YALC is the UK's Young Adult Literature Convention, held annually in London since 2014. It is a place where YA fans and authors come together to celebrate the best young adult books.

YALC stands for Young Adult Literature Convention. It is a UK event that has been held annually in London since 2014.

How to make the most of YALC?

YALC can be overwhelming, so it's a good idea to make yourself aware of the signings, panels and events that will be taking place beforehand. However, most of all, don't forget to have fun!

How to plan for YALC?

Print out a copy of the schedule beforehand and check out the publishers and authors who will be attending so you know what you don't want to miss. Take lots of bags for books and don't forget to have fun!

What to bring to YALC?

The most important thing to bring is extra bags for all the books you will be buying! Pens for signing copies are also a must, as is bottled water as the venue can get hot during the day.

The Writing Greyhound: June 2019

Sunday, 30 June 2019

Reading Round-Up: May/June 2019

Can you believe that we're over halfway through the year now? It doesn't seem possible, but here we are!

Over the last few months, I've been trying my best to dedicate more time to reading in an attempt to try and make my tottering tbr pile a little more manageable. So, how did I do? Keep on reading to find out!

Book Review: The Ravenstone by Diane Solomon and Mark Carey

Last Updated: 14 September 2021

The Ravenstone by Diane Solomon and Mark Carey book cover

AD* | Imagine a raven appearing out of thin air and guiding you to an exquisitely carved stone artefact that glows with magical light. This is how the adventure begins for Nadia and Aidan Shaw, thirteen-year-old twins. Armed with the power of the Ravenstone and their own special gifts, they embark on a harrowing quest across centuries, at the bidding of a mysterious old shaman. They must depend on their courage, their faith in their friends, and luck. Or is it destiny?

Broadband Money Saving Tips

Last Updated: 4 March 2021

In today's increasingly interconnected world, access to the internet is more important than ever before. Modern society is highly reliant on the internet for everything from communication to security, finance, and entertainment, so making sure that you are connected is a must. In fact, when moving into a new house, broadband is one of the first things that many people get set up!

However, for many of us, money is tight, so finding the best package and the most cost-effective broadband deal to suit your needs is very important. That's why I've put together a few top tips to help you save money on your next broadband deal.

summer, country-park, wildflowers, the-writing-greyhound

Over the last month or so, I've realised that I've started to make an unconscious shift towards a more balanced life. Instead of spending the majority of my time either at work, working on my blog, or doing chores around the house, then crashing into bed absolutely exhausted at the end of the day, I've started being a little more lenient with myself.

This means allowing myself the chance to do what I want to do for a change, indulging in my hobbies and interests, and spending more time with the people who matter the most. It's a refreshing change, but a welcome one, and I hope I can continue to manage the work/life balance in this much more healthy way moving forward.

To celebrate my newfound freedom, I thought I'd put together a list of some of the things that I'm loving right now. Who knows, maybe it will inspire you to treat yourself to a little more 'me' time?

The Writing Greyhound’s YALC Survival Guide

It’s only a month until YALC 2019 – I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait! To try and pass the time while I’m eagerly counting down the days, I thought it might be a fun idea to try and share some advice with anyone else who will be attending YALC this year.

Book Review: Puck by Kim Askew and Amy Helmes

Last Updated: 14 September 2021

Puck by Kim Askew and Amy Helmes book cover

AD* | Life isn’t always fair, and no one knows that better than fifteen-year-old Puck. When she’s unceremoniously booted from yet another foster home, this city kid lands at DreamRoads, a rehabilitation wilderness camp.

Her fellow juvenile delinquents include a famous pop star with a diva attitude, a geeky, “fish out of water” math whiz, and a surly gang-banger with a chip on his shoulder. The programme’s steely director aims to break Puck, but she knows that every adult has a breaking point, too.

Determined to defy this realm of agonising nature hikes and soul-sucking psychobabble - even if that means manipulating four lovestruck camp counsellors and the director’s dim-witted second-in-command - Puck ultimately gets much more than she bargains for in this “wondrous strange” outdoor odyssey inspired by Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Blog Tour Book Review: My Secret Lies With You by Faye Bird

Last Updated: 14 September 2021

My Secret Lies With You by Faye Bird book blog tour graphic

AD* | Three close friends. Two unforgettable summers. One girl's darkest secret.

Alys appeared last summer, and then she vanished without a trace. Cait's new in town and she needs to know the truth: Who is Alys?

Book Review: Devastation Road by Jason Hewitt

Last Updated: 14 September 2021

Devastation Road by Jason Hewitt book cover

AD* | A deeply compelling and poignant story about the tragic lessons of war and the endurance of memory.

In the last months of World War II, a man wakes in a field in a country he does not know. Injured and with only flashes of memory coming back to him, he pulls himself to his feet and starts to walk, setting out on an extraordinary journey in search of his home, his past, and himself.

His name is Owen. A war he has only a vague recollection of joining is in its dying days, and as he tries to get back to England, he becomes caught up in the flood of rootless people pouring through Europe. Among them is a teenage boy, and together they form an unlikely alliance as they cross battle-worn Germany.

When they meet a troubled young woman, tempers flare and scars are revealed as Owen gathers up the shattered pieces of his life. No one is as he remembers, not even himself. How can he truly return home when he hardly recalls what home is?