Day 18 - Unusual names

Today, I crossed the County border and visited Dringhouses Primary School in York. I was the guest of Clare Smith, a teacher at the school, and gave two talks to enthusiastic groups who asked lots of searching questions.

People are always asking if I will use their name in a Spook’s adventure and sometimes I actually do. Last year I met someone who worked for Random House in Australia and she asked me that question. Her name was ‘Adriana’ and I liked it so I have written her into ‘The Spook’s Nightmare’ (Book Seven). Today I had so many requests from pupils to be in one of my future books that Clare is going to send me the class list of first names so that I can choose one! Remember, to have a chance your name has got to be very unusual – something that seems to naturally belong to the world of the Spook.

Day 17 - In the presence of witches…

On Saturday 27th June, I visited ‘The Bookshop’ in Colne, deep within the Pendle District. I was made very welcome by the proprietors, Jo Watson and Christine Barker, and we were all assisted by Christine’s grandaughter, Fran Bell. It is an independent bookshop with a warm friendly atmosphere and well-worth supporting.

A steady stream of customers visited the shop, not only to buy Spook’s books and have then signed but also to chat, discuss the future of the series and the Lancashire background. As far as I can be sure I didn’t see or meet any witches but I did sense their presence nearby and didn’t really feel safe until I was almost back in Preston. I’m like the Spook and don’t believe in curses but I do hope that nothing has followed me home to Stalmine.

I’ll know for sure once it’s gone dark…

Day 16 - The Prestonian

This morning, I visited the Town Hall, Preston, to meet the team involved in the production of ‘The Prestonian’ the magazine which did an excellent feature on the Spook’s Apprentice series.

Unfortunately, the Press Officer, Carl Holloway, wasn’t there but his colleagues made me very welcome. I signed copies of the books to be given away as competition prizes and met the Mayor of Preston, Councillor Keith Sedgewick.

On my way back across Preston to the railway station I called in at Waterstone’s to have a brief chat with Tori, the Children’s Specialist, and sign their stock. I’ll be back there for a public signing and talk on Saturday July 11th at 11 am.

Outside the station I met Tony Higginson, the manager of Pritchards, Formby who drove me to an afternoon event at Tarleton Community Primary School. There, after being welcomed by Angela, the Head, and Michelle Whittle. I gave two talks - both to enthusiastic groups, who not only managed to keep awake on a very warm afternoon but also asked lots of interesting questions. Later I met a teacher at the school who had been in one of my classes at the Blackpool Sixth Form College about 1996.

So it was a good productive day which ended with a few beers on the sunny banks of the River Ribble with my son, Stephen, his girlfriend Sooze and one of my grandchildren, Jeanie.

Real life Spooks hit Manchester last weekend - see the pictures here!

Here are some brilliant pictures from the Spook’s sampler giveaway in the centre of Manchester last weekend. There was plenty of interest in the books and the Spooks, and all 5,000 copies were snapped up!

Click on the thumbnails to see full-size pictures

Day 15 - The Lancashire Book of the Year Award

Today I attended the Lancashire Book of the Year Award at the County Hall, Preston. It was good to listen to the young judges as they gave their reasons for choosing the winner, Sophie McKenzie’s book ‘Blood Ties’. I also got to meet up with some of the othershort-listed authors, including Craig Simpson who wrote ‘Dogfight’. We have met several times before and share the same agent, Carolyn Whitaker of London Independent Books.

I also talked to Elaine Silverwood of the SiverDell Bookshop Kirkham and we discussed an event that we hope to do in October. It was good also to
meet Jean Wolstenholme and Jake Hope of Lancashire library Services. Behind the scenes a great deal of work From Jake, Jean and the team
ensures that the Lancashire Book Award is a success.

So it was a good ‘event’ and I got to meet a few of my own readers and sign a few books. Not only was an excellent lunch provided, I was even
given a pair of red-rose cuff links!

My next open event is next Saturday 27th June. I will be at ‘The Bookshop’, Colne to chat and do a signing.

Day 14 - Hampshire

Today I was accompanied by my Random House publicist, Lauren Bennett who helped to smooth my path.

Accompanied by Waterstone’s booksellers, Nicoala, Holly and Sue, we first visited Cantell School where I gave a talk to a large group of enthusiastic readers in the library organised by the librarian Melita Sheppard. In the afternoon it was off to Noadswood School for lunch with librarians Denise Woodgate and Catherine Maitland plus a group of students who had voted for The Spook’s Apprentice four years ago for the Hampshire Book Award, followed by a talk to an audience of approximately 200 children. At both events I signed lots of books and answered many questions.

Judith Bowles of the Hampshire school library service attended the afternoon talk and there was also a photographer from the Daily Echo, a Southampton newspaper.

Once again I was given the names of readers who wanted to be in a future book. By now there is quite a waiting list!

Itv was a great day and I’m sure I’ll return to Hampshire at some time in the future.

Day 13 - Your ideas please…

Books for Thursday’s events were supplied by Mary and Vicky from Waterstone’s Southampton. I was also accompanied by Kelly Tapper, a publicist from Random House, who made things go smoothly and organized the signings after each talk.

The first two events were at Wildern School where Julia, the LRC Manager and Debbie presented both an enthusiastic audience and a great lunch afterwards.

In the afternoon I spoke to a large group at St George College selected by Clare Williams, the Head of English. This was a longer session and I was able to tell a few ghost stories, the most recent being what I learned from Mick, the prison officer, on my visit to Lancaster Castle Prison.

One bit of news is that I am in the process of developing my own website; it will be a sister site to this official Random House one and they will be linked. Trouble is I am not sure what to call it! Someone suggested asking you, the readers.

So, have you any ideas? If so please add them as a comment on this blog!

Day 12 - Spook’s 8 and 9 confirmed!

On Wednesday I travelled to Southampton by train, calling in at London for lunch with Annie Eaton and the team from Random House plus my agent Carolyn Whitaker. There was a good positive discussion about the future of the series and some excellent sales figures! The latest campaign seems to be lifting the books to new heights and achieving a larger and wider readership.

I also signed a contract for Spook’s Eight and Nine…

Day 11 - Lancaster

The visit on Saturday to Waterstone’s Corn market, Lancaster was a great success. After being made warmly welcome by Gillian and the staff, I signed books for one and a quarter hours. In the queue were many old friends but I met lots of new readers too: members of a Lancashire band and a poet who drew their inspiration from the County environment.

I hope to return to the shop in October when ‘Spook’s Stories: Witches’ is published.

Day 10 - The glamorous life of a writer

For those who think the life touring as a writer is glamorous, this is the reality…

On Friday, I was up at 5.45 am and left for the railway station at 7.15. I finally arrived at the school just before mid-day. Following the visit, I travelled home to the County (Stalmine). After waiting for trains, and travelling on trains (I fell asleep at one point) I finally arrived home just before 8 pm. I was tired!

Having said that, the visit to Mount Grace High School in Hinckley (it’s between Birmingham and Leicester) was great. I was well looked after by Kate Rooney and Becky, the school Librarian, and fed an excellent chicken curry for lunch. A meet-and-greet with young readers at lunchtime in the library (I signed and answered questions) was sandwiched between talks to two excellent class audiences. Another worthwhile day but I’m pleased that my next trip is only to Lancaster where I’ll visit Waterstone’s. I won’t have time to fall asleep on the train!