Wereworld Rage of Lions book tour

Almost halfway through the Wereworld Book Tour with Puffin, and all going rather spiffy, darn sarf.

Here's fat-head-ginger-burners at Park Hill School in Stanmore, London. Great event there yesterday with the kids, lots of great questions and support from the splendid Martin from The Childrens Book Shop, Pinner.

Monday morning was spent at John Warner School in Hoddeston, where myself and the boys practiced our indirect freekicks. Books @ Hoddeston were on the bench, providing invaluable coaching and a large supply of books for the students.

I know this looks a bit like I'm having a game of darts at the pub, but nothing could have been further from the truth. Paid a visit to Martin & Judy, terrific indie booksellers at the Children's Book Shop, where they promptly asked me to deface their wall. Always one to indulge in a spot of mindless graffiti, I was glad to oblige, adding my name (and doodles) to such luminaries of kids lit as Cathy Cassidy and Darren Shan.

Me entertaining the troops in north London. Not sure what happened with your young man in the middle there. Can only imagine he caught sight of Jayde, the publicist from Puffin, chowing down on a pain-au-chocolat whizzed from the hotel. She's like that.

And here's the wall of clocks from Hotel du Vin in Brighton - the tourist in me couldn't resist taking a snapshot of this, a lovely slap in the chops for all those hotels who insist on having the timezones of farflung countries writ large on their walls at reception.

Had a grand time in Worthing today, with more updates sure to follow. Staying in the Beaulieu Hotel in the New Forest tonight, which reminds me a touch of the Slaughtered Lamb, only with more chintz. Off to wander around in the pitch dark outside the hotel before bed, hope to catch me some werewolf action, or at the very least the bleatings of an irritated sheep.

Bada Bling!

WEREWORLD Rage of Lions Book Tour, November 7th - 11th

A week on Monday sees a new WEREWORLD Book Tour, centering around the release of RAGE OF LIONS this summer. There'll be another tour in January, 2012, to celebrate the release of SHADOW OF THE HAWK. If you're around for any of these dates, do give us a shout and I'm sure we can arrange some kind of signing on the fly ;-)

MONDAY 7th

AM: JOHN WARNER SCHOOL, London

PM: THE CHILDRENS BOOK SHOP, Pinner

TUESDAY 8th

AM: WORTHING HIGH SCHOOL, West Sussex

PM: DURRINGTON SCHOOL, West Sussex

WEDNESDAY 9th

AM: APPLEMORE TECHNOLOGY COLLEGE, Southampton

PM: TEST VALLEY SCHOOL, Stockbridge, Hants

THURSDAY 10th

AM: MATTHEW ARNOLD SCHOOL, Oxford

PM: BANBURY HIGH SCHOOL, Banbury

FRIDAY 11th

AM: BROMSGROVE SCHOOL, Worcestershire

PM: BRADFORD ANIMATION FESTIVAL, West Yorkshire

The BAF appearance on the friday afternoon isn't officially part of the book tour, although the awesome Jayde Lynch from Puffin has been able to work this into the schedule. I'll be doing a talk on the development of Frankenstein's Cat from book to screen, in addition to signing Wereworld novels at the event.

Bada Bling!

SCAREFEST and other groovy stuff

A hectic week in the life of the crayonboy culminated in an appearance at the Sefton Scarefest, the brainchild of awesome bookseller Tony Higginson of Formby Books. But not before I hooked up with the groovy chaps from Soap Creative to be interviewed by them for their True Character Series of mini-documentaries. We hooked up at Factory Transmedia and my old chums Mackinnon & Saunders, where the gangs at each studio were super-supportive and helped the Soap boys get plenty of footage for the interview. I'm pictured below with my good chums Brad Eldridge from Soap, and a wee helmeted fellow that you may recognise. You can see all kinds of other characters in the background, including the gang from Raa Raa the Noisy Lion.

Then it was on to Crosby on Merseyside for the author event of Halloween. It was a tremendous pleasure to attend, as I was in the company of the great of feared of young adult horror literature. In addition to the wee hairy fella, there was Joe Delaney (Spooks Apprentice), Phil Caveney (Sebastian Darke), and my muckers from the realms of the tinterweb who I've been chatting to for ages now - Tommy Donbavand (Scream Street) and Barry Hutchison (Invisible Fiends). Of course, no northwest horror event would be complete without Mr Mayhem himself, Jon Mayhew (Mortlock) and we all got to do our sinister stuff on stage.

