Kid's Lit Quiz Heats 2012

The Kid's Lit Quiz Oxfordshire/Berkshire Heat took place last Friday at Saint Gregory the Great Catholic School in Oxford. Thirty-five teams from twenty-three schools battling it out to see who went through to the UK final in Coventry on December 6th - and from there to the world finals in Durban, South Africa next year.

To provide moral support - and test themselves against the teams - fourteen children's authors took part, offered up prizes and questions - and signed books throughout the event.

Many of our favourite children's authors were there, including (out of shot on left) Susie Day, Marie Louise Jensen, Sally Nicholls, and (from left to right in the photo above) Julia Golding, Michelle Harrison, Lucy Coats, Linda Newbery, MG Harris, Dennis Hamley and Richard Knight. The man in the hat incidentally is the legendary Kid's Lit quizmaster Wayne Mills.

(Richard's own experience of the quiz can be found here)

Quite a formidable line-up...with so many schools to co-ordinate between, and a tight schedule, the event is organised with military precision. We were there to support the authors with a bookstall - with a percentage of sales going towards costs of running the quiz:

The quiz was closely fought for more than two hours, but the teams emerging victorious were:

1st: Cherwell School 
2nd: Oxford High School #2
3rd: Abingdon School #1 (Yay! Go Abingdon!)

Think there was only a point or two in it...

Despite the time pressures, I did manage to catch up with several authors - and as always I'm struck by the sheer effort, hard work and creativity (from a business point of view) going on in what is a fast-changing and challenging environment in which to be an author. Many authors are embracing the digital world, and using the opportunity to do different things and experiment with publishing direct to eReaders - whilst still retaining a commitment to the physical book (and independent bookshops, it must be said).

(As an example, take a look at Michelle Harrison launching her own website Tickey End with merchandise inspired by objects adorning her 13 Treasures series. How cool is that?)

A big thank you to co-ordinator Jacky Atkinson for the opportunity to be a part of this global event - take a look here for more details about the Kid's Lit Quiz...

3 4 Friday - Bad, Mad and Delightful To Know: Ben Goldacre, Patrick Leigh Fermor and a whole team of children's authors

Today's '3 4 Friday' #FridayReads are three very different books, from events we are involved in next week.

On Monday evening, we are very honoured to be bookseller at the Oxford Union where Ben Goldacre will be talking about the 'bad science' behind the pharmaceutical industry in his latest book Bad Pharma. Ben is a passionate and pioneering journalist and author, and believes picking apart the bad science that appears in science writing is the best way to educate and promote good science - for everyone's benefit.

The event is being organised by three different Oxford University Societies, and whilst we cannot offer tickets for the event, please do let us know if we can reserve you a signed copy of Ben's book...

Bad Pharma is based on meticulous research and unravelling of the way medical research is carried out in this country (did you know, for example, that most doctors and nurses are - either directly or indirectly - educated by the pharmaceutical industry?). But this is no rant. Ben uses clear and measured language that nevertheless underlies real anger at complex problems, and the power of this book is the skill with which Ben builds his case. Not only does he tease out the problems and conflicts of interest, he explains complex issues whilst offering solutions to the problems of 'Big Pharma'. A hugely impressive achievement, and a testament to the power of words.

Who would be mad enough to set off at 18 to walk across Europe, living off £1 a day? In 1933? If you have been enjoying Samuel West reading from Artemis Cooper's biography of Patrick Leigh Fermor on Radio 4 this week - we have signed copies at Mostly Books.

Fermor is one of the great travel writers of the 20th century, notably for his books about his walk across pre-war Europe (and for the spectacular kidnap of a German general in Crete towards the end of World War II). Artemis Cooper has drawn on years of interviews and conversations with ‘Paddy’ and his closest friends as well as having complete access to his archives. Her beautifully crafted biography gives some insight into his gifts, the huge role of his unsung wife Joan, and the lifelong, passionate friendships they both inspired.

Finally, this week sees the Oxfordshire and Berkshire heats of the global Kid's Lit Quiz at St Gregory The Great School, Oxford - and Mostly Books is very proud to be providing a bookshop for the second year running. Twelve authors will be joining teams from twenty schools to compete to go forward to the national final, and ultimately to the world final next year in Durban, South Africa.

Teams are cheered on with help from a delightful group of (and some of favourite) children's authors, which this year includes Susie Day, Joss Stirling, Marie Louise Jensen, MG Harris, Linda Newbery and Sally Nicholls. Quite a line up!

And don't forget it's the local excellence market in Abingdon this weekend. Local produce, vintage/retro stalls...and owls!