The Guardian Children's Books podcast

Cecelia Ahern explains how she was moved to write her first YA novel, Flawed, by her dismay at society’s increasingly finger-pointing culture. Guardian children’s books site members Harriet, Amy and Rebecca grill her on the book, which is set in a powerfully realised society in which perfection is valued above humanity

Jacqueline Wilson speaks to Michelle Pauli as she launches her creative writing competition for 7 – 12 year olds, where the prize is to have the winning story published in one of her books! Here she gives you tips about getting started, inventing characters and what the judges will be looking for Find out more about the competition and enter here! Plus check out the first chapter of Jacqueline Wilson’s newest book, Rent a Bridesmaid

Harrowing second world war tale Anna and the Swallow Man has taken teen readers by storm. Teen site members Lottie is Dottie and Ayesha got to ask the author about the mythologisation of the Holocaust, deep and dark things, stories without end and the meaning of life Also read Remembering the people of the Holocaust

Get a fascinating insight into the world of teen/YA fantasy in this podcast with four amazing fantasy authors. Samantha Shannon, Sally Green, Lucy Saxon and Alwyn Hamilton talk world building, feminism, sex and why we need to stop comparing all female characters to Katniss Everdeen – however wonderful she is! Enter our signed fantasy books giveaway!

Find out how John Hegley's orange parrot, Peter, saves the day at Christmas!

Political commentator Owen Jones is grilled by teen site members CaraErica, Patrick and TheBookAddictedGirl on the writers who inspired his democratic socialist politics, the advice he’d give his 16-year-old self, and how young people should get involved in politics – and why… The Establishment is our current Teen book club read – find out what else is happening here

Find out what Jeff Kinney’s favourite Diary of a Wimpy Kid book is, why he really did wrap himself in toilet paper in Middle School and how he ALWAYS has writer’s block in this fabulous interview by the Eye Boggling Blurbs book group Win signed copies of the complete set of 10 Diary of a Wimpy Kid books

Sandi Toksvig reads from and talks about her latest book, A Slice of the Moon, an action-packed story of one family's journey across the world as they leave behind their home in Ireland during the potato famine and travel to America

Eoin Colfer, author of the bestselling Artemis Fowl novels, and award-winning picture book creator Oliver Jeffers have paired up to create a book about imaginary friends, Imaginary Fred. Find out how they met by chance, collaborated across continents by skype, and, of course, whether they have their own imaginary friends Buy Imaginary Fred at the Guardian bookshop

Prepare to be thrilled as Joseph Coelho performs poems from his prize-winning collection, Werewolf Club Rules, and offers his suggestions for your own poetry writing