I'm on the above photograph, although it's hard to tell. That's me going up in flames on the far right, such were the diabolic depths I plunged to in my talk. WHOOSH!
Ah... you can't beat a nice bit of audience participation. There was plenty to go round on the night, with Tommy ensuring the kids came up on stage dressed as monsters, Jon getting them to scream and holler, and myself making them shout out Scarecrow appendages. I know, that doesn't sound scary, but a well-placed parsnip can cause a good deal of discomfort, you know?

As many of you who may have met me will know, I'm the shy and retiring type. But occasionally one needs to grab the attention of an audience, especially when you're trying to get them to jump on board your tale of fantasy and horror. In this instance, we're talking WEREWORLD, which was the centrepiece of my talk.
Occasionally, simply roaring and snarling at an audience isn't enough to encourage them to part with their pennies and buy one's novels. I find a handy alternative the threat of physical violence, dealt out with said books, preferably to the cranium.

Ever the gracious host, Tony made sure we were well fed with the best paninis Formby could muster. Phil, Joe, Tom, Barry and I all held school talks in the afternoon - don't know where Mayhem was - I suspect he was having his nails done. He's so showbiz...

And here's the motley crew, with our ringmaster Tony Higginson watching over us. A tiptop tickety boo night and day which I hope was enjoyed by all and sundry who attended. I also got to meet the rather splendid Bookwitch, who I must thank for some of these photos - pop along to her most excellent blog to hear an impartial, rational review of the festivities. And cheers to Brad from Soap and the lovely Spider and Jenni for the use of their pictures too!
Of course, what better way to end this blogpost than with a snapshot of Jon and I - that's my Dr Evil, by the way. I'm not squeezing out a tommy squeaker, I promise! Both Jon and I have also found ourselves in competition this week - "dust jackets at dawn" - as we both made the shortlist of the Cheshire Book Award, which I launched with the Education Library Services on Wednesday evening in Winsford. It was an honour to be asked along to talk about creative writing with the ELS and enthuse about libraries in general, and I'm sure whoever the kids vote for shall be a worthy winner.

Bada Bling!

THE WOLF DEN

Very happy to be working alongside the Warrington Wolves Foundation as they extend their work with children and adults into their new Wolf Den within the club. I'll be patron of the Children's University, and over the course of the year shall be providing workshops into illustration, creative writing and character design. Expect to see players along for the ride too!

PRESS RELEASE:

The Wolves Charitable Foundation and Gladstone Brookes are proud to announce the opening of The Wolf Den. The Wolf Den is based on the community floor in the North Stand of the Stadium. It offers a unique learning environment for all.

The Wolf Den will offer a variety of educational opportunities for the people of Warrington. It will be the flagship for Children’s University, plus the home of a Radio and Media Training Suite.

As part of the opening, Curtis Jobling - local writer and illustrator - will be running a validated Children’s University session, with local school children, Wolfie and Wolves player Paul Wood.

The Big Draw - university and school shenanigans

Back from a busy few days Darn Sarf, visiting schools and libraries in Maidstone and Horsham. The above pic was taken in Maidstone with the delightfully bonkers kids from Brunswick House school - you can see more from my visit here! They also very kindly created a little ditty, modifying the theme song of a character we're all probably familiar with, giving it a hairy twist!

I also visited the University for Creative Arts in Maidstone, as a guest of fab lecturer Jim Walker, tied into the events with local schools and the Big Draw. Speaking with illustration students (and a few animators who'd sneaked in) I covered all my work in publishing and toons, concentrating on the career path I'd taken. Quite simply, there really isn't a prescriptive path one takes in any of the careers I've pursued - dedication, practice, perseverence and a liberal dollop of good luck all play their parts. Hopefully what the students will have come away with (in addition to signed doodles) is the notion that one can make their own luck: there's being in the right place at the right time, but you can put yourself in the right place at the right time.

Bada Bling!

PRESS RELEASE – SECOND MAJOR US DEAL FOR CURTIS JOBLING

Kendra Levin at Penguin has acquired US rights to Curtis Jobling's WEREWORLD books 3 & 4 from Zosia Knopp, Rights Director at Puffin UK in a major deal.

