I have just completed the final draft of ‘The Spook’s Nightmare’ which will be published in June. Now I have to work with the copyeditor to remove any errors and inconsistencies. The jacket illustration is under development and I saw a preview yesterday. It is excellent and really scary, probably shaping up to be the very best of the new style of covers.

Once again I feel the need to warn readers that the Spook’s books are published in America by a different publisher under a different title. So apart from the illustrations and a few spelling changes, ‘The Last Apprentice: Revenge of the Witch’ is the same fiction as ‘The Spook’s Apprentice’. Some readers have recently bought the same book twice by mistake.

Last week I was in Australia and did talks and signings in Sydney and Melbourne. It was enjoyable with many enthusiastic audiences but for someone from chilly wind-swept Lancashire, the hot weather made talking difficult. I am in New Zealand for a few more weeks and then return to England early in March where I will continue to write Spook’s Eight (which is about half-completed) and the Alice book, which I have only just begun. I’ll also try to fit in a few events during March and April.

My own website has now been completed and the address is: www.spooksworld.co.uk.
From within the site you can send an email to me and receive a reply or even enter into the Spook’s fictional world by sending an email to one of my favourite witches - Grimalkin.

Below are a few pictures from New Zealand – including my feet standing on the geographical centre of New Zealand which is in Nelson, South Island.

Best wishes,

Joseph Delaney

At present I am temporarily based in Auckland, New Zealand. The picture below is a view from Devonport, looking across the harbour towards that city with its spectacular ‘Skytower’. I’m here to write and also do some promotional work.

My first events were further south and they were organized by John McIntyre of ‘The Children’s Bookshop’ (based in Wellington) and both school events (Evans Bay Intermediate and St Anthony’s) were well-worthwhile. I got to meet keen readers of the series and also to introduce the books to a new audience. It’s a small world because at St Anthony’s the teacher responsible for the groups was Steve Douglas, a Kiwi. I had met him previously at another school event when he had been travelling and teaching in London, England. He had already introduced his classes to the series; they were well-prepared and most of my work had been done for me.

Also being planned is a short tour of Australia. This will begin about February 8th. No details of the schedule are yet available. But I’ll be back home in England early March, 2010.

On Monday I will be sending the latest draft of Book Seven, ‘The Spook’s Nightmare’ to my editor. Once that is done, I’ll be free to begin work on my next two books which will be published in 2011. They are Spook’s Eight (I have no title yet) and the novel about Alice (provisionally titled ‘The Alice Deane Diaries’).

My own website is still being developed which will be a sister to www.spooksbooks.com
Hopefully the site should be up and running before Christmas but, if not, it will be ready by early January at the latest. You will be able to email me direct and ask questions. In the meantime if you have any questions about the new site please email:
linda@spooksworld.co.uk

I am just about to sign a contract extending the film option for another eighteen months. Warner Brothers are still keen to get the film made. I am expecting some news about its production very shortly and will keep you informed here.

Best wishes,
Joseph Delaney

Join the Spook’s webchat this Wednesday (21st October) at 5pm when Joe will be answering your questions online for a full hour! This is your chance to ask Joe your burning questions - about the Spooks books, writing and all things spooky…

To take part, sign up at: www.spooksbooks.com/webchat/

Spook’s Halloween Webchat: Wednesday 21st October: 5pm BST

The promotional tour of Ireland was organized by Tom Donegan of Children’s Books Ireland and was cleverly designed so that I could meet readers and also see the areas where I intend to set Spook’s Book Eight. So it was partly a research trip.

The first two events were in Dublin libraries and then the drive took me southwest calling first at Tullamore to give a talk there to enthusiastic children. In Kerry I was based in Kenmare staying at Virginia’s Guesthouse, where the food is excellent and I was in a good position from which I could travel to interesting potential Spook’s sites. There in Kenmare, I gave another talk after first visiting the library at Cahersiveen. The whole area has spectacular scenery and it didn’t take long to pick out some excellent locations for the book. I particularly loved the 2,500 year old Staigue Ringfort, the ruined castle at Ballycarberry and town of Killorglin. All three locations are almost certain to feature in the book.

At the moment my own website is being developed which will be a sister to www.spooksbooks.com
If you want to ask any questions about it please email:
linda@spooksworld.co.uk
The site should be up and running before Christmas and you will be able to email me directly and ask questions about the books and my future plans.

