Kat Ellis's Blog, page 14

Review: EREN by Simon P Clark

YA novels are my niche, both in terms of reading and writing, but I was still chomping at the bit to get an advance copy of Simon P Clark's debut MG novel, EREN.
You see, Simon is an online friend from twitter, and he's also represented by marvellous agent Molly Ker Hawn of The Bent Agency. So I already knew that Simon was very funny and charming, and that he was bound to be very talented. When you know this about someone, you want to read their book.
This is what it’s about.

‘Tell the story to its end,’ says Eren with a grin. His yellow eyes are glowing like embers in the night. 

People are keeping secrets from Oli - about where his father is, and why he hasn't come to join them at his uncle's house in the country.

But Oli has secrets too.

He knows what lives in the attic. Eren - part monster, part dream, part myth. Eren who always seems so interested, who always wants to hear more about Oli's life. Eren, who needs to hear stories to live, and will take them from Oli, no matter the cost.

As much as I would tell anyone “I don’t really read MG”, I forgot about that within a few sentences of reading EREN. The story begins (or does it?) with Oli and his mother travelling from London to stay with relatives, and the author’s conjuring of British summer holidays, the awkward trips to visit unfamiliar relations, and the discovery of Important Things like a portal (sliding fence panel) between two gardens, transported me back to when I was Oli’s age. I could absolutely relate to his sense of being kept in the dark by the adults around him, but the mysterious draw of the attic invites him into the dark rather than keeping him there.
Oli is a smart, thoughtful character, and he worries about things like rumours about his politician father, his mother looking exhausted, tentative friendships which might last a day or a summer or longer, but who knows? And I could see how a shadowy creature who lived in the attic and fed on stories could be a relief from all those other things.
EREN goes to some dark places, but there’s a lot of light in there as well. His friends Em and Takeru are brilliant and fun, and when the three are together there’s an irrepressible sense of adventure that had me grinning. I liked the careful affection-building between Oli and his uncle and aunt, and the way Oli saw through his mother’s snappy moods and protected her as much as she believed she protected him from the truth.

I’ve read that EREN will appeal to fans of David Almond and Patrick Ness, and would absolutely agree. This is skilful storytelling; the kind that feels destined to become a classic.
You can add EREN to your Goodreads TBR, and preorder here from Amazon UK. It is due out on 18th September from Constable & Robinson. In the meantime, keep an eye on Simon's website, where EREN TALES -- companion stories to EREN, with wonderful illustrations -- can be found!

Firefly's first 4 titles launched in Aberystwyth

So, it's the end of Blackfin Sky's official UK release week! (Yep. I claimed the entire week.)

I thought I'd update you with a few pics from the Firefly launch event that took place in Aberystwyth Arts Centre on 15th May. I was there, along with Dan Anthony - author of Steve's Dreams - and Heather Dyer - author of The Flying Bedroom, and of course Penny Thomas and Janet Thomas from Firefly Press, and a whole ROOMFUL of brilliant people who came to listen to us talk about our books.


We each said a little bit about the kind of stories we write, then read for a few minutes before people got their copies signed.



It was also great fun getting to meet Sarah Taylor (why didn't I think to grab a photo?!?!), who won the first Firefly writing contest this year with her story Arthur & Me, which is soon to be published by Firefly Press.
As is the tradition at Aberystwyth Arts Centre, I was asked to sign a pillar in the bookshop and quote the first line from Blackfin Sky. Here it is!

Thereafter, many drinks were had...

If you're in the North Wales-ish area and fancy coming to Blackfin Sky's local launch event, you can come along to Prestatyn Library at 7pm this Friday, 23rd May. Hope to see you there!

Kat out x

BLACKFIN SKY - Release Day Giveaway!

Hello peeps! Blackfin Sky is officially released in the UK today, and to celebrate I'm holding an international giveaway!