Puffin acquired World rights from John Jarrold at John Jarrold Literary Agency.

‘Curtis and I are both delighted about this deal,’ said John Jarrold. ‘Considering that Penguin US only published the first volume this month and still have the second awaiting publication, to acquire the third and fourth books in the series in a major deal this early shows huge enthusiasm and commitment.’

WEREWORLD follows the story of Drew, a shepherd’s son, as he comes of age and discovers he’s the last of the long line of Werewolves, and rightful (yet reluctant) ruler of the land of Lyssia, where shape-shifting ‘Werelords’ reign. Drew is chased across the Seven Realms by the agents of the king, encountering an ever-expanding cast of both benign and fearsome Werelords along the way. The first two volumes in the epic fantasy series are already published by Puffin UK, with two more to follow in 2012.

Curtis Jobling designed the Bafta winning BOB THE BUILDER and is also the creator of FRANKENSTEIN’S CAT, the BBC's hit children’s animation series based upon his book of the same name. His latest animated creation, RAA RAA THE NOISY LION, can be seen on CBeebies presently. In addition he has numerous shows in development with Disney, the BBC and others.

His website is at: http://www.curtisjobling.com.

Contact John Jarrold for further details.

John Jarrold - e-mail: j.jarrold@btinternet.com phone: 01522 510 544

26th September 2011

Books and cartoons a-go-go

I know. I'm slacker than a pair of Bruce Banner's purple pants post-Hulk-out. But I've been busy, honestly, as the below misadventures should explain!
RAGE OF LIONS released
The second book in the WEREWORLD series was published by Puffin in July to a very warm reception. Lots of great reviews (which I know we're not supposed to look at as you can't please everybody) but the consensus opinion appears to be that things have been well and truly ramped up a ear after Drew's tumultuous time in Rise of the Wolf. Which brings me directly to...
SHADOW OF THE HAWK, Book Three in the WEREWORLD SERIES
I completed my first draft of SHADOW a month ago and have been working on the edit since then alongside my splendid editors at Puffin in the UK and Viking in the US. I'm also about 30,000 words into writing Book Four, although that's on-hold presently as I tweak and polish SHADOW. Yet again, some stellar artwork for the cover provided by artist Andrew Farley. The cover proofs came in the post yesterday, embossed and shiny like a groovy embossed, shiny thing. Very happy chappy here.

RISE OF THE WOLF, US edition, released next month!

Here's the Viking/Penguin US edition of RISE OF THE WOLF in all it's 3D, comin'atcha glory. Unlike the UK edition of the book, this is a hardback beast, and I think the guys at Viking have done an incredible job. The book was premiered at San Diego Comic-Con where it was tremendously well received, the preview copies getting swiftly snaffled and an all-round good vibe for the title. Apparently, during the Penguin Panel, when the book was described as "Game of Thrones for Middle Graders with Werewolves" their were whoops from the assembled audience. Viking are really ramping up plans for WEREWORLD ahead of the September released, and there'll be some juicy press releases coming out next month. Watch this space and all that...

RIBBIT, RABBIT ROBOT and SUPER SCHOOL at CARTOON FORUM in Poland

Two of my new preschool shows in development will be making their first appearance next month in Sopot, Poland, where they'll be hosting this year's Cartoon Forum.

RIBBIT RABBIT ROBOT has been produced and developed alongside the fab creative gang at Factory Transmedia in Manchester. Following the exploits of three very different flatmates who share a treehouse in a picturesque woodland, the concept touches upon the notion of love thy neighbour, how differences should be celebrated and not feared. Deep within the DNA of the show is the idea that we're looking at autism, with each of the characters displaying different aspects from the spectrum.

SUPER SCHOOL has been produced and developed by HIT Entertainment, with the clever chaps at Studio Liddell providing the animation talent for the trailer. Centering on the adventures of a gang of primary school super kids, this is a dynamic action show for preschoolers, providing a sense of aspiration that is missing from many shows for younger audiences. Working together and being the best you can are the touchstones for this delightful programme.

Both shows will be at Cartoon Forum looking for broadcasters to come on board and join in the fun, as well as welcoming potential collaborators and investors into the mix. Listen to me, I almost sound like I know what I'm on about, don't I?

All work and no play makes Bling a crankypants...

