Calendar

Win an all-expenses paid trip to London to meet David Vann!

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:29:10 +0000

Penguin are offering your reading group the chance to win lunch with DAVID VANN, author of LEGEND OF A SUICIDE. The book was 'One of the fiction sensations of the year [2009]' (Guardian) and gained the most extraordinary praise:

'An American classic ... harrowing but beautifully wrought ... prose as clear and bracing as a mountain stream' Sunday Times

'An extraordinary, ground-breaking piece of fiction ... Nothing quite like this book has been written before' Observer

'Stunning ... Heart-wrenching and gorgeous and its several voices are done indelibly and with unwavering authority' Lorrie Moore

'One jaw-droppingly powerful, courageous and original fiction debut ... beautifully controlled and punctuated with indelible images ... Vann has crammed a lifetime of painful 'whys' and 'what ifs' into this modest paperback ... As a 10th work of fiction this would be impressive; as a debut, it is remarkable' Sunday Telegraph

For your chance to win, your reading group must read Legend of a Suicide and submit a review, plus any photos to sandeep.mahal@readingagency.org.uk

The most thought-provoking (and we promise: not just the nicest!) review wins the prize!

More information about the prize:
David will be in London the w/k January 24th 2011 to promote his new novel, CARIBOU ISLAND. Penguin will pay for the reading group to come to London, to the Penguin office, to sit and talk with David over lunch about the things they liked and quiz him about the things they didn't like, or didn't get - essentially, have their reading group meeting with the author. David is brilliant at talking about his work, incredibly friendly, genuine and nice. The reading group will also win a copy each of his new novel. On publication, Penguin will write a big piece for their website and post photos of the meeting.

Trailers available: Tamara Drewe

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 15:35:23 +0000

Jonathan Cape are offering libraries the trailer of the forthcoming film Tamara Drewe, based on the graphic novel of the same name by Posy Simmonds. It's released on September 10th and stars Gemma Arterton, Roger Allam, Dominic Cooper, Luke Evans and Tamsin Greig.

Email Vicki Watson (vwatson@randomhouse.co.uk) stating whether you'd prefer to receive the file via ftp or DVD.

Kate Morton Book Trailer Available

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 11:48:58 +0000

Macmillan are offering libraries a book trailer of The Distant Hours, the new novel from No 1 bestselling author Kate Morton, author of The House at Riverton.

Email Ellen Wood e.wood@macmillan.co.uk stating whether you'd prefer to receive the file via email or USB stick.

C J Sansom Book Trailer Available

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 11:07:06 +0000

Macmillan are offering libraries a book trailer for Heartstone, the new Shardlake novel from No 1 Bestselling author C. J. Sansom.

Book synopsis
It's 1545, England is preparing for war but Shardlake is facing a more personal mission when a mission from Queen Catherine Parr takes him into a world of secrets. . .

Please email Ellen Wood e.wood@macmillan.co.uk stating whether you'd prefer to be sent the trailer via email or on a USB stick.

Free reading group copies: Henry VIII: Wolfman

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 16:07:50 +0000

You've already sunk your teeth into Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and Queen Victoria: Demon Hunter now prepare yourselves for a macabre, terrifying and hilarious journey through Tudor England as you've never seen it before as Henry VIII is transformed into a rampaging wolfman . . .

A.E. Moorat works as a freelance journalist and lives in Leicestershire with his wife and two children

To request copies email Jaime Frost jaime.frost@hodder.co.uk

Free reading group copies: Blood Oath by Christopher Farnsworth

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 16:02:15 +0000

Hodder are offering reading groups free copies of Blood Oath, the new thriller from Christopher Farnsworth.

Synopsis
Sharp and ambitious, Zach Barrows is on his way up. But when he gets a call from the White House, it's not quite the promotion he expected. Zach is to be the new political liaison officer to America's best kept secret: Nathaniel Cade. The President's vampire. And Cade is the world's only hope against a horrifying new terrorist threat advancing from the Middle East. The fight is deadlier than ever, and time is running out . . .

About the author
Born and raised in Idaho, Christopher Farnsworth worked as an investigative and business reporter before selling his first screenplay. Since then, he has been coming up with new and better ways to kill monsters, bad guys and aliens. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Jean Roosevelt Farnsworth, and their daughter, Caroline.

To request proofs please email Jaime Frost jaime.frost@hodder.co.uk

Proofs available: Victory by Julian Stockwin

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:55:07 +0000

Hodder are offering reading groups proofs of a debut historical fiction novel by a former Royal Navy Commander.