Enter using this nifty rafflecopter doojit.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

The giveaway is international. If you're not in the UK/Commonwealth, the signed copy will be an ARC of the US edition (otherwise a finished copy of the UK edition).

Connect with me on Facebook

Yes, I have taken the plunge down the rabbit hole that is Facebook, and you can now find me there if you like. I would like it if you would like it. (You know what I mean...?)

I'm going to stick stuff on there about promos going on with Blackfin Sky, events, news, etc. and probably a lot more photos than you'll find here or on twitter. So there's that.



Kat out for now x

First review!

Blackfin Sky received a Sunshine Star-rated review from Luna's Little Library review site today - HOORAY! You can read it here if you'd like (and you should. It's STELLAR.)

Kat out x

Blackfin Sky's official UK trailer!

Check. It. OUT.


This was animated by the outstanding Whitney Gardner and Roger Braunstein of PartlyHuman, with illustrations by Shane Rebenschied who also did the cover illustration for the UK version of Blackfin Sky (and covers for Chuck Wendig, covers for The Walking Dead series, and so on...I know, AAAH! Check out his site here.)

What do you think??

Spring already?!?!

The very lovely Dawn Kurtagich posted her latest vlog today, following the I Love Spring Book Tag, and gave an awesome shout-out to Blackfin Sky. She also pointed out that there are only two and a half weeks left til it comes out in the UK, so I'm just going to go and freak out in the corner while you watch her fab vlog.

Kat out x

ARCs! Interviews! Stuff!

Ok, so just a couple or 3 things to spill...

#1: I'm over on the lovely E M Castellan's blog today answering questions about Blackfin Sky and other cool stuff for her A Writer in the Spotlight series. You should go and read that. Then come back and read the other 2 awesome things I have to tell you.

Go on then. *shoos you away*

#2: I got an exciting package in the post today, all the way from my editor at Running Press Teens in the US.

MY US ARCS ARRIVED!

(That's Advance Reader Copies, if you're wondering.)

This is a Big. Frickin. Deal.

Not least because I'm going to be doing one or two ARC giveaways in the very near future. I'm thinking the first might just happen THIS WEEKEND. I'll make it nice and easy - all you'll need to do to be entered is tweet with the hashtag #BlackfinSky, letting your tweeps know why you want a copy, and I'll pick one person at random to get an ARC. Follow me on twitter @el_kat so you don't miss the times to tweet!

#3: On this side of the pond, there are only 3 WEEKS til Blackfin Sky is released! An awesome trailer is being finalised as we speak, and I'll be sharing that with you all VERY soon. Seriously, you'll want to see it because it is amazing.

*Cue angelsong*

But for now....

Kat out x

What Happened in Cardiff

Thursday night was my gig alongside Lucy Christopher and Quiet Marauder at Cardiff Children's Literature Festival, which took the form of readings, Q&A with Tom Anderson, and music at Waterstones in the centre of Cardiff. Here are some snaps!

Lucy Christopher reading from The Killing Woods (LOVE)
Me talking about Blackfin Sky (photo courtesy of @wstonecardiff)
Taking questions, chatting and what have you...
Lucy and me signing each other's books!
Simon from Quiet Marauder talks about the inspiration behind the companion songs written for The Killing Woods, and the 111-track album they have coming out soon!It was a fantastic event, and my first time actually signing Blackfin Sky. Now there are a few inked copies out there in the world...EEP!

Cardiff Children's Lit Fest - with Lucy Christopher and me!

Just a quick reminder to anyone in the Cardiff / South Wales area: you can come and spend an evening with Lucy Christopher - author of Stolen, Flyaway, and The Killing Woods - and ME! This Thursday, 10th April, we'll be talking about our books and reading from them, and the band Quiet Marauder - who wrote companion music to Lucy's latest novel - will be appearing. A FUN EVENING INDEED.

Here's where the tickets live: http://www.cardiff.gov.uk/content.asp?nav=2868,6584,6615&parent_directory_id=2865&id=14867&Language=

Hope to see you there!