McGowan wrote his first book, the gory and violent Abandon Hope, while working as a civil servant, but it was rejected by every publisher to which he sent it. When his wife Rebecca Campbell (then working as a fashion designer and executive) wrote a successful novel about the fashion industry, her agent offered to take McGowan on as a client, as well, on condition that he write something "saner" and "more commercial". [7] The plot, such as it is, concerns a trip onto the moors near where the brothers live in Yorkshire: real Wuthering Heights territory. McGowan’s sparse prose ideally suits the landscapes he describes.

How To Teach Philosophy to Your Dog: A Quirky Introduction to the Big Questions in Philosophy (Oneworld Publications, 2019) ISBN 978-1786076748 And there’s also Kirstin Lamb, my tireless publicist, who worked her fingers to the bone trying to winkle a little media attention for my poor books. Anthony McGowan has won the CILIP Carnegie Medal with Lark (Barrington Stoke), the fourth in his Truth of Things series of novellas, and Shaun Tan has claimed the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal for illustration for Tales from the Inner City (Walker Books). It marks the first medal win for independent publisher Barrington Stoke and the 12th Kate Greenaway Medal for Walker. A young girl’s cat brightens the lives of everyone in the neighbourhood. A woman and her dog are separated by time and space, awaiting the day they will be reunited. A race of fish build a society parallel to our own. And a bunch of office managers suddenly turn into frogs but find that their new lives aren’t so bad. East, Ben (12 November 2017). "The Art of Failing review – it shouldn't happen to a YA author". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712 . Retrieved 26 June 2019.This is -- as all the best stories are -- a tale about love. Love of siblings, of parents, of surrogate parents, of animal companions, and of course the first crush. And it's about how one reacts when that love is tested. When it comes to originality and genius, Tan is in a league of his own. This collection of stories and poems with an animal-in-the-city theme are intriguing, thought-provoking and at times baffling, asking as many questions as they answer, and the illustrations are sublime. One for quirky teens (or adults) who love art.” The Irish Independent As a journalist, McGowan has written on sport, travel and culture. [31] [32] [33] He has lectured on creative writing at London Metropolitan University, Royal Holloway University of London, and The Faber Academy. [34] Personal life [ edit ]

Peet, Mal (18 November 2006). "Review: Henry Tumour by Anthony McGowan". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077 . Retrieved 23 June 2019. McGowan went on to study Philosophy and Politics at Manchester University, obtaining a BA in 1986 and an M.Phil in 1990. He earned his PhD from the Open University in 1996 with a thesis titled The sublime machine: conceptions of masculine beauty 1750-1850. [4] [5] Centre for Literacy in Primary Education(CLPE) and the English and Media Centrecreate expert teaching resources for the shortlisted books. a b Giles, Ann (11 February 2014). "The #7 profile - Anthony McGowan". Bookwitch . Retrieved 22 June 2019.Royal National Institute of Blind People ( RNIB)and Calibre Audio Librarywill be producing the Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medal shortlisted books in accessible formats (compatibility permitting), including braille, giant print and audio books. Every writer for young people dreams of winning the Carnegie Medal. Its incredible history, the rollcall of the great writers who have won it and the rigour of the selection process, makes this the greatest book prize in the world. It is also a magnificent way of connecting with readers. The hundreds of shadowing groups in schools and libraries around the country provide that one thing that writers cannot do without: a living, arguing, debating, biscuit-munching population of brilliant readers!

McGowan is married to novelist and London School of Economics academic Rebecca Campbell. [10] [35] They have two children.and live in West Hampstead, London. [36] Their dad, (now sober and working) suggests a walk. The same walk he and his own father used to take – across the Yorkshire Moors. He gives them a map and instructions on the buses they must take to get there, assuring the paths are well marked and it will be a good day trip. Academy Award-winning artist, writer and film maker Shaun Tan is the first illustrator of colour to win the CILIP Kate Greenaway MedalMcGowan … freights every word with truth and feeling … Few other writers for the young better understand the pull of the gang and the fear of the bully” The Times

Judging a book prize like this is an incredibly gruelling process, and so I’d first like to thank the Carnegie judges, but also all the Youth Librarians who have been involved in this monumental task. If I had to read so many books in such a short time, I know I’d come to hate literature. And yet you manage to retain your joy and your enthusiasm. Those of us who write for children know that we have on our side – and, more importantly, on the side of the young readers – a body of people brimming with knowledge, passion and, most of all, love for children’s books. The nature-loving brothers trip to the county’s wild and desolate moorland starts out well enough. But suddenly things go very wrong, and their relationship is put to a severe test. This is a great read for people who like their stories short and to the point, and the book’s dyslexia-friendly format – specially chosen font, printed on off-white paper – works well for reluctant or struggling readers. On winning the prestigious Carnegie Medal,Anthony McGowan said: “Every writer for young people dreams of winning the Carnegie Medal. Its incredible history, the rollcall of the great writers who have won it and the rigour of the selection process, makes this the greatest book prize in the world. It is also a magnificent way of connecting with readers. The hundreds of shadowing groups in schools and libraries around the country provide that one thing that writers cannot do without: a living, arguing, debating, biscuit-munching population of brilliant readers!

One of the great things about the Carnegie over the past decade is the way it has embraced, as we all must, diversity. It’s vital that young people can see versions of themselves in books – characters who look and sound like them. a b c "Interview: Anthony McGowan". The Times. 28 March 2008. ISSN 0140-0460 . Retrieved 27 June 2019. Lark made me laugh out loud at the authentic banter between the brothers. It filled me with an impending sense of dread as their adventure soured, and I shivered along with the boys at their predicament. This is the first book we’ve read by this author, although I now understand there are others involving the same characters which we’d definitely be interested in.