REVIEW: Jacqueline Wilson at the Brighton Dome

That’s because the world-famous author is one of the UK’s top children’s writers, who this week came to talk to an excited young crowd at the Brighton Dome.

The event was part of 26 Letters, a celebration of children’s books at this year’s Brighton Festival.

The audience was largely made up of excited young girls and their parents, and they hung on every word the Tracy Beaker author said during yesterday morning’s session at the historic Brighton venue.

They were particulary excited to learn Wilson will, later this year, be releasing the fith installment in her popular Hetty Feather series of books.

It will be her 102nd novel – a formidable collection, but one which Wilson said she still could not believe.

But as well as details about her upcoming books, Wilson also talked about her background and how she came to be a writer, despite stiff opposition from her parents.

From living in a linen closet in Scotland, to being the inspiration for Jackie magazine, the event was full of interesting nuggets of information and practical tips.

She also took around a dozen questions from eager fans, who asked insightful questions ranging from ‘where is your favourite place to write?’ to ‘which, do you think, is the worst book you’ve written?’, the latter of which drew laughs from the crowd.

At the end of the hour-long event, the audience certainly had a greater understanding of what it takes to write a book, and I’m sure many a budding young author was inspired to follow their dream.