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After
a degree and research into medieval social history, I became a university
tutor and freelance writer. About
10 years ago, I gave up teaching and returned to ancestral Scotland, where I live in a remote village
beside the sea.
I
have written around 300 books for children or adult new readers.
Most are about ancient or medieval history,
social history, or non-European civilisations.
I also write biographies. Publishers include: Oxford
University Press, HarperCollins, Scholastic,
Dorling Kindersley, Watts, National
Geographic, Gareth Stevens, Marshall Cavendish and Encarta.
contact:
f.macd@tiscali.co.uk
Age
group preferences:
Awards:
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1996
Times Educational Supplement: 'Children's Information Book of the Year'.
Later shortlisted for similar awards in Europe and Asia-Pacific
region. |
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1998 Public Library
Association/American Library Association: 'Top
Ten Titles for Adult New Readers', series recommended
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2005 American Association of
School Librarians: ‘boys succeed@your library’ program, 2 titles
selected
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In past 10 years, several
books listed in UK as ‘Children’s Books of the Year’,
and similar selections in Europe and East Asia.
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Member:
Society of Authors
Selection of books:
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How Would You Survive series
Watts,
1995
• Aztec
• Middle
Ages
• Ancient Greek
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The Other Half of History series
Belitha,
1999 *
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Women in Ancient Egypt
• Ancient
Greece •
Ancient Rome • Middle
Ages • Nineteenth Century
Europe • Nineteenth Century
USA • Modern World 1900-1950
• Modern World
1950-2000 •
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History Connections (Literacy plus History)
series
Oxford University Press, 2003
Roman Britain
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Chapters in encyclopaedia:
Exploring the Middle Ages
Marshall Cavendish,
2006
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Saladin
National Geographic,
2006
Also
Mao Zedong
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Other work:
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Advice on series creation
and planning.
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'Text doctor’ for
projects that have gone astray.
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Re-writing material in plain
English for international organisations.
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Visiting local schools and book
festivals.
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Latest project: working
with local schools, librarians, artists, musicians and community groups as
part of an
international rural arts
initiative.
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New departure: writing
graphic/cartoon versions of classic children’s novels.
This follows on from volumes in cartoon non-fiction series Danger
Zone : Victorian Servant
• Christopher
Columbus
• Medieval
Dungeon
• First
Crusade
• Medieval
Knight
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