Thursday 31 January 2013

Recommended Reads for January 2013

Check out the reviews section of our website for the latest recommended reads - from children's fiction to poetry and classic reads we're sure there is something for everyone. We also welcome your reviews too - email them to 'Reviews' at info@bookapoet.co.uk and we'll let you know when we use it!

Below are the titles we recommended during January 2013. (You can read our reviews and recommendations here.)

‘Ferryman’ by Claire McFall, published by Templar Publishing
‘Vortex’ by Julie Cross, published by Macmillan Children’s Books
‘Chicken’s Can’t See in the Dark’ by Kristyna Litten, published by Oxford University Press
'WOOL' by Hugh Howey, published in hardback by Century
‘Oh Dear, Geoffrey’ by Gemma O’Neill, published by Templar Publishing
‘The Phenomenals: A Tangle of Traitors’ by F E Higgins, published by Macmillan Children’s Books
‘Oxford Phonics Spelling Dictionary’ published by Oxford University Press
‘Naked Trevor’ by Rebecca Elliott, published by Templar Publishing
‘The Truth About Love’ by Philip Ardagh, published by Macmillan Books
‘What Happens When the Queen Burps?’ by John Foster, published by Oxford University Press
‘Colin Fischer’ by Ashley Edward Miller and Zack Stentz, published by Puffin
‘Sam Silver Undercover Pirate: The Deadly Trap’ (Book 4) by Jan Burchett and Sara Vogler, published by Orion Books
‘The Lemur's Tale’ by Ophelia Redpath, published by Templar Publishing
‘The Dragon Frontier’ by Dan Abnett, published by Puffin
‘Buzzing’ by Anneliese Emmans Dean, published by Bramblebybooks.co.uk
‘I Am Not a Copycat’ by Ann Bonwill and Simon Rickerty, published by Oxford University Press




















February's recommended reads will start to appear on the website from next week. A selection of reviews will be published here too, as well as on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/BookaPoet) and links from our Twitter account (@bookapoet).

Mariella Frostrup narrates Mia's Story from National Literacy Trust

"If you can read, you can succeed"

Inspired by the story of a little girl who became the first reader in her family, The National Literacy Trust are launching Mia's Campaign. They are aiming to raise £1 million to help 38,000 disadvantaged children gain the skills they need to succeed.


Mia's Campaign

Eight-year-old Mia lives on a tough estate. Her parents and brothers are illiterate so there are no books at home or stories at bedtime. However, Mia attended the National Literacy Trust's storytelling events and chose books of her own to keep. Against all expectations she has become the first reader in her family and will have opportunities her parents never had. 

Give a child a route out of poverty.

Just £7 could inspire a lifelong reader with a storyteller event and a book to keep. £20 could pay for a struggling teenager to attend our workshops and gain the skills they need to get a job.





For further information please visit the National Literacy Trust's website.


Mariella Frostrup narrates Mia's Story

Mariella Frostrup has supported our new campaign by narrating a short film which tells the story of Mia.

Watch the film with Mariella.


Source: National Literacy Trust

Wednesday 30 January 2013

North of Nowhere Children's Writing Competition with Guardian Books

Children aged 8-13 are invited to enter Orion Children's Books' 'North of Nowhere Creative Writing Competition', in association with Guardian Children's Books. They could win a fantastic digital camera, £100 worth of books for their school and have their story published on the Guardian Children's Books website, too!

ABOUT NORTH OF NOWHERE

The sleepy village of Porthaven hides a mystery. Mia's grandad has vanished, and nobody knows why. Local girl Dee appears to have secrets of her own, too.

Can Mia solve the mystery and find her grandad before time and tide wash away his future forever?

A night of storms.
A lifetime of secrets.
A week to find the truth.


ENTER THE CREATIVE WRITING COMPETITION

To enter the creative writing competition, read the opening lines of 'North of Nowhere' (below) and use them as a starting point for a story of your own, up to a maximum of 500 words:

"I need to write it all down. That's the only way I'll believe it's true. Spring half term. All those incredible, impossible things. Did they really happen?

I've tried a hundred times to tell myself that they couldn't have done, that none of it is possible. And I'm right; none of it is possible.

But that doesn't change the fact that it is true. Everything did happen, exactly as I'm going to tell it now ..."


For some great advice or extra inspiration before you start, check out Liz Kessler's top ten writing tips. Simply go to www.lizkessler.co.uk and click on the keyboard!