And lastly, it's not all writing. Not sure who this reprobate is who was spotted swigging mucky beer in Perpignan, watching the mighty Warrington Wolves defeat the Catalans Dragons, but I'm sure you'll agree he's a handsome devil.

The trip out to Perpignan came after an appearance at the Edinburgh Book Festival, which was my first time. Terrific set-up and a great chance to meet the audience and answer questions about WEREWORLD. I've got a bunch of other events coming up in the coming months, as listed below:

August 27th - WEREWORLD signing at Trafford Centre Waterstone's, 1pm-3pm

October 3rd - THE BIG DRAW in Kent - workshops and talk

October 14th - OFF THE SHELF literary festival in Sheffield - workshops and talk

October 19th - CHESHIRE BOOK PRIZE launch - Winsford

October 20th - TERROR IN A TENT - Wereworld talk and signing, Formby

November 7th-11th - WEREWORLD SCHOOL TOUR with Puffin promoting RISE and RAGE

November 12th - SEFTON WRITING FESTIVAL - cartoon/illustration workshop

If you're nearby any of these events, do come along. There'll be more info on the Wereworld/Puffin tour once the schools are finalised.

Bada Bling!

Rage of Lions - publication day!

Well that came round quickly!

It only seems like yesterday that RISE OF THE WOLF was published, and now the second Wereworld novel is officially available in bookstores and online. To celebrate, I spent the afternoon speaking with children at Westbrook Old Hall School in Warrington, where they hosted my talk and invited kids from St Stephens (Warrington) and St Aidans (St Helens) along. Had a smashing time, and its a school I've got an awful lot of time for.

Piccies below are from my visit to St John Bosco school in Liverpool the other week, the school Colleen Rooney attended no less. Yes, that's a caricature I did of myself prior to getting the girls to caricature one another. I left the school content in the knowledge that I'd destroyed some friendships there.

Anyway, dashing off with this brief blog today - am up to my double chins in the edit of Wereworld Book Three - no, I won't give away the title yet. But as soon as I can this will be the first place that hears.

Bada Bling!

Wereworld: Rage of Lions, July 7th...

It's three weeks away now until the release of Wereworld: Rage of Lions so do take a look at the wonderful trailer the clever blokes at Qurios Entertainment have produced for the series of novels. I've been busy writing book three (as yet untitled although, fair's fair, I've a good idea of what it's called) in the last few months, while working on the final edit of RAGE with the wonderful team at Puffin. Have to admit I have a different kind of nervousness building as we approach publication day (7th July) - I'm very aware that with this being the sequel to "Rise of the Wolf", I need to raise my game, make sure the stakes are higher for Drew and his companions. Only hope I've acheived that, as the story certainly gets darker for all Wereworld's lead characters.

Raa Raa the Noisy Lion will have hit your tellyboxes by now too, certainly if you live in the UK. It's on weekday afternoons, CBeebies, at 3:30, and it's been really well received. The extensive work we did with speech and language therapists throughout the show's development has really helped to bootstrap the educational/developmental angle seamlessly into what's a fun and entertaining show for preschoolers. I'll be heading out to Cartoon Forum in Poland later this year with two other preschool shows to present. Fingers crossed that they're as well received as Raa Raa was! My four year old is currently marching around the living room shouting/chanting/singing/yodelling the "Raa Raa Beat" - apologies to parents everywhere if the earworm themetune has wormed it's way into your noggin ;-D

Been so swamped with the writing lately that I've not been "putting myself about" as much as usual, although that's about to change. I've got a number of secondary school visits coming up over the next few weeks, and will be doing my first public signings for Wereworld: Rage of Lions at Waterstone's Golden Square, Warrington, on 9th July, 1pm. If you're around, nearby, and want to meet a fat-faced author, do come along. I don't bite. Much.

Bada Bling!

You wait all day for a lion to turn up, then two arrive at once!

Please can I assure you that I don't have a fixation with all things leonine. It might look that way with the two lion-related titles coming to the fore this year, but that was utterly unintentional. On a completely different note, look out for my new picture book, "Lying Lionel, the Linedancing Lion". Out at all (not very) good bookshops now!
Here's the cover art for "Wereworld: Rage of Lions", designed by super clever Patrick Knowles and illustrated by the fabulous Andrew Farley. Both Patrick and Andrew worked on the cover of the first book, "Rise of the Wolf", so it was great that Puffin were able to secure their services once again on the follow-up. The book is available on preorder from most online booksellers, including Amazon so do snaffle your copy now. I've been very busy this last month completing the black and white chapterhead illustrations for the interior of the novel, as well as working on Book Three. Progressing very nicely, am around 44,000 words into the first draft.

