In 2009, well over two thousand children from local schools were able to meet and talk to authors visiting the Festival.

Alex Milway After art school Alex spent many years in magazine publishing before publishing his Mousehunter series. The young mouse-keepers Emmeline and Scratcher have lots of fabulous adventures involving mice and pirates in fast-moving and atmospheric tales.
	Steve Voake Steve was headteacher of a village school before becoming a full-time writer. Author of The Dreamwalker’s Child, The Web of Fire and The Starlight Conspiracy. His latest book is Blood Hunters - not your average fantasy story. Along with a fast-paced plot is a moral heart that addresses the impact humans have on the planet and the possibility of nature fighting back.
Alexander Gordon Smith Following the success of The Inventors and The City of Stolen Souls Alexander now has a brand new series for teenagers. Furnace is a terrifying underground prison where juveniles are sentenced for life with no chance of release. His events involve lots of audience participation and advice on how to write!
	Caroline Lawrence Caroline Lawrence studied Classical Archaeology at Cambridge and her love of history brings Rome to life in this the final book in the Roman Mysteries series. The Man from Pomegranate Street was published in June.
Conn Iggulden & Lizzy Duncan Author of The Dangerous Book for Boys and illustrator Lizzy Duncan talk about the explosive world of Tollins and introduce some remarkable little creatures, who may be smaller than fairies, but are about as fragile as a house brick.
Gaby Halberstam Gaby's debut novel Blue Sky Freedom was shortlisted for the Waterstone’s Children’s Book Prize 2008. Her latest is The Red Dress, set in 1944 in the sweltering South African wilderness, about a family and first love and contrasts life then as a white girl and with life as a non-white.
	Paul Collicutt Taking his inspiration from the Marvel comics, Paul has been working on the Robot City Adventures for ten years. They are a series of graphic novels where highly developed robots are part of everyday life. Paul is an illustrator and will be working with a group of art students.
Dugald Steer Well known as the author of the ‘Ology’ series (Dragonology, Wizardology). He has now written The Dragonolgy Chronicles featuring Daniel and Beatrice. They cross many continents, befriend a colourful collection of new dragon species and escape from the clutches of the evil Aleaxandra Gorynytchka – the future of dragonkind lies in their hands.
	Emma Dodd Emma has written and illustrated several picture books including I Thought I Saw a Dinosaur. Her latest book, Miaow Said the Cow, is a tale of farmyard havoc. During Emma’s events she draws her characters for the children. Emma will be at Ash Library for a schools’ only event.
Cathy Brett Cathy’s first novel, Ember Fury, is half novel, half graphic novel. Cathy is an illustrator and writer and now lectures in design, unashamedly plundering her students’ lives for sensational storylines and characters. Cathy will hold a graphic drawing workshop.
	Thomas Docherty Thomas's latest book, Big Scary Monster, is an energetic picture book with an anti-bully message. His earlier book, Little Boat, was shortlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal in 2009 and To the Beach was longlisted for the Big Picture Best New Illustrators awards 2008.
Ruby Stark Ruby's book, Lulu is a Ladybird, and is the first in a series of Bugbites Books which are delightful introduction to the world of insects and other creepy crawlies. The books engage children’s interest through stories woven with threads of natural history.
	Jim Helmore & Karen Wall Jim and Karen recently won first prize in the Dundee Picture Book Award for Who Are You, Stripy Horse? Karen works as a textile designer when she’s not creating picture books and Jim works in the publishing industry. Their new book is called Oh No, Monster Tomato!.
Philip Ardagh An event of exceptional silliness. Beardy Ardagh, resident of Grubtown talks about his new book in the series The Far From Great Escape. You won’t find Grubtown on any maps. The last time any map-makers were sent anywhere near the place they were found a week later wearing nothing but pages from a telephone directory and calling for their mothers.