Coming in March: I’ve edited my first anthology!
As a climate activist, I’ve learnt that it’s so important to speak from a place of hope about the future, especially in fiction. So I asked some of the best children’s writers from around the world to write stories set in a positive future for Future Hopes: Hopeful stories in a time of climate change. They really came through – I cried and laughed and cheered and felt better about the world with each story that came in. With a foreword by Nicola Davies and a jaw-dropping cover by David Litchfield, this is something really special. I’m so grateful to the Walker Books team for seeing my vision here and helping to bring it to life. Each story includes discussion points and questions by me for teaching students aged 9 and up.
In this collection of compelling short stories, edited by Lauren James, authors including M. G. Leonard, Neal Shusterman and Tolá Okogwu offer hope for our planet in the face of climate change.
Skyscraper farms. Insects for dinner. Guerilla gardening. Nine authors pose ingenious and thought-provoking solutions to the climate crisis in this anthology of climate fiction. Rooted in real-world science and technology, the stories offer a roadmap for a future where our planet can thrive. From a rewilding project with unexpected consequences to a rebellion against augmented reality, these wide-ranging stories will leave the reader feeling a little less powerless in the fight to save planet Earth.
Full list of contributors: Eli Brown, L. R. Lam, M. G. Leonard, Rebecca Lim, Oisín McGann, Tolá Okogwu, Neal and Brendan Shusterman, Louie Stowell and Bijal Vachharajani
“A brilliant collection of inspiring stories with the power to change the world. Innovative, original & essential.” – Hannah Gold
Publishing by Walker Books on 7th March 2024 (UK/Australia) for ages 9 – 12
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In other news…
I had the honour of working on Season 2 of Heartstopper as a story consultant, which is out now on Netflix.
I’ve been on set for Season 3 this month and there are some incredible moments coming up. I also joined the Heartstopper team for London Pride, which is a core memory I’m never going to forget.
My serialisation of The Loneliest Girl in the Universe is approaching its final act, ending on 18th December. Catch up here.
I revealed the cover for my next novel, Last Seen Online, which is coming in Summer 2024.
Green Rising is currently part of a climate exhibition at Oxford’s Story Museum.
I’m back at Aston University as a Royal Literary Fund Fellow this academic year. If you are (or know) a student/staff member, they can book a tutorial with me.
Upcoming events:
22nd November – Online Climate Q&A with Irish Writers Centre – free (7pm)
3rd December – Coventry Queer Writers workshop at St Marys Guildhall (1-3pm)
Wren James 