Dave Cousins's Blog, page 6
January 14, 2015
"Waiting for Gonzo" — The Music Videos! Part Two: Sunglasses.
When I was making up fictional bands for Oz – the narrator of
Waiting for Gonzo
– I was simply having fun, trying to build a fully three-dimensional character. I never imagined that one of those imaginary songs by a band that didn't exist would be released as a single …
If you like the song, you can download it here and help raise money for Bliss – the charity that provides care and support for premature babies and their families. The track costs 79p on iTunes , but you can download it from most online music sites. (Prices may vary, but all proceeds go to Bliss .)
Click here, to find out more about how and why Cyclops Dog and the rest of Oz's favourite bands were brought to life.
Waiting for Gonzo
is out now in the United States and Canada, published by Flux.
A UK edition (published by Oxford University Press) and audiobook are also available.
To read the story in Italian or Polish, please click on the links for San Paolo, Italy and YA! Poland . A German edition will be coming out in November.
If you like the song, you can download it here and help raise money for Bliss – the charity that provides care and support for premature babies and their families. The track costs 79p on iTunes , but you can download it from most online music sites. (Prices may vary, but all proceeds go to Bliss .)
Click here, to find out more about how and why Cyclops Dog and the rest of Oz's favourite bands were brought to life.
Waiting for Gonzo
is out now in the United States and Canada, published by Flux.A UK edition (published by Oxford University Press) and audiobook are also available.
To read the story in Italian or Polish, please click on the links for San Paolo, Italy and YA! Poland . A German edition will be coming out in November.
January 12, 2015
"Waiting for Gonzo" — The Music Videos! Part One: Cigarette UFO.
I know, I know … How do you start by writing a book, then end up making a soundtrack album and accompanying music videos? Well, you know how you get an idea and think "that'll be fun, shouldn't take too long"? Then thirty-six hours later you find yourself up at 3am clutching a torch and a fishing rod while attempting to animate a tin-foil alien spaceship?
No?
Just me then.
OK, well … if you've ever wondered what a writer does on his weekends off, here is the result of one of mine. I hope you enjoy it.
You can DOWNLOAD the full Waiting for Gonzo soundtrack album (including Cigarette UFO)
HERE for FREE!
To find out how (and perhaps, more importantly, why) we ended up writing and recording an album of imaginary songs by bands that don't exist, just so you could listen to Oz's favourite music, I attempt an explanation here.
If you enjoyed the video you may want to check back here on Wednesday …
Waiting for Gonzo
—the book that started all of this—is out now in the US and Canada, published by Flux.
A UK edition (published by Oxford University Press) and audiobook are also available.
To read the story in Italian or Polish, please click on the links for San Paolo, Italy and YA! Poland . A German edition will be coming out in November.
No?
Just me then.
OK, well … if you've ever wondered what a writer does on his weekends off, here is the result of one of mine. I hope you enjoy it.
You can DOWNLOAD the full Waiting for Gonzo soundtrack album (including Cigarette UFO)
HERE for FREE!
To find out how (and perhaps, more importantly, why) we ended up writing and recording an album of imaginary songs by bands that don't exist, just so you could listen to Oz's favourite music, I attempt an explanation here.
If you enjoyed the video you may want to check back here on Wednesday …
Waiting for Gonzo
—the book that started all of this—is out now in the US and Canada, published by Flux.A UK edition (published by Oxford University Press) and audiobook are also available.
To read the story in Italian or Polish, please click on the links for San Paolo, Italy and YA! Poland . A German edition will be coming out in November.
January 9, 2015
Download the "Waiting for Gonzo" Soundtrack — for FREE!
To celebrate the publication of Waiting for Gonzo in the United States and Canada, I'm posting a FREE download link for the soundtrack album that goes with the book.
"What's that?" you say. "A book with a soundtrack? Did I miss something?"
The following video may help to explain …
So … now you can read the book AND hear the music playing in Oz's world as he makes his way through the story.
Ten original songs by some of Oz's favourite bands, including Dead Frank's Supersonic Milkfloat, Cyclops Dog, Cigarette UFO and Prayer for Halo—yours to download for FREE. Includes printable CD artwork with full lyrics booklet.
