author video

Welcome to The 13th Horseman NZ Launch Party!

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Today I have the pleasure of hosting the New Zealand launch of Barry Hutchison’s The 13th Horseman.  I’ve been a huge fan of Barry’s for a while now and I wanted to do something special to launch his new book in NZ.  In Christchurch we’re having a launch party with giveaways, a feast fit for a Horseman of the Apocalypse, and some special launch videos from Barry in Scotland.

If you can’t be in Christchurch you can still celebrate the launch of Barry’s hilarious new book.  Barry has made 3 videos especially for his readers in NZ, in which he introduces The 13th Horseman, reads from the book, and answers some questions.  Also, if you scroll to the bottom of this post, you can enter to win a copy of The 13th Horseman with a signed bookplate.  Come on in and join the party!

Barry introduces The 13th Horseman

Barry reads an excerpt from The 13th Horseman

Barry answers some questions about The 13th Horseman

Thanks so much for the great videos Barry!  If you haven’t got a copy of The 13th Horseman, rush out to your bookshop now to grab a copy or enter my competition to win one.  Competition closes Friday 1 June (NZ only).

Thanks to everyone who entered the competition.  The winners are Cath and Amu.

Will Hill introduces Department 19: The Rising

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Department 19: The Rising is the sequel to Will Hill’s 2011 debut.  It’s one of my most anticipated April new releases and I can’t wait to get into it.  Will Hill’s Department 19 books are perfect books for boys, especially those who like Anthony Horowitz and Robert Muchamore.  There’s plenty of action, violence, blood and guts, and vicious (non-sparkling) blood-sucking vampires.

Will Hill will be joining me on the blog in April to tell us why he writes (and reads) scary stories, and I’ll have a chance to win the first two Department 19 books.

Simon Mayo introduces Itch

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Darren from the excellent Book Zone for Boys blog highlighted Itch by Simon Mayo recently and I loved the sound of it.  You can read the first chapter for free on the Guardian Children’s Books website.

 

Beth Revis, author of ACROSS THE UNIVERSE, answers fan questions

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Beth Revis’ A Million Suns releases in NZ on 21 March.  I couldn’t wait and ordered a signed copy from Beth’s local bookshop, Fireside Books and Gifts.  I’m really enjoying it and my review will follow soon.

Patrick Carman talks about Floors

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Patrick Carman’s new book Floors is one of the most inventive, imaginative books for kids that I’ve ever read.  It takes me back to the wonder I felt when I first read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  I’m still reading it at the moment but will post my review soon.

Check out the cool website for Floors too – www.floorsbook.com

Learn how to speak Dragonese with Cressida Cowell

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Have you ever wanted to learn Dragonese, from Cressida Cowell’s books?  In this video you can learn how to say to following things in Dragonese: ‘Please would you be so kind as to spit out my friend?’ and ‘I don’t like that. It’s revolting, it’s gross, it’s really, really revolting.’  Have a go and impress your friends.

Meg Rosoff on her new book, There is no Dog

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Meg Rosoff is one of my favourite YA authors.  Her books are always unique and just a little weird.  I got the chance to meet her at the Auckland Writer’s Festival when she had a panel discussion with Margo Lanagan.  Listening to her talk about her stories made me want to go back and read them all again.   I can’t wait to read There in no Dog as I’m sure it’ll be brilliant.

John Stephens talks to NZ about The Emerald Atlas

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Stay tuned for our review of The Emerald Atlas tomorrow. If you think it sounds like a book you would love to read, make sure you enter our Week 2 Reading Crusade Challenge for your chance to win a copy (we’ve got 5 copies to give away).