Alan Gibbons

Football question
Now here’s a thing,
Bill Shankly once said the Kop
could suck the ball into the back of the net.

So, how come,
no matter how hard I blow
I can’t keep the ball out of ours?

© Alan Gibbons 2008

Alan Gibbons used to be a teacher – now he’s a full-time poet and writer. Maybe you’ve read Dark Spaces – his latest collection of scary tales about vampires, ghosts and werewolves. He’s written more than 50 books and won lots of awards, including a Blue Peter Book Award. He’s worked in schools all over the UK and abroad.

Alan passionately supports Crewe Alexandra and Manchester United – although he lives in Liverpool, which is where his wife grew up. He is inspired by good comedians and storytellers, books, movies and especially music. The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, The Christians, Bruce Springsteen, The Clash, Sam Cooke and Marvin Gaye are his favourites.

Alan will tell you funny stories about his life and crack a few jokes to get you in the mood to write and perform.

What young people say about Alan:

• ‘He’s dead funny and ordinary. I thought he would be really up himself but he isn’t.’
• ‘I always thought reading and writing were boring and difficult but Alan made it easy and fun.’

You can find out more about Alan Gibbons on his blog alangibbons.net/