irst of all, I must apologise for closing down the 'contact Helena' site. I was having a fine time reading everyone's e-mails from all around the world - including places I didn't even know my books had reached - but then it all went a little bit sour! A couple of children sent rude and silly messages. If it had been a one-off it would have been OK but because of the easy access to my message board, the messages, from the same kids, just got ruder and sillier. My webmaster deleted most of them but it got to the stage where I was anxious every time I opened the site so, reluctantly, I have closed it down. I might open something similar again in future but until then, it is back to good, old-fashioned snail mail if you want to contact me. It is always a pleasure to read your letters and I always reply. Send them to:

Oxford University Press,
Great Clarendon Street,
Oxford
OX2 6DP
UK

Enquiries about school bookings and talks remain the same, by e-mailing: or by telephoning OUP children's department on 01865 353245.

Now on to happier things. I have just completed 'Brody's Back'. 'Brody's Back' - full title - 'Brody's Back as the girl who's got it all (well that's what everyone else thinks) - is number six in the After School Club series. It will be published next May (2005) alongside 'Sammie's Back (as the girl who makes a wish then really wishes she hadn't). Both the books have been given snazzy new jackets designed by illustrator Tim Kahane. What do you think?

Sammie's Back	Brody's Back

In Sammie's Back, set at Christmas time, Sammie's mum is up to her old spending tricks again and takes Sammie on a shopping spree she can't afford round the Ridings Centre in Wakefield. 'The Ridings' really exists and I spent a happy afternoon there with my friend Hazel checking out the shops Sammie and her mum would have visited.

For Brody's Back, I had to do research of a different kind. The main theme of her story is that her house is burgled and so I contacted the charity Victim Support (www.victimsupport.org) to see how young people can be effected by this horrible event. The literature they sent me made for very sad reading. I have just two more After School Club books to finish (or start) - Alex is Back and Jolene's Back before I move on to something else. The series is going to be published in the United States, Poland and Wales. Go me!

I am also excited about a short story I have coming out with Usborne Books later this year; I've never had a short story published before. 'Room at the Inn' will feature in The Usborne Book of Christmas Stories.' Meg Harper (My Mum and other Horror Stories) also has a story included but I don't know who else is featured. The cover I checked out on Amazon looks really charming. A perfect Christmas present, I'd say.

Lincolnshire Young People's Book Award Photograph courtesy of the Lincolnshire Echo

What else have I been up to? Well, plenty of school visits and events, of course. Here I am (on the left in my new specs) with poet Chris White (centre) and author Elizabeth Laird (right) at the Lincolnshire Young People's Book Award in July. Chris and I had been invited to perform at the event and Elizabeth Laird was on the short list for her book 'The Garbage King.' Elizabeth gave a fascinating talk about how her book was written and I felt privileged to have been there to hear her. If you have read the Garbage King (also on the Carnegie short list) and want to find out more about how you can help Ethiopian children in poverty, upon whom the book is based, Elizabeth recommended the charity The Gemini Trust. I'm afraid I don't have website details but I'm sure a search engine would throw something up!

The winner of the competition was Jacqueline Wilson's Midnight.

Solihull Carnegie shadowing July 2004

Also in July I gave a talk to the Solihull Carnegie Shadowing group just before this year's winner was announced. The photograph, taken by me which is why it is so dark and 'busy', shows one of the groups discussing the picture books in the Kate Greenaway section. I had to leave before the end but I believe the group chose the excellent 'Curious Incident of the Dog at Night-Time' by Mark Haddon as their favourite to win. The Library Association awarded the medal to Jennifer Donnelly for 'A Gathering Light.' 'A Gathering Light' is gathering dust on my 'to read' shelf, next to 'Blue' by Sue Mayfield, 'Measle and the Wrathmonk' by Ian Ogilvy, 'Feather Boy' by Nicky Singer and 'Last Seen Wearing Trainers' by Rosie Rushton. Argghh! I will catch up with my reading, I will.

My best time for reading stacks of books is on holiday but we didn't do sun and sand this year; instead we visited relatives in Poland. It was fantastic!

Statue of Polish Romantic poet Adam Mickiewicz in the Market Sqaure, Cracow

So much sightseeing to cram in to one week. The two main cities we visited were Cracow and Wroclaw. The photograph taken in Cracow's main square shows a statue of the poet Adam Mickiewicz. Isn't that fantastic, for a country with such a troubled, war-torn history, to have a poet in pride of place? Behind the statue you can see the Sukiennice or Cloth Hall. Inside are stalls full of fabulous things to buy from amber to wooden boxes, chess sets and religious icons. Sammie's mum would have had a 'field day.'

A book I did manage to read on the flight to Poland was Mel Peet's 'Keeper.' This was a totally absorbing read about a fictional goalkeeper, El Gato, and his 'life story' from a tough childhood in the South American rain forest to becoming the world's best keeper. I highly, highly recommend this book for anyone over the age of nine, whether you like football or not. Speaking of which...

Having a coffee in Cardiff before the third division play-offs May 31st 2004

In my previous diary account I was bemoaning the fact that the team I follow, Huddersfield Town, had been relegated. Well, the boys are back, following a nail- biting trip to Cardiff against Mansfield Town, ending in a penalty shoot-out which ... we won! Hello Coca Cola League One. I am writing this the day after the first match of the season when we played Stockport County away from home. The last minute goal to take the three points made up for the fact we paid £19 to sit behind a pillar for most of the match and miss half the action.

On a sadder note, I wanted to say how sorry I was to hear of the untimely death of children's writer Paula Danziger. I loved her books (Amber Brown, The Cat ate my Gymsuit etc). Alongside other American writers like Betsy Byers, Judy Blume and Beverley Cleary, she illustrated how to write about the every-day concerns children have in a lively, entertaining and humorous way. It's what I try to do in my work and she was a huge influence on me.

Well, that's it for now. I am going to start on Alex's story. I know there's going to be a wedding and food theme but that's about it. I haven't fathomed out the key issue yet. What could it be? I need inspiration. Where are my midget gems?

Keep reading and writing, best wishes,