Authors boycott schools over sex-offence register

British children's authors Anthony Horowitz, Philip Pullman and Michael Morpurgo.

From the Independent(UK) by Chris Green

Authors boycott schools over sex-offence register

A group of respected British children’s authors and illustrators will stop visiting schools from the start of the next academic year, in protest at a new government scheme that requires them to register on a database in case they pose a danger to children.

Philip Pullman, Anne Fine, Anthony Horowitz, Michael Morpurgo and Quentin Blake all told The Independent that they object to having their names on the database – which is intended to protect children from paedophiles – and would not be visiting any schools as a consequence.

Pullman, author of the fantasy trilogy His Dark Materials, described the Home Office policy as “corrosive and poisonous to every kind of healthy social interaction”. He said: “I’ve been going into schools as an author for 20 years, and on no occasion have I ever been alone with a child. The idea that I have become more of a threat and I need to be vetted is both ludicrous and insulting. Children have never been in any danger from visiting authors or illustrators, and the idea that they should be is preposterous.

The Vintner’s Luck By Elizabeth Knox, Now a Movie

The Vintner’s Luck by Elizabeth Knox has been made into a move. The NZ Film Commission has just released a trailer below.

Also there is a sequel to The Vintner’s Luck called The Angel’s Cut which has been released and you should look for soon.