I have just completed my final events of the year. On Monday December 6th I visited Wirral Boys Grammar, Bebington. The roads were icy, the traffic very slow-moving and I am just glad that I wasn’t doing the driving!

Tony from Pritchard’s Formby was driving and, despite his best efforts, we arrived late for the first talk. It went well, however and in the afternoon we were off to St John Plessington Catholic College for another great visit, where lots of books were sold and even more signed. Even when with a bookseller I am happy to sign books that you have bought previously - even the whole series!

On December 9th I travelled east to Accrington to talk to pupils at the Hollins Technology College. The Librarian, Gill Ainsworth, had organized the school visit and there had been a great deal of preparatory work. There were many brilliant drawings relating to the Spook’s world and a few of them are here for you to see.

In the evening I was driven to Haslingdon Library, where Heather Pitman had gathered a largely adult audience who were knowledgeable about the series and asked many great questions.

My final December visit was to go back to the Blackpool Sixth Form College where I used to teach English, Media and Film Studies. It was great to talk to the students (quite a few of whom hoped to become writers themselves) and meet up with a few members of staff that I used to work with. My talk was addressed to a reading group who had just read The Spook’s Apprentice and the event was organized by the College Librarian, Helen Crowther, who presented me with very well-informed students. I hope to return there in June when The Spook’s Destiny is launched. Speaking of which, I have just seen the first stage in the development of the cover. It promises to be the very best since they were re-launched with different jackets.

Best wishes,

Joseph Delaney