And who's this little chap? It's RAA RAA of course! He'll be hitting the tellyboxes on CBeebies very shortly, May 9th I'm led to believe. And if you want to get a sneaky preview of my new preschool show, pop onto Facebook and have a look at the Official Raa Raa fanpage there - there's a teaser of the show you can see, featuring Raa Raa and all his friends in the Jingly Jangly Jungle. Would love to hear your thoughts.

Bada Bling!

Writing writing writing...

I haven't been up for air recently with the blog posts - I've been working on the edit of the second Wereworld novel, "Rage of Lions," which will be published in the UK on July 7th. The edit for this came smack-bang in the middle of writing book three, which has been a big fat bunch of fun. With the editing complete (on my part) I'm back to bk3 tomorrow and really rather looking forward to it.

Being spoiled rotten on the idiot lantern lately with some quality telly finding it's way into my head. Have been hearting "Treme" in a very big way - sends me back to my visits to Louisiana as a guest speaker of the Red Stick Animation Festival in Baton Rouge. Although this is New Orleans and not BR, it's somewhere I was lucky enough to visit. My literary agent, John Jarrold, is a convert to that beautiful city, getting out there frequently to unwind. This only ever makes me envious as I'd love to get back there with Mrs Bling some day. In short, Treme is brilliant storytelling that delivers at a slow-burning pace. It's in no hurry, appropriately as it's New Orleans, and what else would you expect from the creators of The Wire?

"Boardwalk Empire" finale was last night. Yes please, sign me up for season two. Another show that's not worried about a sprint finish, it takes it's time building the characters and stories. Comparisons to The Sopranos are only to be expected, and that's no bad thing in my eyes. And "True Blood" season three came to a bloody conclusion last week too. I know! Who'd have thought a show about Louisiana, vampires and werewolves would be top of my telly list? Busy week's writing ahead of me.

The lovely Mrs Bling is taking my darling daughters camping for the week and leaving me free to write, with no distractions. This'll be a weird one. I'm used to spending the odd period of time away from home and family, but I'm not used to being left to rattle around alone for anything longer than a day. God knows what she'll return to - by friday I'll have probably pooped on the carpets, whizzed on the curtains, eaten the cat litter and thrown up on the sofa. I hope she's arranged for someone to call round and check on me each day...

Bada Bling!

Puffin commission 2 more novels, and the Boy Bling goes yomping round the UK...

First off, a Press Release for the news on a further TWO novels in the WEREWORLD series!

Due to the instant success of Rise of the Wolf published on 6th January 2011, the first volume in the Wereworld series by British author and artist Curtis Jobling, Puffin is very excited to announce that they have moved fast and acquired a further two titles in the fantasy YA series.

As a result of the fantastic initial performance of the first book, shortlisted for the Waterstone’s Children’s Book Prize, Puffin is moving the second volume from an early 2012 publication date to the summer of 2011. The two new novels will follow in 2012.

Following on from the initial two-book deal early in 2010, Shannon Park, Executive Editor at Puffin secured world rights for books three and four in the series from the John Jarrold Literary Agency, for a five figure sum.

Curtis Jobling says: ‘I am absolutely thrilled at the support and the belief Puffin has in Wereworld and am delighted to see how well received the first book has been. With book two already written and book three plotted, I’m looking forward to the busy adventure that lies ahead!’

‘I was delighted to hear so early in the game from Shannon with another two-book offer,’ said John Jarrold. ‘Having been a publisher for fifteen years before setting up the agency, I know all too well how unusual that is. Congratulations to her and the team at Puffin who have got behind Curtis so strongly.’

Shannon Park, Executive Editor, says: ‘From the first moment I read Wereworld I was completely bowled over by the inventiveness of the world Curtis has created. To know that we have another two opportunities to explore it is an editor’s dream come true. I can’t wait!’

