Dave Cousins's Blog, page 10
August 20, 2012
Getting ready for some author improvisation at the Edinburgh International Book Festival
Tomorrow morning I will stumble bleary-eyed onto the milk train and head north for the start of three days at the Edinburgh International Book Festival.
My Tuesday evening event with fellow Edge author Sara Grant kicks off at the RBS Imagination Lab at 6:30.
A double act to rival Morecambe & Wise?
French & Saunders? Wallace & Gromit?
As well as talking about our books – 15 Days Without a Head and Dark Parties – we'll be attempting a bit of live story generation with help from the audience and … well, you'll find out if you're there. (Those who can't make it will have to wait for the video.) We're calling this Author Improvisation, or – How to set yourself up to fail majestically in front of a room full of people … I'll let you know how it goes.
Then on Thursday morning, I'm looking forward to a trip to Haddington to do some writing with students from Knox Academy, as part of the festival schools outreach programme.
Should be a fun few days – hope to see some of you there.
Don't forget, both 15 Days Without a Head and Dark Parties have been nominated for the Anobii First Book Award at this year's festival. See what else is on the list and cast your vote here . Thanks.
Tickets for the Tuesday evening event can be purchased here .
My Tuesday evening event with fellow Edge author Sara Grant kicks off at the RBS Imagination Lab at 6:30.
A double act to rival Morecambe & Wise?French & Saunders? Wallace & Gromit?
As well as talking about our books – 15 Days Without a Head and Dark Parties – we'll be attempting a bit of live story generation with help from the audience and … well, you'll find out if you're there. (Those who can't make it will have to wait for the video.) We're calling this Author Improvisation, or – How to set yourself up to fail majestically in front of a room full of people … I'll let you know how it goes.
Then on Thursday morning, I'm looking forward to a trip to Haddington to do some writing with students from Knox Academy, as part of the festival schools outreach programme.
Should be a fun few days – hope to see some of you there.
Don't forget, both 15 Days Without a Head and Dark Parties have been nominated for the Anobii First Book Award at this year's festival. See what else is on the list and cast your vote here . Thanks.
Tickets for the Tuesday evening event can be purchased here .
August 9, 2012
15 Days Without a Head included in the St Helens Book Awards BASH 2013 Longlist
I was delighted to discover that
15 Days Without a Head
is one of the books chosen by the young people of St Helens for the longlist of BASH 2013 (Book Awards St Helens).
Patrick Ness was last year's winner with
A Monster Calls
and the 2013 longlist contains a stack of impressive titles and authors, including
Code Name Verity
by Elizabeth Wein, which has to be one of my favourite books of the year – I'm honoured to find myself in such esteemed company!
Between now and the award ceremony in March, workshops will take place during the Autumn to decide the shortlist and then continue in the Spring term to pick a winner.
Here's the longlist in full:
The Traitors by Tom Becker (Scholastic)
Kill All Enemies by Melvin Burgess (Puffin)
15 Days Without a Head by Dave Cousins (Oxford)
Hollow Pike by James Dawson (Indigo/Orion)
Sektion 20 by Paul … (Bloomsbury)
The Things We Did For Love by Natasha Farrant (Faber)
Poison Heart by SB Hayes (Quercus)
Daylight Saving by Edward Hogan (Walker)
Bullet Boys by Ally Kennen (Marion Lloyd Books)
In Darkness by Nick Lake (Bloomsbury)
Burn Mark by Laura Powell (Bloomsbury)
Mister Creecher by Chris Priestly (Bloomsbury)
Black Heart Blue by Louisa Reid (Puffin)
Midwinterblood by Marcus Sedgwick (Indigo/Orion)
The Flask by Nicky Singer (Harper Collins)
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein (Electric Monkey/Egmont)
It looks like my 'books to read pile' is about to get longer …
Patrick Ness was last year's winner with
A Monster Calls
and the 2013 longlist contains a stack of impressive titles and authors, including
Code Name Verity
by Elizabeth Wein, which has to be one of my favourite books of the year – I'm honoured to find myself in such esteemed company!Between now and the award ceremony in March, workshops will take place during the Autumn to decide the shortlist and then continue in the Spring term to pick a winner.
Here's the longlist in full:
The Traitors by Tom Becker (Scholastic)
Kill All Enemies by Melvin Burgess (Puffin)
15 Days Without a Head by Dave Cousins (Oxford)
Hollow Pike by James Dawson (Indigo/Orion)
Sektion 20 by Paul … (Bloomsbury)
The Things We Did For Love by Natasha Farrant (Faber)
Poison Heart by SB Hayes (Quercus)
Daylight Saving by Edward Hogan (Walker)
Bullet Boys by Ally Kennen (Marion Lloyd Books)
In Darkness by Nick Lake (Bloomsbury)
Burn Mark by Laura Powell (Bloomsbury)
Mister Creecher by Chris Priestly (Bloomsbury)
Black Heart Blue by Louisa Reid (Puffin)
Midwinterblood by Marcus Sedgwick (Indigo/Orion)
The Flask by Nicky Singer (Harper Collins)
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein (Electric Monkey/Egmont)
It looks like my 'books to read pile' is about to get longer …
August 1, 2012
One Year! Wahey! or My Accidental Oscar Acceptance Speech
Today I'm celebrating one year as a full-time author!
