Residents in the village of Westbury-sub-Mendip in Somerset were so distraught at losing their library and ‘phone box in quick succession, that they bought the latter from BT for £1, and turned it into the former.
Yes, that’s a ‘phone box library right there – with 100 books waiting to be borrowed (so long as you drop a book off in return, that is). A triumph for local people power over the current trend of library closures.
Yes indeed – my website is two years old today and will, from now on, be throwing a temper tantrum anytime it doesn’t get exactly what it wants, when it wants.
So, Borders in the UK has finally gone into administration.
I’ve been horrified to watch this train wreck happen over the last week or so – especially the uncertainty of the past few days. As an author, Borders has always been ‘my store’; incredibly supportive of my books and supremely welcoming whenever I’ve come in store to run events. It’s almost been like having a nationwide chain of caring, book-loving independents wherever you go.
I can quite honestly say I haven’t met an unhelpful, unfriendly bookseller in any of the branches. Everyone at Borders knows their stuff, and does their best to get people reading what’s right for them as well as try to get them into something new. Trust me – that doesn’t happen with every chain, or even every bookshop.
I’ve made some good friends in branches across the north east and north west (Gateshead, Silverlink and Stockton to name but three), and I’d like to wish them – and everyone at every branch – the very best for the future.
Great news – Scream Street books 6 and 7 are now available for download from the iTunes App Store! We’re not sure why SS5 hasn’t been approved for sale yet – but I’m confident it will be available soon.
Time for a sneak peek at another new cover – this time for my book, The Uniform to be published by Barrington Stoke in July 2010.
The Uniform tells the story of Matthew Miller, a new pupil at Elm Road school who is picked on by bullies because his mum can’t afford to buy him the correct school uniform. However, the tide quickly turns after Matthew’s mum finds a second hand uniform in a local charity shop and he finally finds the courage to stand up for himself. But is there a difference between standing your ground and becoming a bully yourself?
I had a fantastic day yesterday back at my old primary school – St. Anne’s in Leyland, Lancashire. I ran a couple of creative writing workshops in the morning then – after lunch in the hall with the rest of the kids – we all enjoyed the Vampires vs Werewolves Game Show.
Everything was (rather obviously after 31 years) different – yet somehow eerily the same…
Thanks to Mr Barrett and all the staff and pupils for the warm welcome back!
Oh, the joys of a new Mr Gum book… (yes, I know it’s been out for a few weeks, but I’ve only just got my mitts on a copy!)
In What’s For Dinner, Mr Gum?, the 6th installment of sheer joyful madness from Andy Stanton (accompanied by the usual incredible illustrations from David Tazzyman that somehow manage to look perfectly scribbled by someone in a huge rush), Mr Gum crosses yet another line and ditches his long-time friend and greasy accomplice, Billy William The Third. Could it be that nasty Mr Gum has found somewhere else to order his disgusting, fly-infested meals? Will Billy simply put up with his funty behaviour? And what can Polly and friends do to restore peace to a war-torn Lamonic Bibber?
You’ll just have to read the book to find out – but, believe me, you won’t regret doing so.
The first four Scream Street titles – Fang of the Vampire, Blood of the Witch, Heart of the Mummy and Flesh of the Zombie – are now available to buy as iPhone apps from the iTunes App Store. Each book costs just £3.99, and is instantly available to read as soon as it has downloaded.
I was privileged and honoured today to visit Unity City Academy in Middlesbrough, where I ran several workshops on reading and writing – and then opened the school’s new library. They had a brass plaque and everything…
Thanks to everyone who made the day so special – and to those who worked tirelessly to provide UCA’s pupils with such a valuable resource.
Arran came home excited as he'd signed up for trampolining basketball. Unhappy when I pointed out they're 2 different after school clubs... 4 hours ago