Curtis Jobling designed the Bafta winning BOB THE BUILDER and is also the creator of FRANKENSTEIN’S CAT, the BBC’s hit children’s animation series based upon his book of the same name. In addition he has numerous shows in development with Disney, the BBC and others.

Please visit the Wereworld website at: http://www.wereworldbooks.com/site/home.php

Suffice to say everyone at Casa Bling is tremendously happy with this news. It means I'll have my nose in my laptop for the next 18months, but at least the first draft of the second novel (now due for release in July) is complete.

Back home from a rare spot of jaunting around the British Isles last week.

Wednesday I was down in London for the Waterstone's Book Prize, where the terrific "Artichoke Hearts" by Sita Brahmachari grabbed the top prize. Was a wonderful opportunity to meet the other authors such as the hilarious Candy Gourlay (who I've pinched a couple of these pics from - thnx CG!), the chortlesome Jon Mayhew and the rest of the shortlistees.

Me and Mr Mayhew, getting silly in our blouses...

The incredible team of young adults from Spinebreakers, Puffin's go-to folk with all Young Adult property!

Then it was off up to the Animex International Festival of Animation in Teesside for my usual pilgrimage to what I consider is one of the greatest festivals around. Superb turnout by attendees with a stellar cast of speakers again. Particularly touching was the festival's new affiliation with Dreamflights, a charity that flies severely and terminally ill children over to Florida each year. All the speakers brought along items for auction and the event raised well over the target of £1000. My own contribution of a signed and drawn-in copy of Wereworld (I illustrated a werewolf inside the jacket) went for around £40 apparently. Bravo to everyone concerned!

Old and dear friend Professor Stuart Sumida, anatomy advisor on COUNTLESS feature films for Disney, Pixar and many more. He digs up dinosaur bones for a living, the movies are just a side-thing - how cool is that???

Tony West, awesome animator and FX bod and co-creator of the award winning Dream On Silly Dreamer documentary that opened the lid on behind-the-scenes Disney. Note my face - this is what happens when an eminent professor grabs a fistful of your ass!

Bada Bling!

WEREWORLD: Book Tour pictures part two

"And for my next trick..."
(Moreton High School, Wolverhampton)

Note the coloured pens - I was colouring in and everything!
(Moreton High School, Wolverhampton))

Me, Benny Westwood, my stunt double and the Challenge Cup. Note the sad faced boy in front of me. Judging by his expression and the look of longing he's throwing the trophy I'm guessing he's a Widnes fan...
(Waterstone's, Warrington)

This has nothing to do with the book tour whatsoever. This is what happens when Niel Bushnell lands at Casa Bling on New Years Eve with gorgeous family and lashings of fizzy beverages in tow. Please note that it's a torn cocktail sausage stuffed up my nostrils. No, I don't know why. Also, the tears are on account that, to my surprise, I discovered they were hot and spicy as opposed to plain!

Bada Bling!

WEREWORLD Book Tour in pictures...

Defacing books. What a bad man...
(Moreton High School, Wolverhampton)

That queue was for Bob The Builder. It dispersed quicker than a fart in a hurricane when they realised it was me at the end...

(Our Lady's Catholic High School, Preston)

Hairy man and Wolfman. And so natural too. We look like conjoined twins, the only way you can tell us apart is the ginger burners. Me and Super League's greatest mascot, Wolfie...

(Waterstone's, Warrington)

Did I ever tell you about the time I won the Challenge Cup?
(Waterstone's, Warrington)

You'll often find me crouching down when I read, surrounded by my homies from the 'hood.

(Penketh High School, Warrington)

Fat bloke posing in front of books shocker!

(St Anne's RC High School, Stockport)

Bada Bling!

WEREWORLD BOOK TOUR: Days Four & Five

Thursday was an early start down to Wolverhampton ("It's great down 'ere, innit?") Visited Moreton High in the morning and Deansfield High in the afternoon. Debbie Haynes chaperoned myself and Jayde from Puffin around for the day, representing Wolverhampton Childrens Book Group, a great organisation who do some terrific work bringing books to a wide audience. Thanks to Faye from Waterstone's for being present with her cashbox!

After Wolvo it was down to London where Jayde passed the Jobling baton over to Vanessa who handled the last leg. Spent the evening in Ipswich and visited Copleston High in the morning, speaking to an audience of 300. Then it was on the train north to local rivals Norwich, speaking at Catton Grove Primary to various primary schools. Thanks to Rob Welton and Tasha from Jarrold's for organising the event - another awesome independent bookseller.

