by Lynsey on Oct 23, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Football Frenzy in Wincanton!
Glorious weather and sporting endeavours were the order of the day in Wincanton last weekend as Transworld Publishers took to the field to celebrate the publication of Sir Terry Pratchett’s latest Discworld novel Unseen Academicals. Fan teams waged war against local teams in a five-a-side football tournament hosted by Transworld at the Wincanton Sports Centre. Bribery, cheating and fouls were rife as fans used every trick in the book to ensure a place on the winner’s podium. Transworld came a respectable third of the eight teams that took part only beaten by the Wincanton professional side and the Wincanton Urchins, the triumphant winners. Sir Terry presented the trophies, goldish looking tin cans, to the jubilant winners. A good day was had by all and celebrated with pies and cider all round.
by Jonny on Oct 23, 2009 at 2:55 pm
JOHAN THEORIN has won the 2009 CWA John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger for his debut novel Echoes from the Dead. The award was presented at The Specsavers Crime and Thriller Awards 2009, a prestigious event hosted by comedian Alan Davies at London s Grosvenor House Hotel.
The CWA Dagger Awards are the longest established literary awards in the UK and are internationally recognised as a mark of excellence and achievement. The judges said: This year s shortlisted books all had one thing in common very strongly drawn characters, both major and minor. It was good to see novels which avoided clichéd stereotypes. Settings also were unusually interesting and integral to strong plots. .
Johan Theorin said: Britain is home to most of the greatest mystery writers in the world, from Conan Doyle, Christie and Creasey and up to all the fine writers who are still alive and active today – and as a Swede I couldn t dream of competing with them. But to my big surprise and honour, I guess I have.
Echoes from the Dead is Johan s first novel, his second novel the Darkest Room was published by Transworld in July. Two more novels will be set on the remote island of Oland, the back drop for all of Johan s books. A journalist by profession, Johan lives in Gothenburg, Sweden.
John O’Farrell (and his dog) presents an utterly exasperated introduction to his latest book, An Utterly Exasperated History of Modern Britain: or Sixty Years of Making the Same Stupid Mistakes as Always.
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sBqqwKzo54]

You don’t just wake up jaundiced and bitter; it’s taken Jack Dee years of dedication and commitment to brew his unique cocktail of disillusionment and bile. Now, in his new book Thanks For Nothing, he reveals the highs and lows of his early life and disastrous day jobs.
In these hilarious videos, Jack Dee tells us what we can expect from the book.
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8-cSZKBm6k]
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7kNImXhHwM]
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dznovs6rn10]
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5y5hWC_mdU]
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvh7ypX_NTA]
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woBuG_P1SuA]
For the first time, readers and fans will have the opportunity to join a live
online chat with the Random House authors, and friends,
CHRISTOPHER PAOLINI and TERRY BROOKS.
The authors will discuss the worlds of fantasy, film, and literature and take
questions from fans on Suvudu.com—Random House’s Sci-Fi / Fantasy website.
Date and Time
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
7:00 – 8:00 p.m. EST
To join the chat and follow-along,
visit www.suvudu.com 10/14 at 7:00 p.m. EST.
For more information about the authors and their books,
http://www.suvudu.com/author-chat/paolini-brooks/index.html?ref=CPTB_chatPage
More About Suvudu – Suvudu provides information and content to fans of science fiction and fantasy across all media – books, comics and manga, audiobooks, movies, games, and more. The site brings together the talents of some of the industry’s top sci-fi, fantasy, graphic novel and gaming guide publishers enables the feedback of the genres’ knowledgeable fans.

I’ve spent the last few days in St Petersburg, Russia. It’s my second trip here; the first came in late November/early December 2007 when I visited the city while writing THE HOUSE OF SPECIAL PURPOSE. I researched quite a bit of the novel here, writing many scenes in the Winter Palace itself, and despite being here during the coldest time of year, I fell in love with the city. Read the rest of this entry »
S.J.Bolton, highly acclaimed author of Sacrifice and Awakening, has been called the ‘High Priestess of English Rural Gothic’ by The Times and ‘One to watch’ by Tess Gerritsen. We love her atmospheric and heart-racing thrillers.
Here is the author herself to tell us about her first two novels:
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxxgl1N23p4&feature=channel_page]
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cf_iLT0WGWI&feature=channel_page]
Sacrifice is out now in paperback and Awakening is available in hardback.
Stand-up comedian Jarlath Regan, author of HOW TO BREAK BAD NEWS, has been running a competition on Facebook with his fans. They are asked to try and move his book to a prominent or ‘bestseller’ slot in their local bookshop. Here are some of the results …
Click here for the Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=130140011667&ref=ts
Click here for Jarlath’s website: http://www.jigser.com/








