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.
July 20th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Why has the original artwork been replaced with something which many loyal readers are reluctant to put on their shelves? Will you be joining your fans in pressuring the publishers to bring back the old covers. Who wants a mixed set? I, like many others will not be buying any more books unless this is resolved. It’s the library for me from now on!
July 21st, 2009 at 5:09 pm
I’ve just bought ‘The Spook’s Sacrifice’ from Waterstones in Southampton and I have to say the new front covers are vile. The previous ones were far better looking and suited the book better. I ask you, what made you change the front covers? They really didn’t need changing.
July 21st, 2009 at 8:31 pm
I’ve read all the books so far, besides from the spooks mistake and sacrifice. I was looking for both books on amazon and came across the 6th, and i really did not like the cover. Why change it? All the others looked really good together, they matched well and made the books look like actual old notebooks/diaries (seeing as though Tom’s writing from his own point of view). I do have good news though lol
I really do like these books, they’re scary and really good! I’ve even managed to get my friends reading them. Will there be a 7th?
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:04 am
i agree but the new covers aren’t vile, they’re kinda cool looking. I want to know what the next book shall be called, please? thanks a lot, one of your big fans, DanielF
P.S.: Good luck with the tour and all that!
July 23rd, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Ive just read the spooks apprentice by the recemendation of my friend and its a great book really good cant wait to get the next one !!
July 26th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
hey!!i love your books!!!my favorite one is the spooks secret!i loved the winter theme!i cant wait for the spooks nightmare!i’m sure it’s going to be even bigger and better!can you put my name in the spooks book 8? Matthew ODriscoll’s the name!! what is the sppoks nightmare going to be about? id love to know!keep up the good work dude!!
July 27th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
hey your books are amazing and new covers are billiant they help capture the book and tell you whats going on before you read it iv read every book out apart from the spooks sacrifice but im reading it the now and they are amazing and i hope to see you at the edinburgh festival
July 27th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
Hi, I was wondering if there’s any update on what’s happening with The Spook’s Sacrifice being re-printed with the old cover design? I also just realised that The Spook’s Stories: Witches has the new style of cover too! I am just so disappointed that they changed the covers and my collection no longer looks right!
I understand the new design is more “eye-catching” but I agree with the poster above who noted that the old style looked more like diaries. It was much more unique! All these books (Philip Pullman’s Dark Materials, Artemis Fowl, Windsinger series etc) are being printed with these new shinny/flashy covers… they all look the same now! It would have at least been better if the publishers had waited until the series was finished to re-issue the books with new covers; it’s a little unkind to the loyal fans. However, I do understand it was not necessarily your decision and I guess it can only be a good things if draws attention to the books and gets more people to read them.
Also… is your talk about the new book in the Edinburgh festival going to be part of the Book Festival? (http://www.edbookfest.co.uk/) I can’t currently find any information on the site about tickets etc
Thanks.
July 28th, 2009 at 6:00 am
I live in the US so I have to wait for a while until the next book! UGHHHHHH!!! I heard that it’s really good and I’m sure it is. Have you ever thought about doing a summer tour or something in the US? Please stop in Cincinnati OH!
July 29th, 2009 at 10:29 am
I agree with ‘A Roberts’, I am reluctant to put the book in with the original covers, I have placed the original ones on the top of my bookcase to signify that they are one of my favourites. However, I have been made to take the cover of and just use the plain black cover with the gold writing on the side in an attempt to make it look similar to the previous book’s artwork. Anyway, I hope you rectify this situation swiftly to please your fans.
Josh Payne
P.S: I read the Spooks Sacrifice in 6 hours. Good book.
July 29th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Hey! Just wanted to say love the series so far, possibly one of my favourite group of books I have read. You are defiantely one of my favourite authors as well.
But I was just wondering and I dont know anything much about this, but have the auditions for the upcoming movie being done already, and oif not when would they be happening?
Again great series of books and I am already looking forward tot he next!
August 1st, 2009 at 3:31 pm
My partner has read and collected all of your books and is a very big fan although we were very unhappy to recieve the new book with a different cover which is very childlike and now does not match the set. I would apprechiate it if you could let us no whether we are able to buy replacement covers as we probably wouldn’t have bought the last book if we had known and now spoils the collection look. asides from the ugly cover the book was brill and we look forward to the next. is it possible to be sent info on when new books are out and any info on the film thank you helen wilson.
