Previous Writers in Residence for BookTrust

Every six months, we appoint a new Writer in Residence to give us their unique perspective on the world of children's books, whether that's writing, illustrating or how to help children love reading.

From YA icons like Patrick Ness to fantasy favourites like Cressida Cowell, a range of brilliant children and teen authors have written blogs, held competitions and given us their take on what it's like to be behind some of the best books out there.

You can find out more about our former Writers in Residence below.

Hear from our latest Writer in Residence

Previous Writers in Residence

Michelle Robinson

Our writer in Residence from September 2023 to March 2024 was Michelle Robinson. Robinson’s core mission during her residency with BookTrust was to encourage children and grown-ups to “have fun reading together”.

SF Said

Said used his time as Writer in Residence to champion the importance of encouraging children to read whichever books they most enjoy. He will challenged the idea of there being a “right and wrong” way for children to engage with books, with the message that every child can be a reader.

Nick Sharratt

Author and illustrator Nick Sharratt has created illustrations for over two hundred and fifty books during his illustrious career, and used his time as Writer in Residence to celebrate the power of pictures and visual images in children’s books and the role they play in enriching a child’s reading experience.

Michael Rosen

Michael Rosen is one of the UK's best loved poets and authors for children - and during his time as the BookTrust Writer in Residence, he promoted the importance of reading and rhyming in the early years.

Dapo Adeola

Find out what Dapo Adeola got up to during his time as Writer-Illustrator in Residence, from September 2021 to March 2022.

Onjali Q. Raúf

Find out what Onjali Q. Raúf got up to during her time as Writer in Residence, from March 2021 to September 2021.

Smriti Halls

Find out what Smriti Halls got up to during her time as Writer in Residence, from September 2020 to March 2021.

Ed Vere

Find out what Ed Vere got up to during his time as Writer in Residence, from March to September 2020.

Cerrie Burnell

Find out what Cerrie Burnell got up to during her time as Writer in Residence, from September 2019 to March 2020.

Candy Gourlay

Find out what Candy Gourlay got up to as BookTrust's Writer in Residence in 2019.

Nicola Davies

Find out what children's author Nicola Davies got up to as BookTrust's Writer in Residence from August 2018 to February 2019.

Nadia Shireen

Find out what Nadia Shireen got up to as BookTrust's Writer in Residence in 2018.

Taran Matharu

Find out what Taran Matharu got up to as BookTrust's Writer in Residence in 2017-2018.

Sarah McIntyre

Find out what Sarah McIntyre got up to as BookTrust's Writer-Illustrator in Residence.

Cressida Cowell

Find out what How To Train Your Dragon author Cressida Cowell got up to as BookTrust's Writer in Residence.

Phil Earle

Phil Earle used his BookTrust residency to promote his belief that there's a story out there for every child.

Sita Brahmachari

Sita Brahmachari was BookTrust Writer in Residence in 2015, using the role to champion diversity in children's books.

Philip Ardagh

Philip Ardagh was BookTrust Writer in Residence for six months from 2014-2015 and used his time to promote inclusivity in children's books.

Chris Riddell

Before he was Children's Laureate, Chris Riddell was our Writer in Residence! Find out what he got up to here.

Laura Dockrill

BookTrust's ninth Writer in Residence Laura Dockrill hosted an event about children's books and interviewed Caitlin Moran during her residency.

Matt Haig

Matt spent his time as BookTrust's eighth Writer in Residence taking us behind the scenes of the writing process - and launching his novel The Humans.

Hannah Berry

Hannah Berry used her time as Writer in Residence to champion comics and host a sold-out event about the value of graphic novels.

Bali Rai

BookTrust's sixth Writer in Residence, Bali Rai used the platform to blog about issues facing young people and the importance of reading for pleasure.

Clare Wigfall

During her time as Writer in Residence, Clare hosted an event about the power of short stories and blogged about picture books, travelling and music.

Polly Dunbar

As BookTrust's fourth Writer in Residence, Polly invited us into her sketchbook and also gave us a look behind the scenes by keeping a record of her life as a book maker.

Evie Wyld

As BookTrust's third Writer in Residence, Evie blogged about writing her second novel and penned us an exclusive short story.

Nii Ayikwei Parkes

Nii, who was BookTrust's second ever Writer in Residence, used his time in the role to offer his writing tips, help us celebrate Bookstart and share an exclusive poem.