C.J. Carter-Stephenson's Blog: ~ Crystal Clear ~, page 12
October 2, 2012
New Voucher Code Released...
If anyone is feeling tempted to purchase a copy of The Crystal Ship after yesterday's announcement about the 2012 Children's Literary Classics Book Awards, you will be pleased to hear that Lulu.com are running another of their promotional offers. Simply enter the coupon code 'PLUMA' at checkout and they will give you 20% off your order. Offer ends 5th October 2012.
BUY HERE
BUY HERE
October 1, 2012
Special Announcement!
I am delighted to announce that The Crystal Ship has been shortlisted for a 2012 Children's Literary Classics Book Award. Looking at the calibre of the other books on the list, it is a real honour to have made it this far. The final results will be announced on 15th October and I will post an update then. Until then, I'll be keeping my fingers well and truly crossed (this does make typing a little tricky, but it's a price I'm willing to pay). Congratulations to all the other finalists. You can view the full list here...
http://www.clcawards.org/untitled1.html
As I have already indicated, the judges have picked out some really great books that are definitely worthy of a look. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a short story to finish (I don't believe in resting on my laurels). Have a great night.
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http://www.clcawards.org/untitled1.html
As I have already indicated, the judges have picked out some really great books that are definitely worthy of a look. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a short story to finish (I don't believe in resting on my laurels). Have a great night.
[image error]
September 22, 2012
A journey back in time...
Once a year, the Goodwood Motor Circuit turns back time and hosts a 40s, 50s and 60s themed racing event known as the Goodwood Revival. This year, I was lucky enough to be present. It really was a magical experience with so many classic cars on display that it was impossible to take them all in, not to mention aeroplanes, vintage shops, fairground rides, live music and a wide selection of different food (though the latter was more than a little overpriced). What was even more amazing was the amount of people who went along in period dress. Fortunately, I was forewarned about this and had picked up something suitable. My outfit of choice was a 1940s aviator (though in truth the boots and flying helmet I wore were slightly anachronistic), so naturally, I couldn't resist having a few pictures taken in the aviation area. Two of these are included below...
Apart from being a good place for photo opportunities, the Revival event also offered a rare chance to see cars from the 40s, 50s and 60s being put through their paces (one Ginetta G10 was driven so hard that it actually lost a wheel). There was also an unscheduled appearance from Ewan McGregor on a Manx Norton motorbike. I enoyed the races I saw immensely and was surprised how often things would change in the last few moments.
To cut a long story short, I had a great time and would highly recommend this event to anyone who wants to get a feel what it was like to attend a motoring event in the 40s, 50s and 60s. It was just a pity I couldn't attend in my own vintage vehicle (a GT40 replica affectionately known as Lola), but sadly this is off the road at the moment. Perhaps next year...
Apart from being a good place for photo opportunities, the Revival event also offered a rare chance to see cars from the 40s, 50s and 60s being put through their paces (one Ginetta G10 was driven so hard that it actually lost a wheel). There was also an unscheduled appearance from Ewan McGregor on a Manx Norton motorbike. I enoyed the races I saw immensely and was surprised how often things would change in the last few moments.
To cut a long story short, I had a great time and would highly recommend this event to anyone who wants to get a feel what it was like to attend a motoring event in the 40s, 50s and 60s. It was just a pity I couldn't attend in my own vintage vehicle (a GT40 replica affectionately known as Lola), but sadly this is off the road at the moment. Perhaps next year...
September 4, 2012
Coupon time again...
Lulu.com are running yet another special offer. Enter the coupon code 'CITHARA20' at checkout and get 20% off your order. This offer can be used to purchase a copy of The Crystal Ship, Bloodlust Variations or anything else from their extensive catalogue, but hurry... you only have until midnight on Friday 7th September.
August 31, 2012
E-Zine Link...
I stumbled on a great e-zine the other day. It is called eFiction and features some cutting edge genre fiction, not to mention author spotlights and book reviews. The issues are not free, but considering how much is in them, they are great value for money. Click here to find out more.
August 29, 2012
˚J˚ The Great Elephant ˚J˚
This is something I would like to see...
It's the Great Elephant in Nantes, France. Made from 45 tons of recycled materials, it is 12 meters high and can carry up to 49 passengers. I can only imagine what it must be like to watch it plod along, trumpeting loudly and spraying water. Actually, I don't need to imagine; there's a video of it doing just that on YouTube. Click here to view it. The attached picture comes to you courtesy of Mary Anne Mohnraj.
It's the Great Elephant in Nantes, France. Made from 45 tons of recycled materials, it is 12 meters high and can carry up to 49 passengers. I can only imagine what it must be like to watch it plod along, trumpeting loudly and spraying water. Actually, I don't need to imagine; there's a video of it doing just that on YouTube. Click here to view it. The attached picture comes to you courtesy of Mary Anne Mohnraj.
August 20, 2012
Another Lulu.com coupon code!
Another week, another special offer from Lulu.com. Simply enter the coupon code 'PADDLE15' at checkout and they will give you 15% off your order. You can use it against anything from their vast catalogue, including my own humble offerings...
