News
16 December 2024
The new Spirits novel The Fighting Spirit is showing as due after Christmas on Amazon and other retailers - but you can get the paperback right now from my publisher! See also eBook links.
The Fighting Spirit | Troubador Publishing
1 December 2024
The eBook of The Fighting Spirit is now on sale and the paperback is due this week! Lots of order links for the eBook version have been added to My Stories and Links.
25 November 2024
Lots of updates around the brand-new Spirits novel, The Fighting Spirit:
Trailer for the book added to Home
Book cover added to the Home carousel, with link to the book on My Stories
Updated advance info sheet with cover added to My Stories
More order links added on My Stories and Links
Look out for a guest post from me this week at whisperingstories.com.
The eBook goes on sale THIS WEEK with paperback copies coming in December - just in time for Christmas!
26 October 2024
Book here: A Murder Mystery Night with author Rob Keeley Tickets, Mon, Jan 20, 2025 at 7:00 PM | Eventbrite
24 October 2024
Delighted to announce that I am now working with Liverpool Children’s University as one of their Learning Destinations! This means that children aged between 5 and 14 can attend out-of-school workshops with me and get their Passport to Learning stamped, gaining credits towards graduation! For more details, see here:
activities | Children's University
The Liverpool Children’s University and Learning Destination logos have been added to Home.
19 October 2024
“… had me jump out of my seat… I was NOT expecting that!” Lovely review of Death At Friar’s Inn on BookTube today by Saadé Iyanna. See her textual and video reviews here:
Death at Friar's Inn — Rob Keeley
10 October 2024
Great news - after five years, the Spirits series is back! Edward Fitzberranger meets two new friends in The Fighting Spirit, published March 2025 (though I’m hoping some copies may be around before Christmas 2024). And… you can preview the cover art! And… you can pre-order the book NOW!
Check it out on My Stories… Click here.
2 September 2024
I am now taking bookings for author workshops and Creative Writing for the 2024-25 school year. Schools, libraries, bookshops, festivals - get in touch! Available for Key Stages 1-3, with readings, Q&As, presentations, writing activities and signings. Plus freebies such as rare postcards and leaflets. See FREE brochure on Home, and About Me for contact details.
6 August 2024
Are you in the Wirral/Liverpool area? Come and celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Spirits series tomorrow, 7 August at Linghams Booksellers, 248 Telegraph Road, Heswall, Wirral CH60 7SG, with a book signing from 11.30-12.00. There will be a chance to buy the whole Spirits series as well as pick up some rare postcards and leaflets for free!
Please note: the children’s Creative Writing workshop takes place first from 10.30-11.30 and this part is by ticket only. Children attending this will get a free signed copy of Childish Spirits!
1 August 2024
There’s a summer sale on all my earlier books for children, including all the original Spirits novels, at Troubador Publishing! Visit www.troubador.co.uk and look for the green circles. Then use the code SUMMER at checkout to get 20% off! This runs throughout the summer holidays to 2 September.
28 July 2024
Happy tenth anniversary to the Spirits series!
There’s a special new trailer for the series on the Home page.
Still time to book for the anniversary workshop and signing at Linghams Booksellers:
26 July 2024
Two days until the tenth anniversary of the Spirits series!
There’s a special letter from the ghost of Edward Fitzberranger at Whispering Stories…
A Letter from the Ghost of Edward Fitzberranger (Aged 10, Forever) - Whispering Stories
18 July 2024
Look out for more special events to celebrate the tenth anniversary of my Spirits series…
26 July - A special guest post at Whispering Stories - one of my characters will be writing you a letter…
28 July - The anniversary itself - a brand new trailer for the series will appear online
7 August - We’ll be celebrating the anniversary from 10.30-12.00 at Linghams Booksellers in Heswall. See the post below!
17 July 2024
I will be returning to Linghams Booksellers of Heswall, Wirral, on Wednesday 7 August from 10.30am-12noon for another children’s Creative Writing workshop - and we’ll be celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Spirits series! Suitable for the 7-12s. Includes refreshments, a free signed copy of Childish Spirits and the chance to buy signed copies of the other Spirits novels. Plus some rare anniversary postcards to take away, with a sneak preview of Childish Spirits special edition. Book now as tickets always go quickly!
Children's Creative Writing Workshop - Linghams Booksellers
Linghams Booksellers, 248 Telegraph Road, Heswall, Wirral CH60 7SG
15 July 2024
We’re heading for Amazon Prime Day with a Kindle Book Deal on the tenth anniversary special edition of Childish Spirits! For the next three days, get the eBook on Amazon for just 99p! With rare bonus material exclusive to this version! Click the link below. Or see My Stories for more info…
Childish Spirits: 10th anniversary special edition eBook
2 July 2024
Amazon Prime Day is coming, along with Kindle Book Deals. Look out for a special Amazon price drop on Childish Spirits special edition in week commencing 15 July! See My Stories for the link.
