The Blackhope Enigma
I just did a guest blog for the Scottish Book Trust about my path to becoming an author, and you can read that here.
I am really delighted that The Blackhope Enigma
Tomorrow is Publication Day! The next couple of days will be busy, busy, but I shall be back with updates and photos forthwith.
to children at the very lovely and welcoming Atkinson-Pryce Books. It’s a cosy and bright shop that I wish was in my neighbourhood!
Armed with the book, postcards and laptop containing a riveting (I hope) presentation about labyrinths, Renaissance paintings, Venetian galleys and early maps, I had a fine old time introducing the children to some of the story’s background and inspirations. We even did some drawing together (mermaids, monsters and mice) while lying on the carpeted floor. I can’t think of a nicer way to spend an hour on Saturday afternoon. Thanks to all the children for coming and to Atkinson-Pryce Books for arranging my appearance there.
Photo by K Ross
roadshow took to rail and road with Blast-Off Books in support of Independent Booksellers Week 2010.
I love all book stores but I am particularly fond of indie bookshops like Blast-Off Books, which specialises in children’s books and provides an amazing service to its local community and schools. That’s why I volunteered to participate in IBW events this week.
We headed out into the gorgeous countryside in the sunshine and visited the lovely Dalmeny Primary School, where the pupils were already well into The Blackhope Enigma, being probably the first school on the planet to have had almost half of it read to them by their excellent teacher. That’s me in the photo, showing one of the illustrations inside the book. I was bowled over by their positive response and great questions. Wow, is all I can say.
The roadshow headed next to Torphichen Primary, another lovely school with keen pupils, who are now clued up on all things Blackhope. Again, excellent questions and comments all round.
The roadshow heads out to Biggar on Saturday, stopping in at another indie bookshop, Atkinson-Pryce Bookshop, at 11:30am. I’ll be doing a Blackhope-inspired workshop-talk for children age 9+. It’s free but ticketed, so if you are interested, contact them.
Both Blast-Off Books and Atkinson-Pryce will be stocking The Blackhope Enigma.
Things are ramping up big style here at HQ. Only a few weeks till The Blackhope Enigma
I am extremely grateful to my posse of talented friends, who are giving me all sorts of help in getting things off the ground. When the time comes, I will shine a spotlight on each of them for all their good humored assistance!
And the folks at Templar are just great. It is wonderful to work with such a dedicated group of people!