Firefly publisher to lead new Golden Egg Academy branch

Children’s writing organisation the Golden Egg Academy is opening a new branch to cover Wales and the South West, which will be led by Firefly Press publisher Penny Thomas.

The new branch will offer aspiring writers workshops and courses in Cardiff, Wales, and will begin operating in January 2019.

Imogen Cooper, who founded the academy, said: “I’m delighted to be working with Penny Thomas. She’s a terrific editor and I have greatly admired her drive to create Firefly Press. We’ve been waiting to find someone experienced who shares our values to head up this new wing of Golden Egg and Penny certainly does that.

“We’re delighted to be able to offer courses in Cardiff for aspiring authors from Wales and the South West. Not everyone finds travel to London easy.”

Cooper launched Golden Egg Academy in 2013 in London and helped writers such as Lisa Williamson and M G Leonard sign their first book deals. A second branch opened in Manchester last year.

SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) Wales will be hosting the launch of GEA Wales and South West in Cardiff on 29th July, with both Thomas and Cooper in attendance.