Come and chat to Tom Gates author Liz Pichon, Friday 10 June, 4-5pm

[RachelMumsnet]

Brilliant news for book-lovers as Liz Pichon - author of the HUGELY successful Tom Gates series - will be joining us for a webchat on Friday (10 June) from 4- 5pm, when she'll be answering questions from you and your kids.

Liz's Tom Gates series is hugely popular on Mumsnet and her books have been recommended again and again to parents of reluctant readers because of their brilliant blend of illustrations and text. Liz's latest offering, Tom Gates: Super Good Skills (Almost...) is the tenth book in the series.

Come and put your questions to Liz on Friday or post your questions in advance on this thread.

And don't forget... there's still time to get your tickets to join Liz Pichon LIVE at Mumsnet's Bookfest on June 25.

[wiccamum]

What gave you the original idea for Tom Gates? ( from Rowan, aged 9)

[StepAwayFromTheThesaurus]

I love Tom Gates especially the doodles. Did you do doodles in class when you were at school? (from Calum, age 6)

[lionheart]

I think these are great but not just for reluctant readers.

My son, who has autism, loves these.

Did you know how brilliant the little pictures are for someone who has trouble reading faces?

They are funny too.

[PlectrumElectrum]

My 11 year old DD loves these books. I may be back later if she has a question.

[megletthesecond]

Yay! Let me grill the dc's for questions. I follow Liz on twitter, ds is dead impressed when I know the next book is coming out before he does..

Can't recall which book it was but DS read the crappy school orchestra bit to me once .

[Buzzardbird]

DD is very keen to know when your next book is coming out as she has already read the last one, twice?

She luffs you very muchly.

[bletheringboys]

Liz, thank you, thank you, thank you! I work in a library and am constantly recommending your books to the oh-so-difficult reluctant readers! They LOVE them! I've done loads of work around your books.

My son is also in love with you and wishes to be a top doodler when he is older.

[ToomuchChocolatemeansBootcamp]

My just turned 10 year old also loves your books and is now doodling too! His question is "please can you have a character called Jack?" (Because that's his name and he would love to be in your books!)

[MumtoIslagrace]

Can you make a Tom Gates film please? (Isla age 9)

[FSLibrary]

School Librarian here with 3 questions from our very enthusiastic Year 7s:

1. When you first sent off your book did you get any negative feedback and if so can you give us an example?

1. Who is your writing idol?

1. Did you enjoy English at school?

[itsonlysubterfuge]

My DD is almost 4, but loves your Picture books, her favorite is Fluffy and Scruffy we've read it loads of times and I just wanted to say you're a great author and illustrator, we really love your books!

[origamiwarrior]

Do you have any plans/would you consider writing Tom Gates books that directly address issues children are facing, e.g. bullying/cyber-bullying, family breakdown, exam pressure, gender identity etc?

[TinaMumsnet]

Hello everyone,
We're so pleased that Liz Pichon has joined us a webchat this afternoon. Liz welcome to Mumsnet! There are a few questions already posted on the thread but I'd like to kick off with the questions we ask all the authors that join us:

What childhood book most inspired you?

What would be the first piece of advice you would give to anyone attempting to write fiction?

What would be the first piece of advice you would give to anyone attempting to write fiction?

And the best you've received?

Over to you...

[TheSandmansSon]

Hi Liz - I'd love to be an illustrator but I don't have any 'official' training or contacts in that world. Would you recommend joining an illustration agency, or just submitting work to editors and so on, to get a start?

Thanks!

[lizpichon]

HELLO MUMSNET!

Looking forward to answering your questions.
Thanks for asking them! And please be kind about my rubbish spelling - I'll do my best Liz x

[lizpichon]

Hi Rowan

Tom Gates was a picture book idea FIRST. It was like a scrap book and had pages on Home Family Pets Teachers. Publishers like the idea and the format but said it needed more story. So I re worked it a good few times then wrote the first part in a school exercise book as if Tom was writing himself. So DON'T give up on an idea if you have one - it might take a while to get it right!

What gave you the original idea for Tom Gates? ( from Rowan, aged 9)[/quote]

[GrendelsMother23]

Hi Liz - thanks for coming to chat! My little nephews love your books

My question is: do you doodle on books (or write in them/underline them)? And if so, are there any you would never ever doodle on, or are they all fair game?

[lizpichon]

I love Tom Gates especially the doodles. Did you do doodles in class when you were at school? (from Calum, age 6)[/quote]

Hi Callum,

YES I did. I LOVED drawing and used to spend as much time as I possible drawing and making things. Here's a picture I did in a scrap book when I was 5. I remember doing this drawing - I was on holiday and I've managed to keep the book I did it in - Liz x

[Sucksfake1]

No questions for you but DD10 loves your books. She has two sets of them one at mine and one of her dads.

From what I gather they are the most popular books in the school library hence getting her, her own.

[addingtothenoise]

Hi Liz, I read somewhere that you used to design album covers, can you tell us about one you designed?

[dottyaboutstripes]

Hi Liz,
My son Arlo and I were lucky enough to meet you when you talked at the opening of the Cardiff Children's Literature Festival, it was a lovely evening and he enjoyed learning your doodling tricks and tips, which have been practiced over and over ever since! He says your new book, which he bought with his pocket money) is the best yet
He'd like to ask if you will introduce a character called Arlo please (can you guess what his name is?!)

[dottyaboutstripes]

D'oh! I'd already told you his name!!!

[lizpichon]

I think these are great but not just for reluctant readers.

My son, who has autism, loves these.

Did you know how brilliant the little pictures are for someone who has trouble reading faces?

They are funny too. [/quote]

Thank you. That's so nice to hear. I remember how much I used to love reading books with pictures in them when I was younger. My son is dyslexic and he loved Richard Scary books SO much, with all the detail they have in them. We used to bring one everywhere with us to keep him happy! x

[starry0ne]

Dylan (aged 9)
What inspired you to be an author?