2013 Acclaimed British children's author visits schools, chats to University students TEODOR RELJIC COURTESY of Agenda Bookshop, tween-favourite author Anna Wilson visited Malta last week, stopping off at seven different primary schools and also sitting down for an informal chat with University students at the tail-end of her stay. The British author of popular children's books like Pup Idol and Monkey Business told young pupils that "if you find reading boring, you are reading the wrong books," during a question-and-answer session following one of her readings. During an event at Costa Coffee, The Point, Sliema on Thursday, Wilson however got a chance to unpack her creative process and share ideas with University of Malta students – most of whom formed part of the English Department, with some of them displaying an interest in creative writing. Wilson spoke about the dynamics involved in writing specifically for children. Given the age of her target audience, along with the fact that many of her books are often narrated by animal protagonists, Wilson spoke about the need to 'inhabit' her characters before being able to embark on writing works in which they feature. "I kept hearing about this thing called 'a writer's voice', and I kept wondering about what it is! But that's how I found out – by figuring out how to make these characters appealing to my readers." Wilson also said that, over and above features like plot or setting, it's her characters that motivate her to start (and finish) her books. "Characters are important to me. If I don't have a character, I can't write." During what was an informal chat with the students present – some lecturers were also in attendance – Wilson also spoke about her previous experience as an editor shaped the way she approached her prose when she came to be published. "Like every writer, I suspect, I start off really not wanting to be edited, and proud of the fact that I honed my prose to what I thought was perfection. But then you get the manuscript back full of red ink, and realise that it may not have been so perfect after all," Wilson said, adding however that with time, writers tend to realise the necessity of good editors. "Initially, however, you're just grateful that anyone would want to publish your work at all, so you're less likely to put your foot down over certain things, or to challenge Anna Wilson (centre) chatting to University students at Costa Coffee, Sliema your editor." Wilson also spoke about the contemporary book market and how it has had a direct impact on even 'mainstream' work like her own. "I find it a bit sad that how publishers tend to be 'cover driven'… and since my books tend to have pink covers" – Wilson said, tapping the Merlin goes 'X Factor' at the Book Festival NEXT week will see the return of the Malta Book Fair, rebranded as the Malta Book Festival, at the Mediterranean Conference Centre. As in previous years, Merlin's Saturday night event at the Festival has earned itself a reputation as the highlight of the festival in terms of innovation and a relaxed, fun atmosphere. This year's show is #abbozz, Merlin's latest literary happening that has manuscripts and book cover designs competing for a coveted publication contract with Merlin Publishers. Think 'X Factor meets the Book Awards', as the shortlisted manuscripts and cover designs go head to head, and the winner selected by the votes of an expert jury and of the audience, live-voting via Facebook from the hall. Hosted by Clare Agius, short excerpts from the shortlisted three manuscripts will be read out by Dù actors – Simone Spiteri, Franica Pulis and Chris Galea – following which the expert jury, having read C the manuscripts in full over the M past few weeks, will then give their feedback on each, and vote for their Y favourite. The audience will also get CM their chance to live-vote via Facebook and influence the selection of MY the winner. The winner gets a publication conCY tract for their manuscript with MerCMY lin Publishers. The second half of the show will K feature a similar procedure for four shortlisted book cover designs. Four different takes on the same book, by four different graphic designers, will provide an intriguing behindthe-scenes glimpse into the myriad permutations possible when designing a cover for the same book. Jury and audience will once again vote, and the winner gets a contract for a book cover design commission with Merlin. #abbozz will feature a fantastic selection. In Merlin style, the emphasis is on a relaxed and enjoyable evening, and to set the right tone from the start wine will be served, with Merlin's compliments, before the event. Entrance is free. #abbozz is being held next Saturday, 16 November, 20:00 at the Mediterranean Conferline-up of judges both for manu- ence Centre, Valletta. Wine is unEUYO 2014-2105 Advert-outlined-2.pdf 1 07/11/2013 20:45 script selection and for cover design corked at 19:30 books strewn on the table at Costa Coffee – "they obviously tend to be targeted towards girls, more or less exclusively, though they're written for everyone!" Anna Wilson lives in Bradfordon-Avon with her husband, two children, two cats, a dog and some chickens which inspired her latest book. She is also the author of the Nina Fairy Ballerina young fiction series, which has sold over 150,000 copies. For more information about Anna Wilson, visit her website: http://annawilson.co.uk. Wilson's talk with University students was organised with the support of Costa Coffee