10 Days Without a Book! Countdown to Publication #6: Fun Facts!

15 Days Without a Head will be in bookshops in 10 days time. By way of celebration, I will be publishing a new post here every day, leading up to publication on January 5th. The idea is to provide a few bonus items, such as you'd expect to find on the extras disc of a DVD – except these will be available before the main feature of course! 

Today, a few facts about 15 Days Without a Head:


Fun Fact #1: The first version of the story that became 15 Days Without a Head was called Somewhere. The title was inspired by the song from West Side Story, though it was the Tom Waits version I had in my head (and on my character's iPod.)

Fun Fact #2: In the original version, the brothers Laurence and Jay were called Jimmi and Danny Harris. Mina was a Scottish girl called Nikki, who lived with her gran, on the floor above Jimmi in the Heights.

Fun Fact #3: The story opened with a scene in a pub – very much like the real life incident that drove me to write it – and ended in a police station. The journey Jimmi and Danny take in Somewhere is very different to the one Laurence and Jay live through in 15 Days Without a Head. There are lots of things I like about the original version, so you never know, there may even be a book in it … someday, somehow, somewhere!

Don't forget I'm giving away a signed (or unsigned, if you prefer) copy of 15 Days Without a Head. Click here for details.

Tomorrow: The National Association for Children of Alcoholics.

11 Days Without a Book! Countdown to Publication #5: A Monster Munch vs Doctor Who Christmas Cake Duel!

15 Days Without a Head will be in bookshops in 11 days time. By way of celebration, I will be publishing a new post here every day, leading up to publication on January 5th. The idea is to provide a few bonus items, such as you'd expect to find on the extras disc of a DVD – except these will be available before the main feature of course! 

But today is Christmas! So there will be no more talk of books … only cake! 


Last year, our Christmas cake was an homage to the wonderful Calvin and Hobbes. This time, in keeping with the countdown to publication of 15 Days, we made a Monster Munch cake. You'll have to read the book to find out why!

Monsters (l to r) Roast Beef, Pickled Onion and Smokey Bacon

A new festive flavour – Marzipan Monster Munch!

Monster Munch and chips – Jay's ideal Christmas cake topping!

Tasty …

And then we made a Doctor Who one … because, well … it is Christmas.

Cybermen, Daleks and The Doctor put aside their differences for a festive snowball fight!

Geroni…snow !!! (sorry)

As Christmas is a time for giving gifts, don't forget I'm giving away a signed (or unsigned, if you prefer) copy of 15 Days Without a Head. Click here for details.

Tomorrow: 15 Days Without a Head – Fun Facts!

12 Days Without a Book! Countdown to Publication #4: I'll do anything for a Scooby Snack! 15 Days and Scooby-Doo!

15 Days Without a Head will be in bookshops in 12 days time. By way of celebration, I'm publishing a new post here every day, leading up to publication on January 5th. The idea is to provide a few bonus items, such as you'd expect to find on the extras disc of a DVD – except these will be available before the main feature of course! 

‘You stay here and keep a look out Scoob, while I go inside and look for clues,’ I tell him, when we get to the chip shop.
        Jay frowns. ‘I want to come with you. Scooby and Shaggy always stay together.’
        ‘They don’t allow dogs in there Scooby, old pal!’ I’m trying to keep it going, doing the voice and everything; people walking past are staring.
        ‘I’ll bring you a bag of Scooby Snacks!’
         Jay’s lip quivers, but eventually he nods. ‘OK, but don’t be too long.’
         My brother has more in common with that dog than he knows. 

(from 15 Days Without a Head)

I was a huge fan of Scooby-Doo as a kid. It was one of the cartoons I’d run home from school to watch. This, of course, was back in the days when there were only four channels, and children's television occupied a narrow late afternoon slot before the early evening news. I have to admit that I always thought the credits looked scarier and more exciting than the actual shows, but there was something about Shaggy and Scooby that appealed. They were funny, easy-going and cowardly, yet never deserted each other in a time of crisis. I suppose it was natural that my dog-obsessed character, six-year-old Jay in 15 Days, should choose to identify with Scooby. It is a testament to Hanna-Barbera head writers Joe Ruby and Ken Spears, along with artist and designer, Iwao Takamoto – that Scooby-Doo is still on television nearly thirty years later.

Giant Scooby and Mini Mystery Machine on the shelf in my (somewhat dusty) attic!

Fun Fact: Scooby-Doo was originally entitled Mysteries Five and were a mystery solving band of musicians. Scooby’s character – Too Much – played the bongos!


