On 28th October, I’ll be running a Petrifying Party for St. John Ambulance – in a 12th century London church crypt!  I’ll be reading from the Scream Street novels, playing some gruesome games and, of course, signing books.

More information, and details of how to book can be found here: http://www.sja.org.uk/sja/support-us/fundraise/social-and-special-events/petrifying-party.aspx

All money from tickets will go to help fund St John Ambulance itself.  So, come along for some spooky fun, and raise money for a great organisation at the same time!

Tommy

I also signed some books alongside the very talented Mick and Brita, who were there to talk about their own books – and it was in the bookshop I spotted this rather lovely display:

I’ll be back at Seven Stories next Friday for the official Scream Street launch.  Join me – if you dare…

Tommy

I read spooky stories in the creepy crypt…

And signed Scream Street books for my revolting readers!  (This is Awful Alex having his picture taken with me!)

Tommy

I ran a creepy creative writing workshop, read from the SS books, played some werewolf vs vampire activities and, of course, signed copies of the Scream Street books for revolting readers.

Here you can see me causing chaos in the attic (everyone had just heard a scary noise behind them)…

My nephew, Luke, and son, Arran, came dressed as the werewolf version of Luke Watson and Twonk the zombie from the Scream Street books…

My niece, Aoife, dressed up as her witch namesake, Eefa Everwell…

Scream Street books were everywhere…

And I was happy to sign them…

A fang-tastic day all round!

Tommy

I’ve spent a fantastic couple of days in Liverpool at the Shipping Lines Literary Festival, part of the city’s celebration as European Capital of Culture, 2008.  I got to run some fang-tastic creative writing workshops at the refurbished Bluecoat centre, cause chaos (or is that survive chaos?) at the central library, and spend time with the brilliant author, Mal Peet, and his wife.

Even better, I bumped into a fourth-cousin of mine at one of the workshops (hello Liam!) and Thomas drew me this utterly incredible picture:

Special thanks to Jo from Walker Books for organising everything, acting as my minder and not being too grossed out by my collection of relics!

Tommy

From what I understand, the school will shortly find out whether it is to remain open or have to close.  It’s been a long time since I spent time at a school with such a positive attitude – so my fingers are crossed it will be there for a long time to come.

Tommy

Tommy

Here’s to my next visit!

Tommy

I can honestly say that I’ve never been to a school with a more upbeat, positive attitude.  Everything the staff do is geared towards promoting a love of reading and writing (which the school, rather brilliantly, sees as the key to everything else the pupils will have to face, not only in education, but for the rest of their lives).  I almost cheered when, after displaying a selection of books that had been donated to the school library, the ENTIRE first row of the assembly sat down and immediately started reading.  Not one of these pupils had any idea what the book they’d been handed was about – they were simply keen to jump in and learn something new.  I can’t think of a better example to show that the teachers’ efforts are paying off, and will continue to do so.

It hasn’t been an easy ride, however, as I discovered when I learned of the challenges the school has had to face, and continues to do so.  In many cases, it would be enough to convince the staff to switch off and go through the motions – but not at North Ormesby.  There they roll up their sleeves and face the problems head on – with a great big book in each hand!

The highlight of my day was meeting the Writing Hero: a wonderfully enthusiastic lad called Kian.  As part of his prize, I’m going to write him into the seventh Scream Street book as a character (he wants to be a vampire!) and I’ve already got some great ideas as to how that might work.  I’m looking forward to next Halloween when Kian and I can hold a joint book signing session at the school!  Kian was also kind enough to record a quick interview which I’ll be including in the Christmas edition of the Scream Street podcast – the Screamcast.

As if all this wasn’t enough, I’ve been asked by Reading Is Fundamental (part of the National Literacy Trust) to become RIF Ambassador to the school – the first pairing of its kind.  Through this position, I get to add my efforts to the promotion of reading and writing at North Ormesby – a task I am humbled and honoured to undertake.  I’ll be visiting the school on a regular basis to run creative writing workshops, help with reading sessions, recommend great new books and much more.  I can’t wait to get started.

A fantastic day was had by all; a day during which a single thought kept running round and round my head…  I wish I’d gone to North Ormesby Primary School.

Tommy