
Insect Poems in new Collection
Writing Writing Writing
A quick update to explain what I’m up to right now. I’m head writing for children’s TV right now and will be into 2021. I’m also writing the second Knight Sir Louis book (The Dragon of Doooooom!) due out in May 2021. I’m also writing lyrics for another TV show and when I have time (!) a stage adaptation.
Knight Sir Louis Virtual School Visits
My brother Greg and I have done some virtual school visits recently. Our workshop, linked to our middle grade book Knight Sir Louis and the Dreadful Damsel, is a fun engaging session for Year 3 upwards. We create characters together, do a draw-along and create a six panel storyboard. We finish with a Q&A where we always have some great questions. We can deliver the workshops via Zoom, Microsoft Teams or Google Meet.
BookTrust HomeTime reading of Knight Sir Louis
Here I am reading Chapter 6 of Knight Sir Louis and the Dreadful Damsel for the BookTrust. Published by Guppy Books.
You can ORDER Knight Sir Louis and the Dreadful Damsel from:
🏰Blackwells: https://bit.ly/3cg1eRR
🏰Waterstones: http://bit.ly/2Qq12Xf
🏰Amazon: https://amzn.to/33p1I4k
🏰Hive: http://bit.ly/39WiJW8
OR from your local independent bookshop!
Middle Grade Inspirations
Here is a video I made for publisher Guppy Books. I shares some middle grade funny fiction inspirations for our new series, Knight Sir Louis (illustrated by my brother, Greg). From childhood classics Roald Dahl and Asterix to more recent books like Wimpy Kid and the Penny Dreadful series by Joanna Nadin.
Circle Square Commissioned
The preschool show ‘Circle Square’ that I developed with my brother Greg has been picked up by Milkshake! We’re making it under the banner of a new company Wyndley Animation set up with our producers Erica Darby and Helen Brunsdon. You can read more about the news at these places:
Knight Sir Louis and the Dreadful Damsel
Our book has been printed, ahead of its August publication. You can pre-order it already from all the usual places.
🏰Blackwells: https://bit.ly/3cg1eRR
🏰Waterstones: http://bit.ly/2Qq12Xf
🏰Amazon: https://amzn.to/33p1I4k
🏰Hive: http://bit.ly/39WiJW8
OR from your local independent bookshop!
The Witch and the Baby Awards
The short animated film I co-wrote with director Evgenia Golubeva has so far picked up 21 awards! You can also see Evgenia and I (and our dog Astra) talking about the film for the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film. Watch the trailer above or on Vimeo.
Haiku Workshop with Guppy Books
I’ve done a Haiku workshop with Guppy Books. They are publishing my first children’s book Knights Sir Louis and the Dreadful Damsel in August 2020. Check out the Facebook page here with plenty of goodies.
The Saskatoons
I co-created this adventure series for 6+ year olds with writer-illustrator Evgenia Golubeva. We are working with the fantastic Sardinha em Lata studio in Lisbon, Portugal on the development of the series. As of April 2020, we have prepared a pitch bible and pilot script. I’m also voice directing the pilot and providing some of the voices.
Poem in the Caterpillar Spring 2020
My poem ‘The Shortest Story’ features in the Spring 2020 edition of the Caterpillar Magazine.
Writing Cooperative Interview – Write Now
I recently gave an interview to the Writing Cooperative over on Medium.com. Check it out HERE.
Chippy Hood series writer
I had great fun writing a bunch of episodes for this wonderful TV show Chippy Hood in 2019-20. It’s going to be crazy, colourful and musical.
Article: 3 Ways to Write Your Book
Head over to Medium.com for my article 3 Ways to Write Your Book where I examine the approaches well known authors take to planning their novels.