11 June 2024
Grown-up writers: do you want to be a children's author? Did you know you can get one-to-one feedback from me on your work? Here's how...
Mini-Mentoring (writersbureaucourse.com)
I am also available for the Writers Bureau review service.
27 May 2024
I had a fabulous trip on Friday to the Northern Cultural Education Awards at the Edge Arena in Wigan, where I was a finalist for the Fearless Freelancer Award for my author workshops. Lots of local young singers, poets and dancers performed and I was presented with a certificate as a Finalist. It was great to watch the ceremony and journey around the marketplace, discovering just how many creatives there are in the North of England. It was a wonderful chance to celebrate everything I’ve been trying to achieve with my books and workshops for children over the last thirteen and a half years.
There’s now a brand new updated workshops brochure available for FREE download from the Home page. Contact me to book author workshops!
15 May 2024
Happy anniversary to the Spirits series!
The Childish Spirits tenth anniversary special edition, with new material and bonus short stories, is now available to buy - exclusive to eBook! Info and order links can now be found on My Stories and Links, or here:
Childish Spirits | Troubador Publishing
There’s also a hidden Easter Egg for the eBook, somewhere on this site - can you find it?
Happy reading, everyone! Look out for more news around the anniversary of the original publication date in July…
11 April 2024
More great news, everyone: Childish Spirits, my first Spirits novel for children is ten years old this summer and to celebrate, Matador Books and I are bringing out a tenth anniversary special edition with new material! This will be exclusive to eBook and available from all the usual e-retailers.
The book will include:
A brand new cover by my illustrator Simon Goodway
A brand new Prologue and Epilogue
Deleted scenes restored
New material to tie the book into the later Spirits books
PLUS - four bonus Spirits short stories never published in book form before!
Read about the special edition here. Then check back here and at twitter.com/RobKeeleyAuthor for updates!
5 April 2024
Delighted to announce that I have been selected as a finalist in the Grassroots Award – Fearless Freelancer category at the Northern Cultural Education Awards 2024! It’s wonderful that my workshops, school, library and bookshop work have been recognised in this way. Thanks so much to the judges and I look forward to attending the ceremony in May. Keep an eye on this page and twitter.com/RobKeeleyAuthor for updates!
28 March 2024
Happy Easter everyone!
Want to write a children's story but don't know which way to turn? I'm doing an adults’ Zoom workshop for the Writers Bureau on Point of View (POV) in children's fiction, on 8 May. Sign up here:
Point Of View For Children's Literature Zoom Workshop With Rob Keeley (writersbureaucourse.com)
11 March 2024
End of another successful World Book Week! Don’t forget - an author is for life, not just World Book Week. I’m available all year round for school, library and Creative Writing workshops. See updated FREE brochure on the Home page.
Meanwhile, don’t forget I’m off to Linghams, Heswall this Easter for more children’s Creative Writing - with a FREE signed copy of The Teacher Who Knew Too Much included! Book now:
26 February 2024
Getting set for World Book Week! I still have some availability Monday 4 - Wednesday 6 March so schools, libraries, get in touch - but hurry! See my free workshops brochure on Home and my contact details on About Me.
9 February 2024
Great news, aspiring authors - I am now available for review and appraisal of manuscripts and submissions for the Writers Bureau, as well as leading workshops and providing mini-mentoring for them. Get feedback on your work while learning writing technique!
Review and Appraisal Service (writersbureaucourse.com)
Mini-Mentoring (writersbureaucourse.com)
Writing Workshops and Boot Camps (writersbureaucourse.com)
The Writers Bureau's Tutors (writersbureaucourse.com)
5 February 2024
There’s a lovely BookTube review of Death At Friar’s Inn today by Patty Salazar. Check it out on the book’s My Stories page.
I will be returning to Linghams Booksellers, Heswall, Wirral on Thursday 4 April for a children’s Creative Writing workshop for the Easter holidays! The cost is £12 and includes a signed copy of The Teacher Who Knew Too Much. These book up quickly, so click here:
28 January 2024
It’s publication day for The Teacher Who Knew Too Much! Check out the book and order links on My Stories and Links. Then play the quiz on Extras! Have you found the hidden Easter Egg yet?
The Teacher Who Knew Too Much | Troubador Publishing
20 December 2023
A Happy Christmas to all my readers! Check out my new book for children The Teacher Who Knew Too Much on My Stories, plus the new quiz on the book on Extras. Have you found the hidden Easter Egg yet?
