I was planning to have a rant about certain well-known children’s authors and their decision to boycott school visits due to a new scheme that vets anyone who works with children for previous convictions of abuse (you can find the original story here) – but fellow Trapped By Monsters author, Joe Craig, beat me to it.

Joe appeared on the BBC News Channel last night, and on BBC Breakfast this morning to explain why authors should be vetted, just like anyone else – because of the relationship of trust automatically built up between reader and writer.  He’s also written extensively about the subject on both his own blog, and on the Trapped By Monsters site.  I agree with everything he has said.

When I visit a school, the rule is that I am never left alone with the children – yet you would be surprised how many times a pupil is asked to take me – by themselves – to another classroom for my next workshop.  Not only that, I get emails from pupils whose schools I’ve visited, and I occasionally bump into them in the street.  While these kids would ordinarily know never to speak to a stranger, I’m now ‘known’ and ‘trusted’ – but am I?  They only really know me through my books and a single, one-hour session and – while I can be trusted – it’s not hard to see how someone with sinister motives could abuse this situation.

I want everyone who works with children at my son’s school to have been checked for previous convictions of abuse – so why shouldn’t the parents of the kids I work with expect the same.  The vetting procedure won’t find everyone with wicked intentions – only those who have been prosecuted previously – but shouldn’t we be doing everything to stop past offenders going back to work with kids?

EVERYONE who works with children should be vetted for past convictions that may prohibit them from coming into contact with young people – myself included.  In fact – the vetting protects me as well as the kids I work with.

Famous authors – it’s not an insult to be checked and you’re not being accused of anything.  However, your reputation as an author is NOT enough to prove your suitability.  By boycotting schools over this, all you are doing is depriving children of an important experience – meeting the authors of the books they love.

So, and I never thought I’d say this to some of my favourite authors, Anthony Horowitz, Phillip Pullman, Anne Fine, Quentin Blake and Michael Morpurgo – grow up, and get vetted.  You’re in a position to make this system work – and help keep our children safe.

Tommy

I’m delighted to announce that Scream Street 5: Skull of the Skeleton and Scream Street 6: Claw of the Werewolf are out now!

The books tell the tale of Luke, Resus and Cleo in their efforts to find and retrieve the final two relics left by Scream Street’s founding fathers.  If they succeed, Luke will have the power to open a doorway out of the community and take his parents home – but wicked landlord, Sir Otto Sneer, is out to stop them.

Have a spooktacular time this summer with the next two Scream Street adventures!

I’m proud to show you the cover for Zombie! - my forthcoming book from utterly brilliant publisher, Barrington Stoke.

Zombie! tells the story of schoolboy Nathan and his sister Olivia who, on one of their regular visits to the local cemetery to visit their granddad’s grave, discover that one of the other corpses buried there is a little more lively than they would have expected…

For those who don’t know, Barrington Stoke produce books for dyslexic and struggling readers – and I’m very proud to have written something for them.

Zombie! will be published in September.

Walker Books are giving away a set of 6 Scream Street books – and all you have to do is give a few details about yourself!

To enter, simply click here.

Good luck!

Tommy

I’ve applied to be one of the living art participants to spend an hour doing well, whatever you want to do while standing on the vacant fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square.

Entrants are chosen at random by a computer and, so long as they don’t break the law, they can pretty much do what they want during their hour as a live work of art.  If I’m chosen, I’ll use my time to promote great kids’ books.

For more information – and to watch the current plinther live – go to www.oneandother.co.uk

So far, almost 22,000 people have applied for just 2,400 spots – so, keep your fingers crossed!

Tommy

A wonderful morning at Parklands School in Liverpool today where pupils from year 8, along with those from Bluecoat School, spent time creating story plans.

As I often say, a blank page or computer screen can be scarier than anything I write about in my books – so it’s always a good idea to plan your story out in advance: invent a setting, create unique, three-dimensional characters and devise a gripping, action-packed plot.

If you’d like your school to invite me in, why not download and print off the images below?  These are postcards I’m currently having printed to send around to head teachers for the next school year, and explain everything your school needs to know about my story plan workshop, The Write Stuff.

With thanks to top author, Barry Hutchison, who designed the cards for me after I waxed on and on about how much I liked his!

I had an utterly FANTASTIC day at North Ormesby Primary School yesterday to conclude my year as RIF Ambassador to the school.  In front of such esteemed VIPs as author GP Taylor, head of the National Literacy Trust Jonathan Douglas, and RIF director Judith Parke – I was delighted and honoured to announce the second annual winner of the Tommy Donbavand Writing Hero award.  And it is….

…Ryan Patton!  That’s him in the picture with me and last year’s writing hero, Kian Belsham.  Like Kian, Ryan will also soon become a brand new character in the Scream Street series (I already know as what – but you’ll have to wait until book 9 to find out!)

I can’t thank the pupils and staff at North Ormesby enough for a wonderful year.  Mrs Kemp-Hall, Mrs Hawes and everyone else have made me feel so welcome, and been extremely kind and understanding when I had to arrange visits at the last moment.  I’ll definitely be staying in touch.

Tommy

PS – In case you hadn’t noticed – that’s Shadowmancer author, GP Taylor, in the background…

Don’t whisper – shout out loud!  For only by shouting will you be able to tell as many people as possible about the second utterly brilliant adventure in the annals of the world’s greatest monster investigator - Jack Slater and the Whisper of Doom!

Anyone who has been reading Trapped By Monsters recently will know that I sent a message to Jack, begging for his help in an effort to free myself and my fellow captive authors from the clutches of the monstrous, er… monsters.  Unfortunately, Jack’s attempt at a rescue didn’t quite go according to plan (not our fault, honest – but I bet he blames us!) and so, while I await is return (he is coming back, right?!), I settled back to read about his latest escapades.

Jack Slater and the Whisper of Doom takes our favourite beast basher to a whole new level of the monster underworld – a deep, scary level where he encounters the terrifying Mr Whisper.  But who could have dreamed up such a vile creature?  Why is he intent on attacking Cheery instead of Jack?  And just when will the self-made Minister for Monsters stop screaming?

The answers to these questions – and many more – can be found in the latest monster investigator case files –  the completely brilliant Jack Slater and the Whisper of Doom.

Just make sure you keep a teddy handy when you read it…