David Maybury | Blog

No sweeping statements or emotional breakdowns reviewing the last year. (I’ve done all that already.) Just a few quick notes to mark what was an incredible year in children’s writing, books, publishing, film, arts, politics, business - and well you get the picture…

There was a row over age branding.
The case of Rowling versus Lexicon Fans got a day in court.
We lost Arthur C Clarke.
The number of Irish Children’s Book Blogs increased 300%.
Batman was bested by the Joker.
Siobhan Dowd won the Bisto Book of the Year Award.
Tom Kelly wrote The Thing with Finn. (5p - 10p. Genius) And won an award too.
Geri Halliwell appeared as a children’s writer with Ugenia Lavender.
Patrick Ness also appeared as a children’s writer. And won. And won. And was shortlisted. And won. And won. And won. And was shortlisted some more…
Ironman became the new playboy of the western world thanks to Mr Downey Jnr.
We lost Nuala O’Faolain.
The Irish Web Awards were born.
Philip Reeve won the Carnegie.
Emily Gravett won the Kate Greenaway.
Obama and Clinton.
Sally Nicholls won the Glen Dimplex New Writer Award.
We lost David Foster Wallace.
Jacqueline Wilson was called a ‘twat’.
Eoin Colfer took on Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.
Recession. (see 2009)
Google finally agreed a deal over copyright.
Fústar gave us some Dreadful Thoughts.
We lost Michael Crichton.
Lauren Child became an ambassador for peace.
The number of Irish Children’s book publishers increased 300%.
Terry Pratchett was knighted.

And, I met some of the most incredible writers, critics and publishers from the world of children’s books - meeting all of these people had no effect on the rest of the world, and some of them I had met before, but still. 2008 was when I found a voice to say hello.