Bookdrop is a free half-termly @authorfy.bsky.social newsletter for teens to support reading for pleasure at home and at school. Download the latest issue here: authorfy.com/bookdrop-new...

Here’s my review for #RileyWrightIsAlwaysWrong a fun new title from @meltaylorbessent.bsky.social illustrated by @srsanchez.bsky.social to be published by @farshorebooks.bsky.social in May. Thanks for my copy @dannieprice.bsky.social #UkKidLit vsviewfromthebookshelves.home.blog/2026/03/23/i...

#Illustrated Fiction review: Riley Wright is Always Wrong by Mel Taylor-Bessent, illustrated by Sr Sanchez

Cover illustrations by Sr Sanchez, published by Farshore, 21 May 2026, ISBN: 978-0008801670 The bright, bubble-gum pink of the cover is a fair indication of the bubbly, sweet, content contained wit…

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Happy #bookbirthday @meltaylorbessent.bsky.social @lindsaygalvin.bsky.social #GillArbuthnott Whether you want to laugh, meet a historical figure or learn more about your brain, these fab books have got you covered @barringtonstoke.bsky.social @farshorebooks.bsky.social @templarbooks.bsky.social 🙂

✨ NEWS!!!!! ✨ In honour of International Friendship Day, I’m ridiculously excited to introduce you to your new BFF - Riley Wright! 🥳 RILEY WRIGHT IS ALWAYS WRONG is the first in a funny, illustrated, diary-style series for ages 7+. Full announcement: www.thebookseller.com/rights/farsh...

This week we’ve been joined at Words and Pictures by inspirational creative writing entrepreneur and author @meltaylorbessent.bsky.social We discovered how she created her own opportunities and why it’s so important to ‘think big’. Read more here: naomiandjamesjones.substack.com/p/words-and-...

Words and Pictures with Mel Taylor-Bessent

Why we all need to think big and create our own opportunities

naomiandjamesjones.substack.com

✨ 50% OFF AUTHOR EVENTS ✨ As the offer went down so well last year I’m offering 50% off KS2 author visits for the rest of 2025. If you’d like a visit that’s high-energy, interactive & inspires ALL pupils to put pen to paper, do get in touch! ✉️ info@meltaylorbessent.com

How did I miss this beautiful bit of book post? Imagination Island: Race to Echoes Edge! LOVED Book 1 and can’t wait to read this!! 👀 🎉 #KidLitUK @meltaylorbessent.bsky.social (art by Alessandro D’Urso)

Thanks to @meltaylorbessent.bsky.social and @harpercollins.bsky.social for this delight in the post today. The first one was a rip roaring ride and I can’t see the follow up being anything less! Can’t wait to continue the adventure.

One of the best bits of awards ceremonies is getting to hang out with lots of other authors! @hannahgold.bsky.social @meltaylorbessent.bsky.social @sharnajackson.com Tom Percival Joseph Coelho Alex Wharton Jeffery Boakye

Another WRITE FOR FUN challenge has been added to my YouTube channel and this time it’s the ‘Change The Title’ challenge ✏️📖🎬 This is a super quick and easy challenge, based on grabbing a bundle of books and changing the titles! #WriteForFun #creativewritingforkids

Just in time for National Storytelling Week next week, my next WRITE FOR FUN video is live on YouTube and this one’s about a story structure I created over 15 years ago!! ✍🏼📖👵🏻 Learn how to use WISPS at YouTube.com/@writeforfunwithMTB 🎬

And then there were TWO!!!!! ✨🌈📚 Race to Echoes Edge isn’t officially publishing until 27th March but my advance copy arrived today and I’m OBSESSED! The illustrations by Alessandro D’Urso are 😍👌 If you’d like to pre-order a copy, head to www.waterstones.com/book/race-to...

These are my #TopNine most-liked posts this year. A celebration of 10 years of @redbreastedbird.bsky.social & ‘Murder Most Unladylike,’ double celebrations with the wonderful @meltaylorbessent.bsky.social , & a host of fabulous books! I wonder what new adventures 2025 will hold? #childrensbooks

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM ME AND THE CHRISTMAS CARROLLS!!!!!! ❤️🎄🎅🏼 I hope everyone has a gorgeous festive season and a 2025 that is full of cheer. (P.s. if anyone gets a copy of The Christmas Carrolls 1 2 or 3 for Xmas do feel free to send me pics! I love seeing them!!! ✨)

🎄✨ DID YOU KNOW… ✨🎄 1) I applied to be a Christmas elf in Lapland when I was 19 but was told I was ‘over qualified’ (true story!) 2) I’m allergic to real Christmas trees 3) You can order a discounted copy of The Christmas Carrolls at uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-... before Xmas!