DOWNLOAD HERE Did I mention it was FREE?
By the way, I'll be posting a couple more Waiting for Gonzo extras next week, so watch this space …
Waiting for Gonzo , is available now in the US and Canada, published by Flux.
A UK edition (published by Oxford University Press) and
audiobook
are also available. To read the story in
Italian
or
Polish
, please click on the links for San Paolo, Italy and YA! Poland. A German edition will be coming out in November.
January 8, 2015
"Waiting for Gonzo" Out Now in the United States and Canada!
Waiting for Gonzo hits the shelves in book stores all over the United States and Canada today!
For a quick introduction to the story (and a bit about me) here's a video by some strange looking bloke with a moustache! (It was made when the book first came out in the UK so don't be confused by the yellow cover!)
To celebrate publication, I'll be posting a few Waiting for Gonzo 'extras' over the next few days. Check back tomorrow for some free download goodies!
In the meantime, I thought I'd share a few of the nice things people have been saying about Waiting for Gonzo:
"Cousins follows up his debut … with another tightly woven, heartwarming story of the ups and downs in the life of a teenager and his family."— Kirkus Reviews
"In a darkly comic story … Cousins offers a vibrant, highly visual account of teen angst and backfiring schemes. (Oz) makes more than a few mistakes at school and at home, but readers will never doubt that his heart is in the right place." —Publishers Weekly
"Dave Cousins has created a distinctive narrator in Oz, as well as a hugely believable cast of supporting characters in this heart-warming and humorous novel. Dealing with some serious issues, Waiting for Gonzo manages to be simultaneously funny and thought-provoking." —Booktrust
Waiting for Gonzo ,
available now in paperback,
published by Flux.
For a quick introduction to the story (and a bit about me) here's a video by some strange looking bloke with a moustache! (It was made when the book first came out in the UK so don't be confused by the yellow cover!)
To celebrate publication, I'll be posting a few Waiting for Gonzo 'extras' over the next few days. Check back tomorrow for some free download goodies!
In the meantime, I thought I'd share a few of the nice things people have been saying about Waiting for Gonzo:
"Cousins follows up his debut … with another tightly woven, heartwarming story of the ups and downs in the life of a teenager and his family."— Kirkus Reviews
"In a darkly comic story … Cousins offers a vibrant, highly visual account of teen angst and backfiring schemes. (Oz) makes more than a few mistakes at school and at home, but readers will never doubt that his heart is in the right place." —Publishers Weekly
"Dave Cousins has created a distinctive narrator in Oz, as well as a hugely believable cast of supporting characters in this heart-warming and humorous novel. Dealing with some serious issues, Waiting for Gonzo manages to be simultaneously funny and thought-provoking." —Booktrust
Waiting for Gonzo ,
available now in paperback,
published by Flux.
August 20, 2014
Edinburgh International Book Festival & Inheritance Books on Radio 4 Extra
Well—it's all happening this week!
On Thursday I'll be on the radio. The
4 O'Clock Show
on BBC Radio 4 Extra invited me along to talk about
Charlie Merrick's Misfits
and some of my favourite stories, as part of their Inheritance Books series. Of course, I made it as difficult as possible, and decided to talk about a comic strip and a graphic novel—not the ideal medium for radio! If you want to find out how I got on, you can catch the broadcast at 4pm (Thurs 21 Aug) or Listen Again here.
Next, I'm off to Scotland for the
Edinburgh International Book Festival
. On Friday I'll be visiting libraries in Dundee to meet students from local schools as part of the EIBF Schools Outreach Programme. Then, on Saturday, I'll be back in Edinburgh for a
1:30 event
at the festival site. Maybe see you there!
On Thursday I'll be on the radio. The
4 O'Clock Show
on BBC Radio 4 Extra invited me along to talk about
Charlie Merrick's Misfits
and some of my favourite stories, as part of their Inheritance Books series. Of course, I made it as difficult as possible, and decided to talk about a comic strip and a graphic novel—not the ideal medium for radio! If you want to find out how I got on, you can catch the broadcast at 4pm (Thurs 21 Aug) or Listen Again here. 