Send your story, along with your name, address, age and contact telephone number, to:
North of Nowhere Competition
Orion Children's Books
Orion House
5 Upper St. Martin's Lane
London
WC2H 9EA

or email your story to competitions@orionbooks.co.uk with 'North of Nowhere Story' as the subject line.

Full Competition Terms & Conditions here. Closing date: 28th March 2013.

Tuesday 29 January 2013

Magma Poetry Competition Celebration – you are invited to a free poetry reading in London

The Magma Poetry Competition Awards will take place on Monday 18th February 2013 at a celebratory event at RADA’s Studio Theatre, RADA Studios, 16 Chenies Street, London WC1E 7EX, a few minutes’ walk from Goodge Street Underground Station. Doors open at 6.30 pm (pay bar), reading at 7.30pm until 9.pm
You are invited to this free reading!

Organisers are delighted that distinguished poet Gillian Clarke, National Poet of Wales, will be doing a reading of her poems as well as awarding 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes to the winners of the Magma Judge’s Prize for poems of 11-80 lines.

A Panel of Magma Editors will award 1st and 2nd prizes and 10 special mentions to the winners of the Magma Editors’ Prize for poems of up to 10 lines. Four specially commissioned poets, Moniza Alvi, Simon Barraclough, Tom Chivers and Claire Crowther, will each read a 10-line poem written by them for the occasion to honour the short poem.

And all the prize winners will be invited to read their poems.

Do come along to the reading on the evening of Monday 18th February – it will start at 7.30pm. and finish by 9pm. Come early for the best seats, the bar will be open from 6.30pm. where you can buy drinks. Copies of Magma 55 which will include the winning poems will be on sale, but entry to the reading is free.

The winning poems will be published in Magma 55, which will be on sale at the event.


For further information, please contact Magma Poetry directly at www.magmapoetry.com.

Source: Magma Poetry Newsletter

Monday 28 January 2013

See Dominic Berry, Léonie Kate Higgins & Kristiana Rae Colón perform their poetry for FREE!

The brilliant Dominic Berry is filming a showreel of himself on 7pm Wednesday 13th February at the 3 Minute Theatre (3MT), Oldham Street, Manchester M1 1JG. Top notch film makers are coming in to record a poetry performance, which will be made into a DVD!

Dom is filming the showreel in front of a live audience and it's completely FREE to be part of the audience!

If you haven't heard or seen Dom in spoken word action, here is a little more about him and his   work ...

Dominc Berry is a Manchester based, gay, vegan, performance poet (possibly Manchester's BEST gay, vegan, performance poet ... possibly Manchester's ONLY gay, vegan, performance poet). Last year Dominic performed his poetry on Channel 4 news, Channel 4's 'My Daughter The Teenage Nudist' and CBeebies 'Rhyme Rocket'. He has recently won New York's infamous Nuyorican Poetry Cafe slam and UK's Superheroes of Slam. With three poetry books published by Flapjack Press to his name as well as a successful national tour of his full length poetry play, 'Wizard', and he has just secured Arts Council funding for his first children's show, 'The Dragon Who Hates Poetry', which will be touring later this year.
 
And if all that wasn’t enough Dominic will be joined by two very special guests ...

***Léonie Kate Higgins***
http://www.leoniekate.com/
Singer/songwriter/cellist for band Geddes Loom, along with poet/beatboxer Ben Mellor and guitarist/technology-spinner Dan Steele, Léonie's also one fifth of all-female performance group Eggs Collective.

PLUS
all the way from Chicago USA

***Kristiana Rae Colón***
http://www.kristianacolon.com/
Seen on HBO's Def Poetry Jam, Kristiana was also nominated for a 2011 Pushcart Prize for her poem 'Severance' in Organs of Vision and Speech. Her work's been anthologized in Dzanc Books' Best of the Web 2010 and in Saul Williams' anthology, Chorus: A Literary (Re)Mixtape, released by MTV Publishing in Summer 2012.

Kristiana is an Artistic
Associate at Teatro Luna, Chicago's all-Latina theater company. Her short plays have appeared from Rebel Theater's Sunday Reading Series in New York to American Theater Company's The Silver Project. Her most recent full-length project 'One Week in Spring' was a finalist for Victory Gardens' Ignition festival.
 
You can find out more about the event at:

And:
 
It's going to be a brill eve, so so come along if you can!
 
