Harper Collins Authors Party at the V&A

Long gone are the days when the publishing industry was all about long lunches and cocktail parties.

Thank goodness, Harper Collins still throws one star-studded author party every summer. This year, because of my coming book The Adventures of Portly the Otter, I received an invite to join them at the V&A on the hottest day of this year so far.

I had a wonderful time seeing friends and splashing about in the fountain as a children’s author should. Here are some pictures of the fun in which I am being gloriously silly. If you’ve read my books, this won’t surprise you at all.

Podcast from the Riverbank - research and a chat with David Oakes

Last year, when The Adventures of Portly the Otter was top secret, I took a research trip to Cookham Dean - the place that inspired The Wind in the Willows. I visited the original Wild Wood, which is called Bisham Wood and walked along the banks of the Thames.

While I was there, I was visited by actor, podcaster and friend, David Oakes. We recorded an episode of his Trees A Crowd podcast which was published last year, but I had to ask him to cut out all chat of my top secret project because it hadn’t been announced or written yet.

Now that the world knows about my business with the riverbank, David has compiled that conversation into a ten minute bonus listen to charm your ears.

Fun Fact about David, he once played Otter in a stage show of The Wind in the Willows (see pic in gallery).

So come with us to the home of the water rat and listen to a riverside conversation about untold tales from The Wind in the Willows.

Untold Tales from The Wind in the Willows by M. G. Leonard

I’ve been keeping this project secret for a long time now...

It is with a huge amount of delight that I can tell you that I have written a book about Portly the Otter, son of Otter from The Wind in the Willows. It is modelled on Kenneth Grahame’s original, as a series of riverbank stories, and features characters we all know and love, as well as introducing you to some new ones. The book is called The Adventures of Portly the Otter - Untold Tales from The Wind in the Willows and will answer a mystery I wondered about a lot as a child, which is - what really happened to Portly for him to be missing for so long, and end up - discovered by Ratty and Moley,- curled up between the cloven hooves of the god Pan?

The book is illustrated by the fabulous Polly Dunbar and will be printed as a four colour hardback gift book in March 2026 by Farshore.

I cannot tell you what a joy it has been to revisit the riverbank and spend time with the much beloved Ratty, Moley, Badger, and of course the mischievous Mr Toad, but the biggest delight of all has been spending a year researching and learning about otters.

I have inserted the full press release below, if you’re interested in more details.

I am a Podcast Guest on Before the Applause

This week I am a guest on Before the Applause, a podcast made by David Watson. We talk about my life before becoming an author, when I worked in the arts, the digital landscape and how I came to be a part of it, and how that has helped me as a self employed author now.

I have been lucky enough to call David a friend for over fifteen years. We met at the Royal Opera House, where we both worked as part of their digital team. We’ve been friends ever since.

David is Executive Director of Audiences & Media at National Museums Liverpool and has responsibility for Exhibitions, Marketing & Brand, Digital, PR & Communications, Development (Fundraising), Strategic & Creative Partnerships and Creative Studios (design and production) for the group which comprises of seven world-class museums and galleries. Prior to this he has worked for an assortment of high-profile organisations including  Birmingham Royal Ballet, Hull UK City of Culture 2017, English National Ballet, London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Opening & Closing Ceremonies, Royal Opera House and Rambert Dance Company.

THE PODCAST BLURB: Before the Applause Podcast – hosted by David Watson – is your backstage pass to the creative industries. This audio deep dive uncovers the real stories behind the arts and cultural experiences we all enjoy but rarely think about before the curtain rises. Each episode brings you candid conversations with the people who make it happen—dancers, producers, designers, actors, DJs, photographers, costumers, marketers, publicists, data analysts, and many more. From the triumphs to the challenges, David lifts the lid on what it truly means to build a career in this dynamic and ever-evolving industry.  Whether you’re an aspiring creative, a seasoned professional, or just curious about the work behind the magic, Before the Applause is here to celebrate the people who bring ideas to life.

M. G. Leonard at Hay Festival 2025

M G Leonard at Hay Festival 2025

Hay Festival is always such a wonderful experience. Last year I did the schools programme, but this year I was on the public programme and accompanied by 40 mile and hour winds and lots of rain. Hopefully I warmed everyone up by taking them to Egypt in my Hunt for the Golden Scarab event.

I had such a great time talking to young readers about history and music, and was very impressed by how many Egyptologists came all the way to Hay to hang out and get their books signed. I was chatting and signing for well over two hours, and enjoyed every minute of it.

I wanted to thank everyone who made the long journey to come to my event. I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did.

FEATHER - shortlisted for Best Crime Novel for Children 2024

I am utterly overjoyed that Feather, which is based on a true crime, museum heist, has been shortlisted for the CrimeFest award. Twitch won this award back in 2022 and Spark was shortlisted the following year.

I’ve got all my fingers crossed that Feather might win this year as the wonderful CrimeFest have sadly announced that this will be the final year of the prize and the festival. I have enjoyed being a part of it and am pleased to be a part of the final festival celebrating crime fiction for all ages.

Golden Scarab Bestseller

To my utter delight, this week The Bookseller, the publishing trade magazine, did a review of the bestselling Children’s books in the first quarter of 2025 and I learned that Hunt for the Golden Scarab is the twelfth bestselling book of the year so far. That’s incredible, especially as it wasn’t available in shops until February.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every person who has purchased, read, reviewed, or recommended my book. It really takes an enormous effort from a team of people to launch a book in such a way that people get to hear of it, especially as i”m not off the tele, and it’s super important when it’s the first story in a new series.

If you enjoyed book one, then the wait for book too is not long, The Legend of Viking Thunder will be sailing into bookshops in September and I’ve just finished writing the third book in the series which will be available from February 2026.

World Book Day 2025

World Book Week 2025 has been quite dramatic for me. I broke my ankle, walking my dog, four days before the busiest week in a children’s author’s calendar! I’ve had to do my school visits on crutches and deliver events sat on chairs, which is not my usual style.

However, I have been greatly cheered by all the children who have dressed as characters from my books. I do love to see these pictures. Below is a gallery of all the costumes I’ve seen this year. I think they are all absolutely wonderful. I’m truly blown away.

Thank you to all who have sent them over social media or email. If your child would like to be added to this gallery, you can email a picture to info@mgleonard.com

Waterstones Children's Book of the Month!

It is with HUGE joy that I can share the news that the wonderful Waterstones bookshop has selected Hunt for the Golden Scarab as their Children’s Book of the Month! I am enormously grateful to everyone who is championing my newest Time Keys series, especially those wonderful booksellers who are suggesting my stories to young readers.

Let the HUNT begin! Grab a special sprayed edges signed edition today!

Signed Independent Bookshop Edition of Hunt for the Golden Scarab with sprayed edges

At the end of January 2025 my brand new time travelling adventure series, TIME KEYS, is launched. I cannot wait for you to read it.

To celebrate the wondrous independent bookshops up and down the country, my publishers are printing a limited run of books will gorgeous sprayed notation edges.

To be sure to get one for you bookshelf, you’ll have to pre-order from your local bookshop.

If you would like a super extra special DEDICATED one, then you can pre-order from my local bookshop, Book Nook Hove. I will be popping into the shop in the week before publication to sign and dedicate all your books.

So if you know a young reader who enjoys non-stop adventures, why not pre-order NOW!