I have just returned from nine weeks in New Zealand to a chilly English welcome, (the weather I mean!). I was determined while away that as well as a holiday, I would write 30,000 words of Book nine, (which I almost achieved) but I did break from my writing for a three city tour in Australia and on my return spent a week visiting schools in a part of New Zealand that I hadn’t visited before. I have a bit of space for writing now before I start the Destiny tour in June. We hope to include a trip to Ireland as that is where the book is set but nothing has as yet been confirmed. As soon as possible, I will, make details of that tour available on both my websites.
Film News
Those of you who keep watch for film news will be aware of the recent discussions/rumours that have been circulating. I can’t say anything yet other than that for the first time since I signed I actually will have something really significant to report and the news is good – there will be an official announcement made shortly. I honestly think there is a 90% chance that they will start filming this year. And I can confirm that the title of the Spooks’ Apprentice/Last Apprentice film will be ‘The Seventh Son’.
Australian Tour
The tour in Australia was busy but again I got to see some fantastic scenery and as always met some lovely booksellers, librarians, teachers and of course children. We started in Sydney and I had my first visit to the Blue Mountains where, as well as school visits, Evie from ‘Megalong Books’, very kindly drove us around and ensured we got some of the best views of the mountains, (I couldn’ t resist a photo of a rock that looked like a dragon) and of course, the ‘Three Sisters’. I enjoyed the train journey from Sydney – it is very scenic and I always like catching the train in any country I am in (I don’t like to be away from trains for too long!). I had a good afternoon at Pinerolo – The Children’s Book Cottage in Blackheath. Margaret Hamilton has had many years in the publishing industry and she now hosts events from her home. It is a very interesting place for an author visit as it is deep in the bush (they have to have regular bush fire drills) and Margaret has made a feature of the art from her years of publishing picture books. I had another great train journey to the central coast, where I had a day at the Gosford library and spent the night in Terrigal - a beautiful beach resort. It was very relaxing and I would like to spend a few days there next year.
I visited the Sydney botanic gardens which as well as being a very nice walk had the added interest of flying foxes (they look like giant vampire bats) which I was surprised to see were so numerous and visible by day. That was very inspiring for an author such as me! Apparently there is a bat farm up the coast which will definitely be on the agenda next time I am in Australia.
It was another good event at The Children’s Bookshop in Beecroft. Paul Macdonald is very enthusiastic about books and reading, hosting many events at the book shop and taking authors into schools. He has a great shop, well worth a visit.
I had a very busy day in Tourquay, a one hour drive from Melbourne and gateway to the Great Ocean Road. I gave four talks in a row at Tourquay College, and I am sorry to say, scared a few of the children in one group. I think since I started including power point in my presentation my talks have become more gory – or perhaps I am channelling Grimalkin a bit too much. I need to finish editing that book so she stops being such a bad influence!
The two days in Perth weren’t long enough but I had an enjoyable visit to Bullsbrook Community Library, and the drive from Midland to Bullsbrook was very scenic - though the only evidence of wildlife was a dead kangaroo. However, earlier in the tour I did glimpse a live snake which slithered past my publicist’s foot without sinking its fangs into her!
New Zealand Tour
Back in New Zealand I drove for the first time down the North Island (usually I fly) from Auckland to Palmerston North which takes in the desert road (and a view of Mt Tongariro and Ruapehu, if you are lucky), and the beautiful lake Taupo. ‘Paper Plus’ had scheduled school visits in Palmerston North, Hawera and Feilding which again were very well organised and the audiences were well prepared and very receptive, with some very good questions. I was very pleased in Hawera to see the volcano Mt Taranaki poking out through the clouds. A return visit to that region is very much on the cards for the future.
While I was in New Zealand, one of the main cities, Christchurch, experienced a devastating earthquake with many lives lost and the heart of the city destroyed. On my first visit to New Zealand in 2008, I spent a week in Christchurch and it was very distressing to think that the places I had visited were now destroyed
Soon after that came news of the terrible Japanese earthquake with even greater devastation and loss of life. I have not yet been able to do a book tour of that country but do have contacts with Mr Akiko Tanaka, the translator for the Japanese editions. I t was good to discover that he and his family were safe.