Source: Dominic Berry

Tuesday 22 January 2013

Open call for submissions for new books by North East and Yorkshire and Humberside-based writers for Read Regional 2013

Deadline for submissions Monday 4th March 2013

This is an open call for publishers and writers to propose books for inclusion in the 2013 Read Regional campaign.
 
We are looking to include a variety of books in our 2013 campaign and welcome submissions of fiction, writing for children, poetry and creative non-fiction. Books must be available as paperbacks by the beginning of August 2013 and authors must be available to participate in at least four events across the North East and Yorkshire between September 2013 and April 2014. For more information on the current campaign see our project blog at www.readregional.com.
 
Run in conjunction with over 20 library authorities across the north of England, the Read Regional project connects writers to readers via libraries, festivals and bookshops. The campaign will feature a set number of books that will be promoted heavily between September 2013-April 2014.
 
All participating libraries purchase bulk book orders and receive supporting marketing campaign materials. A range of marketing materials are produced to promote the project: A Read Regional magazine featuring author interviews and extracts from the books, bookmarks, posters and reading guides for selected books.
 
The project is a great way for publishers to launch new authors or for authors who are looking to build their profiles and extend their readership. We are looking to work with authors who are keen to work with libraries and to be flexible and enthusiastic about joining in with a variety of events. Previous authors involved with the campaign include Stephen May, Ann Cleeves, Dan Smith and Fiona Shaw.
 
Submitted books must be by a writer who currently lives and works in the north east of England or Yorkshire. You can check the regions, as defined by funders Arts Council England, at www.artscouncil.org.uk/who-we-are/working-in-the-regions/
 
How to submit
If you would like to submit a book for consideration, please send the following:
• A copy of the book (or proof copy/manuscript – electronically is fine)
• Information on the launch date
• Any notable review coverage
• A cover image
• A biography of the author and details about their place of residence
• Information on the publication date and on any PR plans or author events that are already in place
• Cover price of the book
 
Please submit books by post and the entry info by email to:
Read Regional Submissions
c/o Rebecca Wilkie
New Writing North
PO Box 1277
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE99 5BP
Email:
rebecca@newwritingnorth.com
 
The small print
The organisers do not accept submissions of self-published work and cannot include e-Books in the campaign.
If a book is selected for the campaign they will expect to purchase copies for 50% of the cover price. Please do not enter a book for submission if it will not be possible for you to supply at this price.
The selected books will be decided by the end of April 2013.
 
If you require further information please contact Rebecca Wilkie - contact info above. Thank you.

Monday 21 January 2013

Wanted! Young people with strong opinions

Are you a young person with strong views about the state of the world? Are you worried about getting a job, angry about tuition fees or have something to say about the effects of cuts on your local area? New Writing North want to know what you think!
In the coming months, writer Jake Campbell will be running a series of free writing workshops for young people (14+) which will give you a chance to make your voice heard about the issues that are important to you. Whether you’re a keen writer or just want to try something new, this is a chance to get your ideas and opinions down on paper and be included in an “Uncertain Times” anthology.

Workshops are running in South Shields and Newcastle and you can get all the details here:


South Shields
Thursday 24th January and Thursday 31st January 2013, 5-7pm
The Cave, Captains Row,  Tyne Dock,  South Shields,  Tyne & Wear, NE33 5AS.
If you would like to come to the South Shields workshops, please email or phone 0191 427 8193.

Newcastle
Wednesday 6th March and Wednesday 13th March 2013, 5-7pm
New Writing North, 3 Ellison Place, Ellison Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST.
If you would like to come to the Newcastle workshops, please email or phone 0191 204 8852.

For more information on the project, you might like to follow Jake’s blog.
The “Uncertain Times” writing workshops are part of Jake Campbell’s Changemakers residency with New Writing North. 


Thursday 17 January 2013

The  next Puffin Virtually Live webcast is taking place on Monday 4th February 2-2.45pm GMT with bestselling author John Green!
 
Watch John talking about his books and what led him to write the phenomenal The Fault in Our Stars, his incredible online presence and what it means to be awesome!

And you can submit questions that John will answer live during the webcast.

LOG IN or REGISTER now to get involved!

Wednesday 16 January 2013

The Cursive Crowd Spoken Word News

The Cursive Crowd is a company set up by Deanna Rodger and Rosie Knight. Its primary ambition is to showcase all the wonderful projects we are involved in and love.
Anyone can be in The Cursive Crowd providing they are actively promoting the ferocious beauty that is Spoken Word and everything it touches which is, more or less, everything!!