Aspiring adult authors - would you like to learn writing fiction for children with me? I will be hosting more Zoom workshops for The Writers Bureau in Jan and Feb 2024. You can sign up for any or all of these and they will cover Stories and Plots, Description, Characters and Dialogue. More here:
Writing Workshops and Boot Camps (writersbureaucourse.com)
Also see the item below on mentoring with me.
20 November 2023
Are you writing a story for children? Would you like some one-to-one feedback from me? I have joined The Writers Bureau’s mini-mentoring service! See here for more info:
Mini-Mentoring (writersbureaucourse.com)
19 November 2023
Great news, everyone - the Amazon UK date for The Teacher Who Knew Too Much paperback has been brought forward to THIS TUESDAY, 21 November! So we have it for Christmas! And the ebook is already available. See My Stories for order links.
10 November 2023
Several of my books for children have been featured in Whispering Stories’ Christmas gift guide!
Christmas Gift Guide 2023 - Books - Whispering Stories
7 November 2023
The eBook of The Teacher Who Knew Too Much is now on sale for just £3.99! Paperback coming soon. All links here:
The Teacher Who Knew Too Much | Troubador Publishing
EBook links have also been added to My Stories and Links.
12 October 2023
The front cover for The Teacher Who Knew Too Much has now been added to My Stories and to the book carousel on Home!
Pre-order here:
The Teacher Who Knew Too Much | Troubador Publishing
22 September 2023
Would you like to learn how to write for children with me? I’m leading two Zoom workshops for the Writers Bureau on 3 and 10 November. Learn how to kick-start your project of writing a book for children that will sell! Ten places available - sign up now!
7 September 2023
Three of my books for children - The (Fairly) Magic Show, The Treasure in the Tower and Carrots Don’t Grow On Trees! - have been featured on BookTube! Thanks so much to ‘awkwardbrat’ for her lovely comments. The books proved popular with the children she looks after!
Don’t forget that all of these books have a 20% discount in the troubador.co.uk Bookshop summer sale, until 11 September.
4 September 2023
Just had a word with my publisher and due to popular demand - and the hot sunny weather - we are extending the summer sale on my books for one more week! It now ends Monday 11 September. Don't lose this chance to get 20% off on my books for children or Death At Friar’s Inn!
Visit the Bookshop at troubador.co.uk.
31 August 2023
Updated: pleased to announce I will be returning to Linghams Booksellers of Heswall, Wirral for a further children's Creative Writing workshop and book signing during the Wirral Arts Festival! 24 October (half-term week) at 10am.
Tickets are £10 and include a signed copy of The Boy Who Disappeared! Book here:
14 August 2023
“Rob's constant praise and encouragement of the youngsters' input during the session was excellent and had the effect of drawing even the most reticent out of their shell.”
I’ve had some lovely feedback from Linghams Books on my recent children’s Creative Writing workshops with them! This can now be read in the updated free workshops brochure downloadable from the Home page.
I’m now taking school and library bookings for next term! Email me to arrange.
11 August 2023
The Teacher Who Knew Too Much is now available for pre-order! Check out My Stories and Links.
2 August 2023
I am interviewed today in My Planet Liverpool!
Find out about my inspirations, the world I'd like to see, and my new children's novel The Teacher Who Knew Too Much...
24 July 2023
My new novel for the 8-12s, The Teacher Who Knew Too Much, will be published by Matador in January 2024 - but copies should be out in the run-up to Christmas!
Find out more, here:
The Teacher Who Knew Too Much — Rob Keeley
12 July 2023
Great news, everyone - I will be returning to Linghams Booksellers, Heswall, Wirral on Tuesday 8 August for another children's Creative Writing workshop! Suitable for the 7-12s. Tickets now available here and redeemable against a signed book afterwards:
11 July 2023
Summer hols are almost upon us, and there's a summer sale on my books in my publisher’s bookshop!
Visit Troubador Book Shop and search for 'Rob Keeley'. Then use the code SUMMER before checking out to get a 20% discount! Or get the Death At Friar’s Inn eBook from just £2.99!
26 June 2023
I am being interviewed on Liverpool Live Radio this Thursday 29 June at 12.15pm!
Listen live here:
Also that day, look out for another interview with me at whisperingstories.com.
16 June 2023
Users of Wirral Libraries might like to know that they now have all of my eBooks for children and adults available to borrow! View them here:
Kids - Featured author - Rob Keeley - Wirral Libraries - OverDrive
30 May 2023
Schools, libraries, bookshops - I am now taking further bookings for children’s workshops actual and virtual. Brilliant activity for the end of term. Year 6 teachers might be interested in my Transition Day workshop that allows children to write advice to themselves on starting secondary school. Or there’s my new series of workshops on Children’s TV Through Time, combining Creative Writing with media and history!
See FREE brochure on the Home page, then get in touch for details.
