Steve Voake

Steve Voake is a successful English children's author from Midsomer Norton, Somerset, whose books have sold all over the world.

He started his teaching career at Midsomer Norton County Primary school in the late 80's. In 2003 he was head teacher of a primary school in Kilmersdon, Somerset, when the BBC reported that he was being hailed as the next J. K. Rowling. A bidding war had broken out amongst publishers and film makers for the rights to his first novel, The Dreamwalker's Child. The publication deal he accepted with Faber and Faber enabled him to give up his teaching job to be a full-time writer, although the book has not been made into a film.

Since then he has published twenty three books. The novelist and critic Amanda Craig has regularly praised his work. The Times often includes his books in its recommended lists of top children's books. The School Library Association has included one of his novels in its list of recommended books for boys.

He also contributed to the Higher Ground Project, a book featuring leading children's authors that was published to raise awareness of the Boxing Day Tsunami.

On 22 March 2017, Voake was on Westminster Bridge, London, and witnessed the Westminster terrorist attack.

Early life

Steve Voake grew up in Midsomer Norton. After leaving school he sold ice-creams in the south of France for a while. He obtained a BA (Hons) in Philosophy at the University of Liverpool, then qualified as a teacher at the University of Exeter.

Career

He spent eight years as head teacher of Kilmersdon Primary School, near Midsomer Norton, Somerset.

In addition, film companies DreamWorks, Warner Brothers, Fox Broadcasting Company and Miramax all asked to see the book In 2005, the book was published in the UK as well as Italy, Germany, Greece, Holland, Russia, Portugal and Japan. US rights were subsequently bought at auction for a six-figure sum.

In 2007 he collaborated with his cousin Charlotte Voake, the Nestle Smarties Book Prize-winning author of Pizza Kittens and Ginger, to write Insect Detective.

He is currently also Senior Lecturer in Writing for Young People at Bath Spa University. Fightback – Won the Bolton book Award "Hooey Higgins and the Shark" awarded Outstanding International Book by United States Board of Books for Young People, 2013 "Insect Detective" was awarded Best Illustrated Children's Non Fiction Book by the English Association (2009) 'My Brother Saves Things' longlisted for University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor's International Poetry Prize, 2016 "Pencil" – Poems on the Buses Exhibition, Guernsey Literary Festival 2017 "TT" longlisted for Poetry Society's National Poetry Competition 2020

Personal life He lives with his family in Westbury-sub-Mendip, Somerset.

Media coverage

UK national newspapers

The Times has published many favourable articles featuring Steve Voake or his books and frequently including them in their holiday specials of recommended books at Christmas or the summer holidays, Their critic, the novelist Amanda Craig in particular has recommended them,

The Guardian reported on Steve Voake's inclusion on the School Library Association List. The Observer favourably reviewed The Dreamwalker's Child ". The Daily Telegraph has also reviewed his work, as has The Independent. The Times Educational Supplement covered Steve Voake's contribution to the Higher Ground Project, a book published to raise awareness of the Boxing Day Tsunami.

UK local newspapers

Many local newspapers have covered his work, including the Somerset Guardian Standard, the Bath Chronicle and the Worcester News.

Foreign periodicals

Abroad, there has been considerable newspaper coverage, including The Herald Journal, (Utah, United States), the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and in Fantasy Magazine in Italy.

Television and radio

CBBC featured an interview with Steve Voake in its Newsround programme.

BBC Somerset Sound has interviewed him on the radio. The BBC has regularly reported on Steve Voake in its news pages on its website.

Literary festivals

He is now a regular on the book festival circuit and has been invited to speak at literary festivals including Cheltenham, Frome, Bath, Somerset, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Guildford.