✨ 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...

✨ 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

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...

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!

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.

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!

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!

From the girl who’s allergic to everything (cats, dogs, horses, grass, chocolate!) I spent a lot of my childhood wishing I could have a pet (all I had was 3 fake 🐠🐟🐡).

That’s what inspired my next ‘Write for Fun’ writing prompt. Watch the full video at YouTube.com/@writeforfunwithMTB

NEW WRITE FOR FUN VIDEO!!! 🎬

What I DIDN’T do this summer:

✨ Write a list of 10 things you didn’t do this summer
✨ Choose 1
✨ Use your persuasive writing skills to convince someone you DID do it!

Watch the full video at YouTube.com/@writeforfunwithmtb

Teachers!! If you’d like a FREE signed / personalised postcard from Imagination Island for your class plus:

✨ a printable author letter
✨ Race to Imagination Island classroom resources
✨ author videos & more

Send your school address & class name to info@meltaylorbessent.com 😊👍🏻

#edusky #kidslit

It’s been a productive week…

✨ Hit 10k on Race to Imagination Island 3

✨ Gave the green light on a BIG new @authorfy.bsky.social update which should see our children’s book platform grow tenfold

✨ Wrote 100+ postcards to send to schools

✨ Booked a holiday🌴

✨ Actually cleared my inbox! 🎉

I’m VERY late to the party but HELLO! I’m Mel & I’d love to connect with authors, illustrators, bloggers, booksellers, teachers & librarians.

I‘ll be posting about:
✨ Children’s books
✨ Disney
✨ My ‘Write for Fun’ YouTube channel
✨ Writing for pleasure

Do send this newbie your Bluesky tips! 🙏🏻