Episode 55: Time slips and haunting with Elen Caldecott

Elen’s choice: A Traveller in Time by Alison Uttley

Ali’s choice: The Haunting of Aveline Jones by Phil Hickes

Elen’s recently-published text book: Writing for Young People: Critical Readings and Discussion on Craft

Alison Uttley’s diaries were published in 2009

The history of the Babington plot

Books mentioned in this episode: Charlotte Sometimes, Tom’s Midnight Garden, The Borrowers, Tyger. The book by Joan Aiken that I couldn’t remember is In Thunder’s Pocket.

We didn’t talk about the awful adaptation from 1978. You have been warned.

Elen’s book The Short Knife won the Tir na n’Og award in 2021. Hear her reading the chapter and talking to Nikki Gamble here.

Elen teaches at Lancaster and Bath Spa universities. She is one of the managing editors of Leaf Journal on writing for children. You can follow her on Bluesky and Instagram.

Fantasy Book Swap has recently been shortlisted for a British Fantasy Society award!  Thanks so much to anyone who nominated.