23 May 2023
Hi everyone. Just to let you know that tickets are selling for my Creative Writing workshop for budding authors aged 7-12, which will be held at Linghams Booksellers, Heswall, Wirral on Friday 2 June. Still time to book! See the link and News item below.
Creative Writing Workshop - Linghams Booksellers
4 May 2023
May the Fourth be with you!
Just to let you know I’ll be hosting a Creative Writing Workshop for the 7-12s at Linghams Booksellers in Heswall, Wirral, on Friday 2 June (end of half-term week) from 10.30-11.30am, followed by a book signing through until 12noon. We’ll be playing Invisible Book and Story Hunt and I’ll give some tips to aspiring young writers. Tickets are £5.00, redeemable against one of my books at the signing.
More info and ticket link here:
Creative Writing Workshop - Linghams Booksellers
Hope to see you there!
6 April 2023
A Happy Easter to all my readers!
Don’t forget to check out my new book The Boy Who Disappeared and Other Stories:
The Boy Who Disappeared — Rob Keeley
31 March 2023
Aspiring grown-up writers: would you like to learn to write novels and short stories from a published author, from just £10 per week? I hope to run my Creative Writing course for adults again online, sometime in the spring or early summer. This would take place through weekly emails, videos and handouts, with weekly feedback on your work. Email me or DM me on Twitter to sign up.
See the trailer video below in News item for 19 January 2021. This has also just been re-posted on my Twitter @RobKeeleyAuthor.
You could be the next bestselling author…
28 March 2023
The Boy Who Disappeared and Other Stories is published today and is now fully available in paperback and eBook. Read about the book - and the first review! - on My Stories, then find links to the book there and on the Links page.
On Extras there’s a brand-new quiz about the book! Have you found the hidden Easter Egg yet?
Grown-up readers: pop over to my Twitter @RobKeeleyAuthor where there’s a special publication giveaway going on…
Happy publication day!
8 March 2023
Paperback copies of The Boy Who Disappeared and Other Stories are now available online ahead of publication date (28 March)! Including from Waterstones, Foyles, Brown’s Books and Book Depository. See My Stories and Links pages.
27 February 2023
Welcome to World Book Week, everyone! Don’t forget to view/share my special World Book Day message, posted on my Twitter on Thursday, 2 March.
Also, don’t forget that The Boy Who Disappeared and Other Stories is on Amazon from tomorrow, Tuesday 28 February.
16 February 2023
Great news, everyone - The Boy Who Disappeared and Other Stories is now on sale in eBook! Don’t wait until publication date but download now!
Info and links below or on the Links page.
The Boy Who Disappeared And Other Stories - Troubador Book Publishing
16 January 2023
Just back from a lovely school workshop with Year Five. Schools, teachers, librarians - get in touch for details of author events. See FREE brochure on the Home page.
I will be performing Carrots Don’t Grow On Trees! LIVE at Book Jive Live on Friday 27 January on Zoom between 7.00 and 8.30pm. In aid of BookTrust. Tickets here:
Book Jive Live with Joshua Seigal
12 January 2023
Hi everyone, just to let you know I am now on the road again, doing author workshops for schools or libraries. See FREE brochure on the Home page. Then get in touch via About Me.
New workshops for 2023: Children's TV Through Time. A journey back in time to discover children's television of the 1950s, 1970s and 1990s. Combining history, media and Creative Writing. Costings as for other workshops. Contact me for details!
1 January 2023
Happy New Year, everyone! Look forward to sharing The Boy Who Disappeared and Other Stories with you in 2023. Published in March! Find out more and pre-order it here:
The Boy Who Disappeared — Rob Keeley
19 December 2022
Check out The Boy Who Disappeared on My Stories! This year’s Christmas present has now been posted - an exclusive preview of the final story in the book. Get ready for Christmas with Owen and his family in ‘A Present from Owen’…
View and pre-order here. Published March 2023.
The Boy Who Disappeared — Rob Keeley
Merry Christmas!
1 December 2022
Fans of my children’s books: look out for something very special here at robkeeley.co.uk in the week beginning 19 December…. A present for Christmas 2022!
14 November 2022
The Death At Friar’s Inn price drop is underway and will run until 12 December. Get the eBook for just £1.99! An ideal Christmas gift for family and friends - or for yourself!
Details and order links:
Death at Friar's Inn — Rob Keeley
25 October 2022
Good news for murder mystery fans this Christmas: the eBook of Death At Friar’s Inn will be on special offer at just £1.99, from 14 November to 12 December. Gift it to a friend or family member - or to yourself! Details here:
Death At Friar's Inn - Troubador Book Publishing
11 October 2022
My new short story collection for the 8-12s, The Boy Who Disappeared and Other Stories, will be published by Matador Books (Troubador Publishing Ltd) in March 2023! Ten new stories for middle-grade, plus a bonus Christmas story! Includes ‘Guess What?’ shortlisted at the Searchlight Writing for Children Awards, and two new Liam and Justin stories.