My heart goes out to all who have been affected by both earthquakes.
Best Wishes,
Joseph Delaney
Blue Mountains, Australia
Dragon Rock
April 21st, 2011 at 10:06 pm
Hi i hope u had a great time in australia nd newzealand please vist ireland because i am from there nd also please vist dublin in ireland thank you
April 22nd, 2011 at 10:18 pm
wow thats cool 1st comment !
April 23rd, 2011 at 10:59 am
I’m sooooo happy to hear about the film and all the other new of corse !!
I can’t wait for the next books !!! Xxx
April 23rd, 2011 at 11:02 am
I luv your books !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 23rd, 2011 at 4:24 pm
Dear Joseph,
As I said in my last posts, I am Brazilian and a big fan. In my class, my friends love your work. The books take time to be published in Brazil, in fact, until now, they had published just the four first books, the rest of them I had to import from England so I could read them. I really love the books ”The Spook” and I think I’m your biggest fan.
I remember very well when I was in a bookstore buying books and I found Apprentice hidden in a back shelf. I remember reading every book with great pleasure and concluding that it was the best book I had ever read. In fact, I remember everything that is related to The Spook. I also remember the torture that was to expect to read Battle for thirteen months until it was published in Brazil. I think it’s important to remember the emotion of all the books.
I’m really anxious to see the movie. It is the third time I post a message, I posted two in his last blog update. In my school my friends and I were elated to discover that the movie was being made. Hopefully the film will be faithful to the book and the actors will have the right age. As a big fan of”The Spook”I’m eagerly waiting for more news about the film, more surprises in the books and more messages in your blog. All the best for you.
From a big fan … (again)
Livia
April 25th, 2011 at 5:17 pm
wow,i mean i never thougth that it was this big, i’m from canada and love the spooks books but, i never imagined ther was going to be a movie and all.
p.s thanks for the books they are realy super one of my favorite colection.
julias may canadian fan
April 26th, 2011 at 4:03 pm
yyyaaaayyy glad to hear about the film and all the other news xxxxx
April 26th, 2011 at 7:09 pm
i hope that good news is auditions instead of Alex Pettyfer as Tom (even though he is an amazing actor)
April 26th, 2011 at 7:13 pm
Correction not Alex Pettyfer, Sam Clafin (but I dont no who he is :D)
April 28th, 2011 at 7:08 pm
Read your current report of Tourquay college wish i could be a fly on the wall when i heard giving your presentation. Hopfully you come to the states espeailly Orlando Florida. I did some reasearch of Central Florida. Tons of spooky places and plus a wealth native american Folklore.
Peace and property
phillip
April 30th, 2011 at 5:31 pm
Don’t forget abou Brazil!
We’re all waiting for you here.
May 1st, 2011 at 8:57 am
can you do a tour in ireland???
May 1st, 2011 at 1:47 pm
cool, im the first commenter! anyway, i’ll b lookin out for a movie called Seventh Son. can’t wait for the spooks destiny!!!
May 1st, 2011 at 10:38 pm
Hello Joseph,
Nice to hear you had such a good time in Australia and New Zealand. And that’s great news about the movie (fingers crossed.)
My thoughts are also with the earth quake victims of New Zealand, and Japan.
The reason I’m writing is that I want to thank you for writing the books. Last Christmas I gave my niece the first book in Dutch (we are from the Netherlands), and she loved it so much, within almost no time she had read the first three.
Unfortunately, the other books have not yet been translated into Dutch, so she has asked for the rest of the books in English for her birthday. (I got myself into this, didn’t I?) And of course, she wants the special editions, because they fit in nicely with the Dutch covers, which makes perfect sense to me ;o)
And here’s the other reason, I am writing, because, so far, it seems impossible to get an affordable copy of The Spook’s Sacrifice in a the special edition cover.