So here is the news and upcoming goodness for the next three months:


COME RHYME WITH ME
@comerhymewithus

With a three course menu of the best performers and an appetiser (open mic) section for all those who fancy performing for three minutes, this event is the perfect way to spend your Friday night.  Set up by Dean Atta and Deanna Rodger it is now a monthly event running in London and Brighton. Check out our fabulous new flyers for all the information you'll need (designed by the clearly awesome Ben Connors).

 
 
Dean and Deanna are honoured to be part of the Know More Festival on February 10th. This festival is set up by TwentysomethingLondon, the coolest place to check out what to do in London. Click and discover!
 

Chill Pill: A Mellow Night of Music and Spoken Word. Set up by Mr GeeRaymond AntrobusDeanna RodgerSimon Mole and Adam Kammerling. This year we will be reaching even further...

Friday 1st February Chill Pill heads up to Shropshire to deliver a Chill Pill night of entertainment featuring the buffness of Martyna Baker.
Wednesday 13th February Chill Pill needs all of your support for a new venture at the Roundhouse Camden - Chill Pill Connects
T
hursday 28th February Chill Pill is back at The Albany, Deptford. Headliners are David J and Ross Sutherland Book now 


RUBIX
@rubixcollective

A collective of different voices and perspectives: Deanna RodgerDean AttaSean Mahoney, Bridget Minamore, Lara Zade, Paul Cree, Justice Lyric, Belinda Zhawi

Our first collective album 'RED' is out on iTunes Buy now Watch promo video here 

“When artists are excited, energetic, open and really talented it's inspiring.
When those same artists collaborate as a collective and strive to push each other and themselves it's just plain amazing.
Rubix are easily the most exciting group of writer performers I've ever come across. Bar none.”
Polarbear - Spoken Word Artist and Theatre Maker



POINT BLANK POETS
@pointblankpoets

'Poetry with Purpose'
We are Bridget MinamoreChimene SuleymanDeanna RodgerDean AttaHollie McNish and Sabrina Mahfouz

This year we have an album and will be performing later on in the year stay tuned for more news


DEANNA 
@deannarodger

At the moment I am in rehearsals for a new play called 'The Mumblars'. Written by the super cool Charlie Dark, it will debut at the Arts Depot Theatre in Finchley and transfer to The Albany on 3rd Sunday. It's a 4+ show so bring any kiddies you happen to have.

Poetry performance wise, I have a fair few gigs so do come and join me at any or all of the following events:
 
Carib2UKJazz Verse JukeboxOutspoken

At the end of last year I was lead for the Anthony Anaxagorou's poetry video 'The Master Revenge'

I have also recorded a track for Benin City's album which will be out later this year. Here is me in their 'Baby' video

Other great news is that poetry album 'Heavy Poetting and a Little Peace' featuring myself, Raymond Antrobus, John Hegley, Benjamin Zephiniah plus many others, is out and available for purchase. All proceeds go to St Joseph's Hospice. For more information please email paulromane@hotmail.co.uk

and The Rhyming Thunder Anthology featuring some of the best Spoken word poets, is out and available to purchase.

Oh and, I am extremely excited to be Ideastap's January member of the month. I am a massive fan of the site and recommend it to everyone interested in creative arts and collaboration. I have applied for many briefs and funding pots, most recently The Sky Arts Ignition Futures Fund with The Cursive Crowd so fingers crossed I am successful....
The member of the month article isn't out yet but keep your eyes peeled for it!!!
 
Dates for the Diary

9/01/13 - 
Carib2UK
13/01/13 - Jazz Verse Jukebox
18/01/13 - Brighton Come Rhyme With Me
22/01/13 - 
Outspoken
25/01/13 - London Come Rhyme With Me
27/01/13 - The Mumblars Arts Depot

3/02/13 - The Mumblars The Albany
10/02/13 - 
Know More Festival
13/02/13 - Chill Pill Connects
15/02/13 - Brighton Come Rhyme With Me 
28/02/13 - London Come Rhyme With Me

8/03/13 - Simon Moles mum's event for International Women's Day Brighton
9/03/13 - Inua Ellams RAP Party 


Well thats all from The Cursive Crowd at the moment!
For news and information on everything featured here check out thecursivecrowd.wordpress.com and follow us on twitter @thecursivecrowd
 
Source: The Cursive Crowd Newsletter

Tuesday 15 January 2013

Eleven Doctors. Eleven months. Eleven authors. Eleven stories. A year long celebration for the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who!

