Previous writers in residence

Hannah Berry was Booktrust's seventh online writer in residence and is a Brighton-based graphic novelist. Her blogs ranged from comic strips to essays on the importance of reading comics and graphic novels. She hosted an event at Free Word Centre that was sold out, bringing the best of Britain's current crop of graphic novelists to talk with her about why comics were as important as literature.

Award-winning teen and young adult author Bali Rai was Booktrust's sixth online writer in residence. He blogged about issues facing young people, literacy and the importance of reading for pleasure. Bali hosted a successful panel at London Book Fair where he got teenagers to tell publishers what they wanted to read.

Award-winning short story writer Clare Wigfall was Booktrust's fifth online writer in residence. As part of her residency, she blogged about writing short stories, working on picture books, travelling, music and hosted a successful event on the power of the short story to a packed-out crowd.

As Booktrust's fourth writer in residence, Polly Dunbar invited us into her sketchbook. She shared the creative process of capturing ideas and her day-to-day doodling and how these random thoughts could become stories, final artwork and eventually picture books. Polly also kept a record of her life as a book maker, the editorial meetings, school visits, puppet shows and the essential quiet time working from home.

As Booktrust's online writer in residence from mid-March 2010 to September 2010, Evie blogged about her work and writing her second novel. She also blogged about the paperback release of her debut novel and independent bookselling. She provided an exclusive short story and interviewed one of her favourite authors.

As Booktrust's online writer in residence from mid-September 2009 to February 2010, Nii blogged about his work, wrote an exclusive new poem, sharing his writing tips, helped us to celebrate National Bookstart Day and much more.

Patrick is the author of The Knife of Never Letting Go, which won the 2008 Booktrust Teenage Prize, and its sequel The Ask and the Answer. He has also written a novel and a collection of short stories for adults, although he prefers not to categorise his writing in this way.

From the beginning of March to the beginning of September 2009, Patrick blogged about his writing on the Booktrust website and contributed lots of other exciting stuff.