• Issue 142 - May 2012

    01 May 2012

    GREETINGS!

     

    Hi, everyone, and welcome to the May issue of the Shanville Monthly!! I'll be on tour in the UK for the first couple of weeks of this month -- check out the listings below and come catch me if I'm passing anywhere near where you live! Please note, I've added some new sessions since last month, in the Midlands and Liverpool. If I'm not due to travel to a spot near you on this tour, don't worry, I tour regularly and chances are you won't have to wait TOO long before I swing by!! Even if you can't get to one of my signings or events, you can certainly pick up and read my new book, Brothers to the Death, which is on sale now in the UK, Ireland and Japan, and goes on sale in May in Canada and the USA -- more details can be found below. There's plenty of other news to report too, so I'll leave you to it -- enjoy!!!

     

     

    TO THE DEATH!

     

    Brothers To The Death, the fourth and final book in The Saga of Larten Crepsley, went on sale in the UK and Ireland on April 26th -- you can buy it in your local bookshop or book stockist, at Amazon UK by clicking here, or download it onto your Kindle by clicking here. (As far as I'm aware, you can also download it onto any other digital reading device, but I'm a bit woolly when it comes to all of the new technology!)

     

    In the USA the official publication date is May 15th, but it will probably start popping up in stores across the country before that -- indeed, it is already IN STOCK on Amazon!! Again, it should be available in any book selling store (if you don't see it on the shelves, ask the staff), or you can order it from Amazon by clicking here, or download it onto your Kindle by clicking here. Or, if you prefer Barnes & Noble you can order it from them by clicking here, or as a Nook Book by clicking here. (Again, I'm pretty sure it's available on all other eReaders too, but don't quote me on that!!)

     

    In Canada it also goes on sale on May 15th, so my Canadian fans will be able to buy it at the same time as fans in the Staes -- hurrah! Look out for it in your local book stores, or order it online through Amazon by clicking here.

     

    I have added my author notes for Brothers To The Death to my site, in which I talk a bit about the creation of the book. You can check them out here: http://www.darrenshan.com/books/details/brothers-to-the-death/

     

    Early response to the book on Twitter and Amazon has been VERY positive. I think a lot of fans were worried that the series might end limply, leaving them with a disappointing last image of Mr Crepsley -- but as those who've read the book already have been happy to report, that most certainly is NOT the case!!! So what are you wating -- go buy it now and follow Larten on his final, darkest journey!!

     

     

    BROTHERS IN JAPAN

     

    Brothers to the Death went on sale in Japan on April 25th, a day before anywhere else in the world. As usual, my Japanese publishing team have craft an absolutely stunning cover for the book, which you can check out here: http://www.darrenshan.com/covers/country/japan/ They also have a lovingly maintained Japanese Darren Shan site, whcih is chockful of goodies. You can access it here: http://www.shogakukan.co.jp/darren/

     

     

    ARTICLES

     

    There was a 4 page special about Bram Stoker in the April 18th issue of the Irish Times, with a lengthy introduction written by… ME!! In it, I talk about why he (and, of course, his most famous creation, Dracula) mean so much to me, and why I think he's still as relevant as ever a hundred years after his death. You can read the complete article online here: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/features/2012/0418/1224314868286.html

     

    You can read an interview with me in This Is Lincoln, which was published ahead of my event there in late April. http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/vampire-s-tale-ends-watch-zombies/story-15919360-detail/story.html

     

    And you can also check out a shorter article in which I talk about some of my musical tastes on the Gulf News site by clicking here: http://gulfnews.com/about-gulf-news/al-nisr-portfolio/friday/articles/my-playlist-author-darren-shan-1.1007260

     

     

    FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT

     

    Lord Loss never goes down without a fight! Check out this article about a failed attempt to have the book banned from local libraries in Wyoming, in the States. I was very pleased to see how the school supported their librarians and carefully considered and then rejected the bid to have the book removed from the shelves, rather than react hastily and cave-in to the demands of a lone parent. If only all schools were this prepared to stand up for what is right!! http://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/supernatural-fantasy-novel-stirs-debate-in-wyoming-school-district/article_0a024fbf-5d64-5264-a241-2014852aae5b.html

     

     

    MORE MICHAEL, PLEASE!

