Newspaper Article 1996 – Author reads books

Author reads books

Author William Taylor was at the Hastings library yesterday to speak to Hastings primary and secondary pupils as part of the Aim Children’s Book Festival.

The former school teacher and Mayor of Ohakune explained the steps in writing a book and answered questions before reading excerpts from several of his often humorous novels.

Mr Taylor began writing adult novels in the 1970s but now writes exclusively for children and many of his titles are sold in Britain, the United States, Holland, France, Denmark and Sweden.

Two, Annie and Co and Marilyn Munroe and Numbskulls are finalists in this year’s Aim Children’s Book Award be to announced on May 1.

Agnes the Sheep, which Mr Taylor told the students was based on a “ghastly old pet ram” he had as a child and is based on his recollections of children he had taught, is now being considered for an American film.

And Mr Taylor has just finished a commission to write a Shortland Street novel based on the character Nick. It is one of four novels based on the television series due later this year.

Photo captions –

Pupils from Hastings schools listening to Mr Taylor in the library yesterday

Author William Taylor reading to school pupils at the Hastings