Starting this summer, an exciting new series for young readers aged 9-12
When 10-year-old Arkyn stumbles upon a wounded norwolf pup, his life is never the same again. Norwolves grow as big as a horse and live in the Frozen Forest, a place forbidden to Arkyn and his band of friends.
But Arkyn's encounter with the pup leads him to discover something about himself - a hidden power that might be even more dangerous than the norwolf itself.
THE WINTERSCAR
CHRONICLES: 1
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The story
so far...
The Winterscar Chronicles is a fantasy tale of friendship, loyalty and courage, suitable for story-lovers aged 8+. It is also a work in progress, so bear with me if you get to the end of book two...
Book one, Cry of the Norwolf, introduces the story of ten-year-old Arkyn Ironshield, whose world is turned upside down when he stumbles upon a young norwolf pup that has fallen into a hunters’ trap. The norwolf is one of the most feared creatures to come from the Frozen Forest, a remote wilderness forbidden to Arkyn and his band of friends.
Torn between helping the pup or following the advice of his friends and killing it, Arkyn’s encounter with the animal changes his life forever, leading to a discovery about himself that might be even more dangerous than the norwolf itself.
Book two, The Emerald Pendant, continues the tale as Arkyn struggles to adapt to the changes in his life. New characters, new creatures, new challenges: the familiar world of his childhood will never be the same again.
Written by
a reluctant reader...
At school, I hated reading. I remember spending months and months trying to get to the end of ‘A bear called Paddington’.
Every page - every paragraph - was a battle to be fought over and over again, mainly because I was forever staring out the window, losing my place and having to restart. It’s comical to think that, over 20 years later, I was working in a school teaching children to read and write. But I never forgot how hard reading was for me.
After more than 10 years as a teacher I stepped away to scratch a nagging itch I'd had since I was in my twenties: that I should write a book - something that my younger, dreamier self would have found hard to put down.
Photo by Matt White
Inspired by
childhood memories...
When I was teaching I kept this photograph of my grandfather in the classroom. His name was Wilf Mitchell, although my brother and I called him ‘Bagar’, and he was a consistent presence throughout my childhood.
He was always there - popping into our house for a cup of tea, picking us up from school, helping out in the garden. Always smiling, always pleased to see us, always ready with some thrilling tale about his World War II days.
One of my strongest childhood memories is of Bagar picking my brother and I up from school when there had been heavy snow and many of the roads were impassable. He walked the couple of miles to school carrying extra coats and boots for us. Then we walked home through the snow together, taking the long route through Quarry Woods so we could play yet another war game with pinecone grenades and machine guns fashioned out of branches of beech. Cry of the Norwolf is dedicated to him because when I think of my 10-year-old self struggling with reading and writing, I invariably think of Bagar outside the classroom at pick-up time, waiting to bring me home.
First steps
into an unknown world
If you have read Cry of the Norwolf then you'll know that, while the adventure reaches an exciting climax, the story is far from over.
As I wrote the final part of the story I realised that a much larger world was opening up in my imagination, and that Arkyn’s story was only just beginning. So I immediately got started on the next instalment of the Winterscar series,The Emerald Pendant, which is due to be released in October 2023.
Write a review
Thank you!
Loved the workshop
I loved the workshop - it was really fun creating our own creature. I really enjoyed Cry of the Norwolf and I've almost finished The Emerald Pendant!
Morgan (10)
Visit to Osbaston CiW Primary School
Thank you once again for being so generous with your time during our literary festival - the pupils (and the adults) really enjoyed listening to you.
Osbaston CiW Primary School, Monmouthshire
Visit to St White's Primary School
Thank you so much for coming and for your kind words about your visit. I know that all the children really valued meeting you. The children said that they really enjoyed listening to a local author who shared their own novel. This encouraged even more children to be engaged in reading. It also was inspirational as many of them, hearing that you had not liked reading much as a child, now feel as if they too could write their own books.
St White's Primary School, Cinderford, Glos
Visit to Hope Brook Primary School
We all, children and staff, thoroughly enjoyed listening to you. Your words about growing to love writing struck a chord with some children who aren't wholly enthralled by the thought of writing! The workshops were brilliant and the children were totally engaged with the activity.
Hope Brook, Longhope, Glos
Visit to Forest View Primary School
Thank you for today's author visit. Our children were very lucky to hear about your experiences of reading and writing. It was brilliant!
Forest View, Cinderford, Glos
Visit to Goodrich C of E
A huge thank you for giving your time today to come in and to talk to the children in Key Stage 2. They really enjoyed your visit and even the adults said how much they had enjoyed listening to your storytelling.
Goodrich Primary School, Herefordshire
Kept us hooked
Cry of the Norwolf has a really good structure that kept us hooked (and I'm a little bit of a book snob to be honest - they have to be good since I do the reading every night!).
Vann
Captivating
We loved Cry of the Norwolf and now we've already finished The Emerald Pendant. It's such a captivating story, which makes it hard for bedtime reading since we always needed to read one more chapter!
Julia
Couldn't put it down!
I couldn't put The Emerald Pendant down! It was so exciting, and described so well... I felt like I was there watching it all happen. I am counting the days until I can get the next one!"
Layla (9)
Most beautiful children's story
One of the most beautiful children's books I have ever had the pleasure to read! Flows smoothly, keeps us engaged and feeling as if we are right there with the characters. Impressive writing. Please tell us the next book will be out soon!
Kate
Visit to St Piran's
Ian delivered a wonderful workshop based on his first published book Cry of the Norwolf to the pupils of St. Piran's, from Years 4-6.
Located in our specialist outdoor classroom, the atmosphere was empowered by the flicking fire pit and the glowing curiosity of the pupils. Hot chocolate warmed the children's tummies and the flames warmed their creativity. Ian's delicate tones soothed nature's surroundings as he echoed the themes of his book.
We thoroughly enjoyed Ian's visit and look forward to welcoming him back to deliver writing workshops and further readings from book number 2!
St Piran's School, Berkshire
Visit to Frieth Primary School
It was wonderful to welcome Ian to our school. The children enjoyed listening to him read whilst sat around the fire, evoking the right atmosphere for the story. They also found it fascinating asking questions and hearing why he became an author. A lovely experience that we would love to repeat when the next book is published!
Louise Goodchild, Year 6 teacher, Frieth Primary