Not enough that I blog here. I only have to go and guest-blog elsewhere. This is on the estimable Liz de Jager’s My Favourite Books site, and basically details how I started writing for Barrington Stoke and reveals a little of the actual process of writing for reluctant readers.
Liz sent me some chocolates in return for penning this piece, and I have to say that they’re so tasty, I’m wondering if I shouldn’t have a chocolate clause written into all my book contracts in future. In addition to, not in lieu of, payment, of course.
Speaking of which, I’ve just signed a two-book deal with Solaris, which I’m naturally delighted about. Working titles for the two books are Redlaw and Dust, and I can’t wait to get cracking on them both. There’s still The Age Of Odin to finish first, mind.
Just returned from my day at Coopers School in Chislehurst, where I talked about The 5 Lords Of Pain to a couple of groups of pupils. Lots of smart questions asked, to which I gave the smartest answers I could (which might not be saying much).
Stars of the event were the six boys who were consultant editors on the series. Their day was spent listening to me rabbit on about the books, interviewing me for a school podcast, and receiving certificates and signed copies in recognition of the sterling work they’d done. So well done to Billy, James, Nathan, Richard, Sean and Thomas. It was a pleasure meeting you.
Officially The Lord Of The Mountain was published on Friday, and tomorrow I’m off to Coopers School in Chislehurst, Kent, to meet some of the kids who acted as language consultants on the book. Should be fun.
Meanwhile I’m cracking on with The Age Of Odin. Nearly 40,000 words in the bag, and I’m having a terrific time with a first-person narrator who’s hopelessly politically incorrect, swears like a trooper (because he used to be one), takes nothing seriously, and is very handy indeed in a fight. Just like me, in fact, except for the handy in a fight part.
Courtesy of the inestimably estimable and indefatigably enthusiastic Liz de Jager comes this, a rave about The Lord Of The Mountain. If I may quote: “The Lord of the Mountain is such a fun book – I loved it. It has enough martial arts info to keep all martial arts fundies happy and Tom as the reluctant hero is someone you can root for. Written for readers with reading difficulties I’d push this up a notch and say that everyone should give it a try – the writing is excellent, the plot runs smoothly and it’s also quite a visual book so you can literally see it all take place in your mind’s eye, which is something I love. The cover totally rocks your socks off too – the manga inspired cover is very clever and the depiction of the Lord of the Mountain on the front is just perfect.”
Not a lot I can add to that, really.
Just a note to say that the 5 Lords Of Pain website is now live and online and doing what it does best, which is being full of publishing info, background facts, bloggery and general “DVD extra” type stuff relating to the series. You can find it here.
The first book isn’t out till February 26th but the site is the place to go if you want to find out what the fuss is all about, who the Five Lords actually are, what the publication schedule is for the series, and where and when I’ll be popping up to promote it.
Well, what are you waiting for?
Just heard the word from Solaris that The Age Of Ra is due out in ebook format this Friday. According to assistant editor babe Jennifer-Anne Hill, “It looks really good, we’ve kept the internal artwork and everything, even on the iPhone version. Andy Severn is a bit of a genius that way.” (Incidentally, “assistant editor babe” is not technically her job description and should not be taken to imply that she performs her duties in anything other than a superbly competent and professional manner.) So if you haven’t yet purchased a dead wood copy — and why not? — then now’s your chance to snaffle up the sleek super-cool electronic version.
I would myself, if I wasn’t (a) a cheapskate, too mean to splash out on an e-reader, and (b) a confirmed, paper-loving bibliophile.
Here’s the cover image to be used on The Age Of Zeus. I think you’ll agree that Mr Marek Okon has knocked it out of the park again.
What isn’t clear on the mock-up as is, is that there’s a Greek temple atop the mountain peak. At the moment it’s hidden beneath the Bookseller quote, but I’ve been assured that the typesetting will be sorted out so that the temple is there, clear for all to see, on the finished article.
Also, the title will be embossed, which is cool.
Great series style been developed for these Pantheon books. Can’t wait to see what Marek comes up with for The Age Of Odin.
Right, deep breath, here we go. My first effort at posting, unaided, unsupported by webguy, stepping out onto the tightrope on my own, arms outstretched, wobbling a little, oh God it’s a long way down…
Busy year ahead, with no fewer than eight new books due out. First up is the first volume of The 5 Lords Of Pain, which will appear in February. Barrington Stoke are producing a microsite for the series, and I will be posting a link there as soon as it comes online.
To promote the books I am going to be doing several appearances at schools and libraries, most notably in mid-February at the Bounce Into Books festival in Yorkshire/Humberside.
Then in April it’s The Age Of Zeus, and already I know I’m going to be recording a podcast for that with the fine folks at Rebellion/Solaris. This book is a whopper, by the way. 700 pages of epic, myth-tinged mayhem. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: The Dirty Dozen, with gods and power armour. What more could you want?
Around about the same time, PS Publishing will be putting out my second short story collection, Diversifications. I’ve been in discussions with Pete Crowther about the jacket, and it’s going to look good. I’ll post up an image soon as I have one.
There’s more to say, but this’ll have to do for now. Vertigo’s setting in, and I don’t see any safety net below.