The last twelve months have passed in a flash. My debut novel for teenagers, 15 Days Without a Head was published in January and selected as The Sunday Times Children's Book of the Week! Not a bad way to start things off! I then embarked on my first school visits – a steep learning curve, but a great experience. I've since lost count of the number of schools and library events I've taken part in – both on my own and with my fellow authors at The Edge –but meeting readers is one of the best parts of my new job.
One of the highlights of my year has to be appearing at the Hay Festival in June – a day full of "pinch-me, I must be dreaming" moments. A few weeks after returning from Hay I delivered the final manuscript for my next book for Oxford University Press, it's called Waiting for Gonzo and it comes out in March. I'm now writing a first draft of a new story and getting ready for an event at this year's Edinburgh International Book Festival with my fellow Edge author Sara Grant .
All told, it's been an incredible year – hard work but I've learnt a lot and each morning when I climb the ladder to the attic where I write, I still can't quite believe that this is my job now!
My intention when I sat down was to simply post a picture of the cake, but as usual, I've rambled on and this is in danger of sounding like some kind of Oscar acceptance speech! But while I'm here, I'd just like to take the opportunity to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported me in these past twelve months – my agent, Sarah Manson, everyone at my publisher Oxford University Press, all the readers, book sellers, teachers, librarians, bloggers, journalists, fellow writers, and most of all, my friends and family. So … thank you! Now, all back to mine for some cake …
The last twelve months have passed in a flash. My debut novel for teenagers, 15 Days Without a Head was published in January and selected as The Sunday Times Children's Book of the Week! Not a bad way to start things off! I then embarked on my first school visits – a steep learning curve, but a great experience. I've since lost count of the number of schools and library events I've taken part in – both on my own and with my fellow authors at The Edge –but meeting readers is one of the best parts of my new job.
One of the highlights of my year has to be appearing at the Hay Festival in June – a day full of "pinch-me, I must be dreaming" moments. A few weeks after returning from Hay I delivered the final manuscript for my next book for Oxford University Press, it's called Waiting for Gonzo and it comes out in March. I'm now writing a first draft of a new story and getting ready for an event at this year's Edinburgh International Book Festival with my fellow Edge author Sara Grant .
All told, it's been an incredible year – hard work but I've learnt a lot and each morning when I climb the ladder to the attic where I write, I still can't quite believe that this is my job now!
My intention when I sat down was to simply post a picture of the cake, but as usual, I've rambled on and this is in danger of sounding like some kind of Oscar acceptance speech! But while I'm here, I'd just like to take the opportunity to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported me in these past twelve months – my agent, Sarah Manson, everyone at my publisher Oxford University Press, all the readers, book sellers, teachers, librarians, bloggers, journalists, fellow writers, and most of all, my friends and family. So … thank you! Now, all back to mine for some cake …
July 29, 2012
Summer Reading Challenge
The summer months have always been a great time for reading. What could be better than a few hours in the sun (or shade!) with a mug of tea and a good book?
An important part of getting ready to go on holiday as a teenager was choosing the books to take with me. Looking back now, the details I remember are often linked to the books I was reading: having my copy of The Two Towers stolen on a ferry or spooking myself with Robert Westall's The Scarecrows in a rainy, wind-blasted cottage in the Lake District. My copy of Hemingway's To Have and Have Not still bears the greasy stains of Ambre Solaire and the odd grain of Dorset sand stuck between the pages. Over the past two days I've been scanning the blue summer sky for aircraft trails while reading Elizabeth Wein's Codename Verity.
I'm a little too old to join in the Reading Agency's Summer Reading Challenge to read six books before the schools go back in September, but thought I'd have a go anyway. Here are my six summer reads (plus the one I've already started!)
Leave me a comment and tell me which books you'll be relaxing with this summer.
An important part of getting ready to go on holiday as a teenager was choosing the books to take with me. Looking back now, the details I remember are often linked to the books I was reading: having my copy of The Two Towers stolen on a ferry or spooking myself with Robert Westall's The Scarecrows in a rainy, wind-blasted cottage in the Lake District. My copy of Hemingway's To Have and Have Not still bears the greasy stains of Ambre Solaire and the odd grain of Dorset sand stuck between the pages. Over the past two days I've been scanning the blue summer sky for aircraft trails while reading Elizabeth Wein's Codename Verity.
I'm a little too old to join in the Reading Agency's Summer Reading Challenge to read six books before the schools go back in September, but thought I'd have a go anyway. Here are my six summer reads (plus the one I've already started!)
Leave me a comment and tell me which books you'll be relaxing with this summer.
July 5, 2012
Visit to Simon Balle School, Hertford with Books@Hoddesdon
On Wednesday I visited Simon Balle School in Hertford with Elaine from
Books@Hoddesdon
, to talk to a group of Year Nine boys about
15 Days Without a Head
and my route to becoming an author. We had a great time. Here are a few pics …
Caught posing with my book again!