Kirkham Grammar School, September 21st

My week started with a visit to Kirkham Grammar School, in the company of Hazel Ferguson from ‘Book Talk Groups’, to launch a new initiative aimed at getting schoolchildren to read and discuss books. ‘Spook’s Stories: Witches’ was the first one chosen for discussion. The event was covered by Lancashire Radio and short extracts from the talk plus interviews were broadcast that evening.

Holy Family School, Warton, September 22nd

Many visits are arranged directly by Lauren Bennett my Random House Publicist others come through contacts, local requests or chance meetings. This one was organized by my nephew, Phillip, who is the school caretaker. This was an excellent junior school and I talked to a very excited and enthusiastic audience of children. It was an enjoyable and worthwhile event and I was made very welcome.

Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School, September 23rd

I really enjoyed the visit and it was great to meet so many enthusiastic girls. I often talk to mixed audiences and sometimes groups of boys but only rarely do I get the chance to visit a girls’ school. It was refreshing to meet so many girls who enjoy the adventures of Tom, the Spook and Alice. I intend to return early in June, 2010, and catch the classes that I missed on this occasion.

Bowland High School, September 24th

I visited Bowland High School in the company of Mary from the Corner Bookshop, Garstang. Usually, I catch trains to events but Mary drove us, avoiding motorways and taking us the scenic route through Chipping – the one that approximated the route taken by Tom and the Spook when they set off to deal with the Pendle witches in ‘The Spook’s Battle’. The school is in a very picturesque setting with an amazing view of Pendle Hill. I was kept very busy and talked to six groups of children, some new readers others veteran readers of the series. There were lots of interesting questions and I spent a long time signing books in the library afterwards.

The Corner Bookshop, Garstang

The following evening I visited the Corner Bookshop to give a talk and sign books. It was a themed ‘witches’ evening with Mary wearing her best pointy shoes and her daughter dressed up as a very convincing witch. It was a great event and I really enjoyed it.

A Request …

I would like a picture of the Pendle ‘Snow Witch’ for my website. I already have one but don’t know who took it and who the copyright belongs to. I would take my own picture but even when it snows the witch isn’t always visible so I don’t know how long I’d have to wait. It seems it depends on how the snow melts. So if you have a picture please send it with permission for it to be used by email to the spooks website.

Thanks and best wishes,

Joseph Delaney

Here is the schedule of events for the September and October tour to promote ‘Spook’s Stories: Witches’. Those which have yet to be confirmed will be added next week.

Friday, September 25th
I will be at The Corner Bookshop, Garstang, Lancashire, from about 6.30 pm for a talk and signing. It will be a themed ‘Witches’ evening and the new book will also be on sale.

Friday, 2nd October
The Havant Literary Festival with the Hayling Island Bookshop at 1.45 to 2.30 pm. Talk followed by signing.

Saturday, 3rd October
Waterstones Corn Market Lancaster; 2pm signing.

Monday 5th October to Friday 9th October
In Ireland. The events have yet to be confirmed but I start in Dublin and head southwest towards Kerry

Sunday 11th October
Preston Arts Festival. Talk and signing at the Harris Library (Central Library in Preston) at 2pm. Silverdell from Kirkham will be selling books.

Saturday 17th October
Borders, Preston. 1pm public signing.

Sunday 18th October
Cheltenham Festival. Talk 4.15 at the Playhouse.

Other events will be added soon.

Recent Events
I gave a talk and met the members of Chorley Writers’ Circle, Lancashire, on September 8th. It was the first time I’ve done such an event and it was great to meet so many writers in one place.

I also visited Westcraven High Technology College, Barnoldswick on September 11th. It was a great event and I gave two talks. The staff were very enthusiastic about the books and the audiences were a pleasure to talk to. I have another event with the school librarian, Chris Tatton, on Thursday 22nd October at the public library Barnoldswick. Details will appear soon.

I think this is the news that some of you have been waiting for. Random House Children’s Books are to publish ‘The Spook’s Sacrifice’ in October 2009, with the old style of cover. This Collectors’ Edition is now available exclusively from Amazon on pre-order.

Click here to find out more on Amazon

Joe will be at The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival in October
Click here to find out more

On Saturday, August 1st, I attended the National Play Day event at the Marine Hall, Fleetwood, Lancashire. There were lots of attractions, including a talent competition, and it was a really good day out for families. So if you didn’t go this time, give it a try next year.