Pre-order now:
The Boy Who Disappeared And Other Stories - Troubador Book Publishing
More info soon, here and on my Twitter. Rob Keeley 🇬🇧🇺🇦 (@RobKeeleyAuthor) / Twitter
30 September 2022
I am interviewed today on Dogsthorpe Infant School’s podcast! Find out all about my books and workshops - plus, I reveal exclusively the title of my next book for children, coming soon!
Listen here:
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-pmzhn-12b2485
27 September 2022
Tickets are still available for Rob Keeley’s Story Factory, my fun Creative Writing workshop for children and families, as part of the Wirral Arts Festival. But hurry - it’s on Saturday 8 October! See 27 August for more info. Book here:
Information about Show: Rob Keeley's Story Factory: Floral Pavilion Theatre
7 September 2022
Listen to newbrightonradio.com between 12noon and 3pm today - I’m being featured, with a mention of Rob Keeley’s Story Factory (see News item, 27 August).
3 September 2022
Children in Need Book Auction
I am donating a FREE signed personalised copy of The Treasure in the Tower to an online auction in aid of BBC Children in Need. You have 75 days to get your bid in!! FREE postage to anywhere in the UK. See Lot 176 at:
Children in Read 2022 (jumblebee.co.uk)
27 August 2022
Rob Keeley’s Story Factory!
I will be holding a family Creative Writing workshop at the Floral Pavilion Theatre, New Brighton, on Saturday 8 October from 10am-12noon as part of the Wirral Arts Festival! Suitable for ages 8-14 (to be accompanied by a parent or guardian). Discover the Invisible Book, have a play with the Secret-Maker and try your luck at the Story Dip!
Details and tickets here:
Information about Show: Rob Keeley's Story Factory: Floral Pavilion Theatre
8 August 2022
News of another Storytime: I will be at Bear Hunt Books in Bebington, Wirral, on Tuesday 23 August at 10am! I will be reading both Carrots Don’t Grow On Trees! and My Favourite People, with some signed copies and freebies afterwards! Look forward to supporting this terrific new independent store.
Bear Hunt Books and Toys, Unit 1, 2a Church Road, Bebington, Wirral CH63 7PH
Book for this the week before: see booking link at the top of their events page:
2 August 2022
I will be doing Storytime at Linghams Books on Saturday 13 August from 11.00-11.30am! I will be reading both Carrots Don’t Grow On Trees! and My Favourite People, and hopefully signing some copies afterwards, with some freebies to take away! Looking forward to being back at Linghams.
Linghams Booksellers, 248 Telegraph Road, Heswall, Wirral CH60 7SG
Check back here for more events news shortly…
13 July 2022
The Searchlight Awards winners’ page is now live, complete with an extract from my winning children’s story, ‘Guess What?’. View here:
Results - Best Short Story 2022 - Searchlight Writing for Children Awards (searchlightawards.co.uk)
4 July 2022
Death At Friar’s Inn is featured in my publisher’s summer Highlights magazine on page 73:
Highlights Summer 2022 (flipbuilder.com)
30 June 2022
My author workshops for schools are now on schoolworkshops.com. View and book here:
School author workshops (schoolworkshops.com)
Now taking bookings for end of this term and next term! There’s also a link to this website added on the Home page, beneath my workshops brochure.
20 June 2022
My new children's short story 'Guess What?' has been shortlisted for the Best Short Story for Children or Young Adults at the Searchlight Writing for Children Awards! My thanks to the judges for their lovely comments and congrats to all. Hoping to share this story before long!
View the competition results here:
Here are a few of the judges' comments:
"It was clever, funny and original"
"It was beautifully crafted with pacey dialogue"
"It came to a very satisfying full circle at the end".
Check out my earlier short story collections for children The Alien in the Garage, The (Fairly) Magic Show and The Dinner Club, on My Stories.
13 June 2022
Teachers, TAs, librarians: would you like five FREE signed children’s books for your school/library? Included with every author workshop you book with me!
I am now taking bookings for the remainder of this term (perfect for a Year 6 transition day or Year 7 induction day), as well as for September onwards! Actual and virtual options available. Email me to find out more… Or see FREE brochure on the Home page.
23 May 2022
I have FREE e-copies of all of my books available for reviewers, book bloggers and BookTubers. This includes my new novel for adults Death At Friar's Inn, and all of my books for children.
Email me if you would like a free download in exchange for your honest review. Further details can be found on My Stories.