     

    I enjoyed reading this article with Broadway legend Michael Cerveris, in which he talks about his most memorable roles. All of them are stage plays, as you would expect, with one notable exception -- I think some people would say it was destiny!!! Like Michael, I would have loved to see him develop the role of Mr Tiny even further, but alas, it looks like it will never be… http://www.broadway.com/buzz/161275/evita-star-michael-cerveris-on-sweeney-tommy-and-his-most-difficult-role-ever/

     

     

    GUEST BLOGGER

     

    For the first time ever I’ve posted a Guest Blog on my site, by the fabulous Alexander Gordon Smith! To hear what he has to say about sticking with your dreams and never giving up, check it out here, then go read The Fury — or else!!!! http://www.darrenshan.com/news/article/guest-blog-alexander-gordon-smith/

     
     

    WHAT TO EXPECT

     

    Those of you who are coming (or thinking of coming) to one of my events on this tour might be interested in this article in the Limerick Leader, which gives you a taste of what you can expect: http://www.limerickleader.ie/lifestyle/entertainment/shan-to-give-a-sneak-peek-of-new-zom-b-series-at-limerick-readings-1-3769525#

     

    When I go on tour, I treat it a bit like a rock n roll tour, and carefully choose a mix of old and new extracts to read. This time, at the public events, I’ll mostly be reading out scenes that I’ve never read out on any of my previous tours — although I might occasionally lob in one or two old favourites just to keep myself interested too!!



    BROTHERS TO THE DEATH UK/IRELAND TOUR

     

    All of the details have now been finalised for my UK and Ireland tour to promote Brothers to the Death. A public signing is open to anyone who wants to come. A schools event is for invited schools only. A public event is open to anyone who wishes to attend, but tickets normally need to be reserved in advance -- you MIGHT be able to get them on the day if you just turn up, but you should contact the organiser in advance to make sure that you will be able to get a ticket. Please note, I am always happy to sign as many of my books as fans wish to bring along from home or buy on the day.

     

    26th April, Thursday

    11.30am -- schools event, Belltable Theatre, Limerick. http://belltable.ticketsolve.com/shows/126524808/events

    7.00pm -- public event, Belltable Theatre, Limerick.  http://belltable.ticketsolve.com/shows/126524808/events

    27th April, Friday

    10.30am -- schools event, National Library of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin.

    12.30pm -- school event, Castleknock College, Dublin.

    7.00pm -- public event, Waterstones Staines, 77 High Street, Staines TW18 4PQ.

    28th April, Saturday

    11.00am -- public signing, Waterstones Finchley Road, O2 Centre, Finchley Road, London NW3 6LU.

    3.00pm -- public signing, Muswell Hill Children's Bookshop, 29 Fortis Green Road, Muswell Hill, London N10 3HP.

    29th April, Sunday

    2.00pm -- public event, Stratford Circus, Theatre Square, London E15 1BX. http://www.stratford-circus.com/events/literature/darrenshan.htm

    30th April, Monday

    1.00pm -- school event, Beaumont Leys School, Leicester.

    6.30pm -- public event, Waterstones Lincoln, 297a High Street, Lincoln LN2 1AF.

    1st May, Tuesday

    9.30am -- school event, Hull Collegiate School.

    12.25pm -- school event, Kelvin Hall School, Hull.

    6.30pm -- public event, Waterstones York, 28-29 High Ousegate, York YO1 8RX.

    2nd May, Wednesday

    10.00am -- Conyers Secondary School, Cleveland TS15 9ET .

    3.30pm -- public signing, Waterstones Newcastle, Emerson Chambers, Blackett Street, Newcastle NE1 7JF. Please note, I will have to leave at 4.45pm.

    7.00pm -- public event, Waterstones Carlisle, 66-68 Scotch Street, Carlisle CA3 8PN.

    3rd May, Thursday

    09.15am -- school event, LSA Technology and Performing Arts College, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire.

    12.30pm -- school event, Kirkham Grammar School, Preston, Lancashire.

    6.00pm -- public event, Waterstones Wigan, 6 Grand Arcade, Wigan WN1 1BH.

    4th May, Friday

    11.30am -- school event, Stockport Grammar School, Cheshire.

    2.30pm -- school event, East Manchester Academy.

    5th May, Saturday

    11.00am -- public signing, Waterstones Wolverhampton, 13-15 Victoria Street, Wolverhampton WV1 3NP.

    3.00pm -- public signing, Waterstones Birmingham, 128 New Street, Birmingham B2 4DB

    6th May, Sunday

    12.00pm -- public signing, WHSmith Hanley, 213 The Potteries Shopping Centre, Market Square, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 1PS.

    3.00pm -- public signing, WHSmith Derby, 5 London Road, Derby, DE1 2NS.

    7th May, Monday (bank holiday)

    12.00pm -- public signing, Waterstones Chester, 14 Eastgate Row, Chester, CH1 1LF.