Book synopsis
Commander Thomas Kydd is eager to play his part in thwarting Bonaparte's plans for the invasion of England. Joining Admiral Nelson's command, Kydd and his ship soon find themselves at the heart of the action that leads up to the famous clash of the mighty British and French fleets at Trafalgar. Kydd's journey takes him from false sightings of the enemy and dramatic chases across the Atlantic, to the bloody annihilation of the enemy during the actual battle, and the heroic aftermath.

About the author
After leaving the Navy Julian practised as an educational psychologist. He lived for some time in Hong Kong, where he was commissioned into the Royal Naval Reserve. He was awarded the MBE and retired with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He now lives in Devon with his wife Kathy. For more information click here

To request proofs email Jaime Frost Jaime.Frost@hodder.co.uk

Finding Sky postcards available

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:08:52 +0000

Finding Sky is the fantastic new teen read from Oxford University Press.

When English girl Sky catches a glimpse of bad boy Zed in her new American high school, she can't get him out of her head. He talks to her with his thoughts. He reads her mind. He is the boy she will love for ever.

In this story, there are no vampires, no angels - but soulfinders.

"When a soulfinder speaks telepathically to her partner, it's like all the lights coming on in a building. You lit me up like Vegas."

Discovering your soulmate has never been so dangerous.

Oxford University Press have Finding Sky postcards to give away.

Please contact tradepublicity.uk@oup.com

Ali Sparkes posters available

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 15:50:56 +0000

Oxford University Press have Ali Sparkes posters to give away.

The poster displays her popular Shapeshifter series, along with Frozen in Time, Dark Summer, and Wishful Thinking. Ali's books are hugely popular among young readers, and Frozen in Time won the Blue Peter Book of the Year 2010.

Age 9+

To get your hands on a copy, please email tradepublicity.uk@oup.com

Ultimate Super Hero Competition!

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 11:08:57 +0000

Take part in our Ultimate Super Hero competition by telling us all about your hero. What are they like, what are their powers, what do they look like, what makes them a hero?

Create your very own Ultimate Super Hero! Describe the super powers your hero possesses and the characteristics which make them a hero. After determining the characteristics of your super hero show us what they look like by drawing your hero in all their glory, masks and caps and all. Once you have created your Ultimate Super Hero; including image, description and characteristics send it into Raintree for your chance to win the ultimate author visit.

Learn more information from our website http://www.raintreepublishers.co.uk/content/ultimatesuperhero

New library opening in North Yorkshire - authors, illustrators etc wanted

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 11:51:38 +0000

North Yorkshire County Council is opening a new library in the small community of Starbeck in partnership with day services to adults with learning disabilities. We will be celebrating the new library from January 2011 onwards and are looking for authors, illustrators or publishers who will support us with events, goody bags, or anything else! For more information about the development, please visit our website (www.northyorks.gov.uk/starbeck), our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/starbeckhub), or contact Karen Thornton (karen.thornton@northyorks.gov.uk)

Beswitched proofs

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 14:12:45 +0000

Calling all reading groups! Scholastic are offering limited proof copies of Beswitched by Kate Saunders for younger reading groups. This hilarious book, described by Eva Ibbotson as "a funny and touching story", tells of Flora, who wakes up on her way to her new school to find she's time-travelled back to a school in 1935! The rules are ridiculous, there are lessons IN Latin and no-one has even heard of an ipod. Flora has to find out why she's been summoned from the future - and how she can get back.

To take advantage of this offer, please email Catherine (calport@scholastic.co.uk)

Where the Streets Had a Name proofs

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 12:58:26 +0000

Calling all Teen Reading Groups! Scholastic have limited proofs of Randa Abdel-Fattah's fantastic book Where the Streets Had a Name. If you would like copies for your reading group, email Catherine (calport@scholastic.co.uk).

Word Weeks (Havering) - authors wanted

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 11:53:16 +0000

We are finalising our Word Weeks programme (4-16th October) and are looking for additional authors and events. Something unusual, fun and wacky would be great! We are also seeking more traditional events. We can put authors into schools, reading groups or large events linked with our shopping centres in Romford. We have had sellout events with Jo Brand, Ann Widdecombe and Chris Ryan - and we have Edwina Currie and Martin Bell confirmed for this year's Word Weeks.

Would love to hear from you!

Lesley Pearse at Norton Canes Library

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 11:37:05 +0000

Bestselling author, Lesley Pearse, will be at Norton Canes Library speaking about her life and writing on Thursday 30th September at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £3 for library members or £4 for non-library members. For tickets please contact Norton Canes Library Tel 01543 279592