The train journey home was memorable - 5 hours with no buffet car or trolley. Thank goodness I had the (admittedly rare) foresight to pick up a fat pasty and bottle of water from Norwich.

Highlight of Friday was a little girl asking me to write down my favourite line from Rise Of The Wolf alongside her dedication. Took me completely by surprise, excellent stuff!

"They're chanting for their king."

Bada Bling!

WEREWORLD BOOK TOUR: Day Three

Felt awful leaving home this morning, not at the prospect of talks and enthusing about Werewolves, but because I'd left dear Mrs Bling spinning all kinds of plates. The office ceiling sprang a leak last night from a burst pipe in the bathroom and the chaos that ensued was utterly miserable. Think we'll be moving the location of the office asap!

Met up with Shannon, my wunder-editor from Puffin, in Liverpool first thing and together we travelled the brief distance to Bebington to visit Wirral Grammar School for Boys. A great event run by the expert Tony from Pritchard Books in Formby and Julia, the school librarian. Kids were wonderful and just the right side of excited. Again, hairy man or wolfman went down a treat - really think there's a future in that quiz. Thanks to the staff and boys for making us so welcome, hope to be back there in the near future.

In the afternoon it was over to Manchester to the East Manchester Academy. Incredible modern venue with a theatre/hall to run the event from. Local primary school Yr 6's joined the senior Yr 7's for a fun event, expertly organised by my old chum Debra Conroy and her team from Manchester Library Services. Was nice to catch up with Debra and hear how amazed she was by my jump from picture books to novels! She's a big Wereworld fan - makes me chuffed to bits.

Tired and ready for another early night. Plumber left after sorting the leaky pipes earlier, an old schoolmate who has been a lifesaver. Recommendations are worth their weight in gold when it comes to tradesmen, and I can't give Penketh Plumbing a bigger thumbs-up! Cheers Rob!

Bada Bling!

WEREWORLD BOOK TOUR: Day Two

Spent the day in deepest, darkest Lancashire today, being buzzed around by the awesome ladies from Silverdell Books in Kirkham, possibly the greatest independent bookstore I've ever seen. They were Indie Bookstore of the year in 2010, and for good reason too. Elaine and Sue were great chaperones for both events, really looking after myself and Jayde from Puffin in between shovelling ice cream down my neck. I won't forget today in a long while!

First up was a trip to Our Lady's Catholic High School in Preston, coincidentally Nick Park's old school. Top turnout and a queue of kids circling the assembly hall as they snaffled their copies of Wereworld: Rise of the Wolf. Also got to see an awesome little animation that one of the budding filmmaker/students had produced featuring his lego Batman. Inspired, and only hope that young man can go on to bigger and better things. Thanks to Lisa for helping to arrange the event so brilliantly with Silverdell.

In the afternoon we visited Stonyhurst School near Clitheroe, which was quite breathtaking. Made Hogwarts look like Grange Hill. Mrs Robinson, the school's head of English, had got the kids really fired up - a chorus of Bob The Builder greeting my fat ears upon arrival. A group of younger pupils, aged 7, entered the hall midway through my reading from Wereworld, quickly about-turning when they realised it was too scary and horrific for them. Sorry! Thanks to all the boys and girls who attended the event.

Home again now, pooped again now, and getting ready for an early night. The Wirral and Manchester await me tomorrow, plus the chance to catch up with my groovy editor from Puffin, Shannon...

Bada Bling!

WEREWORLD BOOK TOUR: Day One

I'm hoping to be able to post an update each evening this week after my adventures on the book tour conclude each day, but it's wishful thinking the way I feel currently. Thoroughly pooped after a hectic day. We started off the tour at St Anne's RC High School in Stockport, my guinea pigs for a new talk. Covered the animation work in the beginning before moving on to a "Hairy Man or Wolfman" pop quiz which went down a treat. Ended on a reading of Part One, Chapter Three from Rise Of The Wolf: "The Visitor." Signed a bunch of books, the staff and pupils were lovely and then it was back to Warrington.

The afternoon was spent at my childhood school, Penketh High, and I was convinced the kids had been prompted to cheer wildly upon my entrance, only to be told it was impromptu and unexpected. Returning as I was as the conquering hero, the rest of the talk went terrific. Very sparky and engaged, with some great questions from the kids although too many centering around my apparent love of JLS...