Next, I'm off to Scotland for the
Edinburgh International Book Festival
. On Friday I'll be visiting libraries in Dundee to meet students from local schools as part of the EIBF Schools Outreach Programme. Then, on Saturday, I'll be back in Edinburgh for a
1:30 event
at the festival site. Maybe see you there!
July 1, 2014
St Saviour's School Dream Football Kit Designs
The
Charlie Merrick's Misfits
tour kicked off with two fixtures in East London yesterday. Berger Primary in E9 hosted the morning event for years 3 to 6, who came up with some fantastic questions that got us talking about writing, our favourite books, and football! A quick trip on the Docklands Light Railway and we arrived in E14 for the afternoon session at St. Saviour's. After the talk, year six downloaded the Charlie Merrick Activity Pack and designed some great dream football kits. They kindly allowed me to share them here.
BY ANNA, YR6, ST. SAVIOUR'S SCHOOL
BY BOBBY, YR6, ST. SAVIOUR'S SCHOOL
BY COUTHEY, YR6, ST. SAVIOUR'S SCHOOL
BY HARRY, YR6, ST. SAVIOUR'S SCHOOL
BY JAHNI, YR6, ST. SAVIOUR'S SCHOOL
BY JULIAN, YR6, ST. SAVIOUR'S SCHOOL
BY KENZIE, YR6, ST. SAVIOUR'S SCHOOL
BY NATHAN, YR6, ST. SAVIOUR'S SCHOOL
BY NIMAT, YR6, ST. SAVIOUR'S SCHOOL
BY ROAONIN, YR6, ST. SAVIOUR'S SCHOOL
BY SACHA, YR6, ST. SAVIOUR'S SCHOOL
BY SHANAZ, YR6, ST. SAVIOUR'S SCHOOL
BY WAFEE, YR6, ST. SAVIOUR'S SCHOOL
BY ZAC, YR6, ST. SAVIOUR'S SCHOOLThanks to all the staff and students at Berger Primary and St. Saviour's for a very enjoyable and entertaining start to the tour. Also, huge thanks to Joanna at Victoria Park Books for supplying copies of Charlie Merrick , and to Rose for her book selling, AV skills, and company on the road!
If you would like to design your own dream kit, make a comic or some stat cards for your football team, you can download the pack for FREE here.
June 9, 2014
Charlie Merrick's World Cup wallchart—FREE download!
Love it or loathe it, the football World Cup is here! Why not join in the fun and download the FREE Charlie Merrick World Cup wallchart?
If you're wondering who Charlie Merrick is, and why you would want his wallchart—all is revealed over on my website.
Now, what time's kick-off …
April 11, 2014
On the Edge at Hemel Hempstead Library for Herts Lit Fest
A couple of weeks ago I joined fellow Edge Author Sara Grant at Hemel Hempstead Library, for a morning of book-inspired edginess as part of the
Hertfordshire Literary Festival
. Sixty year seven students and staff from The Hemel Hempstead School made it through a Spring downpour to spend the morning at the library.
With Sara Grant and Hemel Hempstead School students at Herts Lit Fest.
Thanks to Tom for the photo.
Read the full story here …
With Sara Grant and Hemel Hempstead School students at Herts Lit Fest.Thanks to Tom for the photo.
Read the full story here …
April 3, 2014
Charlie Merrick's Misfits in Fouls, Friends & Football
A nice surprise this morning when a final printed copy of my new book landed on the mat.
A tale of friendship amidst the highs and lows of the beautiful game.
It's always a special moment when you hold the finished book in your hands. I'm not ashamed to admit there may have been some celebratory dancing!
Charlie Merrick's Misfits in Fouls, Friends & Football will be stampeding into book shops and libraries on May 1st. You'd be most welcome to read it.
Lots of laughs, action and even a bit of romance in this one! Pictures too!!
Thanks to everyone at Oxford University Press for their hard work and enthusiasm in bringing this story to life, with special mention for Clare, Claire and Molly.
A tale of friendship amidst the highs and lows of the beautiful game.It's always a special moment when you hold the finished book in your hands. I'm not ashamed to admit there may have been some celebratory dancing!
Charlie Merrick's Misfits in Fouls, Friends & Football will be stampeding into book shops and libraries on May 1st. You'd be most welcome to read it.
