Find out about our former writers and illustrators in residence, what they did here and what they are up to now...

Sarah Mooney

Our most recent resident was storyteller, Sarah Mooney who joined us in May 2009. She has been very busy getting involved in all sorts of projects as well as developing her own work.

During her residency Sarah worked with schools and teachers creating poetry and script writing. She ran workshops with parents and children, looking at story building and delivery. Sarah was also involved with local youth action groups and joined the team at Wychwood Festival where she was warmly received by both children and adults. Working with the education team she delivered Inset training and managed to squeeze in some Storytelling and animation sessions at the Museum too!

We are looking forward to having Sarah back to run more of her super-popular workshops here at the Museum, check out our What's on pages to find out when she's back.

To find out more about Sarah, visit her blog by following the link here on the right.

Paula Metcalf

In 2008 our author and illustrator in residence was Paula Metcalf. She was very busy getting involved in all sorts of projects as well as developing her own work.

Paula talked about her work with reading groups, was involved in outreach projects in prisons and with lucky local schools. Here she is with some very happy school children and their collage of her character, Jessica Jane the Giantess.
We are looking forward to having Paula back to run more of her super-popular workshops here at the Museum, check out our What's on pages to find out when she's back.

To find out more about Paula, visit her website by following the link.

Adam Guillain

Adam Guillain was our writer in residence from October 2005 until 2006.

He delivered fantabulous storytelling sessions, ran workshops with gifted and talented students and worked with local football clubs to encourage reluctant readers where he proved a real hit and inspiration, being dyslexic himself. The residency also allows writers time to spend on their own work, and tucked away in the resident's flat, looking out over the Museum courtyard, Adam dreamed up the third book in the exciting Bella Ballistica series.

Since moving on he has been in huge demand giving creative writing workshops and inset training to children and teachers all over the country as well as taking on a key role within The Story Museum in Oxford to develop storytelling skills within all kinds of demographics.

He is currently writing three novels, one of them being the fourth Bella Balisitica novel, The Forgotten Kingdom - due to be published Feb 2009.

Adam says 'the Roald Dahl Residency was a fab fab fab experience for me. I made some wonderful friends, really got into my writing, and rediscovered the inspiration of the master himself.'

Adam is the author of the exciting Bella Balistica series (Milet), available in good bookshops including our own.

You can also catch her in picture book format in Bella's Brazilian Football and Bella's Chocolate Surprise.

He still pops in to the Museum occasionally to regale lucky weekend and holiday visitors with his unique and magical brand of stories, so keep an eye out for him on our What's on pages.

To find out more about Adam, his books and his workshops, follow this link to his website.

Val Rutt

Val Rutt was our first ever writer in residence, joining us when we opened in June 2005. She worked closely with our Education manager, developing and delivering workshops for school parties as well as creating her own work. 

Val is a teacher and lives in North London with her husband, two children and a spaniel called Dave. Val is available for school visits to talk in assembly, run writing workshops or for storytelling sessions. She can also link a creative writing activity to a specific topic or theme as required.

Val is the mastermind behind the brilliant Heartstone Adventure series (published by penguin). Get caught up in the escapades of Phil and Kate Reynolds in:

The Race for the Lost Keystone:
ISBN: 978-0141317472
The Mystery of the Darkstone:
ISBN: 978-0141317489

To find out more about Val, visit her website by following this link.