After two hectic days out selling books with dynamic Tony from Pritchards, Formby, today was very peaceful. I just had one event at the Blackpool Collegiate High School.

This proved to be very interesting because I shared the platform with another author, Jonathan Eaves, whose first book, ‘Rude Awakenings: A Tale of Terra Infirma’, was published this year. We were both returning to our old school. Joanathan attended as a pupil and I actually taught there. Not only that, I taught Jonathan for six whole weeks back in the 1980s!

After answering questions in the library’s ‘Starbooks Cafe’ we both gave a short talk to a mixture of pupils from different schools and some older students from ‘The Blackpool Sixth Form College’ where I also once taught. We tried to vary the usual Q and A session and started by asking each other questions (which had been devised by Jonathan).

Example Question: ‘If you were a politician, what cabinet position would you like and what single piece of legislation would you introduce?’

I replied that I would like to be the Minister responsible for overseeing the torture of witches. As for legislation I would stop swimming witches because it’s very unreliable (most sink and are believed innocent). I would make it compulsory to use the method of jabbing them with a bodkin to find the Fiend’s mark. But I would make sure that Quisitors were properly trained and they would be subject to regular appraisals and have their salaries linked to performance.

To that same question, Jonathan considered how hotel receptionists might be similarly regulated. It was funny and that is his strength. Whereas my books are dark and serious Jonathan’s are full of humour. If you Like Terry Pratchett you will like ‘Rude Awakenings’.

Best wishes,

Joseph Delaney.

To celebrate publication of The Spook’s Nightmare, the seventh book in the Spook’s series, we are running a competition to find seven Spook’s fans to become Spook’s Apprentices.

If you are chosen as one of the seven Apprentices, you will win a place for you, a friend and a parent/guardian to join Joseph Delaney on a spooky ghost tour of Manchester in October 2010. AND you’ll also win free copies of each new Spook’s book to be published until October 2011. But be prepared to show you’ve got what it takes, as we’ll be giving you some Spooky challenges along the way as well!

So, here’s how to enter…

Tell us, in no more than 500 words, why YOU should be chosen as a Spook’s Apprentice and what you would do to spread the word of the Spook.

For example, what have you done already that shows what a huge Spook’s fan you are? Perhaps you made a Spook’s cloak, or have created a video about one of the books. Or, if you were chosen as an Apprentice, would you perhaps set up a scary book club at your school, or arrange a Spooky Halloween sleepover?

Your entry may also include drawings, photographs and videos - so be as creative as you like!

To submit your entry, either write it as a comment in reply to this blog, or email spooksbooks@randomhouse.co.uk. (You can also submit supporting images via the same email address, if you choose to enter via the blog.)

The closing date for entries is 1st September 2010.

Read the full Terms & Conditions

The ‘Spook’s Nightmare Tour’ began on Wednesday 26th June 2010. The first two days were arranged by Tony Higginson of the Pritchard’s bookshops and involved visits to the Sefton and Liverpool areas.

The very first event was at De La Salle School where I gave two talks to enthusiastic audiences. In the afternoon we visited St Jerome’s Primary School followed by a detour to Pritchard’s Formby shop where I did my first shop signing of the tour. In the evening I stayed in sunny Southport and was able to relax with a pint of Guinness and gather my strength for the following day.

We began Thursday promptly with two talks at Meols Cop High School followed by lunch at Range School, Formby where I met some old friends and signed their books. After a trip to St Edwards in Liverpool (to do a follow up to a group I talked to early in the year) it was a drive through heavy traffic to Pritchard’s Crosby shop which was full of readers waiting to get their new books signed. It was unfortunate that we’d kept them waiting but everybody was very patient and in good spirits. The signing rounded off two very busy days.

Another four weeks of touring await and I feel exhausted already. But it is a part of the job that I really enjoy. It is great to meet readers and get feedback and probing questions. Whilst talking to each group I have been telling them about the two websites (www.spooksbooks.com and www.spooksworld.co.uk) and about the competition. The seven winners will become spook’s apprentices, accompany me on a tour of spooky places and win books for themselves and seven friends.

Best wishes,

Joseph Delaney

Are you a huge fan of the Spook’s books?
Would you like to meet Joseph Delaney?
Are you brave enough to take on the challenge…
To become a 2010 Spook’s Apprentice?

To celebrate publication of The Spook’s Nightmare, the seventh book in the Spook’s series, we are running a competition to find seven Spook’s fans to become Spook’s Apprentices.

The seven winners will join Joseph for a Spooky tour in Lancashire.

WARNING: Be prepared to show you’ve got what it takes!

Find out how to enter here on 28th May 2010

The Spook’s Nightmare will be available in shops from May 27th.

“The Spook, Alice and I were crossing the Long Ridge on our way back to Chipenden, the three wolfhounds, Claw, Blood and Bone, barking excitedly at our heels………”

Little do they know what awaits them in the future. This is the stuff of nightmares. Will the Spook live to see the morning? Is his apprentice ready to face the dark alone?

“The moon went behind a cloud, plunging us into darkness, and all I could see was a pair of glowing red eyes. Then it bellowed loudly - a fearful cry that made the ground - and the very trees - shake. So terrifying was that cry that I was rooted to the spot, unable to move.”

The details of the ‘Spook’s Nightmare Tour’ are now being finalised. Here are some of the public events where I will be signing.

Wednesday 26th May
Pritchards Bookshop, Formby
For signing 4.30-5.30

Thursday 27th May
Pritchard’s Bookshop, Crosby shop
For signing 4.30 to 5.30

Saturday 29th May
Waterstones, Preston
12.30 to 1.30

Tuesday 1st June: LIBRARY DAY
Maghull Library 11-12
Crosby Library 1.30-2.30
Birkdale Library 4-5

Saturday 5th June
Bury Waterstone’s for signing.
13.00 – 15.00
Address: 4 Union Arcade, Bury BL9 0OF

Sunday 6th June
Waterstone’s Trafford Centre:
1.00pm
Address: 42 Regent Crescent, Trafford Centre, Barton Dock Road, Manchester M17 8AP

Friday 11th June
Derbyshire Literature Festival
6.30 – 8.30 Long Eaton Library, Tamworth road, Long Eaton, Derbyshire NG10 1JG - Public event

Sunday 13th June
1.00pm Public event – talk and signing at Harris Library
Address: Harris Library, Market Square, Preston Lancs PR1 2PP

Monday 14th June
Lancaster Cornmarket Waterstones
3.30pm – public signing

Saturday 19th June
Wigan Waterstone’s
10.00 – talk and signing
Address: 6 Grand Arcade, Wigan WN1 1 BH

Waterstone’s Bolton
3.30pm – public signing
Address: 32-36 Deansgate Bolton BL1 1BL

Please visit the sites to see additions to the above.

Best wishes,

Joseph Delaney