10 May 2022
The launch of the children's anthology for Ukraine, Sunflowers and Nightingales, will take place online on Monday 16 May at 6.30pm and I'll be there. Find out how this brilliant book came into being! View the launch via the Storymakers Facebook page:
@storymakerswritingclub
Don't forget you can order the book and/or sponsor the project here:
book4ukraine // Saronti "Sunflowers and Nightingales"
6 May 2022
I have written a short story for children, 'You're My Mate', for the anthology Sunflowers and Nightingales, which is being published by Saronti in aid of various charities supporting the people of Ukraine. Pre-order now and/or donate to help sponsor the project:
book4ukraine // Saronti "Sunflowers and Nightingales"
12 April 2022
Want to be a writer? Do you live on the Wirral or in Liverpool?
I am hoping to run my eight-week Creative Writing course for adults again at Wallasey Central Library, Wallasey, Wirral during the summer months. This runs for one hour a week with some take-home activities, and costs just £12 per session. It's all about writing novels and short stories, and includes a Certificate at the end of the course. It will be held in a library training room, with Covid protocols in place, and led by yours truly! Suitable for any aspiring writer over eighteen.
If you'd like to sign up for this, email me or DM me on my Twitter. More news soon...
11 March 2022
My first novel for adults, Death At Friar's Inn, is now available in eBook from various retailers including Amazon, Google Play and Apple Books! See My Stories or Links for details...
10 February 2022
Following demand from my Twitter followers, my first novel for adults will be published by Matador Books (Troubador Publishing Ltd) in eBook on 11 March! It's a murder mystery called Death At Friar's Inn. Read about it here: https://troubador.co.uk/bookshop/crime-and-thrillers/death-at-friars-inn/
I'm hoping a paperback will follow at a later date.
Grown-up readers: come and help solve the mystery of who killed the Porter...
26 January 2022
"To restrict creative freedom and freedom of speech is an assault on our civil liberties. And it prevents big issues such as racism and prejudice from being properly discussed..." I've written a guest blog on Keeping the Integrity of Your Writing for Whispering Stories as part of their Writing Tips series. Read it and join the debate here:
Keeping the Integrity of Your Writing by Rob Keeley - Writing Tips - Whispering Stories
4 January 2022
Happy New Year everyone! I'm now taking bookings both for Creative Writing Online for adults, and for virtual school and library workshops for the new term, including World Book Day (3 March). Email me or DM me on Twitter. Hoping to resume workshops in person before too long!
I have been interviewed by Anna-Kate Miedler for her Penned In podcast! Listen here:
S1|E1 Interview with Rob Keeley by Penned In (anchor.fm)
13 December 2021
A Happy Christmas to all my readers!
I'm running a Christmas giveaway on my Twitter for schools and libraries - win FIVE free signed copies of my books (a selection) plus ONE free one-hour Zoom author workshop! TBA in January 2022. Teachers and librarians, to enter, simply follow me and like and retweet my pinned tweet. UK only. Deadline 31 December 2021 at noon, when I'll be picking a random winner from the retweets list. Good luck!
While you're there, check out @storywhispers - they're tweeting about the Spirits series this week.
7 December 2021
Carrots Don't Grow On Trees! has arrived on NetGalley, where the ebook can be read by journalists, librarians, publishers, reviewers and bloggers. It will be there until 4 January 2022. I will share any reviews it receives.
25 November 2021
Meera at Troubador Publishing has designed a fabulous animated cover for my new picture book for the under-7s, Carrots Don't Grow On Trees! View it on their Facebook and Instagram: Facebook
Troubador Publishing on Instagram: ""This is a lovely and relatable picture book suggesting strategies to deal with teasing and bullying at school." – Jill Murphy, The..."
The book is published this Sunday, 28 November!
Check out my Twitter on Black Friday (26 November) for a very special giveaway...
15 November 2021
The Treasure in the Tower has been included in my publisher's Christmas campaign, The Timeless Gift of Christmas! Order the book here and use the code BIGDEAL to get 40% off!
Also, have a look at Carrots Don't Grow On Trees! on My Stories - Laura Darrall has recorded another fabulous reading for her YouTube channel. Thanks Laura! Please follow her and subscribe to her channel.
25 October 2021
Carrots Don't Grow On Trees! is printed and is now available from my publisher Matador Books' bookshop, with other retailers following shortly. And don't forget the pre-order offer on the eBook version! Click here for info and order links...
A new activity on the book has been added to Extras - and there's also an Easter Egg to find...
5 October 2021
My local newspaper, the Wirral Globe, has given Carrots Don't Grow On Trees! a lovely write-up! Read it here:
Wirral author set to publish new children's picture book | Wirral Globe
Published November 2021. See below, My Stories or Links to pre-order! And don't forget the £1.99 pre-order offer on the eBook.
