Sam Copeland's unveils his hilarious Detention Diaries series
About Author
Ever had a detention - and it wasn't your fault? Then you'll know how Arthur feels in The Detention Diaries - Sam Copeland's (very funny!) new series. We caught up with Sam to find out more.
Sam Copeland is the award-winning author of the bestselling Charlie Changes into a Chicken series and Waterstones Book of the Month Alex vs Axel. When he's not writing children's books, Sam works as a literary agent at RCW Literary Agency.
Sam is from Manchester and now lives in London with his three children and his wife.
Find him on Twitter @stubbleagent
Interview
August 2026
Ever had a detention - and it wasn't your fault? Then you'll know how Arthur feels in The Detention Diaries - Sam Copeland's (very funny!) new series. ReadingZone caught up with Sam to find out more about what lead to Arthur's Detention Diaries!
More about The Detention Diaries: Worse Than Jail Read an extract
Review: "I really enjoyed this clever, funny book . . . Highly recommended!"
Q&A with Sam Copeland: Axolotls, accidents - and Arthur's detention!
"I am afraid to say The Detention Diaries was inspired by me (I was very naughty at school),
and my children (who were also very naughty at school)."
1. Can you tell us a little about yourself, your loves and loathings?
I am 51 years old, live in London and have three children and a dog called Bagel. I love all the normal things in life - books, music, goat-wrestling, polishing my collection of goal-wrestling medals, that sort of really normal thing. I loathe mosquitoes. Fine, ok, drink my blood - I am not begrudging you that. I have plenty to go around. But why make me itchy?
2. What can readers expect in your new The Detention Diaries series?
Some words and pictures, scattered across a number of pages. Those words form a VERY FUNNY story where you will see: stolen school axolotls, nits accidentally glued to faces, great friends and stinging bumholes.
3. What inspired Arthur's detention stories - surely not your own school detentions?!
I am afraid to say it was inspired by me (I was very naughty at school), and my children (who were also very naughty at school). The Copeland name still makes teachers across the country tremble and occasionally wee their pants.
4. Ah, so what was the best and worst of school for you? Does any of this make it into Arthur's diary?
I look back and think school was the time I laughed most in life. The times where you know you shouldn't laugh, but you can't help it . . . The worst of school always involved accidentally forgetting to do my schoolwork, which I accidentally forgot a LOT, as does Arthur.
Oh, one thing that happens to Arthur in the book that happened to me recently - he rips his trousers completely and tries to staple them together. I did exactly this on my last school tour . . .
Extract from the start of The Detention Diaries: Worse Than Jail
5. Why did you decide Arthur should write a diary of his adventures? Was it fun, or a challenge?
I had never written a diary book, and I thought it would be fun to write a whole book set over one month. Is it fun? Well, you shall to have read it and tell me.
6. Well Arthur's diary IS very funny - do you have a favourite moment?
Thank you! I think definitely when Arthur glues the nits to his and his best friend Carlos's face.
7. So can you tell us a bit about Arthur and his best buddy Carlos and how you developed their characters?
I love their friendship. When I write, I want to create characters that I would want to be friends with. Hopefully I have managed to do that with Arthur and Carlos!
8. There are lots of doodles and illustrations of the two of them by Dominic Trevett throughout The Detention Diaries - any favourites?
There are so many funny illustrations, but my favourite is a really sweet one where Arthur's heart is glowing. It's so cute!
9. Two missing axolotls are at the heart of the story. What gave you the idea to use axolotls for the school pets? Would you ever want a pet axolotl?
I remember when I was a small child, I had a book of animals and in that book was a picture of an axolotl and he was so cute and smiley and I never forgot him! I don't think they actually make suitable pets at all though, but there is something about them that make me smile.
10. Do you have more plans for Arthur's Detention Diaries?
Oh, I have so many more adventures! I have already two more Detention Diary books that will be coming out soon, and let me tell you, OUTRAGEOUS events occur . . . And if you enjoy Detention Diaries, then you would definitely enjoy my first book, Charlie Change into a Chicken, all about a boy who keeps changing into lots of different animals!
School Visits by Sam Copeland: I love school visits. I try to make them as fun and memorable as possible for everybody, showing that books and reading can be funny and exciting. My events usually involve lots of interactivity, games and quizzes, but with an important message about friendship and dealing with real-life problems.
The Detention Diaries: Worse than Jail