The evening involved a trip to Waterstone's in Warrington where we held an open public signing session, including a bit of doodling followed by the reading. The kids were younger here, mainly primary school level - just hope I haven't given any of them nightmares. Was also delighted to see Warrington Wolves present, including Wolfie, the Challenge Cup, Ben Westwood and Ben Harrison. Top chaps all of them and many thanks for turning up. Cheers to chums Pip, Sarah, Danny and their kids for turning up, as well as all the children who came tonight outside of school and before bed!

Preston tomorrow. Watch this space.

Bada Bling!

Rise of the Wolf on Waterstone's Prize shortlist

Great news yesterday, when Wereworld: Rise of the Wolf was named on the shortlist for the 2011 Waterstone's Book Prize. The ceremony will be in a month's time at the flagship store in London Picadilly, so looking forward to a jaunt to the capital at the beginning of February. I know it sounds corny but it really is the taking part that matters - I'm tremendously flattered that the book has been chosen on the shortlist and simply being involved is a huge buzz.

Popped into Waterstone's in the Trafford Centre yesterday as Mrs Bling and I were having lunch over there and couldn't resist popping in to see them on display. I possibly speak on behalf of all the nominees when I say it makes such a difference seeing your novel on a stand-alone display, front-of-store. Hopefully the interest in the books sees them all go on to be big successes.

Just to clarify, by the way, no, I know, I'm not an animator as quoted in most of the news articles - its a job in animation that I only briefly flirted with at art college many full moons ago - I don't think I'd have the patience to actually animate, let alone the skill. It's the designing of Bob that I have to hold my hand up and accept responsibility for.

Speaking of which, I'm off down to Birmingham this Thursday to talk to the Animation Forum West Midlands about my work in animation as both a designer and creator of content, concentrating specifically on being a freelancer in a competitive creative industry. I'll be doing a little retrospective of my own work as well as highlighting the things one has to do to not only get a foothold in the industry but also to climb the ladder.

Lastly, once the excitement of next week's Wereworld Book Tour (details here) I'll be looking forward to Animex International Festival of Animation at the beginning of February. Ordinarily I'd be doing a workshop on the Wednesday but as this clashes with the Waterstone's Book Prize bash I won't be able to run one. I shall, however, be present from the Thursday and will be appearing on any panels Festival Director Chris Williams wants me on. Get along, it's a fantastic affair!

Bada Bling!

WEREWORLD LET LOOSE!

Well, it's out there. My wolf has left the cave and entered the wider forest. "Rise of the Wolf" was officially released yesterday into the wild and is now snaffleable by anyone who wants it. You can find it at any good bookseller on the high street or online so do let me know how you get on with it.

Yesterday was a splendidly surreal day, starting with champagne breakfast. Three glasses of bubbly in my tummy and I had to take my girls to school. We got there in the end, although I don't think they appreciated me stumbling through bushes and hedgerows and turning up at the school gates with nests in their hair. By 9:30 I was fit for no purpose and quietly sat down at the kitchen table to regather my thoughts and coordination. I was in fine fettle by the afternoon and Mrs Bling and I spent the evening having a splendid meal at TOM @ 101 in Stockton Heath, ending in a chocolate orange creme brulee which was indecently marvellous.

Thick head is subsiding this morning as I get back to work.

You can also get WEREWORLD on Kindle too - thanks to Chris Taylor-Davies @CTD on Twitter for sending me this piccy of his "first edition!" Its the Dark Arts to me, all smoke and mirrors!

Also, visit the Official Puffin Wereworld Website for all kinds of interactive goodies and exclusive articles. You can also become a fan on Facebook too on the Official Facebook Wereworld Page.

Currently preparing for the book tour, as mentioned in my previous post, where I'll be making whistlestop visits to schools and libraries across England in the middle of January. If you're interested in contacting me regarding availability to come to your school, college or festival please do get in touch either on here or via email to frankscat@hotmail.com and I'm sure we can sort something out - talks usually cover my work in animation as well as publishing.

Right, enough jollity - back to work for me. This is the first Christmas period I've taken off for years and, wonderful as its been, I'm itching to get writing again.

Bada Bling!