30 September 2021
The eBook of Carrots Don't Grow On Trees! is now available to pre-order from Apple Books and Amazon at the special reduced price of just £1.99! This exclusive offer will run until 28 November when the book goes on sale, following which the eBook will be at full price of £3.99. Order your copy now, get it in November and save £2!
Carrots Don't Grow On Trees! on Apple Book
Carrots Don't Grow On Trees! eBook : Keeley, Rob, Goodway, Simon: Amazon.co.uk: Books
26 August 2021
I will be storytelling at Book Jive Live, a live children's authors' event to be held on Zoom from 7.00-8.30pm on Friday 10 September! I will be performing a brand-new children's story from a new collection I have in the making - never read or heard anywhere before! In aid of magicbreakfast.com, a charity that provides nutritious breakfasts to children living with food insecurity.
More details on my Twitter and Goodreads. Tickets here:
WeGotTickets | Simple, honest ticketing | Book Jive Live
17 August 2021
Creative Writing Online with Rob!
Just to let you all know I'm currently taking names for my online Creative Writing course for adults, which I hope to run again online in the autumn (as well as in person, once conditions allow). Learn to write novels and short stories with a published author and MA graduate, for just £10 a week. Now includes video tutorials! Plus, upgrade to video feedback on your work for just another £5 per week.
Email me or DM me on Twitter for details...
9 August 2021
Own all my books for just over £40!
Hi all, Happy National Book Lovers Day!
Just to let you all know there's a fabulous sale at my publisher Matador Books, lasting for TODAY only, with a mighty 45% off on all of their books! That means you can get a set of my books, excepting The Treasure in the Tower, for just £33.94! Or add Treasure... to make the total £41.93! A complete set of my books, for just over £40!
Visit the Bookshop at www.troubador.co.uk.
22 July 2021
My new picture book, Carrots Don't Grow On Trees!, will be published by Matador Books in November 2021! It will once again be illustrated by Simon Goodway and will contain a range of fun activities to make this a truly interactive story. Read more about the book here.
8 June 2021
I'm looking forward to working with Liverpool Learning Partnership and Writing on the Wall on two linked virtual school workshops as part of Liverpool Year of Writing #LiverpoolWrites! Details and FREE resources for these can be found here:
Creative Writing School Workshops: Where Were We? and Where Do We Go From Here? – Culturepool
Soon I will be hosting these over Zoom for King's Leadership Academy, Liverpool, and, teachers, for a modest fee you can book me to lead them for you! Email me for details...
7 June 2021
You can now buy my books direct from me! Every copy signed. Personalised messages available. Free P&P. Bulk discounts for schools and events! See the Home page for more details...
3 June 2021
I am featuring in a short film released by The Literary Consultancy to celebrate their 25th anniversary. It features many authors and we're all looking at 'Why I Write'. You can view my contribution on my Twitter, but this and four other celebratory films are being premiered online on 15 July at 7pm. Tickets here:
Why I Write: Film Premiere « The Literary Consultancy
24 March 2021
The Coming of the Spirits, the final novel in the Spirits series, is now available in paperback at HALF-PRICE in an exclusive summer offer from my publisher, Troubador Publishing. Use the code SUMMER to claim, at this link:
The Coming Of The Spirits - Troubador Book Publishing
Find out how Ellie and Edward's story ends...
11 March 2021
The Dinner Club and Other Stories and all the Spirits novels are now available as eBooks! This means all my books for children are now in electronic format. They are available from online booksellers and libraries.
4 March 2021
Happy World Book Day! There's a special video message from me, on my Twitter...
1 March 2021
It's my tenth anniversary today as a published author! The Alien in the Garage, my first book, was published on 1 March 2011.
I'd like to thank Troubador Publishing Ltd, my web designer Aimee Coveney, my illustrator Simon Goodway and all involved in producing and marketing my books over the last ten years.
There's a special giveaway going on, over on Twitter, where you can win free downloads of the eBooks of The Alien in the Garage and The Treasure in the Tower (my first and most recent books). Grown-ups, please enter for young readers! Find out more...
28 January 2021
19 January 2021
SAVE THE DATE! The online launch for The Treasure in the Tower will be on its trade publication date, Thursday 28 January, on Twitter at 8pm. With a very special video and a live Q&A! More to follow. Bring the family!
19 January 2021
31 December 2020
The Treasure in the Tower has been voted one of The Bookbag website's Top 10 Indie Books for 2020! Read more here.
A Happy New Year to all my readers!
18 December 2020
robkeeley.co.uk relaunches today with a brand new look! Check out the new carousel on the Home page with links to all my books on My Stories, the latest reviews, links and quiz for The Treasure in the Tower, and new graphics throughout!
I'd like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Look out for exciting new book news in 2021!