The Crystal Ship
Bloodlust Variations
Offer ends at midnight on Friday 24th August.
The Crystal Ship
Bloodlust Variations
Offer ends at midnight on Friday 24th August.
August 14, 2012
Amazon announcement...
A quick announcement for any horror fans out there... my new book, Bloodlust Variations, is now available to buy from Amazon. Check it out at the links below:
•US Site
•UK Site
Further information about the book is available at the following page on my website :
http://www.carter-stephenson.co.uk/bl...
Thanks for listening.
•US Site
•UK Site
Further information about the book is available at the following page on my website :
http://www.carter-stephenson.co.uk/bl...
Thanks for listening.
August 6, 2012
An antidote for the Monday blues...
Hope everyone had a good weekend. Too bad it's over. Fortunately, I have some news to help chase away those Monday blues... Lulu.com are running another great money saving promotion. Enter the coupon code 'ASTOUND20' at checkout and they will give you 20% off your order. Offer ends at midnight on 10th August. Oh and just in case you're wondering what to buy, may I humbly recommend...
The Crystal Ship
Bloodlust Variations
Not interested? Well, you can't blame a guy for trying.
The Crystal Ship
Bloodlust Variations
Not interested? Well, you can't blame a guy for trying.
July 23, 2012
A brief foray into the wonderful world of Fighting Fantasy...
Some of you out there may remember the Fighting Fantasy series created by Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone. They were all the rage when I was a child, offering solo role-playing adventures along the lines of Dungeons & Dragons in book form. My own collection of these books was extensive and I spent many happy hours immersed in their pages.
Against this background, you can probably imagine my delight when I found myself in the presence of John Sibbick, one of the illustrators for the series, during an open studios event on the Isle of Wight last weekend. To be honest, it had been so long since I had read any of the books that I had forgotten who the illustrators were, and it was only when I arrived at Mr. Sibbick’s address and saw some of the artwork on proud display that I realised he was one of them.
I had already been treated to a veritable feast of wonderful paintings and sculptures elsewhere on the island, but John Sibbick’s work eclipsed them all. There were intricately detailed dinosaur pictures, vivid imaginings of key scenes from myth and legend, and of course, those evocative Fighting Fantasy illustrations. Needless to say, I spent a considerable amount of time perusing them, while chatting intermittently with their supremely talented creator. I can’t tell you how privileged I felt. Some people queue for hours to spend a few paltry minutes with admired artists, while I got to talk to one at leisure in his own home.
By the end of it, I was seriously considering digging out and re-reading my collection of Fighting Fantasy books (which like most other things from my childhood are safely stored in my parent’s loft). Whether I actually get around to doing this remains to be seen, but one thing I do know… meeting one of the artists from the series is an experience I won’t forget. Here is just one of his classic illustrations…
If you have never read any of the Fighting Fantasy books, I can most heartily recommend them, particularly if you are into young adult books (or are a young adult yourself). Find out more at the official website - http://www.fightingfantasy.com/ .
One more thing before I sign off. Lulu.com are running yet another of their money-saving promotions. Enter the coupon code 'SILVERUK' at checkout by midnight on the 27th July and they will give you 20% off your order. My own humble offerings to their vast catalogue of books can be found at the following links:
http://www.lulu.com/shop/cj-carter-st...
http://www.lulu.com/shop/cj-carter-st...
Against this background, you can probably imagine my delight when I found myself in the presence of John Sibbick, one of the illustrators for the series, during an open studios event on the Isle of Wight last weekend. To be honest, it had been so long since I had read any of the books that I had forgotten who the illustrators were, and it was only when I arrived at Mr. Sibbick’s address and saw some of the artwork on proud display that I realised he was one of them.
I had already been treated to a veritable feast of wonderful paintings and sculptures elsewhere on the island, but John Sibbick’s work eclipsed them all. There were intricately detailed dinosaur pictures, vivid imaginings of key scenes from myth and legend, and of course, those evocative Fighting Fantasy illustrations. Needless to say, I spent a considerable amount of time perusing them, while chatting intermittently with their supremely talented creator. I can’t tell you how privileged I felt. Some people queue for hours to spend a few paltry minutes with admired artists, while I got to talk to one at leisure in his own home.
By the end of it, I was seriously considering digging out and re-reading my collection of Fighting Fantasy books (which like most other things from my childhood are safely stored in my parent’s loft). Whether I actually get around to doing this remains to be seen, but one thing I do know… meeting one of the artists from the series is an experience I won’t forget. Here is just one of his classic illustrations…
If you have never read any of the Fighting Fantasy books, I can most heartily recommend them, particularly if you are into young adult books (or are a young adult yourself). Find out more at the official website - http://www.fightingfantasy.com/ .
One more thing before I sign off. Lulu.com are running yet another of their money-saving promotions. Enter the coupon code 'SILVERUK' at checkout by midnight on the 27th July and they will give you 20% off your order. My own humble offerings to their vast catalogue of books can be found at the following links:
http://www.lulu.com/shop/cj-carter-st...
http://www.lulu.com/shop/cj-carter-st...
