Malorie Blackman OBE teaches Writing For Young Adults

The bestselling YA author of Noughts & Crosses leads BBC Maestro’s latest creative writing course. Launching 25 November 2021. Buy now at www.bbcmaestro.com

Bestselling Young Adult (YA) author and former Children’s Laureate, Malorie Blackman OBE will be sharing her 30 years’ experience in the upcoming BBC Maestro course, ‘Writing For Young Adults’.

Launched in October 2020 to incredible success, the BBC Maestro platform sees world-class experts share exclusive knowledge and insight into their craft . Malorie joins fellow writers Julia Donaldson, David Walliams and Line of Duty’s Jed Mercurio as well as other experts, including Peter Jones sharing his ‘Toolkit For Business Success’, Gary Barlow teaching ‘Songwriting’ and Marco Pierre White teaching ‘Delicious Food Cooked Simply’.

Malorie’s BBC Maestro course will consist of 24 video lessons, accompanied by comprehensive course notes with additional insights and writing exercises to help strengthen the aspiring YA fiction writer. Aimed at writers of all levels, Malorie will be sharing her tips, tricks and trips that will enable writers to come away from the course having learnt about key elements including structure, plot, theme, dialogue and characterisation. By the end of the course, writers will have the tools they need to start, continue and finish their stories – and send them out to agents and publishers.

Speaking about the course, Malorie explains:

“Part of why I started writing was to see people like me represented in literature. So think about why you want to write. Be truthful! Do you have one particular story that you’re burning to tell? Do you have a series or a whole range of stories that you can’t wait to share? Do you want to write or need to write? Do you love the idea of writing for the most honest, discerning audience? If your answer is yes to any or all of the above, this course is for you and will hopefully help.”

Malorie's dedication and enthusiasm for her craft is clear throughout the course, as she reflects on her own influences as a writer and the importance of diversity in young adult fiction – "Whatever your heritage or background, if you feel you have a story to tell, then I hope to help you tell it.” As well as writing prose novels, Malorie has also written verse, short story collections, picture books, television scripts and stage plays for young adults and children. With a broad expertise, Malorie’s BBC Maestro course is one that all writers can gain invaluable experience from.

‘Writing For Young Adults’ with Malorie Blackman launches Thursday 25 November 2021
Buy now at bbcmaestro.com
It costs £80 for lifetime access to 24 video lessons and accompanying course notes
Download hi-res images here

"Let me invite you into the fascinating, entertaining world of young adult fiction".

Malorie Blackman

- ENDS -

About Malorie Blackman

Hailed as one of the most iconic and influential YA authors, Malorie Blackman has been described as “a national treasure” by The Times. She has written more than 60 books for young adults and children, and many of her books have been adapted for stage and television including the BAFTA award-winning BBC production of Pig-Heart Boy, a Pilot Theatre stage adaptation of Noughts & Crosses, and the successful BBC adaptation of Noughts + Crosses that aired in 2020. As well as books, Malorie has also written in other forms including short story collections, picture books, television scripts and stage plays.

In 2008, Malorie received an OBE for her services in young adults’ and children’s literature. She was honoured as the Children’s Laureate between 2013 and 2015, when she campaigned to improve diversity, and set up the first ever Young Adult Literature Convention. Most recently, Malorie was awarded the ‘YA Book Prize Special Achievement Award’ in recognition of Noughts & Crosses 20th anniversary.

About BBC Maestro

BBC Maestro offers never-before granted access to the minds of some of the world’s greatest talents, through a series of very special video tutorials. BBC Maestro allows you to indulge in your area of passion from the comfort of your own home and learn from experts who have done it themselves. Each course is beautifully filmed in 4K and offers several hours of content, broken down into 20 to 40 easily digested lessons, accompanied by downloadable course notes filled with hints, tips and a breakdown of the course.

BBC Maestro taps into the fast-growing e-learning space – because of the way technology has revolutionised teaching and learning, lessons no longer have to be confined to the classroom. In 2020, the number of people using online learning videos grew dramatically to an estimated 200 million users worldwide. The global ‘Mass Open Online Courses’ market size is expected to increase from $7.3 billion in 2020 to $67 billion by 2027.

BBC Maestro is a commercial platform developed and operated by Maestro Media Ltd under licence from BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

For interview requests or further information please contact:

Maria Barham | E: maria.barham@dawbell.com

Mia Pavey | E: mia.pavey@dawbell.com

About BBC Studios

BBC Studios, a global content company with bold British creativity at its heart, is a commercial subsidiary of the BBC Group, supporting the licence fee and enhancing programmes for UK audiences. Able to take an idea seamlessly from thought to screen and beyond, its activities span content financing, development, production, sales, branded services, and ancillaries across both its own productions, and programmes and formats made by high-quality UK independents. Award-winning British programmes made by the business are internationally recognised across a broad range of genres and specialisms, with brands like Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing with the Stars, Top Gear and Doctor Who. BBC.com, BBC Studios’ global digital news platform, provides up-to-the-minute international news, in-depth analysis and features to more than 139 million unique browsers each month. BBC Studios has offices in over 20 markets globally, including ten production bases in the UK and production bases or partnerships in a further seven countries around the world. The company, which ordinarily makes around 2000 hours of content a year for both the BBC and third parties including Apple, Netflix and Migu, is a champion for British creativity around the world. It is also a committed partner for the UK’s independent sector through a mix of equity partnerships, content investment and international distribution for programme titles.