ANTHONY HOROWITZ
We are delighted to welcome back Anthony Horowitz as a judge for the Young Fiction Writer of the Year competition.
The UK's most successful male children's author, Anthony has been praised for his efforts to get youngsters, especially boys, into reading through his bestselling books, notably the Alex Rider, The Power of Five and Diamond Brothers series.
Anthony started writing stories when he was 10 years old and had his first novel published by the age of 23. He is also an acclaimed screenwriter, creating some of TV's most popular dramas, including the award-winning Foyle's War and Midsomer Murders.
This year, the author celebrates the ten-year anniversary of his teenage superspy Alex Rider, with new editions of the first seven titles and the paperback edition of the latest in the sequence, Crocodile Tears. He is currently working on the ninth Alex Rider adventure, due in 2011, as well as the final book in The Power of Five series.
Despite his hectic writing schedule, Anthony is still finding time to select the winners of this year's Young Fiction Writer of the Year and is passionate about encouraging children and young people in their writing endeavours.
'There are few experiences more heartening to a writer who's been around as long as I have than to see the new talent that is coming up,' he says. 'There's a whole new generation out there. And it's a very gifted one.'
Anthony is looking forward to meeting this year's winners and runners-up, who will be invited to London as part of their prize.
'But remember that winning is not what this is all about,' Anthony says. 'Entering is what is important. The very act of writing could be the beginning of a journey that takes you who knows where! Believe in yourself and never give up.'
Versatile and powerful, engaging and entertaining, Anthony Horowitz is everything a children’s writer should be… and everything that you, the Young Fiction Writer of the Year could be.
He's awaiting your entries!
For more information about Anthony Horowitz and his books visit www.anthonyhorowitz.com, www.alexrider.com and www.walker.co.uk