Waterstones Nottingham Children's Gala: Creating Magical Stories Panel

Have you ever wondered how authors create such magical stories? Now is your chance to find out at our exciting author panel event with Iqbal Hussain (The Night I Borrowed Time), Maria Kuzniar (The Girl Who Dreamed in Magic), and Jordan Lees (The Whisperwicks).

Come and hear all about how authors create magical worlds and characters which make their books so fun and fascinating! You’ll get the chance to ask them questions too, so you can create your own magical stories. The event will end with your chance to meet the authors and get your books signed.

Iqbal Hussain has been writing since he could hold a pencil. As a boy, he churned out Famous Five and Hardy Boy pastiches. In his teens, he appeared on Blockbusters, Countdown and The Crystal Maze. He studied Maths at Bangor University, then worked as a journalist for the Guardian, the Young Telegraph and the children's magazine Aquila. Originally from Blackburn, Lancashire, he lives in north London, by Epping Forest, with his partner and uber-friendly labradoodle. His debut adult novel, Northern Boy, about being a butterfly among the bricks, was published in 2024. This is his debut children’s novel.

Maria Kuzniar spent six years living in Spain, teaching English and travelling the world, which inspired her debut novel The Ship of Shadows. Now she lives in Nottingham with her husband, where she reads and writes as much as she can and bookstagrams at @cosyreads. She is always planning her next adventure and you can visit her at https://www.mariakuzniar.co.uk/ (watch out for the pirates!).

Jordan Lees was born in Scotland but grew up in Essex, where he still lives in Essex with his wife and young daughter. Having devoured stories all through childhood, Jordan then studied literature at university and has worked in publishing ever since, most recently as a literary agent. When not writing, Jordan can usually be found reading whatever is lying around or losing at online chess. He’s the author of The Whisperwicks middle-grade series.

This event is part of Waterstones Nottingham Children’s Gala which is taking place from Saturday 28th March to Sunday 5th April. Why not check out the rest of our events?

Did you know that 2026 is the National Year of Reading? A Department for Education initiative, in collaboration with The National Literacy Trust, the campaign aims to tackle the profound decline in reading enjoyment in the UK and reconnect people of all ages with reading as a relevant and immediately rewarding activity. Our children’s gala is one of the ways in which we are helping to encourage a love of reading! Find out more at National Year of Reading 2026 | National Literacy Trust
For any queries or accessibility requirements please email [email protected]

Jordan Lees was born in Scotland but grew up in Essex, where he still lives in Essex with his wife and young daughter. Having devoured stories all through childhood, Jordan then studied literature at university and has worked in publishing ever since, most recently as a literary agent. When not writing, Jordan can usually be found reading whatever is lying around or losing at online chess. He’s the author of The Whisperwicks middle-grade series.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Waterstones