Doctor Who is the longest running sci-fi TV show in the world and celebrates its 50th anniversary on 23rd November 2013. To celebrate, Puffin – in partnership with BBC Worldwide – is publishing an exclusive series of eleven ebook short stories each based on one of the Eleven Doctors, priced at £1.99 and to be released on the 23rd of each month starting in January 2013.

Each story is written by a different author, bringing together some of the most exciting names in children’s fiction. These authors will each bring their own interpretation and reimagining of their chosen Doctor to create a unique Doctor Who adventure in their own inimitable style.

The author of the first story, featuring the First Doctor played by William Hartnell (1963–1966), is Eoin Colfer, which is published on 23rd January 2013. The authors of the subsequent eshorts will be unveiled on the BBC Worldwide Doctor Who Facebook page on the first Tuesday of every month throughout the year.  The next reveal will be the 5th February. A promotional video featuring the author will be released on the 11th of each month on the BBC Worldwide Doctor Who YouTube channel.

A paperback anthology of the eleven ebook short stories, the Doctor Who Anniversary Anthology priced at £7.99 will publish, alongside the final eshort featuring the Eleventh Doctor, on 23rd November 2013.

Juliet Matthews, Publisher, Penguin Children’s says: ‘Penguin Children’s has been the proud home of children’s Doctor Who publishing for eight years and to be part of the 50th anniversary is incredibly exciting. We are delighted to have eleven sensational children’s authors involved in the series, all bringing an individual style, imagination and interpretation to their eshort tribute to The Doctor. This is a who’s who of children’s fiction coming together to celebrate the much-loved Doctor Who.’



"A Big Hand For The Doctor"
By Eoin Colfer
Published by Puffin on 23rd January 2013
Ebook, £1.99,
ISBN: 9781405912051
For readers aged 7+

Puffin is thrilled that Eoin Colfer will be launching this unique series with his story about the First Doctor. The author commented: “As a boy I had been reading the Doctor Who books for years before I ever saw a single episode and I found that the on-screen version of the First Doctor was almost identical to the version in my imagination.”

London. 1900. The First Doctor is missing his hand and his granddaughter, Susan. Faced with the search for Susan, a strange beam of soporific light, and a host of marauding Soul Pirates, the Doctor is promised a dangerous journey into a land he may never forget …

For further information about Eoin Colfer please visit www.eoincolfer.com.

Friday 11 January 2013

Exclusive Interview with Claire McFall, new YA author and one to watch!

About Claire McFall
Claire McFall's work is, in essence, all about first love and difficult decisions. Her novels take straightforward romantic narratives and hurl them into unusual and extreme settings, blurring accepted genre boundaries and creating new sub-genres of her own. She then charts her characters' reactions to these unfamiliar situations and the new and confusing feelings that beset them in a hyper-real, engaging, deeply poignant and literary manner. Claire is a teacher and lives in the Scottish Borders with her husband and she currently working on her next novel for Templar Fiction. 


What inspired ‘Ferryman’?

A single line. I used to have a really long commute to work, and I’d spend my time alternating between really bad karaoke (there was no one to hear me but the sheep) and making up stories in my head. I got a line of a story stuck in my head (in the first draft it was the very first line of the novel, but then I decided to start a little earlier, so now it kicks off chapter three) and it just wouldn’t go away. “Slowly, it grew arms and legs. Dylan went from being trapped in the dark, to trapped in the dark in a train, to trapped in the dark in a train in the wasteland” … and from there all the little details just dropped into place. 

Will there be a sequel?

Never say never, but I think both Dylan and Tristan and I are pleased with how things turned out. My instinct is to leave them to their fate now. 

It’s not the end of me, though. My second novel “Bombmaker” is due out early next year (more about that below!!!)

‘Ferryman’ is an epic adventure and thought-provoking. As a teacher, did you intend to write a novel that would inspire debate and discussion?

Not on purpose! I didn’t write Ferryman – or anything, for that matter! – as a teacher, thinking about how it would come across or how it might be dissected. I just got carried away with the story. It was as much an adventure for me as it was for Dylan and Tristan. I definitely hope readers find interesting things to talk about from it – but my biggest hope of all is that they get swept along with the journey … and then maybe do some talking after ;)

Are your characters inspired by people you know?