New Voice Actor Video Reel
I’ve updated my animation voice actor video reel. If you need a voice for your production check out my voice actor page and get in touch at mylesmcleod.com/contact
The Witch and the Baby
I co-wrote this short animation with director Evgenia Golubeva. I also provided the voice of the Witch and the King. The film is about to start its international film festival run. Watch the trailer on Vimeo HERE or above.
Knight Sir Louis announcement
Coming in June 2020. A middle-grade children’s book written by me and illustrated by my brother Greg. Knight Sir Louis is the story of a brave knight in a bonkers world. Here’s the trailer:
New Voice Showreels
I’ve just updated two of my voice showreels. Check out my voice actor page on The Brothers McLeod website.
Thanks to Spesh Maloney
Starship Impossible
Here’s a fun lo-fi animation from The Brothers McLeod. I wrote the script and performed all the voices. My brother Greg McLeod developed this super quick style to produce fun, YouTube friendly videos.
Teaching in Armenia
I taught a TV writing workshop for two weeks in the amazing TUMO centre in Yerevan, Armenia. I had great students, the staff were super supportive, and I even met the Deputy Governor of California!
Best Bugs Forever. Disney Series Writer
I wrote two episodes for this Disney Channel show Best Bugs Forever with writing partner Evgenia Golubeva.
Dinosaur poem published
A new anthology of dinosaur poems published by Emma Press features one of my poems for children entitled Roar, roar, T.rex. Pre-order your copy now direct from the Emma Press.
Apollo’s Tall Tales series writer
Myles co-wrote an episode of this French show Apollon le grillon et les drôles de petites bêtes with Evgenia Golubeva. Their episode Fired! premiered 13 April 2019 on France 5.
New Children’s Poetry Collection
A collection of 48 fun poems available in paperback or for Kindle. Illustrated by Wilm Lindenblatt. What does a dinosaur eat for breakfast? What is the shortest story ever? What kind of music do cows like? What happened to the little shark? Did you hear about the lazy witch? Singalongabingbong is a collection of fun and funny poems for children. Available internationally through Amazon and the Book Depository.
BAFTA Film Award nomination
The Brothers McLeod were nominated for Best British Short Animation at the BAFTA Film Awards for our short film Marfa. Myles wrote the poem for the film.
Pilot episode for Millie and Lou
Evgenia Golubeva and I worked on the pilot script for this charming preschool animation show for Blue Zoo Productions Ltd. Created by the splendid duo Rory Cooke and Mandy Wong.
Kit ‘n’ Kate Series Writer
I’ve co-written several episodes of Kit ‘n’ Kate series two with Evgenia Golubeva.
Poetry Picture Club
I worked with comic artist and illustrator Wilm Lindenblatt to produce one illustrated poem for every week of 2018. The end result is this beautifully illustrated A4 paperback: Poetry Picture Club. Available to purchase from blurb.com
Comedy Sketch – Other Paul
Here’s a short comedy sketch I wrote, animated by the other half of The Brothers McLeod, Greg. Voices by me and the marvellous Susan Husband.
Becca’s Bunch series writer
Evgenia Golubeva and I co-wrote two episodes of Becca’s Bunch for Nick Jnr. Produced by Jam Media.
Marfa premieres at Sundance
Marfa is a short animation by The Brothers McLeod. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival 2018. It was later nominated for a BAFTA Film Award for Best British Short Animation. Myles wrote the poem for the film and co-directed. Myles’ brother Greg directed, illustrated and animated the whole film after visiting Marfa in 2014. Check out Greg’s illustration website. Watch the film on Vimeo.
Cats a Feline Compendium
Published by Penguin imprint Square Peg. Co-written with Fenella Smith. Illustrated by award winning illustrator brother Greg McLeod.
A lighthearted look at our feline friends and their most amusing (and infuriating) habits.
Over 140 entries delightfully illustrate a wealth of cat breeds – from the attention-loving Siamese to the playful Exotic Shorthair – followed by an extensive cat dictionary, which finally defines those characteristic behaviours and cat-related incidents that all cat lovers will recognise.