My part was easy. I was there with Tony Higginson from Pritchards Bookshop, Formby and we sold copies of the Spook’s books and also signed any that readers brought along with them. I met lots of old friends including Jaclyn and Karen from the Paul Nicholas School of Acting and also met lots of new people including two ladies from the Fleetwood Library – so now I hope to do an event there in September. Whilst signing, one reader said to me: “Wish Tom a happy birthday for me
on Monday!” I was caught out for a moment then I realised that Tom Ward’s birthday is August, 3rd. I chose that date because it’s the actual birthday of two of my children, Paul and Joanne, who are twins. So a happy birthday to all three of them!

And now I’ll try to deal with some of the questions raised in reaction to my blogs. I haven’t got time to do them all but here goes…

The new covers?

Some readers love them, but there’s certainly been a mixed reaction. I do feel sorry for those readers who feel let down because they can’t complete their set in the old style.

The truth is, I like both types of cover. And these decisions are not mine but are made by my publisher. Their job is to package the books in such a way that sales will increase and they tell me it’s working…

But I have spoken to them and they’re looking into publishing a Limited Collectors’ Edition of The Spook’s Sacrifice in the late autumn which will feature an ‘old look’ cover, so fingers crossed for that. So let’s wait and see.

When will the next books be out?

‘Spooks Stories: Witches’ will be published, October 1st 2009. These stories will also be published in the USA with a different name and at a later date.

‘The Spook’s Nightmare’ will be out June, 2010.

‘The Spook’s Bestiary’ will be out October, 2010.

Will you use my name in your book?

I will look at all names submitted and will certainly use any that are ‘different’ and suited to the genre and the Spook’s World.

Will I go to Ireland to sign and talk?

Yes. I will be there October 5th to October 10th, 2009, starting in Dublin and moving southwest towards Kerry. The trip is being planned now by Tom from Children’s Books Ireland.

Spook’s Maps?

As far as I know there has been no really detailed map drawn of the full Spook’s County. The nearest so far was the one produced by Lancashire Library Services. They took a very old map of Lancashire and highlighted places such as Caster and Pendle. It was very good and I still have a copy on my study wall.

Romania?

This is mainly for the Romanian readers and their Wardstone Chronicles Blogs and forums but may be of interest to other readers. At the moment I plan to link the plot of Book Nine to Romania. Book Eight is likely to be set in Ireland because Tom and the Spook are in the Isle of Man in Book Seven and it makes good plot sense to sail further west for the next adventure, particularly as to return to the County then is very dangerous (won’t say why because I don’t want to give away too much). I am already collecting ideas for the Romanian book and have done some research on the witches and vampires there (nothing to do with Dracula!) which as usual I’ll change to make it part of the Spook’s world. At some point before that I’d like to return to Romania, particularly Transylvania, to look at the landscape again and do some talks and book signings.

Where do I get my inspiration from?

The ideas for my books come from nightmares, dreams and day-dreams which I always jot down lest I forget them. Sometimes I’m inspired by the things that people say or do or a piece of town or countryside I see whilst out walking. I do more ‘writing’ in my head than I ever do on paper or type into my computer.

I hope that helps for now.

Best wishes,

Joseph Delaney

Dreams and Aspirations

Following on from Chipping, I next did an event at another location very important to the books. At the invitation of Emma Parkinson, I visited Stalmine Primary School on its Prize Day to give a short talk on ‘Dreams and Aspirations’. It’s another school with a great atmosphere and the pupils did presentations telling us what they hoped to be when they grew up; this included a whole range choices from pop stars to policemen and one boy even wanted to be a writer!

My own children attended that school because it’s in the village where they grew up and I still live – the place that, with its boggart, ‘The Hall knocker’, gave me the inspiration for the series. The location even features in the first book when, at the end, Tom guides Alice there to stay with one of her aunts. Of course, I don’t use the name ‘Stalmine’; it goes under its older name ‘Staumin’.

Well, that looks like being the last event of the recent tour. August is usually quiet but I’m at the Marine Hall, Fleetwood, Lancashire, on August 1st (11am to 1pm). Called ‘National Play Day’, it features talent competitions and other family fun. I’ll be there with Tony, the bookseller from Pritchards, Formby and I’ll be signing books and chatting to anyone who wants to talk to me. Following that I’m at the Edinburgh Festival on August 25th to give a talk on my latest book and the series in general.

In my next blog (which I hope to do sometime next week) I’ll try to address some of the questions raised in your comments on the tour blogs.