Malcolm Rose is one of many authors and performers appearing at the lively celebration. Next Tuesday at 2pm in The Showroom he will be talking about his quirky crime series called Traces and his thrillers for young people.

Malcolm was born and brought up in Coventry. He began writing stories as a hobby while studying chemistry at York University. Twenty years ago he was a lecturer in chemistry at Sheffield Hallam University (then Sheffield City Polytechnic) and he lived in Beauchief. He moved to Milton Keynes to take up a scientific post at The Open University but, when he returned to Sheffield in 2001, he had transformed magically into a full-time novelist.

Instead of mixing chemicals, brewing them up and investigating what happens, he now mixes fictional characters, stirs in conflict and investigates what happens. Either way he enjoys colourful and explosive reactions. He lives with his wife Barbara in Stocksbridge.

Malcolm has written 34 thrillers and crime stories for young readers. Many of his books are based on modern science and set in the Sheffield area. He has won the Angus Book Award twice and the Lancashire Children's Book of the Year Award. His recent novel, Kiss of Death, was highly commended in the Sheffield Children's Book Award last year. It was also shortlisted for two other literary awards and it is currently on the 'Booked Up' list of books to be given away free to all registered Year 7 students.

His latest books are a short thriller called Animal Lab and the sixth volume of his Traces crime series, Blood Brother.

By foot

When I was living in Milton Keynes I really missed the hills. Once I'd resigned from my secure job as a chemistry lecturer for the freedom and financial uncertainty of writing, my wife and I ran for the hills.

When we're feeling energetic we tackle the walk from the gorgeous Langsett Reservoir to Howden and Derwent Reservoirs. I can't think of many advantages of the wet weather but seeing the hypnotic overflow at Derwent Dam wall has got to be one of them.

If our legs still function after that trek, we take a hike up to the weird and wonderful Wheel Stones and the spectacular view over Derwent Reservoir. And all that entertainment is for the cost of a bus out to Langsett and another back from Ladybower.

By car

I traveL quite a lot. Usually it's to schools where I talk to students about writing and reading. My favourite car journey is the road from Stocksbridge to Ladybower via Broomhead and Strines.

At one moment I'm in a lush wooded valley beside a reservoir, then I'm high up on heather-strewn moors or barren rock. Going further, Winnats Pass and Edale provide all the inspiration that a writer could want. Many years ago I set a very gruesome crime scene in that superb scenery because I was intrigued by the contrast with the savagery of murder.

The joy of reading

There's a trend to make new libraries light and airy to dispel their fusty image.

We are not blessed with a modern library in the city centre but Central Library remains a treasure. It's packed full of information, librarians who know everything and fantastic fiction, providing a workout for the imagination and brain.

Reading and writing are so fundamental to everything we do that we must cherish our central and regional libraries, the staff and the stock. As we plunge into an economic winter, we can get away from it all in a library and wallow in free books.

I won't mention the oasis of calm that is the lovely third-floor café because, if I did, it would fill with shoppers and dispel the peace and quiet.

Cacti

While I'm visiting Central Library, I can't resist spending some time in the Winter Garden. My brain is still boggled by the size of those wooden beams.

But I'm a great lover of cacti. The Winter Garden has the space to grow them rather larger than the tiddlers in my house.

City Hall

Last year my novel Kiss of Death was runner-up in the longer novels category of the Sheffield Children's Book Award and the ceremony was held in the plush City Hall. The friendly enthusiasm of all those young readers made my speech on stage much less intimidating than it might have been.

The city's book award is held in very high regard around the country and it does a great job of promoting reading. Last week I had lunch with some boys in High Storrs School who discussed this year's shortlist eagerly and eloquently. This year will be special because the award celebrates its 20th anniversary.

After next Tuesday and my interactive talk with lots of gory forensic science at the Off the Shelf Festival, I'm sure that The Showroom is also going to be one of my favourite places.

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