August 1st, 2009 at 6:43 pm
I’ve read all spook’s book and I’m waiting for the next book.I have heard that the next Spook’s Book is called ‘Spook’s Nightmare’ am I correct?
I loved the old covers made the books look fantastic and gave readers the feeling of the time the Spook’s books are set in , but I have to say looking at the new book covers makes the person want to read the Book.
August 2nd, 2009 at 7:36 pm
Ive read all the books exept the spooks sacrifice im a book worm and i need the spooks sacrifice or i will cry te he i luv ur books
August 5th, 2009 at 12:46 am
I know its what has been said by all previous comments but why change the wonderful covers? The new book wont look right with my others, :/
Ah well, great writing, please keep producing such thrilling reads!
August 5th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Hello there!
Loved all of your books so far haven’t read the spook’s sacrifice yet because - though it’s extremely immature (Keep in mind I’m still a child so childishness is allowed sometimes, like my name, miaow!)- I didn’t buy the book because of the cover. I was looking for it in a shop and couldn’t find it, so when I asked the assistant she gave me a strange look and pointed to a shelf of them. (I walked straight past them because I didn’t recognise them). I told her they couldn’t possibly be them but to my dismay they were. So I boycotted the book much to this woman’s annoyance and left without buying the book I’d specifically asked for, I did apologize though. Please tell me that the book has another cover like the first five. They really do hold a touch of nostalgia or sentiment for me, and other readers as I can see from other comments. Please? (I bet my pleading caused you to reconsider, no? I guess I should work on my technique, it never works) Pretty please??
(Still nothing? Was that any better? Am I flogging a dead horse here?) I really want to read this book but it would be like a different series and why did you change it anyway? The covers were so perfect, simple yet intriguing. And showed so small aspect of the book that was very relevant and mysterious. They are what attracted my attention to the books and now, as I did, if I saw them in a shop I wouldn’t look at them twice. Sure, ‘don’t judge a book by it’s cover’ but if the books looked like that from the beginning I probably never would have read them, or noticed them. And think what I’d be missing out on! :O Sorry to go on like this, and I assure you my rant is over. Phew! That’s quite a lot of typing. Well I’m sure you’ve heard all of the above before but I just wanted to clarify if you will. Your books are great and I thoroughly enjoyed them having re-read them many times over. And if your reading this thanks for bothering! It is most appreciated
August 9th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Hi! I really enjoy these books, they have been written very well which make them more the so interesting. Is there anywhere that I can find out about your book signings and where you will be and when? thanks for these books!
August 10th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
My entire family love the Spook books and have been easerly awaiting the next instalments.
However, like a number of people have commented: What is the reason for changing the cover design halfway through the serious?
Please try to persuade the publishers to do a print run using the old format if possible.
Publishers seem to create so much unecessary animosity by doing this, I really can’t fathom it.
August 13th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
i like the knew covers and feel there more welcoming
August 29th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
hi, mr. Delaney, the “wardstone Chronicles” is an amazing series and i wish you all the luck with the tour. this series has inspired me to start writing again after basing my story on “the spook’s Battle” for my English GCSE and receiving an A*! the whole family enjoy the series and i am eagerly awaiting the next book and the film, best of luck, Kim Trigwell, aged 15
August 31st, 2009 at 1:24 pm
I love the spooks books and i can not wait until the spooks nightmare comes out.I just finished the spooks sacrifice and i loved it.
September 9th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
plz can u tell us if there is a seventh book cause i is hooked on these master peices
September 17th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
MAJOR SPOILER
You know when alice is the devils daughter? i wonder if tom will still love her
September 17th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
and Mr Delaney I hope u keep on making more books! coz i they are the BEST books ever!
September 17th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
AND….. good luck on your tour!
November 20th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
All the spooks books are awsome! My fave is the spooks sacrifice even though it is quite sad. Im really eager to find out about the next book!
December 18th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
my crew loves that
June 28th, 2010 at 10:55 pm
I loved your latest book!!!!…….just like all the others!!!!……i was wondering when the spook and gang come to Ireland……..could you put a charachter in named Padraig???.Please. Pronounced……
(Paw-drig)
P.S i would like to see a bit more romance between Tom and Alice