5 November 2020
My publisher Matador Books is now on Bookshop.org, which aims to give an online platform to independent bookshops and bring their books to a wider audience! All of my books are now available here, as well as from Matador's own webstore at troubador.co.uk, and links have been added to the My Stories and Links pages.
Meanwhile, check out those pages for more order links for The Treasure in the Tower.
7 October 2020
Great news - the eBook of my new novel for the 8-12s, The Treasure in the Tower, is now available for pre-order on Apple Books!
It will be exclusive to Apple until 20 October. First chance to order your copy!
26 September 2020
I am on author, teacher and vlogger Edvin Palmer's YouTube channel today, talking about creativity, the writing process and how my early life and family turned me into a writer...
22 September 2020
My new novel for the 8-12s, The Treasure in the Tower, will be published in the run-up to Christmas 2020! Read more and have a sneak preview of the cover here...
31 July 2020
I'm hoping to run my online Creative Writing course for adults again around September. This proved very popular during lockdown and is open to anyone in UK aged 18 or over. Eight weeks on writing novels and short stories at just £10 per week! To sign up, email me!
28 July 2020
There's a summer sale on my books for children at my publisher Matador Books, with most available for the summer holidays at half price! Explore ghostly houses with Ellie, play football with Liam and Justin or meet Favourite People, with 50% off!
Check them out on My Stories and hit the Matador button to visit their bookshop!
24 July 2020
Paper Nations has republished the opening of my Stay At Home Literary Festival children's story 'Lockdown', with a piece about me, as part of its project The Great Margin. Find out what Liam and Justin did in quarantine!
https://daretowrite.org/atlas/the-great-margin/stories/view-all-stories/
Check out their further happenings in The Alien in the Garage, The (Fairly) Magic Show and The Dinner Club collections.
20 April 2020
I have written a 30-page PDF booklet, Rob Keeley's Story Starters, part-based on the writing prompts I wrote for the Stay At Home Literary Festival and used with their kind permission. These Story Starters have now been expanded into a fun two-week Creative Writing course for young people, which is suitable for Key Stages 2 and 3.
This is available to parents, teachers, schools, homeschools and children's libraries (or anyone who wants some fun writing activities) in the UK for just £10! Email me.
10 April 2020
My Stay At Home Literary Festival story for children is now available to view FREE on the Festival website - and it's the first new Liam and Justin story in five years! Read 'Lockdown' here: https://stayathomelitfest.co.uk/writers-in-residence/7/
7 April 2020
Another award for Childish Spirits
Childish Spirits has received another award longlisting, for the WriteMentor Children's Novel Award, and was given an honourable mention too! My thanks to their judges. Read more here.
27 March 2020
I have been made Children's Writer in Residence for the Stay-at-Home! online literary festival! I was already booked to do a Q&A at this, and this will still take place, alongside activities for young readers. The festival runs from today, 27 March until 11 April, entirely on the Internet! So, here's what will be happening:
• I will be tweeting a writing prompt for children each day during the Festival! Great for families homeschooling or young people still at school. Follow me at twitter.com/RobKeeleyAuthor and tweet back with the hashtag #StayAtHomeFest. If you write something based on these, tweet a picture of it using the hashtag and I'll retweet.
• I'll be writing a children's story especially for the Festival website. More on this soon! stayathomefest.wordpress.com
• I'll be doing my Q&A on Twitter from 3-4pm next Friday, 3 April. Come and join me via the link above and again, use the hashtag #StayAtHomeFest.
My thanks to the Festival organisers - it's great to be representing children's literature at such a historic event. Check back here and on Twitter for more news!
20 March 2020
I will be taking part in @StayatHomefest on Friday 3 April, holding a Q&A LIVE on Twitter from 3-4pm. Tweet to me your questions about me, my books or creative writing! Look forward to taking part in this brilliant way to beat the lockdown!
Programme: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1boaFtHoSvPribH4W_ACcDD_x4VYDXa5RsYioLxVVVw/edit
19 March 2020
As you may have seen on Twitter, I've ceased to hold my Creative Writing course for adults at Wallasey Central Library because of the Coronavirus. However, the course continues online until the planned final date of Friday 27 March and students have been emailed.
I'm now looking at holding workshops online for the next few months - the Creative Writing course for adults again if there's interest (I've had some already, and of course anyone in the UK could now take part!) and also virtual children's author workshops for any young people who are still at school. Email me to book! And check out the updated workshops brochure on the Home page.
17 January 2020
Creative Writing for adults
News on my Creative Writing course for adults, which will run on Friday afternoons from 7 February to 27 March, at 2.30pm in the training room at Wallasey Central Library, 17 Earlston Road, Wallasey CH45 5DX. Still time to sign up so contact me!
VHSGHM