#BookAdvent Day 14 ‘The Christmas Carrolls,’ by @meltaylorbessent.bsky.social , illustrated by @selomsunu @farshorebooks.bsky.social If you haven’t already discovered this tinseltastic series about a family who live and breathe Christmas 365 days of the year, now is your chance….

Well this is VERY exciting!!! I’m running a creative writing workshop at the inaugural Waterstones Children’s Book Festival on Sunday 16th Feb at 1pm. Tickets are £5 and are super-limited. Grab yours below 👇🏻 See you there!! www.waterstones.com/events/creat...

Create Your Own ‘Imagination Island’ with Mel Taylor-Bessent at the Waterstones Children’s Book Festival | Events at Waterstones Bookshops | Waterstones

Events at Waterstones get you closer to the books and authors you admire most. Find information and tickets about Create Your Own ‘Imagination Island’ with Mel Taylor-Bessent at the Waterstones Childr...

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What an AMAZING night!! Thank you to everyone that came to the 2024 KidsLit Christmas Party 🎄🎉🥂 It was incredible to have so many talented, creative & inspiring people in one room & especially lovely to catch up with old publishing friends & make some new ones.

The @authorfy.bsky.social Xmas party was (kids) LIT!! 🌟🔥✨ MASSIVE thanks to the queen of kidlit Christmas @meltaylorbessent.bsky.social already excited to next year! 🎄

Kidlit authors getting festive at the @authorfy.bsky.social Christmas party hooray 🍾🎉🌟🍭🎊✨ Thank you @meltaylorbessent.bsky.social for throwing such a fab bash🎉❣️ #childrensbooks

Thank you @meltaylorbessent.bsky.social for an always wonderful start to the season at the Kidlit Christmas Party! You’re the festive dream queen 🧑🏻‍🎄❤️📚

It’s KIDSLIT CHRISTMAS PARTY DAAAAAAY!!!!!! 🎉✨🎄 Can’t wait to see everyone later. And there have been a couple of cancellations so if anyone would like their tickets do ping me a DM xx

a man in a santa suit singing into a microphone with the words 25 days of christmas behind him

ALT: a man in a santa suit singing into a microphone with the words 25 days of christmas behind him

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As someone who normally works full time and squeezes writing in here & there, I’m living my best author life this week! ✨ 3 school events ✨ a bookshop signing ✨ handing in draft 1 of Imagination Island 3 ✨ planning a VERY exciting new project ✨ And it’s the KidsLit Xmas Party tomorrow!

a woman is dancing in a kitchen with the words happy dance this is me !

ALT: a woman is dancing in a kitchen with the words happy dance this is me !

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It’s the KidsLit Christmas Party THIS FRIDAY!!!!! 🎉🎄🎅🏼🥂 After a few cancellations, everyone on the waiting list now has a ticket but I’ve got x2 tickets left so if you’re a children’s author, illustrator, agent or publisher & you’d like to come, do DM me!

Roar adventures are the BEST adventures!!!! I started the new ‘Dragon Riders of Roar’ this morning and haven’t been able to put it down 😍🐉✨ @jennymclachlan.bsky.social has written another thrilling, fantasy-fuelled adventure & I wish I could stay on Roar forever!

I really cannot believe that I won The Times - Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competition today! I am very excited for everyone to read my novel, I am absolutely blown away by this! #booksky

There are many reasons to love reading but here’s just one… you can read ANYWHERE!!!!! Expertly demonstrated by my 3 year old dropping everything to read some non-fiction to the fish, sharks and sting rays on holiday this morning 😂

Working on a top secret project (while on holiday for my birthday / anniversary) and cannot WAIT to share this one with you!!!!

Wooooah!!! HELLO NEW FOLLOWERS!! 🙋🏻‍♀️ I’m a little quiet this week as I’m away celebrating my birthday (today) and 20 year anniversary (8 years married!) with my husband ❤️ I’m currently sitting in a dark corner working on a top secret writing project while my son sleeps 😂 Hoping to reveal all soon!