Julia Johnson’s stories frequently focus on the history and culture of the Arabian Peninsula. She is keen to preserve and continue the oral tradition of storytelling, and to encourage an awareness of the rich and colourful heritage of the Gulf through her writing by weaving together fact with fiction in stories and rhymes which are easily accessible to young people.

She won the “Best International Children’s Book” award for “The Turtle Secret” at the Sharjah Book Fair in 2014 and received a Kirkus Star review for “The Leopard Boy”.

Amanda Craig is a British novelist, short-story writer and critic. Born in South Africa in 1959, she grew up in Italy, where her parents worked for the UN, and was educated at Bedales School and Clare College Cambridge. She was the children’s critic for The Independent on Sunday and The Times, and one of the first to spot the Harry Potter books, Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials, Twilight, How to Train Your Dragon and The Hunger Games. She is regarded as a state of the nation novelist, commenting on the gulf between rich and poor.

For the second time, we welcome Anthony Horowitz to our studio to discuss his career as a writer for Young Adults, having been on previously to discuss his adult fiction. From Alex Rider in print and on the big screen, through channelling Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Ian Fleming, to how and why his wife built a motorway, Anthony leaves no stone unturned. At the heart of all he does is his profound and abiding joy in creating great stories.

Hands up if you know where Lamonic Bibber is and why the Lamonical Chronicle is the town’s only and second best newspaper. Yes, you’ve entered the world of Mr Gum, a sort of League of Gentlemen for kids and the creation of Andy Stanton whose works have been translated into thirty two languages, sold some 4 million copies in the UK alone and which delight children of all ages... even some of the 50plus year old kids who help run Lockdown LitFest. Andy is a complete marvel and we are utterly delighted - and little bit scared - to have him join us in our studio!

The inventive star of children’s literature talks to us about his school (or is that prison?) career, the genius who translates his books into Japanese, and the definition of a ‘lert’. After inadvertently revealing the identity of the great novelist whose festival performance persuaded him writers should never read their own work aloud, Philip nevertheless indulged us with a stave from Awful End (just republished for its 20th anniversary), complete with sound effects. Cosy up with the kids and enjoy.

Previously on Lockdown Litfest, multi-talented Festival favourite Curtis Jobling took us through his artist’s journey. This week, from his bespoke writer’s den in Cheshire, he talks to author and broadcaster Simeon Courtie about writing for page and screen. Curtis traces his journey from art-school uber-nerd to bestselling author of epic Young Adult fantasy novels, showing us that creativity is compatible with the passionate embrace of influence, from genre tropes to the local legends of the British Isles.

Kate and Liz read from their Witches Kiss trilogy – introducing Merry, a spirited teenage witch in Anglo-Saxon England – as well as from their new fantasy fairy tale, Throne of Swans. They share with Paul Blezard some fascinating insights into their joyfully organic co-writing process as sisters and best friends, and they consider the importance of both aspiration and emotional authenticity in writing fiction for Young Adults.