Information about our use of cookies

Our website uses cookies to distinguish you from other users and enhance your user experience. They also help us improve our site. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

Learn more OK, I agree

Author & Illustrator Academy: Finding Inspiration

Author & Illustrator Academy: Finding Inspiration

Finding Inspiration

Discover how Abi, Kiran and Robin find inspiration in the most obvious and unexpected places. From having adventures to naming characters after a shower gel, turning real places into fiction to finding ideas from fairytales, these bestselling authors share their top tips for writing original stories.

26263 loved this Share

Resources to make the most of each film

Note-making template for ideas & inspiration
Discussion points & fun activities
To discuss & enjoy in class
Back to top

Abi Elphinstone

Abi Elphinstone spent her childhood running wild across the Scottish highlands. She is the author of The Dreamsnatcher Trilogy, Sky Song and curator of Winter Magic. When she’s not writing, Abi volunteers for Beanstalk charity and travels the world looking for her next story. Her first picture book The Snow Dragon is out November 2019. Everdark is a prequel to her new series, The Unmapped Chronicles! Her next book, Rumblestar, is out in May 2019.

Website: www.abielphinstone.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/moontrug
Facebook: www.facebook.com/abi.elphinstone
Instagram: www.instagram.com/moontrugger

Also by this author

The Dreamsnatcher

Written by: Abi Elphinstone
Published by: Simon & Schuster

The Shadow Keeper

Written by: Abi Elphinstone
Published by: Simon & Schuster

The Night Spinner

Written by: Abi Elphinstone
Published by: Simon & Schuster

Sky Song

Written by: Abi Elphinstone
Published by: Simon & Schuster

More recommended reads

The Polar Bear Explorer's Club

Written by: Alex Bell
Illustrated by: Tomislav Tomic
Published by: Faber & Faber

The Eye of the North

Written by: Sinead O’Hart
Published by: Stripes Publishing

The Black Amulet

Written by: J.R. Wallis
Published by: Simon & Schuster 

Brightstorm

Written by: Vashti Hardy
Published by: Scholastic

Back to top

Robin Stevens

Robin was born in California and grew up in an Oxford college, across the road from the house where Alice in Wonderland lived. When she was twelve, her father handed her a copy of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd and she realised that she wanted to be either Hercule Poirot or Agatha Christie when she grew up. Robin is now a full-time author who lives in Oxford with her husband and her pet bearded dragon, Watson. She is the author of the bestselling, award-winning Murder Most Unladylike series and The Guggenheim Mystery.

Website:
 www.robin-stevens.co.uk
Twitter:
 @redbreastedbird
Facebook: 
@RobinStevensAuthor
Instagram: @redbreastedbird

Also by this author

A Spoonful of Murder

Written by: Robin Stevens
Published by: Puffin

Death in the Spotlight

Written by: Robin Stevens
Published by: Puffin

First Class Murder

Written by: Robin Stevens
Published by: Puffin

Murder Most Unladylike

Written by: Robin Stevens
Published by: Puffin

More recommended reads

The Clockwork Sparrow

Written by: Katherine Woodfine
Illustrated by: Júlia Sardà 
Published by: Egmont

Murder at Twilight

Written by: Fleur Hitchcock
Published by: Nosy Crow

Rose Raventhorpe Investigates

Written by: Janine Beacham
Published by: Little, Brown

Kat Wolfe Investigates

Written by: Lauren St John
Published by: Macmillan

Back to top

Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Kiran Millwood Hargrave is an award-winning author, poet and playwright. Her debut novel The Girl of Ink & Stars won the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and the British Book Awards Children’s Book of the Year. Her second novel The Island at the End of Everything was shortlisted for both the Costa Book Awards and the Blue Peter Book Awards. Her newest novel, The Way Past Winter, was published critical acclaim. Kiran lives by the river in Oxford with her husband, Tom, and their cat, Luna.

Website:
 www.kiranmh.co.uk
Twitter:
 @twitter.com/Kiran_MH
Facebook: @KiranWrites
Instagram: @kiran_mh

Also by this author

The Way Past Winter

Written by: Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Published by: Chicken House

The Girl of Ink & Stars

Written by: Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Published by: Chicken House

The Island at the End of Everything

Written by: Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Published by: Chicken House

More recommended reads

A Girl Called Owl

Written by: Amy Wilson
Published by: Macmillan

The Boy Who Hit Play

Written by: Chloe Daykin
Published by: Faber & Faber

The House with Chicken Legs

Written by: Sophie Anderson
Illustrated by: Melissa Castrillon and Elisa Paganelli
Published by: Usborne

Cogheart

Written by: Peter Bunzl
Published by: Usborne

Which author or illustrator do you want to watch next?

Primary Videos
View All
Author & Illustrator Academy: How To Be A Story Detective
Author & Illustrator Academy: Creating Characters Through Words and Illustration
Author & Illustrator Academy: Bringing Characters to Life
Author & Illustrator Academy: Telling Funny Stories
Author & Illustrator Academy: The Magic of Sharing Stories
Author & Illustrator Academy: Writing on Leaves and Looking at Daffodils with Poetry
Author & Illustrator Academy: World-Building
Author & Illustrator Academy: Telling Stories with Pictures
#WorldBookDay
World Book Day® is a charity sponsored by National Book Tokens.