Yes and no. Little bits and pieces come from friends and people I meet - and there’s the odd random phrase from pupils that have wound their way into my stories too. But for the most part, my characters somehow become people in their own right … living out a life in my head. That’s one of my favourite things when I’m writing. As I’m tapping out the scene, it’s almost like I’m speaking as someone else for a little bit.

What would your idea of Heaven be?

Ooh hard question! I found it really difficult to come up with that part of the book, because I truly didn’t have a clue. I like the idea of going “home”, wherever that might be. But I’m also drawn to the thought of being able to explore anywhere … just by going through a door. I don’t subscribe to the white marble, blinding light idea. I don’t think I’d fit in there – the angels wouldn’t be too pleased with me spilling chocolate sauce down my beautiful white, glistening gown. (Chocolate sauce is, of course, standard fare in my heaven.)

Do you believe true love conquers all?

Yes!  Oh yes, definitely!!!! 

What are your future literary ambitions?

My ambitions are pretty humble: I just want to keep writing stories!  I hope people like what I do, and fall in love with my stories and characters the way I have … but to be honest, even if there was no one to publish my work, I’d write it all the same. 

Someday, maybe, I might think about writing something for adults, but the truth is I really don’t think I’m grown-up enough yet!  (I probably should be, but I’m resisting!). Plus, for me YA fiction is the most interesting, the most thrilling … okay just the best type of writing to be doing. 

Do you have any top tips for budding writers?

Love your story!  That’s really important. It’s a long old slog, writing a novel. If you don’t truly get lost in your tale, or fall in love (including friendship love) with your characters, it’s easy to give up. I guess it’s like stripping wall paper. At first you can just yank it off and you make loads of progress really quickly and it feels great … but then you have to pick your way round all those little irritating bits that just don’t want to come off the wall.  Which sucks. If you persevere though, it’s so rewarding at the end when you can stand back and look at what you’ve done. 

Do you have a special place you write?

I’m a bit of a writing slob, to be honest. I write on the sofa, with a laptop on my knees in front of the telly. To be honest, it’s easy to not get distracted by the screen as my husband’s usually using it to blow things up on his X-box! I think it might be a teacher thing … but I’ve gotten very good at blocking out background murmurs as I work (if you can concentrate with a class of thirty pupils in the room, you can concentrate anywhere!). If I go somewhere peaceful and quiet, I just start searching for noise. Plus, the sofa is near the kitchen. And that’s where the chocolate lives …

Do you have any projects in the pipeline you’d like to tell us about?

My second novel, “Bombmaker”, is coming out through Templar is early 2014 … and I’m REALLY excited about it! I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s about terrorism … and love … and loyalty … and society … and things blowing up!

Where can fans of your work find out more about you and your writing?

The Templar website is a great place to start, both for my writing and other awesome YA lit!  You can also come fine me at my website: www.clairemcfall.co.uk

And my blog … http://clairemcfall.blogspot.co.uk/

And I’m on Facebook too!


***

Book a Poet's Review of 'Ferryman'

‘Ferryman’
By Claire McFall
Published by Templar Publishing, 1st March 2013-01
ISBN 9781848779631
RRP £6.99

“Ferryman” is a brilliant, epic story from new writer Claire McFall. Inspired by Greek myths, love and the afterlife, “Ferryman” is a refreshing, exciting novel for teens; there’s not a werewolf or vampire in sight!

Dylan is a teenager, who is lonely at school, feels misunderstood by her peers and mum. Her dad left when she was 5 and she has just got in touch with him, much to her mum’s dismay. After sleeping in, no breakfast, rushing to school in the pouring rain and getting the mick taken because her shirt’s gone see-through, Dylan thinks her day can’t get any worse. She ditches school to catch an earlier train to meet her dad for the first time in years.

Dylan’s train crashes and this is where her adventure begins as she travels the wilderness her mind has created, with her guide Tristan, who has been sent to guide her through the wasteland the demons possess to the “otherside” – her Heaven. If the demons take her, her soul dies and Dylan is gone forever. If she makes it with her Ferryman to the “other side”, Dylan’s soul will be home – whatever her mind says this is and here her soul will live forever.

Except Dylan is no ordinary soul and her journey is extraordinary. Dylan has to decide between life and death; love and death; to overcome the impossible to achieve her happiness; to stand strong in the face of adversity and to discover if there is life after death.

