M. G. Leonard

M. G. Leonard
Born	Maya Gabrielle Leonard Torquay, Devon, England
Occupation	Writer
Nationality	British
Genre	Children's literature
Notable works	Beetle Boy trilogy Adventures on Trains series
Notable awards	2017 Branford Boase Award 2021 Sainsbury's Children's Book Award CrimeFest Award for Best Crime Novel for Children

M. G. Leonard (Maya Gabrielle Leonard), commonly known as Maya, is an English writer specializing in children's literature. She is known for blending adventure and ecological themes. She writes under her pen name to fulfill a promise made to her eldest son and is recognized for her critically acclaimed Beetle Boy trilogy and Adventures on Trains series. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

Early life and education

Leonard was born in Torquay, Devon. She studied English literature, earning a first-class honors degree and an MA in Shakespeare Studies from King's College London. ^[4] Her early career was rooted in the music industry, where Leonard managed bands like The Divine Comedy and ran Setanta Records, an independent label. She later transitioned to digital media production roles with the National Theatre and Shakespeare's Globe.

Career and writing

Leonard transitioned from acting to writing, publishing her first book, Beetle Boy , in 2016. The novel, part of her Beetle trilogy, became a bestseller, noted for its imaginative portrayal of beetles as companions to humans and its ecological themes. Beetle Boy won the 2017 Branford Boase Award and multiple other honors and will be adapted for television. ^[5]

Leonard has also co-authored the Adventures on Trains series with Sam Sedgman, which gained acclaim for its innovative setting of mystery stories aboard trains. ^{[6] [7]} The series includes award-winning titles such as The Highland Falcon Thief, which received the 2020 British Book Award for Children's Fiction. The books have been optioned for a film franchise. ^[8]

In 2020, it was announced that Tom MacRae is adapting Beetle Boy for a live-action/CGI returnable series, with Buccaneer co-producing. Framestore has also been attached to the project. ^{[5] [9]}

In September 2024, it was announced that Macmillan Children's Books had secured the rights to a new middle-grade series by Leonard, Time Keys, in a six-figure, four-book deal. The series will debut with Hunt for the Golden Scarab. ^{[10] [11]}

Awards and recognition

• 2017 Branford Boase Award (for Beetle Boy )
• 2021 Sainsbury's Children's Book Award (for Twitch)
• CrimeFest Award for Best Crime Novel for Children (for Twitch)

Her books have been translated into over 40 languages, and her contributions extend to conservation as one of the founders of #Authors4Oceans, which advocates for reduced plastic waste. ^[12]

Bibliography

• Beetle Boy (2016) ^[13]
• Beetle Queen (2017) ^[14]
• Battle of the Beetles (2018)
• The Highland Falcon Thief (2020, co-authored with Sam Sedgman)
• Twitch (2021) ^[15]

References

1. Torday, Piers (19 March 2016). "Beetle Boy by MG Leonard review – a fizzing, delightful debut". The Guardian .
2. "Beetle Queen by M. G. Leonard has a quirky antagonist that reminds us of Roald Dahl's best works". South China Morning Post . 13 May 2018.
3. Leonard, M. G. (3 November 2015). "How to write a book – top tips for National Novel Writing Month". The Guardian .
4. "Best-selling children's author from Brighton announces new book for 2025". The Argus (Brighton) . 31 December 2024.
5. "Beetle Boy Adaptation". Deadline . 30 October 2020.
6. "M G Leonard and Sam Sedgman | 'Thinking about how it can sell makes you a better author'". The Bookseller .
7. "Kindle Entertainment goes full steam ahead with Adventures on Trains adaptations". The Bookseller .
8. "Kindle to Adapt Adventures on Trains". Televisual. 14 December 2023.
9. "'Kidnap on the California Comet' book review: Agatha Christie lite for YA readers". South China Morning Post . 18 October 2020.
10. Bearn, Emily (29 January 2025). "Children's stories thrive on nostalgia – this new series proves it". The Telegraph .
11. "Macmillan Children's Secures Time Keys Series". The Bookseller .
12. "MG Leonard Interview". Explorify.
13. "Top 5 historical adventures for kids, chosen by MG Leonard". The Big Issue . 15 February 2025.
14. Hayes, Patrick (12 February 2018). "In Review: Revenge of the Beetle Queen by M.G. Leonard". SciFiPulse.Net.
15. "Watch Twitchers Author M.G. Leonard on Authors Live". Scottish Book Trust .