    2.00pm -- public signing, WHSmith Wrexham, 56-58 Hope Street, Wrexham, LL11 1BE.

    5.30pm -- public event, Ashton Theatre, Shrewsbury School, SY3 7BA. Part of Shrewsbury Book Fest: http://www.shrewsburybookfest.co.uk/

    8th May, Tuesday

    12.15pm -- school event, Bridgnorth Endowed School, Shropshire.

    6.00pm -- public event, St Andrews Church/The Kettering Arts Centre, Lindsey Street, Kettering NN16 8RG. Arranged by Waterstones Kettering, 72-76 High Street, NN16 8SY -- contact staff in store for tickets.

    12th May, Saturday

    11.00am -- public event, Central Library St Helens. Bookselling by Pritchards. For free tickets, phone: 01744 677446, or email: [email protected]

    3.00pm -- public signing, Waterstones Liverpool One, 12 College Lane, Liverpool L1 3DL.

     

     

    INTRODUCING A VERY SHADY LADY!!

     

    I have added the cover for the UK edition of Lady of the Shades, my next book for adults, which will be released in the UK and Ireland on 30th August. I love the cover and I hope you guys do too! http://www.darrenshan.com/covers/design/lady-of-the-shades-uk/

     

    For a little taste of what the book is about, here is what we have revealed so far on Amazon:



    Ed, an American author on the hunt for a story for his next book, arrives in London looking for inspiration. A stranger in a strange city, he’s haunted by a deadly secret that refuses to stay buried, and no matter how hard he tries he cannot escape the manifest sins of his past.

     

    What Ed wants is answers, what he finds is something he definitely didn’t bargain for: the beautiful and untouchable Andeanna Menderes. Andeanna is a woman who is dangerously bound to one of London’s most notorious crime lords, and if they are caught together it could mean death for them both.

     

    Ensnared in an illicit affair that can only be conducted in the shadows, Ed’s world is turned upside down as a series of shattering revelations blurs the line between what’s real and what’s not…

     

    You can pre-order the book by clicking here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lady-Shades-Darren-Shan/dp/1409143600/shanville

     

     

    LOOKING AHEAD... THE UNDEAD!!

     

    The stomach-churning UK cover for Zom-B has been released, so you guys can check it out NOW!! I hope you love it as much as I do!!! I’ve also added the early drafts for the cover to my site, so you can chart its progress — I like to keep you guys as much in the picture as I can!! http://www.darrenshan.com/covers/country/united-kingdom/

     

    I’m not going to be saying much about Zom-B ahead of the release of the first book on September 27th, as there are some major twists in it that we’re trying to keep as secret as possible! But here is what my British and American publishers have revealed so far on Amazon:

     

    UK — Zom-B is a radical new series about a zombie apocalypse, told in the first person by one of its victims. The series combines classic Shan action with a fiendishly twisting plot and hard-hitting and thought-provoking moral questions dealing with racism, abuse of power and more. This is challenging material, which will captivate existing Shan fans and bring in many new ones. As Darren says, “It’s a big, sprawling, vicious tale… a grisly piece of escapism, and a barbed look at the world in which we live. Each book in the series is short, fast-paced and bloody. A high body-count is guaranteed!”

     

    USA — When news reports start appearing of a zombie outbreak in Ireland, B’s racist father thinks it’s a joke — but even if it isn’t, he figures, it’s ok to lose a few Micks. B doesn’t fully buy into Dad’s racism, but figures it’s easier to go along with it than to risk the fights and abuse that will surely follow sticking up for Muslims, blacks, or immigrants. And when dodging his fists doesn’t work, B doesn’t hesitate to take the piss out of kids at school with a few slaps or cruel remarks. That is, until zombies attack the school. B is forced on a mad dash through the serpentine corridors of high school, making allegiances with anyone with enough gall to fight off their pursuers.

     

    I hope that’s whetted your appetite for more!!

     

     

    IT'S A WRAP

    And that's it for May!! I'm looking forward to hopefully meeting lots and LOTS of you on my Irish and UK tour -- and to signing untold thousands of copies of my books!! Once the dust settles, we won't have long to wait until my next books start hitting the stores -- Lady of the Shades at the end of August, then the first Zom-B book at the end of September!! It's going to be a VERY busy autumn for me!!! I'll be talking a lot more about those books over the next few coming issues of the Shanville Monthly. But for now I'm off to check that I've packed enough pens to last me until the end of the tour!! I'll be back here at the start of June with all the latest updates. Until then, all my bloody best, Darren Shan. x x x

     

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