Create Your Own Universe published
If you have ever wanted to create a comic, graphic novel, animation, film, television series, or even a book, then Create Your Own Universe is here to help you get started. Published by LOM Art. Created by the BAFTA award-winning animation team The Brothers McLeod. Also translated and published in Czech Republic, China, and Russia.
The Inverted Peak – short film
I wrote the poem and co-directed this short film from The Brothers McLeod and Tom Angell.
DreamWorks Noddy developed by Myles McLeod
Myles co-developed Noddy Toyland Detective with producer Heath Kenny for DreamWorks. Myles helped to define the world, and created a number of new characters including Deltoid, Smartysaurus, Fuse, Pat-Pat and the Pockets, and The Naughticorns. Myles also wrote the pilot script, and five further scripts for series one.
A Book of Brilliant Ideas
An interactive creativity book by The Brothers McLeod. Published by Michael O’Mara books in the UK. Also available in the USA, France, Spain, Portugal, Brazil and beyond!
Clangers series writer
I wrote two scripts for the reboot of Clangers. This was something very special for me having grown up with the wonderful animations of Postgate and Firmin. My first script The Crystal Trees was later adapted into a board book. Narrated by Michael Palin in the UK and William Shatner in the USA.
Breeds a Canine Compendium book
A fun book about dog breeds. Great as a gift for dog-lovers! Co-written with my sister Fenella Smith. Illustrated by my brother Greg McLeod. Published by Square Peg, an imprint of Penguin Random House. Translated and published in Italian (Bau!), German (Wuff!), Japanese, French (Quel Chien!). Also available in the USA from Flatiron.
Hey Duggee
TV series writer for series one of Hey Duggee as seen on CBeebies and beyond. My scripts include The Summer Holiday Badge, The Castle Badge, The Hair Badge and The Sandcastle Badge. The Sandcastle Badge was later adapted into a picture book.
What’s the Big Idea? series writer
Myles wrote six episodes of this preschool show introducing philosophical thinking to children. It aired on Cbeebies in the UK.
Starship Impossible at Sitcom Trials
I wrote an original half hour sci-fi comedy called Starship Impossible. You can listen to the whole pilot on SoundCloud. It was selected for the Sitcom Trials. Performers on the night included Alexander Perkins, Susan Husband and Myles McLeod. Sound cues by Gavin Heaney.
The Approximate History of Maths for BBC
I wrote this hour long script for BBC Learning. It breaks down into chunks for a 6+ audience. It’s all about the History of Maths from the Babylonians to Pythagoras to Modern Computing. Produced by The Brothers McLeod. I also provided a number of the voices.
Phone Home on Channel 4
This was a short film I wrote for Random Acts. Voices by Greg McHugh and Lucy Montgomery. Designed by Greg McLeod. Directed by The Brothers McLeod. Screened on Channel 4. Staff Picks on Vimeo. Watch it here.
Billy’s Bloggerel for the Royal Shakespeare Company
I was commissioned to write eight poems for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s myshakespeare website as part of the World Shakespeare Festival 2012. Each poem explored as aspect of the much asked question: where do ideas come from? The poems were written as though by Billy Shakespeare and Francis the Pig, characters created by myself and my brother for the RSC.
Webby Award
My brother an I were part of the team that won a Webby in the Web – Youth category in 2009. The Brothers McLeod wrote, animated and directed the five Art Sparks films for the Tate. The films were aimed at children and featured five modern works of art. Tate Kids Editor was Sharna Jackson.
Pedro and Frankensheep Development
Pedro and Frankensheep was a show concept created by Producer Phil Cooper. Designed and Directed by my brother Greg McLeod. I worked to further define the character personalities, wrote the pilot script and a further nine scripts. I wrote and performed the songs for the show. I also voiced some of the characters, including Frankensheep himself.
Trivia: the cartoon featured in Doctor Who episode Silence in the Library!