Patrick Ness's Blog, page 19

Tentacles!

A Monster Calls has been shortlisted for an extremely cool award called the Red Tentacle, for "intelligent, progressive and entertaining" genre fiction.  Previous winners have been China Mieville and Lauren Beukes, so the company is excellent.  Even better, Jim Kay's been nominated for an Inky Tentacle for his cover art.  Very, very pleased indeed.

In the meantime, I also want to say that everyone should see Matilda as soon as possible.  That is all.

Red House Book voting still open!

There's one more week to go for the voting in the Red House Book Awards.  If you're in the UK or ROI and 16 or under, you can vote for the books you'd like to win.  A Monster Calls is in the running, but I'm not saying how you have to vote or anything...

In the meantime, be sure to check out the changes to this site, including the FAQ and all the new Writing links, plus you can follow me on Twitter or my fan page on Facebook just by clicking the buttons to the left there.

Greetings to the new commenters, including a really nice article in an American newspaper and a just-starting Chaos Wiki. 

Oxford Literature Fest - 24 March

I just confirmed that I'm on a panel at this year's Oxford Literature Festival on 24 March, with the very cool writers Tim Bowler, Sally Nicholls and Moira Young.  If you're in the area, check us out.

Take a look at the entry below for all the new changes to this site, including the FAQ and all the new Writing links.  In the meantime, greetings to the new commenters, and what a cool batch! 

Just to answer a few questions:  There will be a Spanish-language version of A Monster Calls, and when it's ready, I'll post it here.  Also, if you ever want to write me a letter, just send it to the publisher of my books in whatever country you live in.  I see them all!

Website overhaul!

Oh, yes, I've had one!  I've now added a rather quaint Frequently Asked Questions section (FAQ, remember those?).  Because by Frequently, I do mean Frequently.  And it's irreverent, people, oh, it's wacky, oh, yes, stand back!

Rather more importantly, I've tripled the content on the new Writing tab, and there's now links to short stories (including the free Chaos Walking prequel story), plus writing tips, more journalism, and podcasts, too.  Check it out!

You can also now follow my Facebook author page and my Twitter account (@Patrick_Ness) just by clicking on those buttons to the left!  How simple could I make it?  I ask you.

Hope you like the updates, greetings to the new comments (and yes, I do read them all), and more soon.

Foyles Event Tickets now available (free!)

Happy New Year, everyone! 

First order of business is that you can now book tickets (free, but need to be reserved) for my A Monster Calls event at Foyles Charing Cross on 1 February.  It's to launch the A Monster Calls paperback, which looks beautiful.  You can reserve your free tickets here.

Even better (and this really is AWESOME), Foyle's is going to have an exhibition of Jim Kay's artwork from the book plus more from 21 January - 3 February, and I'm hoping he'll be appearing with me at the event, too!  Check it out.

Greetings to all the New Year commenters, including a namesake of mine (but no relation).  More soon.

Cologne Book Festival appearance

Hey, all, quick hit before the new year to say that, in addition to the Foyles London event on 1 February (more details soon), I'll also be appearing at the Cologne Literature Festival on 21 March.  Details and tickets here (auf Deutsch).

Greetings to the tons of new commenters!  Yes, I do read them all, and it's great to hear from you.  Remember to follow me on Twitter @Patrick_Ness (where I ramble on about nothing much), and a Happy New Year to everyone!  See you in 2012.

London event! And much more.

Not a lot of details yet, but save 1 February in your diaries.  I'll finally be doing a London event!  It'll be at Foyle's Bookstore on Charing Cross Road, and it'll include Jim Kay, illustrator extraordinaire of A Monster Calls.  It'll be free but ticketed, and I'll put up all details as soon as I have them.  Hope to see you there.

I was on Radio 4 this afternoon on Last Word, talking about the great Russell Hoban.  You can listen to it on iPlayer.

And in very nice news, A Monster Calls has been named Best Children's Book of the Year by Booklist, and has also been included in year-end Best Of lists by the Independent, the Chicago Sun Times and the Qatar Tribune, so a nice spread around the world, eh?  Really pleasing.

Greetings to the new commenters, and a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday season for everyone.

Last day to vote for A Monster Calls!

Today is the last day to vote for A Monster Calls for the Galaxy National Book Awards Book of the Year.  It's for UK and Irish residents, and you can do it here.  Come on, let's take down Dawn French!

A Monster Calls was also in the Wall Street Journal over the weekend as one of their Best Books of 2011, which is really cool.

Greetings to the new commenters, and just to say that movies take a long time and I promise that when there's any news (including any chances to audition), I'll shout it here and on twitter (@patrick_ness). 

Russell Hoban and A Monster Calls audiobook

One of my very favourite writers died this week, the amazing, amazing, amazing Russell Hoban.  His Riddley Walker is a big influence on the trilogy, and one of the most incredible books of the last fifty years.  I had the honour to contribute a note to his obituary in the Guardian.  He's someone you might want to seek out.

I've also realised that I haven't heard much from you guys about the A Monster Calls audiobook.  It's read by Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy from the Harry Potter films), and it's really good!  If you like audiobooks, and I know a few of you do, check it out.

Greetings to the new commenters.  More soon.

Front Row and a movie note

It turns out A Monster Calls was discussed very nicely on Front Row on Radio 4 last night.  You can listen to it here; it's the Meryl Streep episode.  Meryl (can I call her Meryl?) is on until about the 17 minute mark, and then children's books get discussed.  Nice.

Also, lots of comments and twitter queries about the Chaos Walking movies, particularly about casting!  Yes, I know, I know, I do, and if and when there are auditions, trust me, I will let everyone know.

Greetings to all the other new commenters.  More soon!