Scooby must also take some of the credit for the fact that 15 Days Without a Head is being published in 12 days time. When Oxford University Press invited my agent and I to their offices to pitch for the book, they not only got a male member of staff to dress up in women’s clothes and serve dinner (all will become clear if you read the book), they also presented us with a box of home-cooked Scooby Snacks each. I have to admit, that pretty much clinched the deal for me! 

Scooby Snacks from OUP. By the time I got home and took the photo the box was half empty!

   

Don't forget I'm giving away a signed (or unsigned, if you prefer) copy of 15 Days Without a Head. Click here for details.

Tomorrow: it's Christmas!!!

13 Days Without a Book! Countdown to Publication #3: 15 Days Without a Head Book Trailer

15 Days Without a Head will be in bookshops in 13 days time. By way of celebration, I will be publishing a new post here every day, leading up to publication on January 5th. The idea is to provide a few bonus items, such as you'd expect to find on the extras disc of a DVD – except these will be available before the main feature of course! 

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, grab your choc-ices and take your seats for the premier showing of the 15 Days Without a Head book trailer! 

(cue Pearl & Dean music for those of us old enough to remember it!)

Big thanks to D & J for their production and direction advice during the making of this trailer, and the reviewers for their kind words.

Don't forget I'm giving away a signed (or unsigned, if you prefer) copy of 15 Days Without a Head. Click here for details.

Tomorrow: I'll do anything for a Scooby Snack …

14 Days Without a Book! Countdown to Publication #2: How I Write – Getting into Character

15 Days Without a Head will be in bookshops in 14 days time. By way of celebration, I will be publishing a new post here every day, leading up to publication on January 5th. The idea is to provide a few bonus items, such as you'd expect to find on the extras disc of a DVD – except these will be available before the main feature of course! 

Today, I'm giving a behind the scenes insight into how I find inspiration when creating a new character …


The video was originally created to celebrate the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators 10th Anniversary. Members were asked to supply a video of themselves writing (or illustrating). This was mine. 

I am also happy to announce that the Kindle Edition of 15 Days Without a Head is published today and available for download.

Don't forget I'm giving away a signed (or unsigned, if you prefer) copy of 15 Days Without a Head. Click here for details.

Tomorrow: I'll be unveiling my new 15 Days Without a Head book trailer.

15 Days Without a Book! Countdown to Publication #1: Win a copy of 15 Days Without a Head.

15 Days Without a Head will be in bookshops in 15 days time. By way of celebration, I will be publishing a new post here every day for the 15 days leading up to publication on January 5th. The idea is to provide a few bonus items, such as you'd expect to find on the extras disc of a DVD – except these will be available before the main feature of course! 

So – in the spirit of St. Thomas’s Day*, I’m going to start by giving away a signed (or unsigned, if you prefer) copy of the book. (Thanks to my publisher, Oxford University Press for donating a copy).

> Sorry, folks! This competition has now closed <

To be entered into the draw, simply click here to email the answer to following question:

Which of the following creatures can live for days without a head?

A – Chicken
B – Cockroach
C – Crab

The closing date for entries is midnight December 30th, 2011. The result will be announced here on New Year’s Eve. 

Unfortunately due to postage costs, I can only accept entries from the UK.

* For those who don't know the history of St. Thomas's Day (I didn't) An old English tradition on December 21st, was for women and children to go 'Thomasing' or 'gooding' around the homes of their neighbours for food and money towards their Christmas celebrations.

Tomorrow: How I Write – Getting into Character (AKA The Hat Video!)

31 Days without a book …

Only one month (or rather 31 days) to go until 15 Days Without a Head hits the bookshops. Wahey!

By way of celebration, I will be publishing a new post here every day for the 15 days leading up to publication on January 5th. The idea is to provide a few bonus items, such as you'd expect to find on the extras disc of a DVD – except these will be available before the main feature! 
        As well as a few fun facts about 15 Days Without a Head, I'm hoping to unveil a brand new book trailer, as well as finally posting the 'hat video' a few people might already know – this time with a brand new, original soundtrack. As if that wasn't enough folks,  there will also be a chance to win a signed copy of 15 Days Without a Head (or unsigned if you prefer) which I will post out to you BEFORE it becomes available in the shops. 
        Finally, if there's anything you'd like me to include during the 15 days of extras – any questions you'd like answered etc. please leave a comment here, or email me through my website and I'll do my best to include it. Many thanks.
        Look out for the first post on Wednesday 21st of December. 


See you soon.