I really enjoyed “Ferryman”, it was a page-turner, exciting, thought-provoking, though it did end with some unanswered questions for me, so could there be a sequel in the pipeline? Either way it’s still a fantastic book, a real breath of fresh air and a book I think teens will really enjoy.

Highly recommended for readers aged 12+



Pre-Order Your Copy Here!

Thursday 10 January 2013

Templar Poetry Launch Online Poetry Bookshop

Their new website incorporates both Templar Poetry and Iota under one online address as well as providing more visible coverage for the poets they publish now and in the future. Later in the year Templar will be adding audio and visual content and their news page will carry up to date reports on live events and their poets.
Templar's online opening is also offering two complimentary pamphlets with each full collection (priced at £9.99 hardback and £8.99 paperback). 

   
Don't forget that the Straid Collection Awards and the Templar Pamphlet & Collection Awards are both open for submissions of work previously unpublished in collection or pamphlet format. Both publishing opportunites welcome submissions from new and established poets.

Templar Poetry is committed to building a diverse and ecletic poetry list which represents some of the best work being written today. They now have over sixty titles in print, with many of their authors achieving significant recognition both with their Templar titles and subsequent work.

Full details of both awards are available at their website.

 
They also welcome submissions of up to six poems to Iota and submissions may now be made online.


For further information please contact Templar Poetry directly at

Wednesday 9 January 2013

WOOL by Hugh Howey - Century's biggest fiction debut for 2013

Century’s biggest fiction debut for 2013
A self-published phenomenon in the US,
WOOL has sold over 250,000 copies from word-of-mouth alone!

Film rights sold to Ridley Scott and Steve Zaillian (Schindler's List, Gangs of New York) is to write the script ...

'WOOL'
By Hugh Howey
Published in hardback by Century, 17th January 2013

RRP £9.99
ISBN 9781780891231

‘Exhilarating, intense, addictive. A novel you will never forget.’
SJ Watson, author of 'Before I Go to Sleep'

The world outside has grown unkind, the view of it limited, talk of it forbidden. In the ruined and hostile landscape, in a future few have been unlucky enough to survive, a community exists in a giant underground silo. Inside, men and women live an enclosed life full of rules and regulations, of secrets and lies.

To live, you must follow the rules. But some don't. These are the dangerous ones; these are the people who dare to hope and dream, and who infect others with their optimism. Their punishment is simple and deadly. They are given the very thing they profess to want: they are allowed outside.

Jules is one of these people. She may well be the last.

     


Hugh Howey Bio

Born in 1975, I spent the first eighteen years of my life getting through the gauntlet of primary education. While there, I dabbled in soccer, chess, and tried to write my first novel (several times).

Out of school, I became fascinated with computers, repaired them for a brief stint, then moved to Charleston, SC and attended college. To save money, I purchased a small sailboat to live on, and nearly got myself killed bringing it down from Baltimore with a friend.

After my junior year of college, possibly out of fear of the real world, I left my safe little harbor and sailed South. I hopped around the islands for a while, went through two hurricanes, and spent the last of my cruising funds re-stepping my mast. It was time to head back to the States, where I began a career as a yacht captain.

This began an exciting phase of my life, travelling all over the East coast and Caribbean, from Barbados to Chicago. I worked on boats in New York, the Bahamas, even Canada. One of these adventures brought me together with my wife, who was able to lure me away from my vagabond ways, dropping anchor and buying a house.
Physically settled, my mind continued to roam, concocting adventures and whisking me off to fantastic places. Some of these tales seemed worth sharing, so I tapped into my love of books and decided to write them down. My first stories detail the life of a character that I’ve been mulling over for quite some time. Her name is Molly Fyde, and she draws inspiration from the awesome women in my life.

Wool became a sudden success in the autumn of 2011. Originally just a novelette, the demand from Amazon reviewers sent me scurrying to write more tales in this subterranean world. The resulting Omnibus has spent considerable time in the Amazon top 100, has been a #1 Bestseller in Science Fiction on Amazon, and was optioned by Ridley Scott and Steve Zaillian for a potential feature film. The story of its success has been mentioned in Entertainment Weekly, Variety, and Deadline Hollywood among many others. I’m thrilled that Random House will be publishing the hardback.

When I’m not writing, I like to go for hikes with my family, take a stroll on the beach, and keep up with my reading. I currently live in Jupiter, Florida with my wife Amber and our dog Bella.

For further information on Hugh Howey, 'Wool' and Century Publishing please see the links below:

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