Lots of laughs, action and even a bit of romance in this one! Pictures too!!Thanks to everyone at Oxford University Press for their hard work and enthusiasm in bringing this story to life, with special mention for Clare, Claire and Molly.
April 1, 2014
Around the World in 15 Days!
My debut novel
15 Days Without a Head
was published by Oxford University Press in the UK in January 2012. It has since been published across the world in many different languages.
The Polish edition—
15 DNI BEZ GLOWY
—came out today!
I'm always fascinated to see the different artwork and titles used.
One of my favourites is the edition that came out recently in Taiwan (above bottom row, middle). The jacket illustrates characters and elements from the story, and even has silver endpapers! (below)
Great illustration of Mina in her RAMONES T-Shirt!
There are more character illustrations inside.
artwork: CommonWealth Magazine, Taiwan
I recently blogged about the fantastic animated trailer Penguin Random House produced for the Mexican Spanish Edition. Watch the video here.
With these and further editions scheduled for publication, every so often a new copy arrives in the post. The arrival of one of these always gives me a huge buzz, knowing that a story I wrote in my attic is now being read by people thousands of miles away in countries I have never been able to visit myself.
I did however get the opportunity to visit Italy last year, when Quindici Giorni Senza Testa , was awarded the Premio Andersen .
With my award at the beautiful Luzzati Museum, Genova
My Italian publisher San Paolo kindly invited me to Italy for the ceremony. I had a wonderful couple of days in Genova, and managed to deliver my award acceptance speech in 'very broken' Italian! Huge thanks to everyone at San Paolo, plus Barbara Schiaffino, Paolo Rinaldi, Marco Albonico, Alessandra Grasso, Giuseppe Trapani and the rights team at OUP, and most of all Giulia Guasco who translated the story into Italian and clearly did a very good job!
With Marco from San Paolo, and Giulia who did
such a great job translating the story into Italian
None of this would have been possible without the Rights Team at OUP. It is due to their dedication and hard work that my stories have found their way to readers all over the world. Here's a report from their recent trip to the Bologna Book Fair, see if you can spot the display for my new book Charlie Merrick's Misfits .
Finally, thanks to all the publishing houses across the globe for giving my stories a life beyond the attic.
Thanks to Jennie Younger for the photos and her company on my Italian adventure.
The Polish edition—
15 DNI BEZ GLOWY
—came out today!
I'm always fascinated to see the different artwork and titles used. One of my favourites is the edition that came out recently in Taiwan (above bottom row, middle). The jacket illustrates characters and elements from the story, and even has silver endpapers! (below)
Great illustration of Mina in her RAMONES T-Shirt!There are more character illustrations inside.
artwork: CommonWealth Magazine, TaiwanI recently blogged about the fantastic animated trailer Penguin Random House produced for the Mexican Spanish Edition. Watch the video here.
With these and further editions scheduled for publication, every so often a new copy arrives in the post. The arrival of one of these always gives me a huge buzz, knowing that a story I wrote in my attic is now being read by people thousands of miles away in countries I have never been able to visit myself.
I did however get the opportunity to visit Italy last year, when Quindici Giorni Senza Testa , was awarded the Premio Andersen .
With my award at the beautiful Luzzati Museum, GenovaMy Italian publisher San Paolo kindly invited me to Italy for the ceremony. I had a wonderful couple of days in Genova, and managed to deliver my award acceptance speech in 'very broken' Italian! Huge thanks to everyone at San Paolo, plus Barbara Schiaffino, Paolo Rinaldi, Marco Albonico, Alessandra Grasso, Giuseppe Trapani and the rights team at OUP, and most of all Giulia Guasco who translated the story into Italian and clearly did a very good job!
With Marco from San Paolo, and Giulia who did such a great job translating the story into Italian
None of this would have been possible without the Rights Team at OUP. It is due to their dedication and hard work that my stories have found their way to readers all over the world. Here's a report from their recent trip to the Bologna Book Fair, see if you can spot the display for my new book Charlie Merrick's Misfits .
Finally, thanks to all the publishing houses across the globe for giving my stories a life beyond the attic.
Thanks to Jennie Younger for the photos and her company on my Italian adventure.