Talking to Year Nine boys about Undiscovered Voices and how to get published
Getting the pose right as The Human Comic Book!
Signing books and postcards with Daniel and Nick.
Thanks to Elaine for arranging the event (and taking the photos!) and to everyone at Simon Balle School for making me so welcome, especially Janet and all the staff who came along to the library, and the boys in Year Nine for being such a great audience.
Visit the Books@Hoddesdon website or find them on Facebook.
Caught posing with my book again!
Talking to Year Nine boys about Undiscovered Voices and how to get published
Getting the pose right as The Human Comic Book!
Signing books and postcards with Daniel and Nick.Thanks to Elaine for arranging the event (and taking the photos!) and to everyone at Simon Balle School for making me so welcome, especially Janet and all the staff who came along to the library, and the boys in Year Nine for being such a great audience.
Visit the Books@Hoddesdon website or find them on Facebook.
July 2, 2012
Langley Grammar School – Thank You!
In March I visited Langley Grammar School in Slough to talk to students from Year Seven, Eight and Nine about
15 Days Without a Head
and my journey to becoming an author.
A few weeks later an enormous envelope of cards, drawings, poems and cartoons arrived in the post. To say it made my day would be an understatement! I was so bowled over and impressed by the creativity on display I had to share it.
Huge thanks to all the staff at students at the school for making me so welcome on the day, and for taking the time to send me these …
A few weeks later an enormous envelope of cards, drawings, poems and cartoons arrived in the post. To say it made my day would be an understatement! I was so bowled over and impressed by the creativity on display I had to share it.
Huge thanks to all the staff at students at the school for making me so welcome on the day, and for taking the time to send me these …
June 28, 2012
15 Days Without a Head nominated for Anobii First Book Award 2012
15 Days Without a Head has been nominated for an award! Wahey!
A future literary legend? That would be nice … anyway, if you enjoyed reading 15 Days Without a Head and would like to vote for it, I'd be very grateful. Of course if you have an alternative favourite on the list – such as those by my fellow Edge authors Sara Grant and Katie Dale, or Teri Terry's Slated – the choice is yours. Whichever title gets your vote, you will automatically be entered into a prize draw for a chance to win a copy of every book on the list. Can't be bad!
The Anobii First Book Award celebrates the wealth of new writing included in the Edinburgh International Book Festival programme each year. Every debut novelist and every overseas writer whose words are published in English for the first time is included in the award.
Unlike other literary prizes, this one is selected by you, the readers who champion new writing and who are responsible for making superstars out of debut novelists.
Many of the writers who participate in our Festival programme go on to forge international careers. The Anobii First Book Award enables you to play your part in identifying a future literary legend by reading the books, coming to see the events and, of course, by placing your vote.
This year there are 45 outstanding titles in the running for the Anobii First Book Award. You can browse the shortlisted titles here and vote for your favourite. You can also rate and review the First Book Award titles on Anobii.com, a new website for book lovers.
A future literary legend? That would be nice … anyway, if you enjoyed reading 15 Days Without a Head and would like to vote for it, I'd be very grateful. Of course if you have an alternative favourite on the list – such as those by my fellow Edge authors Sara Grant and Katie Dale, or Teri Terry's Slated – the choice is yours. Whichever title gets your vote, you will automatically be entered into a prize draw for a chance to win a copy of every book on the list. Can't be bad!
The Book Addicted Boy!
I was honoured to be invited to take part in the fortnight of guest authors contributing posts for
The Book Addicted Girl
and decided to share some of the books I was addicted to while growing up.
Read the full post here …
Read the full post here …
June 26, 2012
15 Days at the Edinburgh International Book Festival
I'm delighted to announce that I'll be appearing at this year's Edinburgh International Book Festival.
My event on Tuesday 21 August (6:30pm in the RBS Imagination Lab) will be with fellow Edge author Sara Grant, and part of the Anobii First Book Award series of events.
Here is what it says on the festival website:
Tickets will be on sale from 29 June 2012. Hope to see you there!
My event on Tuesday 21 August (6:30pm in the RBS Imagination Lab) will be with fellow Edge author Sara Grant, and part of the Anobii First Book Award series of events.
Here is what it says on the festival website:
Sara Grant’s novel Dark Parties is set in a future where the last of humanity live in a domed world and are fed lies to keep them docile. In 15 Days Without a Head, Dave Cousins tackles the thorny issue of family breakdown. Both authors are part of The Edge, a group of writers creating cutting edge fiction for teens. Come and hear them talk about their work and influences.
Tickets will be on sale from 29 June 2012. Hope to see you there!
The Reading Agency MyVoice Libronauts Welcome The Edge Authors to Padgate Library, Warrington
The Edge and Padgate Library LibronautsOn Friday, I accompanied three of my fellow authors from the Edge to Warrington. We were there to meet up with The Libronauts at Padgate Library. Part of The Reading Agency MyVoice initiative, The Libronauts are made up of pupils from Lysander High School in Padgate and meet every Tuesday in their Reading Hub, appropriately dubbed The Launch Pad!
Click here to read the full article and see the photos
