ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I have been a writer for about thirty years, and can’t imagine a time when I’ll stop.

I began scribbling stories when I was still at school – that was in Lancashire, where I grew up. I liked writing essays and was good at Literature, though it would be a long time before I was published! I wrote plays at first, for radio and for the theatre, and was briefly part of a theatre company touring schools. I also wrote scripts for a BBC TV soap before I started writing books (I’ve had 13 published so far). Best of all I enjoy writing fiction for younger people – it’s more fun!

Nowadays I live in a small village in Devon with my partner Lisa and our son Nicky who’s a musician, studying music at University. When I’m not writing I like walking in the country or by the sea, going to concerts, plays and films, or just tinkering about in my shed doing DIY. But whatever I’m doing, it’s hard not to think about the next book – it goes with the job of being an author.

 

 

SCHOOL VISITS

A typical, single session lasts about an hour. It usually consists of my giving a short introductory talk about the historical background to my books – that is, the world of  Tudor theatre, and especially of the boy actors. This is illustrated with large, hand-held pictures which are laminated and can be handled. I then do a reading from one of the books followed by a Q & A session. Further readings and Q & As may follow – I’m flexible and try to fit in with the teachers’ needs. I’m not a trained teacher and do not offer writing workshops as such (I have taught courses & workshops for adults), but I do talk about the writer’s life, offer advice to aspiring young authors and so on.

My special areas of knowledge include the Tudors, Victorians, and history generally; theatre (I hold a master’s degree in Drama); script-writing for TV and radio – in fact all aspects of the writer’s craft. I’m happy to talk to any size of group.

 

Testimonials

 

"John has read from his books and given the class some very useful background information about the historical period in which they are set. The children have listened and felt happy to ask John a number of interesting and relevant questions at the end of the events. I feel that John is comfortable working with the children and would suggest that the children found the experience of having exposure to his books and his work a beneficial one. Although I do not have any written feedback to share, I do know that both the staff in the libraries and the teachers in the schools were very pleased to be part of the events we organised and were appreciative and complimentary about John’s role."

Mr M West, Children’s Librarian

 "I am writing to tell you how fabulous it was when you came in and talked about your book Rogues' Gold. I really enjoyed it when you told us how you started to write. I have started to write fairy tales and stories. I really want to be a writer when I am older."

Amy, Year 6, St Michael's School, Aldbourne, Wilts.

"It was informative and interesting and captured the mood of the Elizabethans well."

Ian Randall, Yr 5 teacher, Landscore Primary School, Crediton, Devon.

 

 

 

RECENT PUBLICATIONS:

The Elizabethan Mysteries, published by Usborne, are set in Tudor times and feature Ben Button, a boy actor in the exciting and sometimes cutthroat world of the Elizabethan Theatre.

 

Rogues’ Gold  [2007]

In his first adventure Ben is excited to be on tour with his company, until one of them is accused of stealing a valuable gold plate.

 

‘This thrilling romp across the Elizabethan English countryside populated by bejewelled nobility, ragged beggars, thundering horsemen and secret spies has a charm that’s impossible to resist’    (Booklore)

 

 

Traitor!  [2008]

Ben and his company are invited to perform before Queen Elizabeth herself, but it seems a rival troupe is out to ruin their chances.

 

‘completely comfortable in its setting… a really good adventure’

(Books for Keeps)

 

Traitor! was selected by children’s literature consultant Janet Fisher as one of the ‘Ten Best stories set in Tudor Times’

 

 

Revenge!  [2009]

Trouble looms when Ben befriends a young beggar plotting revenge on an important but corrupt nobleman.

 

‘Boy actor Ben Button takes centre stage in this thrilling mystery delving into the ruthless dealings of the Elizabethan arms trade’  (Betty Bookmark)

 

 

Thief!  [2009]

Ben can’t wait to escape the heat and dirt of London to visit his family, but is soon drawn into a manhunt for a murderer - and hidden treasure too.

 

‘Pilkington brings to life all the lure and excitement of the Elizabethan period… and places an ordinary boy in an extraordinary world’ 

(Lancashire Evening Post)

 

 

From the Tudors I’ve now moved on to the Victorians, and am at work on a new adventure series. I’ve also just completed a contemporary story about a boy who is bullied, and how he deals with it.  

 

Booking Information

Home:	Devon
Travels to:	Most areas
Prices:	Available on request

Publications by the Author