I hope that someone who is reading this, has any advice, how I might obtain one for her. It doesn’t necessarily have to be from Europe, because I have ordered books from other parts of the world before. Normally the book costs about 10 British pounds, which imo is an okay price. We are not looking for a signed copy, but I’ve only found secondhand copies of 150 pounds or more. That is just too much. If I don’t find a special edition, she’ll have to make do with an ordinary paperback copy (and maybe someday we’ll find one that fits in with her collection) but I thought I’d give it a few more tries, as her birthday isn’t until 19 May. Anyway, any advice is very welcome !
Joseph, I wish you lots (more) success with the books and the tours.
May 6th, 2011 at 12:38 pm
so natural, so cool , so real and so spooky!
May 11th, 2011 at 6:34 pm
Hi Mr Joseph I started to read your books this year, 2011 I just saw it on the shelf of the shop and thought it would be nice.
Q: Mr Joseph are you ever going to come to Greece ?
May 12th, 2011 at 3:58 pm
Dear Joseph,
We are two fans of your work. Me and my friend Ruth really love the spook’s books. As I said before, we are brasilian. I believe we are your biggest fans. Thank you very much to ”listen” to us. We really love the stories.
From big fans,
Lívia and Ruth.
P.S.: Ruth says: Please don’t kill Alice!!!
May 12th, 2011 at 4:57 pm
Do you know what the ninth book will be called yet??
May 12th, 2011 at 11:22 pm
Hi Mr. Genius~
It seems like it has been forever since you last blogged! So excited to hear all your news. Must have been great visiting Australia and New Zealand! I literally can’t wait for the book about Grimalkin! She, as you already know is my favorite character. And of course, I knew your awesome books would make it to the big screen! Thrilled for you! Looking forward to your next blog with more info about the movie news!
Your ward, Lauren
May 13th, 2011 at 2:11 pm
Wow! The 2nd picture does look like a dragon
May 22nd, 2011 at 8:23 am
Yes I see it. It looks like a head of a dragon that is so cool.
Megz xx
May 25th, 2011 at 12:45 am
hey love australia did you like it too??that looks like a dragon!!!
May 25th, 2011 at 8:33 pm
Great news regarding the film! The Spook’s Destiny is out soon though! Is it going to be released with the traditional cover? I would really love it if it was!!
May 25th, 2011 at 11:04 pm
Dear Mr Delaney,
I truly hope that when you start filming, the director and film crew are able to do you books justice. Personally I still think Tim Burton is the right man for the job, but maybe this is an ideal time for you to try your hand at something new and give the ink on the pages life? It’s never too late to learn, but I suppose time (or lack thereof) is of the essence here.
We are waiting in anticipation for the next book. They are treasures that will be passed onto our kids and so forth for generations to come, of that I am sure. Please let us know when you will be visiting SA. We have some wonderful book stores just awaiting a visit for a book signing from you and plenty of inspiration will surround you on a daily basis.
Best of luck with all your endevours and well spotted - the picture of the Dragon Rock!
By the way, whom did you have in mind for the role of Grimalkin?
All the way from South Africa
Carina
P.s - lets hope the drive through the Australian desert was not an early prediction for this years Rugby world cup.
(wink wink)
May 26th, 2011 at 4:04 pm
Hi, I have the first 4 books (Ltd Edition) andhave been trying to purchase the Spooks Mistake and Spooks Sacrifice to add to the collection, I have found the Spooks Mistake but every copy I see is far more expensive than any other part of the series, can anyone tell me why this is.
May 27th, 2011 at 7:30 pm
Wow! That is so cool you went to New Zealand. Big fan of books!
May 30th, 2011 at 4:57 pm
So glad you enjoyed two of my favourite places to visit they are amazing. We are all looking forward to the film,many thanks,
B.
Ps. I prefer the old format books, they look so special on my bookshelf!
June 6th, 2011 at 4:17 pm
o.m.g (oh my god) that rock looks so much like a dragon you came to our school st. saivours cp school your books so intrest me and i’ll be buying one at the sale your an fantastic auter and i love the green illustrated cover
June 6th, 2011 at 4:18 pm
my friend will be buying 2 of our books the spook’s nightmare and the spook’s mistake
June 12th, 2011 at 10:26 pm
I am doing a topic on Australia and I showed these photos to my classmates and we all agree (for once) that they are amazing!!!
