NibWeb is the Network for Information Book Writers and Editors

Authors and editors of non-fiction books for children

John Townsend is a children’s writer of over 100 books, many of which are non-fiction covering diverse subjects (history, geography, science, medicine, crime, natural history). A particular specialism is writing/editing books for reluctant readers, designed to ‘switch on the switched-off’.  

John visits schools, libraries and prisons (often not much difference!) to encourage interest in books and to get the world reading. The Literacy Trust includes him among their ‘Author Reading Champions’. Having taught in both primary and secondary schools (including running a special needs department in a comprehensive school), he has experience of all ages, abilities and most curriculum subjects (including drama & writing/producing the dreaded school plays!) With many of his books being published in the USA/Australia, he is used to working with U.S. editors.   

Author visits feature NO SNORING IN THE LIBRARY, about lively books for lively minds, culminating with I Don’t Want to ALARM You But…  as a noisy and extra ALARMING finale.

Other writing:

Ø     Editor/writer for many years of the popular Spirals Plays (Nelson Thornes)

Ø     Writer of over 20 children’s fiction books, including for Barrington Stoke (Children’s Publisher of the Year 2007) DEADLINE is included among the Education Secretary’s ‘Top 160 Books for Teenage Boys’.

Ø       Playwright – having written for professional touring theatre

Ø     Storyteller/poet as a ‘writer in residence’ in a primary school tree house

Ø      Leader of courses on writing for children and speaker at writers’ national conferences

 Contact: john.towns@lineone.net   

 Author Hotline: www.authorhotline.com/barrington

 Age group preferences:

 Some recent books by John Townsend: