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.

"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.

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! 

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 SCHOOL

Thanks 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.

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 …

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 …

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.