June 17th, 2011 at 12:19 pm
Wow, The seventh son. Nice title. I an still loving the current books and the new one. Looking forward to the movie and the remaining books. Nice work
June 22nd, 2011 at 7:23 pm
It looks like a lion if you look close at it enough. But it does look like a dragon! Great Photo!
July 11th, 2011 at 3:52 pm
Absolutely love the books, huge fan! I know it was a long shot, but have been checking up on the film blog every day since you said that you were thinking about turning them into films, and i was kind of hoping that open auditions were being held for the role of alice, but i never found any info, any chance if any one important reads this, that you could email me to let me know whether i am too late to audition or who i have to contact about getting an auidition. Thank you! xo
July 28th, 2011 at 4:40 pm
Dear Joseph,
I’m just wondering whether there is a website I could visit considering casting of the film as an extra or minor role, as I cannot find one myself from my research.
Best regards,
Konstantin Chterev
August 8th, 2011 at 12:09 pm
Dear Joseph
Will any other of the book be made into a film?
Since they are all so amazing
Tom M.
August 19th, 2011 at 6:15 pm
relly? ben barnes? A thirty year old playing Tom? Why didnt they just cast someone close to his age? Like me?! I’m an actor and I’m 15, I would’ve given an arm and a leg to play this character. Why do casting directors always pick the wrong people?!
Anyway, love your books!
August 24th, 2011 at 8:57 am
Cool i didnt know you were in Australia. Love your books you are my favourite Author and a good writer. I cant believe there is a movie coming out! cant wait!
August 27th, 2011 at 6:28 pm
Hey Joseph, just been having a think bout the film and that and been thinking that it just might get the books the attention that they deserve and will flourish into a new fancie!
I really enjoy your books and only got introduced to them 2 weeks or sommin ago from my aunt how came over from australia (Perth) with the first 4 books in the limited eddition, so i’ve been reading them and just today bought the seventh one in the series, but not really that bothered trying to look for the right covers. just glad that Waterstone’s has all the books in the series and even the spin-off’s!
Very happy to hear bout the film again, the series has come a long way.
So i’ll get back down to my readin I spose!
~Kelli~
(i’m a lad, the name’s Irish, get used to it)
September 11th, 2011 at 2:50 am
Wow. How cool would it be to be in that movie! Of course I would say this because i want to be an actress and this is my favorite series. But that would never happen because I live in the U.S. and i’ve never actually been in a movie. Community theatre, yeah, but I hope the cast of this movie realizes how lucky they are!
October 9th, 2011 at 10:15 pm
Dear Mr.Delaney,
please, Please, PLEASE! Make sure the movie does your books justice! Please make sure they cast actors that are the age or look the age of the characters! It is so annoying in movies made about books when they take the character that is like 14 and they have some 23 year old play him! Please dont ruin the movie with bad casting!
Sincerly,
A concerned fan
October 13th, 2011 at 10:22 am
Hi joseph delany, I am your biggest fan, no your number 1 fan. I’v read all your books and including ‘my name is grimalkin’ i have enjoyed you books that much they made my imagination 100 times more than the last time. I don’t copy you ideas well just som but that doesn’t make m give up for coming to see you and you signing my books I hav always dreamt of so pleeease can you sign them.
October 30th, 2011 at 11:07 am
They are going to ruin the film by making it into this massive overblown blockbuster. Ben barnes said that they are changing a lot about the book - the movie is going to be bad. They should stick to the book it is too good not to stick to.
January 1st, 2012 at 12:34 am
You did say, Mr. Delaney who would be playing Tom right? Forgot who it was . . . . But anyway, I’d rather like that Frodo guy from Lord of the Rings to play him. Elijah Wood. Just Saying.
January 26th, 2012 at 10:31 pm
awsome
April 19th, 2012 at 2:04 pm
Un petit coucou de la Belgique!
July 30th, 2012 at 12:55 pm
Hi joseph!
I love your books and I just finished reading The Spook’s: Blood