Anne Fine, survivor of many an author visit, impersonates her least favourite host or hostess. Any resemblance to an actual person, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Adèle Geras asks

‘What’s the Rush?’

Overcoming the urge to begin this article with the words: ‘why, oh why?’, I would like to try to enlist some support. Is anyone else out there irritated by the current lust for speed in children’s books?

Peggy Woodford

This is a tale about some tales: about a whopping great giant, and the age-old, wise and revered tellers of classic, time-honoured stories, and about a really stupid little girl.

Robert Leeson reflects on recent objections to Political Correctness

Why do writers need good teachers as much as teachers need good writers?

Henrietta Branford explains...

Not so, say the Signal team taken to task by Steve Rosson in our last issue.

Why would a popstar turn into a children's author? Stan Cullimore explains.

Peter Dixon reminds us of what kids are really interested in ... and what adults prefer to give them.

"Let's go trespassing..." declared William.'

Adele Geras launches an occasional series ...

Unlike writers, reviewers lead a charmed life - etiquette normally prevents a response to their response. Given the chance, though, how would writers reply to their most irritating critic?